“Come on, man,” Les pleads. “I’ll float you a loan if I have to. Let’s just go down there – you’re only young once, you know?”
I sigh, unable to believe I’m actually about to agree to this. “All right, I’ll go. I don’t want your money, but you’re driving me to the fucking passport office.”
Les laughs. “Yeah, okay. We’ll stop there tonight before we go to the gym.”
6:30 PM
I’m in the locker room surrounded by a bunch of other naked, sweaty dudes when my phone goes off. I quickly pull on a pair of boxers and fish the phone from the pocket of my jeans, which are still folded inside my gym bag. It’s a text message from Macary.
I hear you’re coming with us to Cabo!
Christ. Les didn’t tell me Macary was going. I guess I should’ve known when he mentioned Steph was the one who masterminded the trip – she and Macary run in a pretty tight circle with one or two other girls whose names I’m forgetting. I glance in Les’s direction, but he’s toweling off after a quick spray down in the shower, not looking my way.
I turn my phone on its side to flip the keyboard and type a message back.
Yeah looks that way
I’m so excited you’ll be there
I pause with my thumbs suspended above the keyboard, almost completely at a loss for what to say. I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t want her to get the wrong idea either. Then there’s the part of me that still wants to keep her waiting in the wings in case I ever decide I’m capable of getting past my hang up on Tawny Read – God I’m an asshole.
Me too
Seems neutral enough. I shove my phone deep inside my bag and jerk on my clothes, suddenly in need of some fresh air.
Part 4
Chapter 26 – Flights
Monday, March 20
Tawny – 12:30 PM
“Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign. If you haven’t already done so, please stow your carry-on luggage beneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin. Please take your seat and be sure your seat belt is securely fastened.”
I can hear the flight attendant, but I can’t see her – we’re all the way at the back of the plane in row thirty-nine, preparing to finish the last leg of our journey from Phoenix to Cabo. The drone of the engine is almost deafening back here.
I’m sitting in the middle seat between Aiden and Vivian. Aiden, who has the window seat, looks ready to pass out – he went out on a bender last night, which was bound to be a bad idea. Vivian’s been jeering at him all morning for being such a dumbass. Meanwhile, Viv sits next to the aisle with her head leaned back against the seat and her eyes closed, no doubt repeating her mantra – she’s an anxious flyer. If our last flight was any indication, she’ll be clawing at my hand for both the takeoff and the landing.
Takeoff is smooth. A little over an hour into the flight, the pilot announces we’re about to pass over the Gulf of California, which means we’ve officially crossed the border into Mexico – I’m in a different country for the first time in my life! I lean across Aiden’s lap – he’s sound asleep with his ball cap covering his face – and watch as the sparkling expanse of blue water comes into view. A surge of adrenaline spikes in my veins. I turn back around to nudge Vivian, but she’s curled on her side with her earphones in, listening to her iPod. I’m a little disappointed I don’t have anyone to share my excitement with, but not enough to let it dampen my spirits. I settle back into my seat, unable to keep the grin from face.
Kyle – 3:15 PM
Today has been the day from hell. Our flight was scheduled to depart Reno at 9:30. I shared a cab to the airport with Les and Leila, where we met Steph, Macary and their friend Rochelle at the US Airways check-in desk. Steph was already in tears when we got there because she’d somehow forgotten to pack her wallet. At first I felt genuinely sorry for her, but then she turned into a real bitch. Twenty minutes later I’d had enough of her attitude; an hour after that, when we’d already missed our flight, I made a silent vow to never travel with her again.
Luckily Steph got her roommate to drop off her wallet, and the airline was able to book us on the next flight out, but the guy who changed our reservations warned us we’d have to run like hell to make our connection in Phoenix. The six of us exchanged nervous glances as the plane hit the tarmac and began its disturbingly slow approach to the gate. The second the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign dinged off, we sprang from our seats and began wrestling our bags out of the overhead compartments, rushing to make it off the plane before our next flight took off.
I shouldered my backpack and hustled down the narrow aisle – thankfully the other passengers seemed to have caught on to the fact we were in a hurry and stayed out of our way. Then Les called my name, and I turned back around. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Steph was holding us up once again, because she couldn’t get her goddamn overstuffed suitcase out of the fucking overhead bin. As seemed fitting of the preceding eight hours, by the time we reached our gate, the Cabo-bound plane was just taxiing down the runway. I’ve never felt compelled to hit a girl until that very moment.
Thank Jesus the airline was able to work their magic yet again – they booked us on a direct flight that departs at 4:20 and lands in Cabo at 7:30, four hours after we were originally set to arrive. Les has already called our hotel to let them know we’ll be checking in late. All I can do is hope nothing else goes wrong – which means I’ve kept a stern eye on Stephanie.
Most of the group collapses into chairs in the waiting area for Gate B6, already worn out from a day of misses and near-misses. I leave my bag with Les, then go off in search of a restroom. On my way back to the gate I notice a sports bar showing one of the NCAA tournament games, and I decided to stop and order something to drink. I’ve just popped four ibuprofen in my mouth when I hear someone come up behind me.
“Hey,” says Macary as she climbs onto the barstool beside me. “Messed up day, huh?”
I snort as I toss back a swallow of Coke. “You could say that.”
“I wish I could say Steph’s just off her game today, but I’d be lying,” she says. “I knew we were in for it the second she signed on as ringleader.”
I laugh – it feels good to release some of the tension in my chest. “And you didn’t even give us fair warning,” I tease.
She chuckles. “Maybe I was afraid you’d back out.”
I stir my straw around my drink, unsure how to respond. A second later, an announcement blares over the PA system – “Now boarding Zone 1 for Flight 632 to Cabo San Lucas.” Macary and I look at each other in alarm; truthfully there’s plenty of time to make it back to the gate, but we’ve had too many close calls to feel comfortable taking our time.
“Shit,” I mutter as I stand and toss some cash on the bar next to my barely touched Coke. We run back down the concourse to B6 to join the rest of our group in boarding our last flight.
5:45 PM
Everyone except me fell asleep within minutes of takeoff. Meanwhile, I’m in one of those weird states of consciousness where I’m too tired to sleep. I’m squished up against the window with Leila next to me and Les on the other side of her – he gets motion sickness and needed to have easy access to the bathroom. As soon as we were cleared to use electronic devices, I powered on my iPod and flipped to my “Chill Out” playlist to help me relax.
I gaze out the window at the sky, which is gradually changing from blue to pink to orange as the sun sinks lower toward the horizon. The moment I notice we’re flying over water, I sit up straighter in my seat and stare down at what must be the Gulf. A tiny current of energy pulses through me as I think what this represents – This isn’t the US. I’m in Mexico. A smile dawns slowly on my face as I privately relish my maiden voyage across the border.
Chapter 27 – Cabo San Lucas
Monday, March 20
Tawny – Monday, 6:00 PM
After landing in Cabo at 3:30, we waited in a lengthy line to pass
through Customs before retrieving our baggage. After that we had a forty-five minute bus ride to our resort, which is every bit as brilliant as Aiden had promised – it’s set into the craggy face of a mountain and is surrounded by beautiful cerulean water. The warm, salty breeze that whips off the ocean feels utterly incredible.
Now we’re clustered around the front desk waiting to receive our room assignments. I yawn as I slip off my left sandal and bend over to massage my aching foot. I feel jet-lagged, even though Cabo is on the same time as Reno since they don’t observe Daylight Savings here. Aiden comes over and begins absently rubbing my back. He’s perked up some since we got off the plane, and his eyes are darting around, taking in the various restaurants and bars off the main lobby.
“Are you excited?” he mumbles into my ear when I stand back up – I’m surprised by the deep, lust-laden timbre of his voice.
“I sure am,” I reply. “You were right – it’s gorgeous here.”
He opens his mouth to say something else, but suddenly Vivian pops up in front of us and excitedly grabs my forearm – she’s acting spunkier, too, now that we’re back on solid ground. “We’re still sharing a room, right?” she asks, looking at me pointedly.
“Um…” Nervously I cast a sidelong glance at Aiden – his forehead is creased, and his mouth hangs open.
“No way,” he says, giving Vivian a playful shove backward. “She’s staying with me.”
Viv crosses her arms and heaves an exasperated sigh. “Aiden, there is no way I’m rooming with Brady.” We all look over at Brady – as if on cue, he lets a loud one rip, then laughs hysterically as he high-fives an embarrassed Logan. Poor Logan – he’s been trying all day to shield his girlfriend Christie from the self-proclaimed hilarity of Brady’s antics. Surely he had to have known it’d be a lost cause once we got down here.
I suddenly become aware of Aiden’s eyes on me. I press my lips together nervously when I see the pleading look on his face – he’s silently begging me to take his side. I take a deep breath, then let out a sigh. “I did tell my parents we wouldn’t stay in the same room,” I say lamely in a pathetic attempt to pacify him.
“Oh come on, babe, it’s not like they’d ever know the difference.”
Not until this very moment had it occurred to me Aiden may have certain…expectations for our time here. I’m an idiot for not thinking about it beforehand. Suddenly I’m desperate to convince him we need to stay in separate rooms – then immediately I feel guilty for thinking that way.
“Ugh, don’t worry, Lover Boy,” says Vivian as she begins gently tugging me toward the curved marble desk. “You’ll have your alone time with her. Trust me, I won’t stand in your way.”
I toss another glance over my shoulder at Aiden as we approach the receptionist, a beautiful, exotic looking woman in a crisp white blouse and navy blazer. He still looks unhappy, but Viv’s words seem to have placated him some. He turns reluctantly to Brady, who claps him on the back and yells, “All right – roomies!”
Kyle – 7:30 PM
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Los Cabos International Airport of Baja California Sur. Local time is 7:30 PM and the temperature is currently seventy-two degrees Fahrenheit, twenty-two degrees Celsius. For your safety and comfort, we ask that you please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the captain turns off the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign.”
God, seventy-two degrees sounds amazing…it was forty when we left Reno this morning. I lean forward and scrub at my face with my open palms – I feel like I haven’t slept in days. All I want is to get off this plane.
Slowly the people ahead of us file out and clear the path for Les, followed by Leila and me; the three other girls are right on our heels. We follow the signs to Customs, then baggage claim. Finally we head outside to the pickup area for the resort shuttle. Even though it’s close to 8:30 at night, the air is still warm and heavy with humidity.
The shuttle’s driver is a short, stringy Mexican guy. He loads our suitcases with a speed and agility that makes me wonder where on his scrawny frame he’s hiding all his strength. Steph and Rochelle take seats next to each other near the back of the bus, and Les and Leila sit across the aisle from them. That leaves the two seats in front of Steph and Rochelle for Macary and me. I let Macary take the window seat. As soon as we’re seated, she strips off her jacket and long-sleeved t-shirt, revealing the thin tank top underneath. I notice the edge of her lace bra peeking above the fabric, and immediately I snap my head forward. I make a point of continuing to stare straight ahead while she turns to talk to her friends.
Once the bus starts moving, Macary turns around and nudges me with her elbow. “Cheer up, pal,” she says. “We’re on vacation.”
I turn my head just long enough to shoot her a half smile. “Sorry,” I reply. “Just tired. I promise I’ll act more excited tomorrow.”
“Mmm, yeah, I’m exhausted.” She yawns to prove her point and stretches her arms up over her head, lengthening her torso as she subtly sticks out her chest; I’m sure my lightning-fast peek at her tits didn’t escape her notice. I’m starting to feel uncomfortable – my sex-starved body is dying to touch her in some way, while my head and my heart are screaming at me to keep my distance.
A little while later, we drive out of the city lights and begin winding our way down the coast toward the peninsula’s southern tip. The jostle of the bus feels jarring at first, but eventually its rhythmic bounce comes to resemble being rocked to sleep, and the whir of the tires against the road seems less noisy and more soothing. I drop my chin against my chest and have just drifted off to sleep when I feel something tickle my shoulder, and it wakes me with a start. I lift my head and realize Macary is tucked up against my side with her cheek laying over against my shoulder – she appears to be sound asleep. Shit. I stare down at her for a couple of minutes, trying to figure out how to move her, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Slowly I doze off again.
9:15 PM
I wake up with a jolt when the bus careens to a halt before the lit gates at the hotel’s entrance. The first thing I notice is my neck hurts like hell; the second thing I notice is Macary is still passed out against my shoulder. I lightly stretch, bringing my arm up to massage at the sore muscles in my neck as the driver opens the door and people begin to pile out of the bus.
I twist my body to look down at Macary, but she doesn’t wake. I move my shoulders up and down, but she still doesn’t open her eyes. Finally I sigh as I grab her knee and give it a shake. “Macary,” I say close to her ear. “Wake up, we’re here.”
She emits a low groan, then slowly lifts her head and blinks at me. “God, sorry,” she murmurs. “I don’t even remember falling asleep.” Again she stretches, reaching a hand behind her head and pulling out the elastic holding her hair back. I watch as her silky brown mane fans out around her shoulders and remember the way she’d driven me wild with that move last year, the night we almost slept together. I’m a little amazed to find tonight it’s not really doing it for me, but maybe it’s just because I’m tired.
It isn’t until my feet hit the pavement that I realize we’ve never discussed sleeping arrangements. Obviously Les and Leila will want to sleep in the same room – which just leaves me and the three other girls. Jesus. I watch helplessly as Steph leads Rochelle and Macary through the front doors and Leila tags along behind them. Les brings up the rear with Leila’s duffel on his shoulder, wheeling his suitcase behind him. I grab his arm as he passes.
“Hey, what room am I staying in? I don’t think you want me crashing with you and Leila.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, dude. Does it matter? Stay with Macary.”
My discomfort must be plain from the look on my face, because Les pauses and looks at me with one eyebrow raised. “What gives, Freeman?” he asks. “I thought you liked her.”
I ease up on my grip and take a step back, trying to affect an air of indifference as I toss a hand through my hair. “You’re right,” I tell him.
“It doesn’t matter.”
His eyes remain fixed on me – he looks unconvinced. “What’s with you, man? I’ve never known you to act like this. You’re on a beach in fuckin’ Mexico with three hot, single chicks, and you’re worried about where you’ll be sleeping.”
I let out a slow exhale as I hold his gaze; I have no idea how to respond. He’s right to be confused – I’m not acting like myself.
Finally he sighs and claps a hand on my shoulder. “A word of advice – just have fun, okay, dude? Loosen up for fuck’s sake. And do us all a favor – get laid while you’re here. I don’t care who it’s with, as long as it isn’t my girlfriend.” He flashes me a grin and slaps me one more time on the back, then turns to head inside, leaving me to shuffle after him, a feeling of dread widening in the pit of my stomach.
It feels late, like the middle of the night, but the lobby is plenty crowded with people dressed for dinner or drinks or whatever else they choose to do on vacation. I catch a glimpse of myself in a large, gilt framed mirror and realize I look like ass.
Les and Leila check in first, then step to the side with their room keys in hand. My pulse picks up as I approach the desk and see Steph, Rochelle and Macary looking back at me. “How many to a room?” asks Steph.
“Each suite can sleep up to four,” replies the girl behind the desk. She’s tapping her long red fingernails against the keyboard as she eyes us with practiced patience.
Forever With You (Silver State Series) Page 22
