Arrogant Arrival: A Hero Club Novel

by Gail Haris

  I nod. “I guess you’re able to spread your wings now and fly off. Free as a bird.”

  “Listen, whatever you think…I’m sorry. Nothing happened.”

  “If nothing happened, then why are you sorry?”

  “Because, either way you got hurt, and I was the cause of it, again.”

  A car honks outside. Not being able to stand the awkward tension building around us anymore, I decide to take my leave. “Goodbye, Jim.”

  He reaches out to me, but I jerk out of the way. I hurry to the door and take off toward the cab before the tears start falling. I quickly get in and ask the driver to leave. I don’t look back.

  At the airport, I get in the line for airline employees and pray everyone will move faster. Once I’m through, I faintly hear what sounds like Jim’s voice calling out to me.

  “Jolene! Jolene! Wait!”

  My phone buzzes and I see it’s him calling me. But I’m a coward…I keep walking, and I don’t look back. I hurry to my flight where the crew is already waiting. Unfortunately, of all the pilots to work this flight, it’s Trip. Renee walks up looking fabulous while I feel like I’m on the verge of tears.

  “So what happened with your Greek god of the sky?”

  “I thought I was God of the sky?” Trip jokes.

  “Jo, here, was with her very own Greek demigod.” Renee jokes.

  “Wait…the contract pilot? You stayed in Greece with him? Didn’t he have a family?”

  I want to groan. Trip already didn’t think very highly of me, and now he thinks I’d go as low as sleeping with a man who has a family. Just because I hit on him while he was with Kendall does not mean I lack every moral fiber. In my defense, they weren’t together. Standing tall, I try to maintain what dignity I have left, “He was with his family, but it wasn’t his family. He was with his mom, cousins, his niece, and…Yia-Yia.” I smile.

  Trip beams and his eyes brighten. “That’s really nice, Jo. Greece, huh? That must’ve been amazing. He seemed like a nice guy.”

  “He was.”

  “Was?”

  “Nothing came of it.”

  “Now, Jo. Don’t waste time wondering. I know that look. Kendall and I missed out on so much time that we could’ve been making memories together. Everything worked out in the end, but it still pisses me off. Wasted. Lost time that we won’t get back…and for what?”

  I look around and Trip notices my unease. He takes my arm and leads me over to a more private area. “Listen to me, Jo. Call Kendall and ask her. Maybe a woman-to-woman convo might help. We’ve known each other a long time. I don’t want to see you make the same mistake I did. Call him. If you like him and think you two had a connection, chase it down. I had to. And I could kick my own ass that it took me so long before I did. Do you have his number?”

  “Yeah. He tried to call me, but I was…this is so embarrassing. He tried to reach out to me once we left each other just now but I was too scared. I wouldn’t answer his call. I’m afraid he is going to love me and use me, and I like him too much. I wouldn’t survive the fall for him.”

  “Are you kidding me? You can’t be serious, Jo.” Trip shakes his head. “I know we didn’t work out, but I was an asshole. And maybe this guy is an asshole, or maybe he used to be. It sounds like the guy is trying. Now, it’s your turn to try.”

  I feel my eyes begin to water and a short laugh escapes me. “I didn’t expect you to be the one to give me relationship advice.”

  Trip wraps his strong arms around me and laughs. “Hey, Jo, remember to let him into your heart, then you can start…to make it better.”

  “Wow. That’s nice, Trip.”

  “The Beatles were very wise. Now sounds like you have found your Mr. Right, now go and get him.”

  I laugh, “What?”

  Trip smiles. “My spin on ‘Hey Jude’, from…”

  I smile, “The Beatles.”

  Once all the passengers are settled on the plane, I put in a single ear pod. Kostas Dalaras’ soothing voice begins singing. I don’t know what he’s singing about, but the melancholy melody fits my mood. Maybe it’s about a time when the nights were young? Maybe it’s about a love left in paradise? I don’t understand the words, but I definitely understand the ache in his voice.

  One week later…

  I decide that I need time to figure out myself. I know what my heart wants, but I’m still a mess. First, I call the airline and let them know I want to cut back my hours. If I get hired with the magazine Bianca works for, maybe I can even afford to quit completely. I spend my entire day off working on a personal travel blog. Even if nobody reads it, it’s therapeutic to write about my journeys and feelings. Plus, now I’ll always be able to look back and recall these memories.

  I’ve just finished getting my website how I like it when my cell rings. Bianca. I swipe the screen and answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, I have some news!”

  Is it Jimmy? Does he miss me? Is he wanting to meet? “Oh, yeah? Well, what is it?”

  “They loved your piece! They want an interview. Are you available this week?”

  “Yes! Oh my gosh, yes!”

  I’m so excited. Someone read my words, and they loved it. What now? Can I do it again, or was that just a fluke? Either way, I can’t wait to move forward. I spin around and do a little happy dance. I’m beyond ecstatic for this next journey of my life, but my heart is still missing a piece of it. I want to know about Jimmy. I wait, hoping she’ll volunteer the information, but instead she keeps talking about the job—which is important too. Finally, I can’t take it any longer and ask, “Any other news?”

  “Nope. That’s it. I look forward to seeing you next week!”

  And with that, she hangs up and I’m left hanging. I should’ve swallowed my pride and simply asked what I wanted to know. Why didn’t I? Now I’m going through the whole day wondering and missing him because I’m a fool. I’m about to go to sleep when my phone dings with a message from Lana.

  Lana: Thought you should see this.

  Lana: ATTACHED VIDEO

  I click the link and it sends me to YouTube. The screen is black, but then the words flash across: To anyone who is lonesome because they lost their sweetheart. This is for you, koritsi mou. The screen fades and there’s Jimmy sitting in a chair in the back of a plane.

  “I just landed but didn’t feel like going home and being alone. I keep thinking about this girl. This incredible woman. I wonder what she’s doing and if she’s thinking about me. So, I found this song fitting. Since I’m sure she’s blocked my number, I’ll post it here and see if fate can intervene and send her my message.”

  He strums the guitar and then begins singing, “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” I listen to it. And then I listen to it again. And again.

  I wake up around six in the morning determined to get myself where I want to be. Despite not going to sleep until about two because I was listening to Jimmy sing on repeat, I’m full of energy. I open my journal from my past trips and begin typing away several articles for the magazine. Around one in the afternoon, I realize I haven’t eaten. A peanut butter sandwich will have to do because I’m on fire. If I leave the house, I might lose my mojo. Quickly, I take a bite out of my sandwich as I carry it to my laptop. Between bites and chews, my peanut butter fingers fly over the keys. I’ll worry about the mess later. The words are pouring out of me now, there’s no slowing down and no stopping. This feels right. This feels like something I’ve been missing in my life. I love traveling, and now I can share my adventures. There’s something therapeutic about reliving these experiences and putting the words out there. It’s even better than when I write in my journal. The magazine might not even publish these on their website, that’s a hard and definite possibility. I won’t know until I try, but right now, even trying is helping me find a piece of myself, so either way, this is an accomplishment.

  Jimmy

  One month later…

  “Did you read it?”


  My milkshake and burger arrive. I smile at the waitress and thank her before answering Bianca on the phone. “Read what?”

  “The article I sent you.”

  I place my phone down and put it on speaker. Then I go to my email. My heart stops in my throat when I see who the author is.

  In Greece, the Night is Young by Jolene Tanner.

  “What about it?” My voice is tight as I close my eyes shut. “I guess she got the job. That’s great.”

  “Just read it. I know you miss her.”

  “Sure. Anything else?”

  “No. Have a nice flight. Thank you for delivering the plane.”

  I end the call and debate if I want to even read the article. This woman destroyed my heart. Do I have the courage to read her words? I take a bite out of my cheeseburger and swipe my phone screen. I sip my chocolate milkshake as I read about our trip together. I slam my phone down because I don’t understand. She writes as though she fell in love with me, but maybe that’s just to sell magazines or encourage people to book travel arrangements and get people to travel to Greece.

  “Will passenger Jim Georgakopolous please come to the service desk?”

  I listen again. “Will passenger Jim Georgakopolous please come to the service desk?”

  I pay my bill and go to the service desk. I wait in line, and then my eyes widen and see why I was paged overhead when I see her. Jolene appears and waves. “Hi, Jimmy.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Waiting for you to arrive.”

  “You paged me?” She nods. “Why? How’d you know I’d be here?”

  “Bianca told me. By the way, I’ve missed you.”

  I shake my head. “I called you for two weeks straight. You couldn’t answer your phone? Not once. Respond to my messages? You ignored me after everything we shared. And now you show up and tell me you miss me?”

  She hurries toward me, but I step back. I’m wounded and angry. She doesn’t get to ignore me and then suddenly decide she’s ready to pick up where we left off. I shake my head and turn to leave. She calls out to me, but I give her the same courtesy she did me…I keep walking.

  The overhead speakers in the sound system crack. Then, it’s not English but Greek. A woman is singing…that can’t be. I turn around and stare. Jolene holds the receiver to her mouth as she sings in Greek the Kostas Dalaras song I sang to her. I shake my head in wonder and walk toward her. She stops and walks around the counter to me.

  “When did you learn that?”

  “I kept listening to it after I came back. After a few times, I was able to sing along, although I have no idea what I’m saying.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head. “What changed, Jo? Why now? Why did you run off like that and then fall off the grid?”

  “I was hurting.”

  “And you think I wasn’t? I still am! Jolene, nothing happened. Pamela set that whole thing up. I was trying to get her to leave when you walked in.”

  “Your mother called me. She told me.”

  “You’d listen to her, but not me? After everything?”

  “I knew before she called that you didn’t do anything. But I needed some time to work on me, Jimmy.”

  “Maybe I still need some time.”

  “Jimmy, I realized that while we were in Greece, that was the only time I ever slowed down. It was the only time I ever enjoyed life. Also, I wanted to make sure you weren’t just a fling for me.”

  I take a step back. Wow. Twist the knife a little more in my heart. It hurts that she couldn’t tell the difference between what we shared and a fling. “Either you care for me, or you don’t. Either you want a relationship, or you don’t.”

  I turn around, but stop when I hear, “Wise men say…”

  I turn around to see Jolene holding the intercom and singing one of Elvis’s greatest hits, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

  I watch as her skin begins to turn a nice shade of pink. Slowly, I walk toward her. Her eyes never waver from mine. When I’m standing toe to toe with her, she whispers, “Falling in love, with… you.”

  “I’ve never been serenaded before.”

  “I have. Only once. Thought I’d try it out.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah. Did it work?”

  “No.” She dips her chin, and I lift it up with my two fingers. “I was already in love before you even began.”

  She wraps her arms around me, and people clap as her lips meet mine. Tired of our relationship always being a show for bystanders, I lead her away. “So you write a travel blog now?”

  “Yeah, if only I had a pilot to assist me with it because I have a lot of places I need to visit.”

  “Stop. You’re just doing all this to get access to my cockpit.”

  “Is it working? At least the cock part?”

  “You know there’s no issues with that part working.”

  “I love you, Jimmy.”

  I stare wide-eyed at her. “Come again?”

  “I love you.”

  I search her eyes and can’t stop the goofy smile stretching across my face. “I love you, koritsi mou. Let me see if I can get my flight canceled because I think I’ve arrived at my final destination.”

  “Oh, yeah? I think our adventures are just getting started, pilot.”

  “What about for tonight?”

  Jolene surprises me further when she says, “I nychta einai nea, agape mou.”

  The night is young, my love.

  Jolene

  One year later…

  It’s been a year, and I’m back on the same bridge in Greece eating ice cream. I now work full-time writing travel blogs and columns. Jimmy is still a contract pilot. Best of all, we work together traveling the world. Each day we share is a new adventure. And I think that on each adventure, I fall a little more in love with him. He’s still an arrogant Greek ass, but that’s part of his charm. He’s fully committed to loving me, and making me feel loved. His family wasn’t shocked that I’m not really Jolene Tannerelos. I think Jimmy is the only one that really thought that scheme would work. When I told him as much he replied, “But it did work. I’ve got you, don’t I? So it worked well enough for me.”

  Jimmy takes my hand and leads me to the center of the bridge. I hear the faint sound of the bouzouki. The music grows louder, and I realize it’s coming from a boat that’s floating toward us. I am almost positive they’re playing an Elvis song.

  I cross my arms. “What are you up to, Jimmy mou?”

  When I turn toward him, Jimmy gets down on one knee. He takes my hand with his fake engagement ring that I still wear. He slides the ring off and then reaches in his pocket. He holds a replica of the ring and smiles. “Jolene Tanner, will you be my real fiancée?”

  My ice cream cone falls out of my hand as I cover my mouth. Tears build in my eyes. This time, I don’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

  Jimmy’s smile shines brighter than the sapphire in the ring he slides on my finger. On closer examination I see that this ring has a rose gold vine, and tiny diamonds accent the sapphire. He kisses my finger wearing the ring and smiles at me. “I got you a real ring this time.”

  “It’s perfect.”

  “What would you like to do now, koritsi mou?”

  “Everything! The night is young, agape mou.”

  The night is young, my love.

  Want to keep up with all of the new releases in Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward's Cocky Hero Club world? Make sure you sign up for the official Cocky Hero Club newsletter for all the latest on our upcoming books:

  https://www.subscribepage.com/CockyHeroClub

  Check out other books in the Cocky Hero Club series:

  http://www.cockyheroclub.com

  What an honor to be a part of the Cocky Hero Club! I can not thank Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward enough for taking a chance on me. This is an amazing opportunity, and I hope my story did justice to their world. Thank you so much!

  And the simple fact, that yo
u the reader took time out of your life to read this story makes my heart feel like it’s about to burst. I love you! Thank you!!

  Thank you so much to every single reader, blogger, and fellow author that has taken a chance on me. I’ve made some wonderful friends along this journey. I appreciate and love you all so much.

  I have to thank Gail’s Book Belles. My wonderful reader group. You people are the main ones that keep me going. Your posts and comments make my day. Love you!

  Amber Hall – Jimmy’s Elvis obsession was for you! I hope you like the songs and enjoyed that little tidbit about him.

  My mom. She has an incredible talent for finding humor in every situation. People that have met her, they always comment on how she’s always laughing and smiling. The woman has a witty comeback, pun, or joke for any given moment. I’ll always appreciate that about her, along with her love for reading. Granted – this isn’t a typical book my mom would read. I love you more!

  The Hrissikos and Panousis family – they exposed me to the amazing Greek culture and welcomed me into the family. Note – none of my characters are based on the family.

  George and Emily – for answering all my questions about the world of pilots and flight attendants. Yes – I exaggerated some of the situations. Another side note – none of the characters are based off real people or events.

  Thank you to my amazing group of friends and support team!! Thank you for always checking on me and keeping me sane! I value your honest feedback and input so much. You all definitely make up a huge part of Gail Haris. I love you ladies and appreciate our friendships!!

  Author Jessy Lin – I have to give you a special shout-out because let’s be honest, I wouldn’t have pushed forward without you. THANK YOU! You believe in me, even when I don’t. We’re doing this together!

  My big sister, Teresa. I wouldn’t even be an author if not for you. I didn’t know the indie book world existed until you encouraged me to read on e-reader. You instantly encouraged me to write my own book. There’s a reason I went with ‘Gail.’ We both share that name, and I’m so grateful I’m sharing this journey with you. There’s no way any of this would’ve happened without you. I love you, sis!