Learn to Fly

by Heidi Hutchinson

  The ticket was waiting for her at the counter like Carl had promised and that was what made Lenny realize this was really happening. She was really doing it.

  Always early, she was first to board the plane and assumed the band members would be along shortly.

  “Hey, beautiful,” an attractive man with sculpted shoulders and long, dirty blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail greeted Lenny. She smiled politely as he sat down next to her. He must have been in his late twenties. His ratty blue jeans and worn, Chuck Taylor's seemed out of place in the first class seating but Lenny didn't mind.

  “How did I get a seat next to you?” He asked her flirtatiously, his pale blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Lenny shrugged and played it cool, remembering her instructions from Carl. “Probably luck,” she replied coyly.

  “Story of his life, the bastard.” Another voice joined their conversation from across the aisle.

  Lenny leaned over to see what she assumed to be two more band members seating themselves adjacent to them. Another two men plopped into the seats in front of her as well. They were all in their late twenties to early thirties, had rumpled clothes on, and dark circles under their eyes. As she looked more closely, she began to recognize them.

  “Going on vacation?” The friendly young man next to her kept the dialogue going.

  “Looking for a change of pace and a new job,” Lenny replied, not exactly lying. She was pleased that she wouldn’t have to work too hard to get their attention. When Carl had said she was supposed to befriend them, she wasn’t exactly sure how that would happen. But it seemed they were impressed with a pretty smile and a hair flip. At least this one was.

  He grinned at her and asked, “Unemployed and sitting in first-class? How is this possible?”

  “I have wealthy parents,” she explained strategically, realizing her slip. She tilted her head and smiled sweetly, hoping they could skip the details about her life.

  “I’m Sway,” he introduced himself and stuck out his hand, not truly interested in Lenny‘s back story.

  She grasped it strongly and replied, “I’m Lenna.”

  “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he winked at her and Lenny suppressed an eye roll. It wasn't exactly the most original line she'd ever heard. She let her hair fall over her face as she dipped her eyes, thankful that she could hide behind it, pretending to be flattered. Her physiology didn't normally respond to a guy flirting with her, she had always told herself she was far too practical for things like butterflies and blushing. And she couldn't respond as she really wanted to because her new job required her to be friendly- whatever that meant.

  Her hair was not in its usual tight braid. Her elastic restraint had broken in the airport and she was forced to let it hang loose, something she had grown to hate over the past couple of years, but was now finding it a very useful curtain.

  Sway, if that was indeed his name, though Lenny doubted it, wasn't traditionally handsome. His face was wide and angular with high cheekbones and soft, full lips. His skin was smooth, freshly shaved, not even a hint of stubble. His fine, blonde hair was probably shoulder length, though it was hard to tell since he had it casually pulled back. Lenny looked at his unbroken elastic with envy and Sway caught her gaze and gave her a suggestive eyebrow waggle. Lenny fought back a chuckle and looked away with feigned shyness.

  Out the window, the plane was rising off of the runway and into the air and the flight attendants were going through their perfectly practiced speeches. She swallowed hard to compensate for the pressure change and tried not to think about home.

  She had left a note for her parents with very little explanation. Her mom would be unreasonably worried, which is why she avoided the conversation altogether. They would never understand. They had always struggled with comprehending the majority of her life decisions, but even more so in the last couple of years.

  As her thoughts kept following their path, her chest started to burn with an irritatingly familiar heartache. She closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat, deliberately pushing those old thoughts and feelings away. The past was the past and she couldn’t change anything, so there was no reason to think about it.

  Her hand clutched her phone and she checked to make sure she had turned it off at the attendant's reminding. She knew she had though, she had powered it down before boarding, not looking forward to the inevitable string of irate replies when she had to turn it on again.

  ***

  Luke Casey tried to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous girl tucked between his bass player and the window across the aisle from him without being too obvious. It was a rare occurrence when a woman didn’t start giggling nervously at Sway's obvious flirtation. But he could tell right away that this girl wasn't like others.

  He and his band mates had seen her at the airport waiting to board the flight. The entire airport couldn’t help but notice her, or maybe that was just how Luke saw it. She was dressed plainly in cut-off jeans and a white t-shirt, her long, naturally blonde hair hung past her shoulders. It wasn't bottle-blonde like so many of the other girls in SoCal and Luke wondered if maybe she wasn't a local.

  She had an energy that was captivating. Even sitting still in the airport, Luke could sense an underlying passion just below her smooth surface, like rushing water beneath a frozen river. She had the kind of beauty that reminded Luke of sunsets and mountain vistas. Natural, wild and dangerous.

  And she had no idea. Maybe that's why Luke couldn't get her out of his head.

  She had fidgeted slightly while she waited for the call to board their flight. Luke noticed her chewing the inside of her cheek as she quickly tapped out a text and then pocketed her phone. Her build said she was probably an athlete, her toned legs hinted she was a runner. Luke wondered vaguely what she was running from.

  And now, as he finally got an unobstructed view of her face in the early morning light, he could see her brow furrowed in deep thought, as if trying to will a memory away. On her lap she clutched a notebook with a pen in the spiral.

  “Are you a journalist?” Sway asked. Luke knew full well she was not, journalists tended to give off a certain aura that repelled him. However, he was actually thankful that his pushy friend was keeping her talking.

  Lenny’s eyes fluttered open and she looked at the notebook in her lap, “No, just a poet,” she said absentmindedly. Luke strained, trying to listen in on their conversation without being obvious. Damn Sway for getting the seat next to her.

  “Oh, so it’s a book of secrets, is it?” Sway's tone staying light. He could never resist a pretty girl.

  Lenny winked, “Everyone has secrets.” She smiled easily and changed the subject, “Why are you going to Chicago?”

  Luke could tell Sway was enjoying her spunky back and forth. “We’re heading there to kick off our tour,” he answered with a hint of pride and Luke rolled his eyes.

  Lenny frowned, “Tour? Are you in a band?”

  Laughter and snickers erupted from the other members as they overheard. Sway smiled, pretending to be embarrassed that she didn’t know who he was. “I guess you could say that,” he took a bottle of water from the drink cart as it passed. “I’m sorry, I thought I introduced myself. I’m Ryan ‘Sway’ Schaeffer, bass player for a band called Double Blind Study.”

  Lenny's brows drew together, “Okay...”

  Sway wasn’t disappointed. Instead, he grinned from ear to ear, showing her his dazzling perfect teeth. “We’re kind of a big deal,” he bragged.

  “Is that why you thought I would be impressed with your flattery? I imagine most girls are,” Lenny raised an eyebrow pointedly and Luke smirked. Girls didn't tend to call Sway out on his obvious self-important air. Luke was even more compelled to get to know this one better.

  Sway continued to grin. “Of course,” he admitted.

  “Why are you smiling then?” Lenny narrowed her eyes at Sway.

  “You’re obviously not like most girls. I’ll have to change my tactic
s.”

  Lenny was rolling her eyes when Luke had heard enough and crossed the aisle, grabbed Sway by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “You talk too much, Sway,” he said, almost scolding. He took Sway’s vacant seat and turned to Lenny, “Sorry, he can be pushy with pretty girls.”

  “With girls in general,” Blake, who was sitting ahead of Lenny, snorted.

  “I resent that!” Sway defended as he sank into Luke's empty chair, “I have never hit on an ugly girl.”

  “Good job, dude. I’m sure that little statement will convince her that you are, in no way, a pig,” Mike said sarcastically from next to him.

  Sway turned to him, “Thanks for backing a bro up.”

  ***

  Lenny was amused at their interaction, they reminded her of her brothers. But she couldn't get distracted, she had a job to do. Time to become their new best friend.

  Lenny had been blessed with a photographic memory. It came in handy more often than not, allowing her to learn tasks quickly and become proficient in them. She noticed and stored details as precisely as a computer. It was her best kept secret, and she had always used it to her advantage.

  The guy who had switched seats and was now sitting next to her was the lead singer of the group. Double Blind Study had been her favorite band for some time now. Hard rock with a bit of metal influence. They hadn’t toured in two years because of the drummer doing hard drugs when they were overseas and landing in the hospital. The tabloids ripped them apart, sensationalizing the truth of the matter. They printed gossip and pointed blame on drinking, girls and the band’s inability to get along with one another. The band members refused to do interviews and took a hiatus. Their fame skyrocketed. Fans demanded new music and a follow up tour.

  She covertly studied Luke Casey sitting next to her. He was casually browsing through a guitar magazine, not as interested in her as Sway had been. His short blonde hair was covered by a Celtics ball cap, not a surprise since most of them were natives of Boston. His gray t-shirt was snug against his lean but muscular chest and shoulders. Tattoos leaked out from his short sleeves and down to his elbows. Despite his rumpled appearance and worn jeans, he smelled clean and his face was shaved smooth. His reputation was one of smoldering sex appeal and refusal to get tied down. Typical lead singer qualities.

  Lenny put on her most amicable smile, tucked her hair behind one ear and asked, “Are you guys always this nice to each other?” She still hadn't gotten a clear view of Luke's face, and she was wondering if he was as good looking in person as in the magazines. Not that it should matter, she was now on the payroll and Carl had been pretty specific about how he felt with her 'fraternizing' with the band members. However, those facts did nothing to extinguish her curiosity. She was still a woman, after all.

  “Pretty much.” He thought for a minute, seemingly engrossed in the periodical, then added, “We look out for each other. Some of us don’t know our weaknesses as well our friends do. You need someone to watch your six.” He turned his stunning blue eyes on Lenny, “You know what I mean?”

  Lenny nodded her head even as an electric current ripped through her body. She knew exactly what he meant but she couldn’t speak for a moment as her voice had gotten stuck in her throat while she had been busy trying to figure out exactly what shade of blue Luke Casey’s eyes were.

  He was everything she was afraid he would be. The pictures didn't do him justice. He was even more gorgeous while in motion, as if his raw masculinity had to be felt and no camera would ever be able to capture it. And his voice, that voice that could go from soothing and melodic to a fury filled growl in a span of micro seconds, was washing over her like a warm rain shower. She tried not to stare at his perfectly chiseled jaw line as he spoke more words to her. Words she was going to need to respond to any minute.

  “I totally agree,” she suddenly blurted out. She didn’t know what she had just agreed to, but Luke seemed satisfied so it must have made sense on some level. She inwardly cursed herself for turning into an instant jellyfish and resolved to not let her hormones ruin this. She just wouldn’t look at his eyes. Or his smile. Or his arms. Oh, geez, his arms.

  This was unexpected, and in no way normal for her. Her body was betraying her logical practicality. She took a breath and resolved to shake it off. She was nothing if not a professional. Lenny had been ignoring attractive men her whole life, Luke Casey would be no different. Right?

  ***

  “You have a lead on a job in Chicago?” Luke was trying to be polite but he couldn’t help feeling uneasy. He had purposed to rescue her from Sway before Sway could start humping her leg. Now Luke found himself trying not to talk to her too eagerly. He kept trying to meet her eyes, they were the deepest blue he had ever seen, almost sapphire. But she continuously looked around the cabin.

  “Nothing definite, just an impulse,” Lenny smiled, and Luke couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss those perfect lips.

  “You look familiar,” Harrison was up on his knees in his seat and had turned around to join their conversation. Luke was both thankful and annoyed at the distraction.

  “Maybe you saw me at the airport.” Lenny raised her eyebrows in an obvious gesture.

  Harrison chuckled at himself, “Yeah, that was probably it.” He stuck out his hand, “I’m Harrison O'Neil, I play lead guitar in the band you’ve never heard of.”

  Lenny grasped his hand and Luke was surprised at the sudden surge of jealously that filled his gut when they touched. He pushed it aside quickly. He was not going to lose his head over a girl he didn't know.

  “You have gorgeous eyes, Lenna,” Harrison blurted out what Luke and Sway hadn’t gotten to yet. Luke glared at Harrison discreetly but Harrison either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

  “Thanks,” Lenny accepted the compliment and then added her own, “You have gorgeous hair.”

  Harrison blushed and immediately ran his fingers through his luscious locks. He worked really hard at making his hair look effortless and Luke knew he enjoyed people complimenting it.

  Lenny seemed amused at his reaction and gave him a small, lopsided smile and added, “You can call me Lenny, everyone else does.”

  “Lenny? That's rather unique, and kind of manly,” Harrison waggled his eyebrows and Luke had to suppress his laugh. Harrison flirting was the exact opposite of Sway. No matter how hard the guy tried, he couldn't help but come across as adorable and was immediately 'friend zoned.'

  Lenny laughed lightly at Harrison's remark and her eyes darted to Luke's. “I guess I've always been more comfortable just being one of the guys,” she explained. Luke felt disappointment drift across him when he realized they had all just been 'friend zoned.'

  Harrison didn't seem to mind though, and he kept the conversation going. The rest of the band members began to join in the discussion, and Luke was impressed with how well Lenny held her own. She stayed active in the dialogue, adding jokes and quips. Luke had known these guys a long time and it could be difficult getting a word in edgewise, but Lenny fit in like a missing piece that they didn't know had been missing. That was a weird thought. Don't go down that road, Casey.

  Luke did, however, notice that Lenny continuously steered the conversation back to the band. She spoke very little about herself and the guys preferred it that way. They were entertainers for a reason.

  The attendant with the drink cart made another pass and he paused at their row. Luke looked up to see the young man looking at Lenny like he was trying to place her. Luke frowned and turned to her as well. She was still talking to Harrison, having not yet noticed the attendant. Was he just checking her out? That was kind of unprofessional, Luke criticized internally.

  “Can I help you, man?” He finally asked the gawker.

  “I'm sorry, I just, uh, I...” the young man swallowed and tried again having gotten Lenny's attention now. “You look really familiar.”

  Wow, this guy was serving drinks to rock stars and yet he'd decided to hit on a passenger
with one of the worst lines available. Luke was the opposite of impressed.

  “I get that a lot.” Lenny smiled apologetically. “I guess I have one of those generic faces.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Th attendant turned red and shuffled on his way.

  Luke wanted to disagree loudly with Lenny's assessment of herself. Generic? Was she joking?

  ***

  Lenny eased back into the conversation, letting it flow and grow around her. She'd almost panicked when the flight attendant had nearly identified her. That would end her new career before it really got underway. She couldn't risk the shadow of what she was running from decide where she was going.

  That brought her back to the band and her goal to win them over. She was finding herself really liking these guys. They were friendly and good-humored and made her feel equally witty and important. That didn’t surprise her; Lenny had always gotten along with guys better than girls. It came from having three older brothers…and of course the male dominated sport she had just abandoned.

  The drummer, Mike Osborn was sitting beside Sway. He was tall and lanky, tattoos spiraled up and down his arms and his hair was a shaggy, caramel color. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, as evidenced by the dark shadow cast across his jaw. He seemed to be the most subdued of the group, even though he was constantly smacking his legs to a beat in his head.

  “How did you guys come up with your band name?” Lenny kept the conversation moving with the intent of learning as much as she could about them and preventing them from asking about her. And the band name had always seemed a little ambiguous.

  “It’s kind of a long story,” Luke shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  Lenny pushed his knee flirtatiously, “C’mon, you can tell me.” The longer she spoke with them, the more comfortable she got and the more Luke Casey's effect on her dulled. Lenny was pleased to know she still had a handle on her own brain, rock star or not.