Page 76 of The Upside of Falling
Rory
Chapter Twenty-Eight
COLBY
“Where are we going?” Rory has a blindfold on, and her excited little body is hopping up and down in the passenger seat while she grips my hand tightly.
“I told you, it’s a surprise. We’re almost there.”
“It’s concerning that you had to blindfold me for this.”
“Why?” I chuckle and make a left-hand turn down a very familiar road.
“Because for all I know, you could be taking me to the woods where you sit me on a log, drop your jeans, and then tell me to remove the blindfold only to come eye to bulbous head with your penis.”
An outburst of a laugh escapes me. “What? Where the fuck did you come up with that?”
“One of Ryan’s boyfriends did that to her. She thought they were going to a couple’s massage. Boy, was she wrong.”
Keeping my eyes focused on the road in front of me, excitement brewing, I say, “I’m not a douche. I would never do that to you. This is a legitimate surprise, one I think you’ll really like.”
“Knowing you, I will.” She rests her head against the seat and says, “These last few days have been amazing. Thank you for staying with me instead of Stryder.”
At a stoplight, I lean over and press a kiss against her lips, catching her off guard. She quickly recovers, weaving her fingers through my hair before I have to pull away and make another left-hand turn.
“It was best I didn’t stay at Stryder’s. If I weren’t with you, I would have asked to stay at Joey or Hardie’s house. Stryder is having a shit of a time with his family, and I think I’m a constant reminder to his dad that Stryderdidn’tmake it into flight school.”
“Ugh, I feel terrible for him. I still don’t get why he didn’t get in.”
“Believe me, none of us get it. I thought he was a shoo-in. I’m actually . . .” I pause for a second, questioning whether I should talk about Stryder with Rory, butit’s Rory. If anything, she’ll know how to soothe the anxiety in my heart. “I’m worried about him. I feel like he’s spiraling. Everything he’s ever looked forward to when it comes to the Air Force has been denied him.”
“What do you mean?”
“From the beginning, we’ve both shared the same two goals: make flight school and get the hell out of the Springs. Neither of those things have happened for him. He’s been stationed at Peterson Air Force Base after he graduates. It’s a fucking kick to the nuts for him. And now he’s, fuck, I don’t know, he’s not the same. He doesn’t want to hang out, and he usually just holes up in his room. When we jump, he doesn’t talk to me like he used to, and during meals he’s no longer the jokester at the table. He’s quiet, sullen. And I don’t know how to talk to him, because there is this giant elephant sitting between us that makes it hard to breathe when we’re near each other.” I shake my head and park the car. “I’m sorry I brought it up, especially since we’re here now.”
Rory unbuckles her seat belt and scoots close to me, her blindfold blocking her eyes from my view. I need to see those green eyes. I need to feel them hit me deep in my bones. I remove the mask and instead of looking around, she focuses on me, bringing her hand to the back of my neck.
“Don’t apologize. I always want to hear your worries. If I were you, I would be worried as well. Stryder is my friend too, so do you want me to talk to him?”
I shake my head. “No. He’d fucking hate me if he knew I said anything. I just needed to get that off my chest.” I lean forward and place a soft kiss on her lips, reminding her that today is about us. “Are you ready for your surprise?”
She searches my eyes, trying to read through the veil of happiness I’m wearing. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod. “I am.” I place another kiss on her lips and then with my finger, I push her chin to the side so she’s forced to look out the window. “Are you ready to jump out of a plane?”
Within seconds, her eyes light up as she takes in the twin engine King Air and the tarmac with soon-to-be parachuters getting a safety lesson.
“Are you serious?”
My lips curve from the pure excitement she exudes. Being around her joy and elation is addictive. Her expression, when she’s this fired up, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Very serious. I know you dreamt about it, so I’m hoping you’re up for the challenge. You can jump with me. I’ll teach you everything.”
From the way she sweeps herself into my arms, the passionate kiss she places on my lips, and the way she grips my head so closely to hers, I’m going to take it that she’s excited.
“Come on, we have a jump time to get ready for.”
Hand linked with Rory’s, I lead her through the small private airport we jump at over the weekends to gain more experience and learn how to teach civilians. This place is like a second home to me next to the academy.
