Cindy grabbed her bag from the floor. I wanted to be motivated to get to my flight, but something inside me clicked into slow motion. I guess it was the fact that, the sooner I left Colorado, the sooner my weekend would fade into a memory. The flutter of the first butterflies Max freed in my body would become dull reminiscences of empty cocoons, and I wasn’t really ready for that.
My phone vibrated with a message. My heart leaped into my throat. It had to be from him…it was about time! As I pulled it from my pocket, my hands shook. Cindy had already closed the door and was pulling her suitcase from the back of the Sequoia. I unlocked the keys and waited to see what he’d texted me. A flood of disappointment reigned heavily across my body. It wasn’t from Max, it was from Joanie.
WHEN R U BAK? CAN’T W8 2 HEAR ABOUT UR WKND W/MG! MISSED U.
Don’t get me wrong; I was glad she was thinking of me and I was happy she texted me, but it wasn’t Max.
MISSED U 2 @ AIRPRT NOW - FLT LEVS @ 3:15. C U ASAP. LOTS 2 TELL, I sent back. I went to the rear of the car where Cindy was still standing and grabbed my duffel bag. My phone chimed again.
I WANT JOO-C D-TALS-CANT LEV ANY OUT! K. Another message from Joanie.
K. GOTTA GO. LUV YA. W, I texted back.
“Who’s that?” Cindy leaned over to read what I was texting. I pulled my phone against my chest. Cindy gave me the after all that I’ve done for you look. She was a master at the guilt trip.
“It’s Joanie. Asking how our weekend was.” I tried to fix the huff I created when I pulled the phone away from her sight. Cindy was manipulative to the core.
“Make sure you tell her I miss her and next time she should come with us,” Cindy bubbled, snapping the handle up on her suitcase.
She was such a piece of work. First off, she never invited Joanie; and besides, she would never let someone come who would take the attention away from her. Joanie and I are BFF’s so our connection would just kill her. It’s hard enough being her roommate. I faked a text back to Joanie.
“Okay, told her next time she’s gotta come with us and we miss her.” I shoved the phone in my pocket then anchored the duffel bag across my chest and up over my shoulder.
“You know where you’re checking in, right? I’ve gotta go,” Nick asked me, ignoring Cindy.
“Nick, don’t do this to your sister, not before she leaves. Make up with her. Be the bigger person, for me?” I implored him. He reached up and grabbed the back hatch, the muscles in his neck tightening.
“Sorry to let you down, but I’m done being the bigger person. I’ve done it my entire life and look where it’s gotten me. I’m a chauffeur for my bitchy half-sister and, sadly enough, I didn’t end up with the girl.” He pulled the hatch closed and passed around me to the driver’s side of the Sequoia. He might as well have punched me in the stomach. The blood pulsing through my body pooled low in my gut as I tried to catch my breath.
“Nick, I don’t want to leave knowing you’re upset. Couldn’t we meet halfway? Find someplace where we both feel comfortable with something more than strangers? Maybe even friends?” I pushed my hand out to him. I figured at least I could get a handshake from him. He looked over at Cindy who was already talking with the skycap about her ticket.
“Friends.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me close, bent toward me, and kissed my cheek. “I guess I have to be satisfied with what you’re willing to give me. See you, friend.”
“Thanks. See you.” He hopped into the car and, with that, I watched him drive away.
“Alright ladies, your flight will board from Concourse C, gate C41. It’s the last terminal past the metal detectors. Gate C41 will be on the right side, closest to the middle of the airport. Thank you for choosing Southwest Airlines for your traveling needs.” The Skycap smiled and handed back Cindy’s ticket. He loaded her suitcase on the carpeted rollie-cart.
“Thanks,” I responded for the both of us.
Cindy stuffed her ticket into her backpack and entered the airport without acknowledging him. She only stopped her brisk walk to answer her phone.
“Hello? Hi dad, where are you?” She pushed her finger into her ear to hear him. She wrinkled her nose and scowled bending forward. I could tell it was going to be bad, another blow-off situation. “That’s fine. I understand. No our flight leaves after three,” she paused to listen. “Okay, well if you’re stuck in Albuquerque, I understand. See you another time. Bye.” She slipped her phone into her backpack.
“Your dad stuck in New Mexico?” I prepared myself for the blow up.
“Yeah. What’s new? Bummer,” she played it cool as we waited in line at the security gate.
“Sorry, Cindy. I know how much you were looking forward to seeing him,” I mumbled.
“You know what, Wilson? I’m pretty used to being screwed by my family. So when you apologize, it’s mainly to make you feel better. Words people use to fill an awkward moment, that’s what an apology is.” She pulled off her shoes and waited to be cleared as a threat to our country’s air space. What was I going to say to her response? She was kind of right. In that instance, I was a guest in her awkward situation.
We made it through security unscathed and shuffled our way down to the very end of the airport to Concourse C. Winded, we found a couple of seats and waited to pre-board the plane with an hour to spare.
“You know, Nick can be such an ass. He really needs to grow up. What if my plane went down and I died?” She rummaged through her backpack.
“Cindy, can you not talk about planes going down, especially when I’m going to be on it?” My heart pounded hard. She pulled out Chapstick and rubbed it across her lips.
“Oh come on, Wilson, like that’s going to happen.” She tossed her lip balm into her backpack.
I was already a pretty inexperienced traveler, so my nerves were dragging about the whole process. A voice came across the speakers asking anyone who needed extra assistance to board first. Of course, Cindy tried to say she needed extra time. It didn’t fly.
Eventually our numbers were called and we got on the plane. After adjusting our bags and spots, Cindy ended up on the aisle seat and I chose the window seat, which left an open one in the middle. I just hoped the flight wasn’t sold out. We sat waiting for the plane to finish filling up. I watched as people of all kinds scurried down the aisle, looking around to find the open seats left. Luckily enough, no one was looking at the seat between us. Just as the trickle of people slowed I figured we were safe. The flight attendants were taking their places to tell us what to do if the plane went down, when one of them came and bent down to Cindy.
“We have one passenger who was bumped from an earlier flight and will need this seat. Sorry, ladies.” She stood up and walked to the front of the plane and greeted him.
He was out of breath from running and unbelievably gorgeous. Butterflies woke and twisted in my stomach. He smiled at the attendant and ran his hand through his hair pushing it back out of his eyes as he sauntered down the aisle toward us. My heart stopped. How lucky was I? If I‘d played the lottery, I would have won.
“Oh my God. Mr. Goldstein! First my house, then skiing, and now the flight home. Are you stalking us?” Cindy stood up and let him in.
“Hi Cindy; Wilson. Wow, what are the odds of sitting with you ladies?” He turned to each of us as he fastened his seatbelt.
He smelled really good as I tried to swallow. My heart had risen into my throat. I was so close to him, his elbow pressed lightly into the bend of my arm.
“So how was your weekend, Mr. Goldstein?” Cindy pressed his knee. My eyes burned holes into the back of her hand.
“Great. Yours?” He looked at Cindy almost totally ignoring me.
“Good. Other than Wilson wrecking her first time skiing.” She leaned forward and looked at me.
“That’s right, I was there. You okay?” Max turned to me. He gave me a slight grin, and narrowed his eyes pitching one of his brows.
“Yeah.” I bit my lip to stop from smiling.
>
“Oh come on, you had a huge gash in your head, Wilson.” Cindy interrupted.
“Really? Where?” He looked. I pointed to the side of my head as he tangled his fingers in my hair above my forehead. He was touching me. He let out a masculine sigh. My butterflies went spastic and crazy throughout my body. I wanted to kiss him.
“It wasn’t that bad. I’m okay,” I whispered as his fingers left my skin. The hair at the nape of my neck stood on end and goose bumps rose on my arms.
“You stayed home with a headache. I would say it was bad enough to flake on me.” Cindy was still annoyed about that.
“Hopefully you weren’t too bored staying back,” he winked at me. My butterflies leapt high in my chest, climbing into my throat.
“What did she flake on? If you don’t mind me asking.” He looked at Cindy.
The plane started to move and the flight attendants started their spiel about how, if the plane goes down, we can use our seat cushions as floatation devices. The oxygen will fall from the ceiling, put yours on first then help the person next to you. Exits are on either side of the plane. We were exactly in between the front door and the back exit, down by the wing. Great, which exit’s closer? I guess we’ll go to the shorter line of people trying to escape.
“I went out to Polaris last night. I felt kinda bad she was all alone at the cabin, but it was my vacation too and I wanted to go out. Besides she told me to.” She looked away from Max across the aisle at a little girl clutching to the arm rests. The plane stopped.
“Well it looks like you survived staying home from Polaris last night.” He looked at me and squeezed at my knee. I felt the plane take off and my butterflies flew south.
He had to know that when he touched me it caused a chemical reaction in my body and I couldn’t stop myself from shivering, deep in my core. My butterflies were so controlled by him. If he asked them to fly into the flame of a candle, they would do it without hesitating.
“So what did you do last night, Mr. Goldstein?” Cindy grabbed her bag and started digging around, peeking up at him when she thought of it. I whipped my head toward him. My skin went cold and I felt a surge of adrenaline rush throughout my body.
“Well, um. My girlfriend and I hung out.” He looked at me when he said the word that sent my head spinning.
Cindy stopped digging. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend. Does she live in Colorado?”
“No, she doesn’t.” He didn’t offer any more explanation.
“Well, where does she live? How long have you been going out?” Cindy prodded at him as she pulled out her iPhone.
“Cindy! You can’t ask him questions like that,” I interrupted her as she stared at him.
“Why not? We aren’t at school. He has partied with us, at least he can tell me about his girlfriend.” She stared back over at him, waiting for him to answer. “Why didn’t you bring her to my party?”
I watched Max shift his body to face her. He was actually going to engage with her about this. I hope he’s ready to protect our secret. She was so manipulative she could get a Tibetan monk to talk.
“Max—Mr. Goldstein, you don’t have to answer.” I swallowed hard. I prayed she didn’t catch that I slipped.
“Max? You called him Max. On a first name basis are we?” She glared at us.
“I told her to call me by my first name. It seemed crazy to have her call me Mr. Goldstein at your party that night.” He looked at me then back over at Cindy. “She lives in California and I didn’t bring her to your house because she was with a group of friends that night. And about that night, I wasn’t there. Right?” He peered into Cindy’s eyes, convincing her to believe his simple lie.
“Alright, if that’s the case, do I get to call you Max, too?” She batted her eyelashes at him and wrapped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder.
What the hell was she doing? Touching him, flirting with him…he wasn’t her type at all. He tells her about his girlfriend and she comes onto him? I cleared my throat, I was ready to pounce.
The seatbelt light chimed off and the captain came over the loud speaker, inaudibly, telling us all about our flight.
“Oh good, I’ll be right back.” Cindy stood up and left toward the back of the plane. The moment she was out of sight, Max pushed his face into my hair and inhaled. His hand slid up the other side of my face.
“I missed you. You smell so good,” he whispered. I turned and he pressed his lips hard against mine. Our mouths opened and for a moment of time, he and I were the only ones that existed. He tasted extra sweet and more forbidden today. Our kiss was filled with sparks and explosions that still mapped through my body when he stopped and pulled back from me.
“You taste so good. I wasn’t done,” I told him against his moist lips. He gave me one last kiss. My cheek, fiery hot, was doused with an ice cold chill as he slipped his hand from my face.
“No, we aren’t done. It’s driving me wild to sit next to you. Not being able to touch you is torture.” He leaned back in his chair. “I want to see you tonight, when we get back. Will you meet me?” His eyes blazed a sensuality that pulled my butterflies toward him. I looked back at the restrooms, Cindy wasn’t out yet.
“Okay.” I didn’t mention to him I had a Romeo and Juliet essay due tomorrow for Mrs. Clouser’s class. I’ll just do what I can before we meet, then get up early to finish it. He probably would not have asked knowing I had weekend homework. “I’ll text you when I’m settled.” I added.
“You’re so beautiful, Wilson. How did I get so lucky?” He ran his hand down my wrist, folded his fingers in between mine, and pulled my hand to his lips.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Pepto-Bismol pink shirt Cindy had on heading toward us. My heart thrust anxiety through my veins as I pulled my hand down from his. My body stiffened and I turned to look out the window. Come on, Wilson, don’t make it too obvious.
“Okay I’m back. What’d you two talk about? Hey, Max, you never told us your girlfriend’s name.” She lowered herself into the seat and looked over at Max.
“We just talked about the huge government test he’s giving tomorrow in class.” I smiled; she laughed tightly.
“Wilson’s kidding. No test tomorrow,” he told her. “Cindy, please excuse me, I need to get out.” She pushed herself out into the aisle. He stood up, leaning, and worked his way out. I took advantage and got up also. If nothing more than to stretch my legs; I walked down toward the restrooms, following Max.
“I had a great time this weekend,” I told him as he stopped to wait for an open lavatory. He turned to face me, glancing back at Cindy he smiled and answered me.
“Me, too.”
“I am really glad you took me to meet your family. I really liked them,” I choked up slightly.
“They really liked you too. Which reminds me, my mom invited you to come out over winter break.” He leaned back and forth as he shoved his hands down in his pockets.
“Do you want me to come, too?” I looked at the brown and blue diamond-patterned carpet.
“No, actually I don’t. I said that to torture you, Wilson. Of course I do. But I have to tell you, my family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, hence my last name.” His eyes met mine before he dropped his glance. His hair shifted forward.
“Well that’s great news for me, because then I won’t have to compete to celebrate my birthday with Jesus. It will be a first!” I smiled at him. He looked up through his jet black hair. His eyes glowed with acceptance and his lips formed a slight smirk, sparking my sexual desire. He can’t do that when Cindy is so close. It would only lead to bad deeds.
“So we can celebrate you and only you on December twenty-fifth.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me a little closer. Good thing there was a partition wall between us and Cindy. His eyes were fused to mine. He took a deep breath, his exhale constricted.
“We can celebrate the new freedom eighteen gives us.” I glanced toward Cindy and didn’t see her looking back. I leaned
against him, sneaking a kiss before the lavatory door opened. He pulled away, captivated, before he went into the small room. I stood there, alone, waiting for the next one. I leaned against the wall, thinking about my eighteenth birthday in less than twenty-eight days. A door swung open, I grabbed it and went in.
What the hell was this? Okay so I’ve never used an airplane bathroom before; however, this was horrifying. Smaller than a closet. I was expected to sit on a blue water, camper-type toilet. No seat covers, no paper towels to dry my hands. I was surprised there was toilet paper provided. The instructions explained in English and showed pictures of how to use it. No thanks, I’ll wait. I washed my hands, ran them dry on my pants, and unhappily slid the door handle open. I skulked back to my seat. I didn’t have to go to the bathroom anyway.
“Cindy, can I get in?” I tapped her on the shoulder. She had her earphones plugging up her head. She stood up and let Max out to let me in. He stood right next to her seat, intentionally leaving barely enough room so I had to push against him to pass by. I have to say, great way to sneak some touching time. I heard him inhale me and felt his face close to my hair. His hands wrapped around my waist just enough to look like he was helping me, his arm brushed me, and his hand rested over mine as he sat down. Cindy plopped back down and closed her eyes to listen to her music. I leaned forward and spoke Cindy’s name. She didn’t flinch.
“Ladies and gentleman we are starting our descent into Oakland, California. It is a mild sixty-five degrees….” The captain’s voice disappeared as I looked into Max’s eyes.
This was it. True to the end, our Aspen weekend officially became a memory that we would try and recall when we’d talk about how we started dating. My heart pounded quickly in my chest. He grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear.
“Wilson, think of this as the beginning. Not the end.” He pressed his lips to the side of my head. I felt his comforting breath bend and sway across my hair. Risky, what he was doing, but I needed it. He leaned back and the warmth of his essence across my hair was replaced by the chill of our reality. He tapped Cindy on the shoulder.
The Wilson Mooney Box Set Page 23