Page 14 of The Flight Risk

“Are you kidding me? I love John Williams! He’s my favorite composer of all time!” Lottie lights up at the mention of his name. If I can make one Lewis girl feel comfortable in my house, that’s a win for now.

“Me too! The moment I heard his score in Star Wars, I was hooked.”

“Live long and prosper, am I right?” Tess says, attempting to join in on the conversation.

Both Lottie and I wince and say at the same time, “That’s Star Trek.”

Tess chuckles. “Is that different? I thought they were all the same.”

“Aunt Tess, and I say this with all the love in the world, but you are hurting every piece of my soul right now,” Lottie says.

“Agreed.” I throw the duffle over my shoulder and lift the light-as-a-feather clarinet case. I reach for Tess’ suitcase handle, but she slaps her hand over it before I can grab it.

“I think I can carry my own suitcase up a flight of stairs, Oakley.”

“Oh, I know you can. But, my mother raised me to be a gentleman and I can’t in good conscience let you carry that suitcase upstairs.” Tess loosens her grip and I swoop in. When our fingers touch, tingles surge through my body and I flex my hand slightly before I grip the handle again. Her touch is euphoric–something I haven’t felt since we were inches from each other in Telluride.

This whole roommate thing may be harder than I thought.

She crosses her arms and asks playfully, “Let me guess, you open the door for women, too?”

I walk past her, then lean in and say in a low voice, “Always.” Her eyes flutter and there is a small smile emerging, but she doesn’t let it break free fully. I desperately need to know what those full lips feel like against mine. I almost found out in Telluride, but like a massive idiot, I chickened out. I’m still kicking myself for that.

“What’s your favorite Star Wars movie?” Lottie interrupts my fixation on Tess’ lips.

I start rolling Tess’ bag behind me. “Probably The Empire Strikes Back. But it’s hard to choose just one.”

“I like that one too.” Lottie pauses, then says, “But some people think I am weird for being a girl and liking Star Wars.” Lottie tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and I have a suspicion that she has been bullied before. I have been on the receiving end of bullying and it can be so isolating. A feeling I never want this sweet little girl to feel.

“Well, I think it’s pretty awesome. Some people can be jerks. Lean in to what makes you different. There are too many people who want to be like everyone else.” I remember how different I felt growing up. How awkward I was throughout puberty and how weird people thought it was that I was so locked in on certain interests, like hockey. They didn’t think I was tough enough for hockey, especially when they were able to throw me into lockers with ease. That all changed eventually, but I will never forget how it made me feel.

“What is happening right now?” Tess blurts out, clearly confused about the bond developing between me and Lottie.

I chuckle as I head up the stairs. “Let me show you where you all will be staying.”

10

“Wow! There are a lot of Legos on that shelf,” Lottie points out. I’m mentally preparing for this fourteen-year-old to start teasing me about my extensive Lego collection that I have displayed in my mostly unused guest room. The only people who have utilized this room have been my parents on the occasional visits, but they know me and they aren’t fazed by my obsession with assembling Legos and putting them on display like my own personal trophies. There is an entire section of the wall with empty shelves I have yet to fill.

Just when I’m bracing for a brutal impact from Lottie, she says, “That’s pretty cool.”

My defensive armor falls to the ground and a wave of relief ripples through me. “Thanks. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved them.”

Lottie examines them while Tess stays put at the door. She is breathtakingly gorgeous and I wonder how I’m going to get through this period of her staying with me and not spontaneously combusting from holding all my feelings in. There’s an unrelenting ferocity that Tess possesses and it knocks me off my feet every time. Even when she’s silent, she fills a room. I lean against the empty shelving and for a moment, Tess and I lock eyes.

“You weren’t lying when you said you like Star Wars,” Lottie says. “The majority of these Lego sets are from that franchise. Have you built them all?”

I break eye contact with Tess and turn to Lottie, who continues to examine my collection.

“Yup. Every single one.”

Tess smirks at my answer. I’m so distracted by her slight smile that I must put more weight on the shelf than I realize, because the next thing I know, the shelf gives out from under my hand and completely unhinges from the wall, destroying some of the drywall in the process. Smooth, Adam. Real smooth.

Tess and Lottie both cover their mouths, attempting to stifle their laughter. I scratch the back of my head and clear my throat. “I will fix that right away. I’m so sorry.” I pick up the broken piece of wood and tuck it under my arm, then gesture toward the dresser on the other side of the room next to Tess. “Uh, the drawers are all empty. There is some space in the closet for some clothes, but it’s a little full. I usually use this room as a kind of catch-all space so I keep any extra memorabilia or old hockey equipment in here. I tried to clear out the room so that it felt less…all over the place. And you can decorate it however you want.”

Lottie shrugs. “I didn’t bring much except my favorite stuffy I’ve had since I was a toddler, but thanks.”

I slap my hand against the side of my leg. “Well, the option is there if you want to take it.” I direct my undivided attention to Tess. “Should we let Charlotte settle in and then we can order some takeout?”