by JB Salsbury
I roll my eyes. “Mom’s being romantic and I’m being realistic.”
“Talkin’ about Sadie?”
“Yes. Why are you glaring at me?”
He shrugs. “If you go after her again, this time better be forever.”
“Okay, I appreciate you being protective over my girl, but you’re my dad. Shouldn’t you be on my side?”
“She hurt you?”
“No.”
“She break your heart? Cheat on you?”
I’m already shaking my head. “No.”
“You understand when you left for college, you promised her you’d be back and never came back, right?”
“Fuck, Dad, that’s not fair.”
“A good woman will give you one fuck-up. One. Don’t waste a second chance you’re not ready for, son.”
“I’m ready!”
They stare at me with raised eyebrows.
“Oh my God, you guys. I’m ready.”
My mom rubs my forearm and squeezes. “Sadie’s flight leaves today at noon.”
With that, she gets up and leaves me at the table.
My flight leaves at two. “I could get an Uber to take us both to the airport, soak up a few more hours together.”
She turns around and looks at me as if to say, “What are you waiting for?”
I hop up, bring my plate to the sink and rinse it as fast as I can, then I speed walk to the shower. I call, “Thanks, Mom!” over my shoulder.
When I pull up to Sadie’s parents’ house shortly after ten o’clock in the morning, her dad is waiting outside. I expected as much after I called and spoke to Sadie’s mom, suggesting we carpool to the airport. Jonah’s massive, heavyweight-champion arms cross over his equally massive chest, his dark eyebrows dropped low over a glare that would melt a lesser man’s face right off.
Lucky for me, I grew up with Jonah. He’s always been like a second dad, and as intimidating as he is, he’s only looking out for his daughter. We have that in common. I respect it.
I hop out of the backseat of the Uber, feeling like David when he faced off with Goliath. “What’s up, Uncle Jonah?” I hop the steps to the front door and stand in front of him, my nose hitting him at shoulder level. “Sadie ready?”
“What are you doing?” he growls.
I smile, mostly unaffected by his intimidation. “Hoping to spend some time with Sadie before her flight—”
“You haven’t been home in close to two years.” He steps closer, his voice menacing. “Now you’re showing up when Sadie’s around. She doesn’t need you fuckin’ with her head again, son.”
I find myself… offended. I choose my words wisely. “Jonah, with all due respect, I would never hurt Sadie.”
That killer scowl of his morphs into utter shock and his brows rise on his forehead. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, not even a little—”
The front door swings open and Sadie’s surprised expression fixes on me. “Jack? Is everything okay?” Her gaze slides between her dad and me. “What are you doing here?”
Now it’s my turn to look at Jonah in shock. You didn’t tell her I was coming. He was hoping to fend me off at the door.
“Hello? Can anyone hear me?” She flashes an awkward smile as if her dad and I have a secret joke that she’s not privy to.
Well played, Mr. Slade. Well played.
I give Sadie my most sincere smile, which isn’t hard to do because she looks so fresh-faced and full of life and so fucking beautiful. “Mornin’, Sadie girl. I heard you needed a ride to the airport and figured since I was heading the same way, I’d swing by and pick you up.”
Her gaze darts to her dad. “Really?”
Jonah’s jaw pulses. “I’m happy to take you, princess. Say the word.”
“Oh, um…” Sadie chews on her lip as if trying to decide.
Her mom walks by, does a double take, scowls, and joins the standoff at the front door. “Jonah?” There’s an unspoken what the fuck is going on in her voice. “Hi, Jackson. Sadie, you should grab your bag or you’re going to be late.”
That snaps Sadie out of her confusion. She scoops up her duffle bag and purse. “I guess I’ll hitch a ride with Jack since he’s here and headed to the airport anyway.”
Jonah pulls her into a bear hug, and her tiny frame practically disappears under his gigantic biceps. He doesn’t take his eyes off me, his laser beams making it clear that if I hurt his daughter, he’ll kill me in a slow and painful way.
They say their goodbyes and tell her not to stay away so long next time. I wonder why they don’t mention seeing her this weekend at her art exhibition. Knowing Sadie’s parents, the only reason they wouldn’t attend is if they weren’t invited.
Sadie
I’m seventeen years old again.
As my dad’s arms grow tighter around me, I don’t need eyes in the back of my head to know he’s scowling at Jack over my shoulder or that Jack is meeting that glare with a charming smile. He always was so great with putting up with and handling my dad’s overprotective nature.
“Dad…” I pat his broad back that’s solid steel. “You’re crushing my ribcage.”
“Oh, shit.” He releases me. “Sorry, princess.”
“I think three hugs is enough to send me off.”
Jack’s been standing at the back door of the Uber since my dad placed my bag in the trunk before wrapping me in one last embrace.
“Don’t stay away so long next time,” my dad says.
I push up on my toes and he lowers his cheek—from his six-foot-five height—so I can place a kiss there. “Love you, Dad.”
My mom waves from the front door. “Have a safe flight!”
I wave back then duck into the car all the while pretending not to notice how good Jack looks. And smells! Seriously, what cologne is that? And why does the scent on a man take him from simply good-looking to dreamy sexy? As he shakes my dad’s hand and waves goodbye to my mom, I crack my window in preparation of being locked inside a car with him.
After last night’s mind-scrambling kiss, Jack is currently dressed in a white T-shirt, perfectly worn jeans, and black boots. So he’s got the James Dean thing going on and looking at him makes me stupid.
I’m hit with his heavenly scent seconds before his door shuts, and the car lurches forward to take us to the airport. I tilt my head back and allow the dry desert air to wash straight up my nostrils, hoping it’ll clear my head of Jack.
“Are you excited about your exhibition?”
There’s one way to kill my buzz. I’m happy he brought it up though. It’s for the best. I busy myself in my purse, making sure I have my ID, phone, gum, and lip balm. “Excited to get it over with.”
“I bet. I remember before I graduated, I spent seventy-two hours awake, studying for finals and perfecting my final project.”
“It won’t be that bad. It’s not a big deal.”
His eyes narrow, and I turn away to look out my window. “It’s your senior exhibition. The final product of all your hard work. That’s a huge deal.”
I stare out the window, fearing he might see something in my eyes that gives me away. “It’s a small school. They don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“I’d love to come—”
“No!” I’m looking at him now. His eyebrows raise high on his forehead, eyes wide, lips parted in shock. I chuckle, infuse lightheartedness into my voice, and plaster on a smile. “Don’t come. If I knew you were there, it would make me nervous.”
He doesn’t seem to be buying it.
“I’m not proud of this series, ya know, not as proud as I am of the mural and the pieces I’ve already shown you.” Sounds convincing.
“Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be amazing.” He seems to let it go, and I exhale in relief. “You’ve always been a gifted artist.”
Growing up, people said I was good at art, but it always sounded like a backhanded insult. Like when people say a girl has a great personality, implying
she isn’t that pretty. Stupid, slow Sadie, but at least she’s good at art. With Jack, his appreciation for my talents has only ever come across as just that.
“Thank you,” I say, and leave it at that. Because this particular exhibition will be like nothing anyone has ever seen from me. The impact will have reverberations that last a very long time. That is, if all goes to plan.
The rest of the ride to the airport, Jack entices me into conversation until we’re forced out of the car and to our respective gates.
“You have an hour before you board,” Jack says as we head to the security checkpoint. “Would you have a cup of coffee with me?”
“Sir,” the TSA guard checking Jack’s ID says, “you’re First Class and get expedited security check in that lane over there.” He points from the roped-off coil of people stacked ten lines deep to the empty ropes with the yawning security guard. “This line is for coach only.”
Jack’s cheeks take on a little color. “It’s all right. I’m fine in this line.”
“Really?” the guard says.
He nods.
“Suit yourself.” The security guard waves us through to the long line.
“You don’t have to do this for me, Jack. That’s stupid.” And kind of embarrassing.
“No, what’s stupid is breezing through when all these older people and moms traveling with babies are standing in the long line. I’m able-bodied. Just because my company can afford a faster check-in doesn’t mean I’m comfortable taking it.”
“Jack Daniels, always so self-sacrificing.”
I realize my tone the second Jack glares. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay, I was going to wait to ask this, but I’m getting a little sick of everyone making it seem like I’m some big bad asshole who broke you.”
“Everyone?”
“You, your brother, your dad—fuck, even my own damn parents.”
The line moves forward, so we shuffle along with it. I peek around to see how much attention Jack’s burst of frustration is attracting. Thankfully, only a few casual glances from those closest to us.
“Don’t worry about it, that’s old news.”
“Is it? Because I feel like I’m being punished for something I didn’t realize I had done eighteen months ago when we decided to break up.”
I whip my head around to face him. “We? Which part of our break up involved me?”
His eyes grow wider and he scoffs. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
We’re facing off and our voices are rising, attracting a small audience. “Can we please talk about this later when we have some privacy?”
He blinks, looks around, and smiles tightly at the onlookers. “Fine. But we will talk about this before you get on that plane.”
The line moves along slowly, one X-ray machine closing down for technical problems. Jack and I scoot along in uncomfortable silence. In the cramped space, sandwiched by people nervous about missing their flights, we accidently brush up against each other and that stupid tingling only Jack can incite is left behind on my skin.
Time drags on. He checks his watch impatiently as the hour we had before my flight is quickly eaten up. Shoes off, phone out, and my bag on the conveyer belt, I finally manage to squeeze through security ten minutes before my flight is supposed to take off.
I slip on my shoes and sling my bag over my shoulder as Jack grabs his from the bucket. “Sorry, our talk will have to wait. I need to go or I’ll miss my flight.”
He nods, but the disappointment is evident on his face. “Promise me you’ll answer my calls from now on?”
“Yeah, of course.” I back away. “Bye, Jack.”
He smiles sadly. “Bye, Sadie.”
I speed walk to my gate and hand the attendant my ticket. Her eyes go round seconds before I feel strong arms wrap around me from behind and warm lips at my ear.
“I’m sorry, okay? For whatever I did to hurt you, I’m so fucking sorry. And I’m sorry for chasing you down and attacking you, but I-I needed to hold you for one more second before you leave for your side of the country and I leave for mine.” His arms constrict tightly for a few seconds before he releases me, and I suck in a full breath.
The flight attendant scanning my boarding pass smiles tearfully. “That was so sweet.”
Jack runs a nervous hand through his hair and steps back. “Have a safe flight.”
“You too.”
And with that, I race to claim my seat on the plane. My heart is pounding so hard I fear the glue holding it together is bound to give.
Damn him for being sweet and beautiful. Damn him for making me wish things were different between us.
Chapter Fifteen
Jack
Sadie’s plane landed ten minutes ago. I’m sitting in the airport bar having my second—no, third—whiskey on the rocks. Is it too early to call and talk? My plane already started boarding, but I have another thirty minutes until I need to make my way to my gate.
Probably not the best idea to have this talk when I’m pressed for time and not so sober. Our heart-to-heart will have to wait. I’ll sleep off my buzz on the flight home and call her when I land. It’ll be midnight her time, but maybe she’ll be up.
A group of women walk into the bar and sit next to me. They’re loud, and it’s clear they’ve been hitting the Vegas pools all day, as they smell of suntan lotion and are loud and slurring. I’m not eavesdropping, but it’s impossible not to hear them, and I pick up quickly that they’re having some kind of divorce party.
“Men suck!” they all cheer in unison.
“All men can’t possibly suck,” I mumble into my drink.
“We’re better off without them. Seriously,” one of them says, and the others back her up. “Unless we borrow one for recreational use.”
Yikes. I shift my body, angling away from the group of man-haters.
“This was the best weekend of my life, you guys,” the divorcee says. “I didn’t realize how badly I needed to vent!” She laughs and holds up her drink to cheers again. “To good listeners!”
I hold up my drink and secretly cheers with them, feeling like I’ve earned it. I mean, I’m being forced to listen to her too.
“Josh always loved his job more than me.”
“Yeah, well, I bet his job doesn’t give good head,” one of them says, and they all burst into laughter.
“Right?” the drunk divorcee says. “He’s going to regret letting me go. I sucked his balls!”
I laugh into my drink. I have to agree with her—jobs aren’t good bed buddies. I should know.
“He’ll be back,” another one slurs. “One weekend without you and he’ll get lonely. Then he’ll be back when he realizes his job doesn’t welcome him home like you did.”
“Guy sounds like an idiot,” I say to myself.
I drain my drink before tossing a few bills on the bar and grabbing my duffle bag. I smile as I pass the group, but they mostly glare. My balls crawl up into my body to hide from the hate vibes they’re giving off.
As I’m weaving through the crowd toward my gate, I get a brilliant idea. I pull out my phone and open the myBubble app. I hit Sadie’s contact and type.
* * *
Men suck!
* * *
I hand over my boarding pass and head to my first-class seat. I stow my bag, fasten my seat belt, and accept a glass of ice-cold whiskey before checking Sadie’s response.
* * *
Most do, that’s true. But not all.
* * *
Interesting response. I type back.
* * *
Prove it.
* * *
The flight attendant goes through the speech about safety precautions and I anxiously wait for Sadie’s response.
* * *
I spent the weekend with one of the best men I’ve ever known.
* * *
My heart leaps and my fingers work quickly to respond.
* * *
&nbs
p; Who?
* * *
The lights dim in the cabin and the plane taxis. I stare at the screen of my phone, waiting to see my name appear. The text bubbles go on for what feels like forever until finally—
* * *
My dad.
* * *
Her dad? After our kiss last night and my impulsive goodbye where I laid myself bare for her? And she says her dad?
I shut off my phone and drop it into my cup holder, and then I close my eyes and fall asleep.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Sadie’s sleepy voice meets my ear and I shoot up in bed.
“You answered!”
“Didn’t have much of a choice. You called eight times in a row.”
“Shit, sorry about that.” I think it was more like ten times.
She sighs, quick and hard. “What do you want?”
“How was work?”
There’s a rustling of bed sheets, and I wonder if she still sleeps in a T-shirt and underwear or if she’s matured to something sexier. Not that there’s anything in the world that could look sexier than her wearing one of my shirts. “You’re calling to know how my shift was? Um, well, it was okay. Kind of slow and we were overstaffed, so it was hard to stay busy. I ended up getting cut at nine.”
“That’s… too bad.”
“Can I go back to sleep now?”
“No! I mean—fuck.” I run a hand through my hair. “I shouldn’t have called, it’s just.” I take a deep breath and blurt, “Ever since I ran into you at Tanner’s wedding, I’ve sensed you were upset with me.”
“Jack—”
“Please, hear me out and I promise I’ll leave you alone.”
When she doesn’t respond and I don’t hear the click of a disconnected line, I take that as permission to continue.