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He takes his white Chicago Kodiaks hat off and runs his fingers through his hair before replacing his hat. “Let’s do it.”
He pushes the button for the flight attendant. We’d like two glasses of champagne. I just played my one and only game as a major leaguer, and I think that deserves a celebration.”
“I’ll have to ask Mr. or Mrs. Chatham, sir,” she says as she grins. She takes out her phone, types out a text to either Archer or my sister. She retreats to the kitchen and returns a moment later with two glasses of light golden bubbly.
I lean forward. “To Tackett Towles, reaching his dreams.”
“And blowing them into pieces.” He taps my glass and we both take a sip.
I move to the seat next to him. God, a girl could get used to sitting on rich buttery leather, reserved for the rich and famous. Once, more I try to cheer him up. “To Megan and Archer for introducing me to my new friend, Tackett Towles.”
He studies his champagne. “Finding you for Archer was the most interesting thing I’ve done in my life, so I will ‘cheers’ to that.” We clink our glasses together and drink again.
“From what I know, you’re very interesting. You must have signed a contract out of high school which means youaretalented,” I say pointedly.
He pulls his hat back down over his eyes. “Obviously not talented enough.” He pauses. “Cheers to being average.”
“Hey, I’m average and there’s nothing wrong with being average.” I pretend to pout and clink our glasses together again. We both take a longer pull of the champagne.
“Nothing about you is average.” He finishes his champagne and sits it in the cup holder.
Great, just like everyone else, he thinks my legs are too long and my chin is too pointy. He’s right, I’m not average or normal looking. I’m a giraffe with boobs.
He’s quiet for a while, and his chin is tucked, so I consider he might be asleep. I can’t tell because his hat is covering his eyes. But I admire the sandy blonde hairs curling up under his hat. Tackett has this laid-back style both in his appearance and personality. So, the fact he is upset with himself, and not wise cracking makes me want to console him.
What would console Tackett Towles?
Suddenly, the airplane bounces like a ball off the ground. We hit bump after bump, but we’re in the air, so what the hell? Tackett instantly shields me and holds me in my seat with his arm. He puts one arm around me and the other holds my hand.
“What’s happening?”
“It’s just turbulence—nothing to worry about. It’s the plane changing altitude caused from a sudden gust of wind,” Tackett says, matter-of-fact, but he continues to hold my hand. He knows I’m scared out of my mind because my palms are sweating profusely. Ugh. No one wants to date someone with clammy hands.
The captain comes on the intercom with an announcement. “Please fasten your seatbelts. We may have to reroute and land somewhere else. There’s a hurricane offshore creating tropical force winds.”
I’ve only flown one time before this trip for a celebration after high school graduation, but we flew coach. Then two days ago, Megan flew me commercial, first class, so flying private is both luxurious but also frightening.
I guess Tackett can see the terror in my eyes because he draws me in closer. “I’ve got you covered. Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch. My new boss would kill me.” He cracks another smile, and my weak legs get a little weaker.
ChapterThree
TACKETT
“Motels are not the same as hotels,” I argue. “I’ve stayed in hotels my entire life, and I promise you thereisa difference.”
She puts her feet up on the rental car dashboard. “I’m tired, and the hotel app says there are no hotels available. Just stop. The motel is on this exit.” Talynn studies her phone and says, “Finding hotel rooms will be hard as people flee their homes, seeking safety.”
She’s cute with her toes on the dash wiggling to the sound of the music and her knees pulled into her chest. “Okay but we’ll agree to disagree. One big difference is you enter from the outside.” Talynn’s forehead wrinkles until I bear right onto the exit.
I’ve been to Atlanta many times for baseball games, but this is proving to be my favorite. Sharing a room with Talynn is excruciatingly pleasing except we already had to change rooms. When Talynn was going to change in the bathroom, she noticed the shower curtain was missing. I called down to the front desk and they changed our room.
When we get to the new room, I say, “See…not a hotel. Hotels usually have multiple levels and shower curtains.”
Talynn’s eyes dart to mine then she does this thing where she twists her lips and smirks. This time she goes into the bathroom to change, and she squeals.
“What’s wrong?”
She comes back out of the bathroom. “There’s a giant bug. Kill it.” Her voice is at least five octaves higher than normal.
