Page 55 of The Flight Risk

“Oakley! Come do shots with us, man!”

I reluctantly break our kiss and turn my attention to the group of Oakley’s old friends from college.

“Sorry for what’s about to happen,” Oakley whispers against my forehead.

“What’s about to happen?”

He releases my arms from around his neck and steps away from me just in time for his already very drunk friends to jump on his back and start pulling him toward the open bar.

I laugh at how ridiculous this sight is. In the midst of it all, Oakley doesn’t look away from me. One of his buddies claps his hands together and does a bow of gratitude toward me. “Sorry to interrupt your love fest, but you don’t mind if we steal away this heartthrob for a little bit? It’s shots time.”

Oakley shakes his head in protest. “No man, I have a rule not to do shots during the season.”

“Well, if it’s shots time, who am I to interfere?” I say, egging on their antics, amused by how little has probably changed in the past decade with this group of men. I get a glimpse of what college was like for Oakley.

“See, man, your new woman agrees with us. Tess, was it? Can you please tell him to stop being such a good boy and join us for at least one shot.”

Oakley blushes and I guffaw and have to cover my mouth to stifle my laugh. I decide to play along, knowing that I’m going to pay for this later in the best way imaginable. “Oakley, stop being such a good boy and go take some shots with your friends.” I wink and he just smirks back before his friends lead him toward the bar.

It’s as good a chance as any to sneak off and call Brooke to check in. She answers after the second ring.

“Everything’s fine, Tess.”

“Well hello to you too. I’m checking in to see how everything is going with Lottie.”

“Lottie is fine. She’s outside playing with the pups with Tristan. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.” My voice is unsteady.

“How’s everything going with Oakley?”

Everything has moved so fast these past couple of weeks with Oakley. Now, in this moment of stillness, and sitting with all the implications of where this can lead. A place I’m not familiar with.

“Tess?” Brooke’s voice cuts through the noise in my head.

I sniffle. “Yup, everything is great with Oakley.” I wipe away the stupid tears threatening to wash away this entire night. Threatening to wash away the absolute dream of being with a man like Oakley.

“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Brooke says.

“What is?” I glance over at the bar and watch while Oakley is letting loose and showcasing that miraculously perfect smile.

“Falling in love.”

31

“I’m gonna hop in the shower.” Oakley slides his jacket off his broad shoulders and throws it on his desk chair. He loosens his tie and raises an eyebrow. “Do you want to join me?”

A rush of insecurity rushes through me, even though this man ravished me only five hours prior in this very room. Somewhere between meeting Molly and talking with Brooke about the fact that I am falling so hard for Oakley, doubt returned like an old enemy. I swallow hard. Sleeping with Oakley has more weight than ever now. I know he’s with me and not Molly, but the comparison monster is a bitch. Watching how Molly interacted with Oakley’s parents and old buddies re-planted the seed of doubt I’ve been working so hard to dig up. Scenes from the evening flash through my head. Molly and Oakley laughing at inside jokes. Recounting adventures they had together. His close friends reiterating how perfect Molly and Adam were together and the shock that followed their breakup. They have a history that I will never be able to compete with.

I sit on the bed and regrettably say, “Actually, I wanted to check in on Lottie one more time before we head to bed. If that’s okay?” I know Lottie is fine since I just talked to Brooke, but I need a moment to process everything.

“Of course it’s okay,” he says without a hint of anger or disappointment. That’s just how Oakley operates–on a gentlemanly level of understanding. He leans down and kisses the top of my head. Without me asking him, he unzips my dress. “There. Now you can get undressed a little easier. I’ll be quick.” My heart is melting.

He shuts the door behind him and I exhale, still processing that this love is one-hundred percent real and this wonderful sweetheart of a man is in love with me, too. I finish unzipping my dress and let it fall to the floor. Oakley’s closet is open and I see a row of old hockey jerseys hanging on the rod. I pull them out one by one, knowing each one has so many memories woven into the fabric. There’s an ache in my chest; I wish I knew him back then.

I wish I had even more time to be in love with him.

A navy and white jersey with the number one on the sleeve catches my eye. While his other jerseys are much smaller, this one looks like the size he is now. I take it off the hanger and throw it over my head. It’s massively oversized and falls almost to my knees. I’ve obviously worn hockey jerseys to games before, but wearing Oakley’s feels different.