Am I fucking things up? Will she be all right away from all those people who care so much about her?
I want to believe I’ll be enough…but who the hell am I kidding? That’s not…
I clench my jaw. I have to get my shit together, become worthy of Ava. Questioning myself isn’t the way to go.
“What?” she whispers.
“Hmm?”
“You’re tense.”
I force a small smile. “Perceptive woman.”
She tilts her chin and looks up at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just not looking forward to the long flight.” That’s the least cause of my discomfiture, but I need to give her something.
“Nobody ever does.”
She rests her head on my shoulder. It feels so right to have her lean on me like this.
Don’t fuck this up.
I won’t. I can’t.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ava
The plane lands exactly at eight thirty p.m. Everyone around Lucas seems to devote their lives to making sure his schedule stays uninterrupted. As the jet touches down, he shows me a small black thing.
“Lemme see your phone,” he says, his palm up.
“What’s that?”
“A new SIM card. I noticed your phone isn’t locked, so I got this for you so you can use it in the States.” He swaps the cards, takes his phone out and rings someone. My unit vibrates. “I’m saving this into your contact list. It’s my personal number and you can call me anytime.”
Handing me my phone back, he doesn’t comment on the fact that it showed up as an unknown number. I deleted his digits when I left the States. “Still only eight people have this number?”
“Once again eight. Seven and you.”
The plane comes to a complete stop, and the captain makes a short arrival announcement. The cabin attendant opens the door, and I stand up first. Lucas winces as he pushes himself up.
“You all right?” I ask.
“I’m fine. Just a little stiff from sitting for so long.”
I run my hand over his shoulder, wishing I could do more. Lucas isn’t old enough to start to feel bad after a flight—even a long one—and I know his injuries are bothering him. From the hard set of his jaw, it’s obvious he doesn’t want me to fuss, so I step back and give him some space. It doesn’t take much time before he puts a hand at the small of my back, ready to deplane.
We step out together. I stop for a second and inhale deeply. The familiar stretch of road, the cool kiss of the evening breeze and autumn-spiced air…
I’m home.
“We have a car waiting,” Lucas says, putting an arm around my shoulder.
I nod. “Let me text Ray to let him know I’ve arrived.” I start typing on my phone and hit send.
Where are you? Ray texts back. I almost slap my forehead, because I forgot he planned to pick me up. We just landed. Let me get my bags and I’ll meet you right outside.