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RACHEL
I wade through the crowd of people, holding my purse close to me while stepping onto the escalator which would take me to baggage claim. The flight was long and annoying. There was something wrong with the plane, so we were delayed by an hour. Then when we arrived at Colorado, there wasn’t space for the plane to land. So, of course, the pilot was forced to flying the plane round and round until we could finally land.
I was so close to grabbing the vomit bag.
I still feel dizzy, my stomach twisting with every step I take towards the conveyor belt. I take out my notebook, fanning myself with it after stopping in front of the carousel. Even though it’s the middle of winter, my face feels like I have been sun tanning on a beach for the past several hours.
I just hope the boys aren’t pissed it’s taking so long.
I purse my lips, taking out my phone and hoping Lucas hadn’t sent me a million messages that they were here and waiting for me. Thankfully, he had sounded understanding when I called him in New York, explaining the situation.
“We haven’t even left yet,” he had said. “Don’t worry. We won’t leave without you.”
I smile down at the phone now, happy to see only one message reading: Did you land safely?
I type a quick message back: Yep. Waiting for my suitcase.
I shove my phone back into my purse, sighing when a bell rings and the conveyor belt begins moving.
Today is January 1st and the boys and I are going skiing in the mountains. Never mind the fact I have never been skiing, which my mother pointed out to me so eloquently when she dropped me off at JFK.
I remember rolling my eyes while grabbing my suitcase and slamming the door shut. “I’ll be fine, mom,” I had said at the time, though I genuinely wonder if that’s true. I’m not really a sports girl and I’ve been known to trip up the stairs and stub my toe on the bed.
Knowing my luck, I will probably break my legs on the first day and spend the rest of my semester walking around campus with crutches.
I shake those thoughts from me and pause, spotting my bag heading towards me. I reach for it, lugging it out and stumbling back from the force. Smiling, I look for the exit and head in the direction, feeling excitement and nervousness brim within me.
Two weeks. It has been two weeks since I last saw the bros, and that is two weeks too long. I recall mom eyeing me when we were at the mall, there to spend a bit of cash and, of course, she caught me looking at the lingerie. I probably should have been a bit more secretive, but then again, I didn’t know my mother was going to be following after me as if she were a puppy demanding attention.
“Are you dating anyone?” she had asked.
I, of course, remained completely chill by dropping the matching bra and panty set I had been holding and yelled, “Huh?”
Yep. Really chill.
And of course that means now I have nothing cute to wear at Lucas’s cottage. I guess my usual raggedy bra and mismatched set would have to do. At least until I get paid from the running store and I can go shopping for something a bit more… risqué.
I pause at the exit, feeling my jeans rub against my gut, which had definitely expanded since the holidays. Maybe I should go running with Seth as soon as we arrive. I don’t know if I can get naked right now with my belly still so bloated from all the ham and biscuits I ate.
But it was totally worth every last bite, I tell myself while striding through the doors.
The Colorado air hit me immediately, the breeze whipping my hair, making it impossible for me to see. I gasp, grabbing my hood and tossing it over my head to give me some sort of protection. I frown at my ungloved hands. Bad move. Looking around, I pray Lucas is somewhere nearby, yet I don’t see his car anywhere.
It isn’t until a black SUV opens that I notice Seth running out wearing only a black sweater and long shorts. He smiles at me and all my anxiety evaporates as my feet take me to him.
“Lucas got a new car,” says Seth, grabbing my suitcase and dragging it towards the large vehicle.
“I can see that,” I say, my smile widening when I enter, seeing Hunter sitting in the front seat.
“Rachel, long time no see,” says Hunter while turning around.
I slam the door shut and giggle, happy to see my Thor-like man. Although, he looks a bit thinner than he was when I left him. Dark circles shadow his eyes, and his smile doesn’t quite meet his gaze.
Maybe something happened with his mom?
I don’t want to ask him here, in front of the bros, so I make a mental note of it to store for later and turn to Seth as he slams his door close.
“Ready to disembark,” says Seth with a salute.
