Something in the Air (Running on Air Book 2)

by L.H. Cosway

  James: No, I’ll be fine. There are going to be days like this. I just need to deal with them.

  Me: Okay. See you later.

  A waiter had arrived at the table, interrupting Afric and Neil’s argument. The rest of lunch was pretty awkward since they’d evidently come to an impasse and decided to ignore one another. I filled the silence by asking Afric about a new online game I was thinking of trying out. She always knew what was good and what was crap well ahead of everyone else. Neil quietly picked at his sushi rolls.

  When we finished eating, Afric and I hugged and said our goodbyes before she hopped into a taxi. I walked with Neil back to the gym and his silence punctuated his annoyance.

  “I told you she was a little different,” I said.

  Neil cast me a side glance. “Different I can deal with, Michaela, but your friend is just plain rude.”

  “She’s really not so bad once you get to know her,” I argued, but I suspected I wasn’t going to change his mind about Afric.

  “Do me a favour. Next time you’re meeting her for lunch, be sure not to invite me.”

  “Duly noted.”

  ***

  That evening, I arrived back at the house to a surprise. It appeared Masoud being a fan of Running on Air had worked in James’ favour, because he’d organised next-day delivery for the couch. At least he wasn’t hung up on me not giving him my phone number. I walked into the living room and found James lounging on it with his laptop open in front of him.

  “Oh, the couch looks great in here!” I exclaimed, glad to have something to comment on to distract from how things ended between us last night. I wasn’t sure whether or not James had been about to kiss me, but whatever it was, I was still feeling the awkwardness of the encounter.

  “Isn’t it great? I actually want to spend time in here now,” James said, and I wondered if he felt awkward, too. Or maybe I’d imagined the whole thing.

  I sat gingerly down next to him, making sure to leave a foot of space. “It’s really comfortable. I could seriously fall asleep on this. It’s been a long day.”

  “What happened?” James arched an inquisitive eyebrow.

  I blew out a breath and shared the highlights of my lunch with Neil and Afric. I was again focusing on neutral topics for fear of him bringing up last night. But then, why would he bring it up? There might’ve been a weird moment, but nothing actually happened.

  “Moral of the story, I won’t be inviting Neil anywhere Afric’s going to be ever again, and vice versa.”

  James gave a quiet laugh. “They are quite different.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” I said, my eyes wandering to the screen of his laptop. My lips shaped into a grin. “Hey, are you playing Greenforest?”

  James gave me a sheepish look and shrugged. “It’s fun.”

  I eyed him suspiciously. “Be honest, you’ve been playing all day.”

  He flopped back into the couch. “Okay, so I might be slightly addicted.”

  I chuckled. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “I just need the distraction, you know?” James said, his expression sombre.

  “No, I totally get it.” I needed to tell him about New York. Just get it out there. “By the way, Neil talked me into taking his place on the location scouting trip, so I’ll be coming with you and Paul instead.” Right after I said it, I realised I wouldn’t be able to go to the concert with Louis now, and my lack of disappointment about that said it all. I wished I liked him more, but James was still front and centre.

  His eyebrows did a little jump. “Oh, you are?”

  “If it’s okay with you, that is.”

  “Of course it’s okay with me,” he replied, but something in his expression said differently. He looked worried, but maybe that was down to the trip itself. Maybe he didn’t want to be away while work was still being done on the house.

  “I’ve organised for Neil to be here while we’re away so he can supervise the workmen.”

  James held my gaze and I got a little lost in his eyes. Then he blinked and looked away, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. “Good. Thank you.”

  I was about to ask if he was sure he was okay with me and Neil swapping places when the front doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” I said, standing. “It’s probably just a delivery.”

  I walked out into the hallway, expecting the UPS man, who I was now on first name terms with. I opened the door, but it wasn’t him. Instead, Diana stood on the stoop, her eyes narrowed in suspicion when she saw me. Mine narrowed right back, as I thought of all the things James told me about her treatment of him while they were together.

  “You,” she said, her tone frosty.

  “Hello, Diana,” I replied loudly, hoping to give James a heads up. She was obviously here to see him, but I had no idea if he wanted to see her. Should I lie and tell her he was out?

  My protective instincts kicked in as I studied her. She didn’t look as well put together as usual. She wore a long wool coat, the blouse underneath slightly rumpled, and her hair – normally blow-dried to perfection – looked like it hadn’t been washed in a couple of days. I should’ve felt sorry for her. After all, breakups were tough for everyone. But I just couldn’t find it in myself to forgive her. Dad said it takes a strong person to forgive. Well, maybe I was weak because I had no forgiveness for the woman standing in front of me.

  “I’m looking for James,” she said. “His father told me I’d find him here.”

  “Right, um…” I hesitated but was saved from coming up with a lie when James stepped into the hallway.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, eyeing Diana coolly.

  “We need to talk,” she replied. “I thought you were staying with your dad. I had no idea you were renting a house.”

  So she still had no clue he’d bought this place for her? Two opposing emotions warred within me. I didn’t know whether to stay and help James stand his ground, or leave and let them talk. In the end, the latter won out. James didn’t need protecting. He’d stood his ground by breaking up with Diana in the first place and that was all his own doing. I took a step back. “I’ll leave you to talk,” I said quietly, then turned and ascended the stairs.

  I didn’t realise my mistake until I reached the landing and heard Diana ask a question, her voice a little shrill. “Is she living here with you?”

  I cursed myself. I should’ve just gone into the kitchen. Hovering outside my room, I listened.

  “Michaela’s overseeing renovations for me,” James replied.

  “Wait a second, you own this place? Since when?”

  “Since a couple of months ago,” James said, obviously not bothering to lie.

  “What!?” Diana shrieked and I tensed. “So you’ve been planning to leave me all this time?”

  “I wasn’t planning to leave you. I bought this place for us originally,” James said, sounding tired. “Look, let’s not do this out here. Come inside.”

  I continued listening as he led her into the living room. Their voices were fainter now, but I could still just about make them out. I knew I should mind my own business, but my anxiety got the best of me. A part of me feared she might somehow convince James to take her back. What if he gave her a second chance? Would she eventually return to her old ways? I didn’t want them to reconcile, because it would mean someone I cared about re-entering an abusive relationship, but also because it would put a definite full stop to my spending time with James outside of work. My selfish side didn’t want to give that up.

  “You bought this house for us?” Diana asked, sounding awed.

  “Yes, but that was before. I’ve decided to complete the renovations and sell it now.”

  “You could still keep it. We could keep it,” she replied.

  “We’re not getting back together,” James told her, his voice gentle but firm.

  “But why not? You look miserable, baby,” she said sweetly.

  My stomach twisted.

  “
I’m miserable because my mother passed away only a few weeks ago. I’m not miserable because of us. Diana, I know this is hard, but you have to accept it. Our relationship started out good, but it turned toxic. You know that, right? Please tell me you know that.”

  A sniffle from her. “Of course I know it. I’m not proud of my behaviour. I’ve been seeing a therapist and we’re working through my issues. I can get back to my old self for you, James. I promise.”

  “That’s good. I’m glad to hear you’re talking to someone, but we’re not getting back together. I can’t marry you. I don’t love you anymore. I’m sorry.”

  “How can you possibly know that? Like you said, your mum passed away. You’re not thinking straight.”

  “I am thinking straight.” He almost sounded apologetic now. “I’ve never been clearer. Loss has that effect.”

  “So what? You want to be some bachelor out on the town all of a sudden?” she questioned angrily. “You’ve never been that person, James. You love being in a relationship. It’s who you are.”

  “This isn’t about whether or not I like being in a relationship. I simply don’t want to be in a relationship with you, Diana. Not anymore,” he said and I winced. That definitely had to have stung.

  “Oh, for God’s sake. I’m sorry I hit you all those times, okay? My temper got the better of me, but it’s not like I hurt you.”

  “You didn’t hurt me physically,” James corrected, and I felt proud of him for pointing that out.

  “It wasn’t me. I didn’t mean it. Like I said, I have anger issues, but I’m in therapy now. I can get better.”

  “And I believe you, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re over,” James said, his exhaustion evident in his voice.

  There was a long silence and I grew nervous. Then finally Diana broke it. “Is it that little assistant of yours? Is she what this is all about?”

  My heart felt like it stopped beating.

  “This has nothing to do with Michaela,” James replied.

  “Sure, it doesn’t,” Diana scoffed. “Do you think I’m blind? I see how she looks at you. I’ve seen it for months, all doe-eyed and hero-worshipping. Is that what you want? You want me to act all innocent and tell you what a big, strong, handsome man you are?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Diana laughed cruelly. “I see how you look at her, too, you know. You’re such a fucking cliché, lusting after your pretty, young assistant. You men are such slaves to your nature. You’re taken in by the whole clueless, innocent little mouse act. Some caveman instinct makes you think you have to take care of women like that. I thought you were more evolved, but obviously not.”

  “You’re wrong,” James ground out. He sounded pissed.

  I heard the click of Diana’s heels and pictured her stepping close to him. “I’m not an unreasonable woman. I’m willing to make a compromise.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about me letting you go and have fun with your little plaything. Then when you’re finally done with her, you can come back to me and we’ll get married.”

  “The fact that you think I’d be willing to use someone like that makes me feel like you never really knew me at all. Now please leave.”

  “Look, just hear me out for a second…” Diana said softly.

  Then the worst sound possible: a door closing. I could no longer hear them, and I began to panic. Did James’ believe her about my crush? Was she trying to convince him to agree to her twisted little idea? And what did she mean about how James lusted after me?

  A few minutes later, the door re-opened, and I heard Diana leaving. I quickly slipped inside my bedroom, hopped onto the bed, slid on my headphones, and acted like I’d been playing Greenforest this whole time. My thoughts were going a mile a minute as I replayed everything I heard.

  I see how you look at her, too, you know.

  Was James attracted to me? The idea sent butterflies flitting around inside my stomach. Then I thought of how Diana had basically offered him a free run to go be with whoever he wanted, so long as he came back to her when he was done. I felt sick just thinking about it.

  Did she really think James would agree to something like that? And did she think I’d allow myself to basically be used? I might have strong feelings for him, but that didn’t mean I’d sacrifice my self-respect.

  A few minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door.

  “Come in,” I called.

  James stepped into the room, his expression wary. I didn’t doubt he’d refused Diana’s offer. James wasn’t that sort of person. I pulled off the headset, and he seemed relieved to see I’d been wearing headphones.

  “Tough conversation?” I asked, shooting him a commiserating look

  He ran a hand over his close-cropped hair. “Something like that.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  He gave a joyless laugh. “Not at all.” A silence fell before he gestured to my laptop. “Are you logged into the game?”

  “Yes. Want to come help me find the Witch of Thorny Glen? There’s a spell she casts that can get you into the Secret Chamber of Untold Treasures.”

  A small, affectionate smile graced his lips. “Do you know what? That sounds like exactly what I need right now.”

  He left and I couldn’t help grinning to myself. I liked being able to take some of his stress away. I heard a ping and brought my attention to my laptop screen.

  James_the_Conquerer has logged in.

  James_the_Conquerer: Okay, so how do we find this witch?

  Lady_M: Follow me. I think I know where she might be hiding.

  It was scary to admit, but for the next few hours as we sat in separate rooms and I led him on a virtual adventure, it was the happiest I’d been in quite some time.

  Eighteen

  Michaela

  The airline lost our luggage.

  James, Paul, and I stood beside the baggage carousel at JFK, slowly losing hope that our bags would show up. Paul had travelled light, bringing only a carry-on suitcase, which was smart. James and I, however, had checked ours and now it seemed they’d disappeared into the great blue yonder. Or wherever our airline managed to misplace them.

  When we finally gave up and went over to the baggage desk, we were informed that our suitcases had been put on the wrong flight and would be forwarded to our Manhattan hotel in the next day or two.

  “We’ll have time to go and buy some clothes to tide us over,” James said.

  “Maybe we could go to Macy’s in Herald Square?” I suggested tentatively. It was one of the most famous department stores in the world, especially at Christmastime.

  “Sounds like we have a Miracle on 34th Street fan with us,” Paul teased.

  “They decorate all the display windows for Christmas too.” I’d never been to New York and I was excited to take in as many of the sights as I could while I was here. We were staying near Central Park so that was a given, and I wanted to see the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and perhaps even visit the Met if I had enough time.

  “Macy’s please,” James instructed our taxi driver after we dropped Paul at our hotel.

  As we made our way slowly down the traffic on Fifth Avenue, I stared out the window, catching a quick glimpse of the huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and marvelling at all the tall buildings going by.

  And yes, okay, maybe I was trying to distract myself from the fact that I’d be spending several days with James here. Ever since Diana showed up at the house, we hadn’t really spoken much. We interacted lots on Greenforest, sure, but it wasn’t the same as talking in person. I also couldn’t stop thinking about what Diana had said about me, how she’d noticed my crush, and how she suspected James had a crush on me, too. I even had brief moments where I considered what it would be like (in an imaginary world, of course) if James said yes to her offer.

  If I could never truly be with him, would I be willing to accept a few weeks or mon
ths of sex instead? Would that be better than nothing? My stomach twisted, but at the same time, there was a part of me that would do anything just to have a small piece of him.

  And this was Christmas in New York. It was the US equivalent to Springtime in Paris.

  I felt the heat rise in my cheeks at the thought of us strolling hand-in-hand down the busy sidewalks. When the taxi stopped, I was glad we climbed out into a blast of chilly air, hoping that explained my pink cheeks.

  “Okay, M. Let’s see those display windows,” James said.