Page 36 of Fake it For Good
“It’s okay,” he said. “You’re okay. We’ll be in the air in a minute. Just breathe.”
I tried to smile, but my lips were frozen. I could only look at him. He smiled and continued to hold my hand. “My first time flying was about twenty-something years ago,” he said. The smooth, deep cadence of his voice felt like I was being wrapped in a warm blanket. “I think I was probably about fifteen. I was wearing a hoodie. I remember pulling the hood up and tugging on the strings so tight all I had was a small hole to look out of. My jaw was clenched so tight it was sore for days after that takeoff. I sweated bad enough to soak through the shirt and the hoodie under my arms. I probably looked ridiculous, but it was the only thing I could think to do to protect myself. Once we’d been in the air about fifteen minutes, I finally pulled it open and looked around. No one seemed to notice I had just been through the most terrifying experience of my life.”
It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. I wasn’t entirely sure the story was real, but it seemed like it. I could feel my body unfurling like a flag that had been rolled up tight and stored away. My lungs expanded and I was able to draw my first real breath since I had sat down.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
He just smiled and nodded. “Once we’re coasting, Marissa will bring us a drink. We could make yours a double if you’d like.”
I snorted and laughed at the same time. I would have been embarrassed by the awkward noise, but I was too scared to worry about the noises coming from my face. “That might be a good idea. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know it would hit me like this.”
“Hey, everyone’s first time flying is something they will always remember,” he said. “It isn’t natural to be soaring eight-thousand feet above the ground. My mom hated flying. She always told my dad God didn’t give her wings. If he had meant for her to fly, he would have made her a bird.”
Tears stung the backs of my eyes. “I think I agree with her. All my life I wanted to go on an airplane. I used to dream about the places I would fly. I can’t believe I’m freaking out.”
“It’s natural,” he said. “I bet once we touch down in Texas, you’re going to want to get right back on the plane and fly away.”
I smirked. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
He continued to hold my hand until Marissa, the flight attendant, appeared with a pretty smile. “Would you guys like a drink?”
“Yes,” Cane said. “I’ll have a whiskey neat.” He turned to me. “Still want a double?”
I nodded. “Please. Whatever he’s having.”
“I’ll be right back,” Marissa said and walked to the front of the plane.
I put my hands back in my lap and tried to relax. It was a pretty smooth ride. I wasn’t necessarily afraid. It just felt weird. “Is it like this on a commercial plane?” I asked him. “Or have you ever flown with a couple hundred people packed into a massive tin can?”
He laughed at my description. “More times than I can count. I bought the jet about a year ago. I found it was much easier to hop on my own plane when I needed to make an emergency trip out of town. And I’m not going to lie, it’s a hell of a lot more comfortable. No screaming babies, no one fighting for the armrest, and no one is picking a fight with the guy sitting behind him for kicking the seat.”
“It makes sense,” I said like I knew what I was talking about. I didn’t. I had no clue.
Marissa returned with our drinks. I was used to cheap whiskey. If I wanted to get drunk, I usually picked up a bottle of the cheap stuff. A couple of drinks and I achieved success. I was a cheap date.
13
CANE
“Ready?” I asked Noelle and took her hand once again.
“I don’t know.” She grimaced.
“I think landing is less stressful,” I assured her. “It’s over and done in a matter of seconds. There’s the hard braking but it’s like coming to an abrupt stop at a red light.”
“Okay.”
We bounced once. Her hand squeezed mine with her short little nails digging into my skin. I gently squeezed back. The pilot was good. He was one of my favorites. He nailed the landing with barely a jolt. We pulled to a stop and she let out a long sigh.
“Not so bad, right?” I said.
She blew out her cheeks. “No. I survived.”
The car I had hired was waiting for us. We were whisked away to our hotel.
“Here’s your key,” I said. “We’ll grab dinner in an hour if that works for you?”
“Yeah,” she said. “What kind of dinner?”
