Page 103 of My Heart Still Beats
Skye wipes a tear from her eye. “Tessa’s dad had a heart attack. He’s in the hospital, and it doesn’t look good.”
My heart plummets to my stomach. “Oh my God.”
“We need to get her back home to Boston as soon as we can. So I need Braden to get the jet—”
“Skye, I’m on it.” I grab my phone. “The jet is here, so we should be able to get out right away.”
“The problem is,” Skye says, “if they take Tessa back tonight, will they be able to get back here in time to take to fly us all back tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. I guess you could all leave later in the day. I’ll see if I can find a commercial flight for Tessa, but that will only work if it leaves within the next couple hours. I’ll go with her. Tell Braden to get the driver ready.”
But as I check my airline apps, I find there are no commercial flights available at this time of night to fly from Montego Bay to Boston.
“Damn it.”
“What?” Skye asks.
“Nothing available. We’re going to have to use the jet if we want to get her back as soon as we can.”
Skye nods. “I’ll tell Braden. If we have to leave later tomorrow or stay another day… That’s fine for Braden and me, but what about the others?” She sighs.
“Captain Rogers can get the jet right back in the air as soon as Tessa and I land,” I say.
“What about FAA hours?” she asks. “The flight from Montego Bay to Boston can take up to five hours. The captain will max out.”
“The co-pilot can fly back.”
“Yeah, but both of them will still need a break for twenty-four hours before—”
“Skye, we’ll work it out.” I grab her shoulders. “We have other pilots. We can fly someone down here tomorrow morning, and you’ll get out in time. Please. This won’t be an issue.”
“You’re right, of course. I’m just…” She rubs her temples. “This is just the worst. It’s the last thing Tessa needs right now. She loves her family.”
“I know. Where is she?”
“In the bedroom. She’s…not in a good place, Ben.”
“Which is why I’m flying back with her. She shouldn’t be alone.”
“Are you sure?” Skye asks.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I say.
Skye leads me out of the sitting area and into the hallway. “Go tell Braden what’s going on, and I’ll stay here and help Tessa get packed. Do you need to pack?”
“All I need is my wallet and my phone,” I say. “But I’ll grab a few things quickly, and then I’ll go see Bray.”
Skye nods again, and I leave, heading into my own suite across the hall.
I travel light anyway, so it doesn’t take me long to grab all my stuff and throw it in my suitcase. Once I’m ready, I leave the suitcase outside my door and go back to the dinner, where I grab Braden and pull him aside.
“Fuck,” he says after I give him the lowdown. “Just what she doesn’t need right now.”
“I know. But we got through the bachelor and bachelorette parties. You and Skye can stay and enjoy yourselves. I’ll take care of the pilot situation. And Tessa.”
“Yeah, sure.” He gives me a quick hug. “Thanks, bro. I owe you one.”
Except my brother owes me nothing. Because it’s becoming increasingly clear to me that I would do just about anything for Tessa Logan.
