Page 84 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
“Me too, Bear, me too.”
As hard it was getting on the plane to leave, getting off the plane in Sydney is a relief. Joss worked some airline magic and got us upgrades to lie-flat seats from LA to Sydney, but I’m still knackered.
Our luggage expanded with the snow gear we accumulated during our trip, so Wes offered to meet us at baggage claim. There’s a sense of déjà vu as I approach the carousels with Willow on my back, heavier than she was three months ago, pulling two carry-ons.
I’m so focused on getting past the secure area doors and into the main terminal that I’m only alerted to his presence by Willow’s scream in my ear.
“Uncle Wes!”
My head snaps up.
There he is, Joss behind him, walking toward us with big smiles in place. Willow releases my neck and hops to the ground, sprinting for Wes, and it’s not just her weight that drops from my shoulders. He scoops her into his arms, squeezing until she starts to protest. Willow’s words are flying at a million miles a minute, and Joss makes her way over to wrap me in a bear hug.
“Thank you for the upgrade,” I say. “That was a very nice surprise. I doubt either of us would be standing right now if not for you.”
Joss stands much shorter, wearing only a pair of flip flops, yet she looks me straight in the eye. “You’re welcome. We’re glad to have you home.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Wes says, nearly shoving past Joss to get to me and scooping me into his arms. “We’ve missed you.”
“Us too,” I say, my throat feeling thick again, clogged with exhaustion and emotion. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it’s good to be back, but I’d be lying. I’m not sure how to feel about being here again.
“How many bags are we looking for?” Joss asks.
“Too many,” I say with a groan. They laugh, but I’m not kidding. “Three large ones, plus my snowboard bag. I had to buy an extra suitcase for all the winterwear. Then of course there were the birthday presents, and all the random souvenirs, and juststuff. Do you know how much you can collect in just three months?”
“A lot… But I think I snagged the best thing of all in my first few months here,” Wes says, looking down at Joss.
“Goodness, can you be any cheesier, Wes?” Joss smacks his chest with a soft thump.
“I’m sure I could try, Grey.” He waggles his eyebrows at her.
Their banter has always been my favorite part of their relationship. Even when they were “just friends,” they could rib each other and make the other laugh so easily.
“Daddy, there’s my bag!” Willow shouts, pulling our attention toward the bright purple suitcase on the conveyor belt. Rory helped Willow pick it out, and there was no changing either of their minds when I suggested a more neutral color.
“Ah, very pretty,” Joss says, pulling it off with anoof. “What do you have packed in here? Bricks?”
“Daddy put all our shoes in that one… and my books.”
“Well, that would explain it.”
The other bags arrive shortly after Willow’s and we make the slow trek to the parking lot where Wes has my Hilux parked. There are two things I definitely missed about Sydney: the friends standing around me, and my ute. I drag my hand over the back bumper before releasing the tailgate so we can slide all the bags into the bed.
“Think you’ll remember how to drive on the left side of the road? Or are you fully Americanized now?”
“I think I’ll manage.” I give his shoulder a shove and open the door for Willow to hop in the back, preparing myself for this drive.
We’re going home for the first time in three months. For the first time since it stopped feeling like our home at all.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Rory
Iquit my job.
Iquitmy job.
I. Quit. My. Job.
