AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We straighten out again, but only briefly. Finn decides to roll us back and forth, until we’re practically flying sideways, and I’m looking straight down over the fields below. My stomach plummets when he dives and spins, but I laugh, caught up in the thrill of it all.
“Take a look out there,” he says, pointing toward the horizon as we level off. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
He’s right, it is, and I’m soaking up every amazing moment. There’s a sense of absolute freedom you can’t replicate while on land. I feel like a bird, soaring through the air, and I’ve left all my cares back down on the ground, far, far away.
We fly around a little longer and then Finn tells me it’s time to go back. A sense of disappointment fills me and I’m not ready yet. If I could stay up here and fly around with Finn for another hour, I’d jump at the chance. But I suppose there’s only so much gas in the tank and I trust that he knows when it’s time to turn around.
The closer we get to the ground, the more I’m beginning to understand this man and why he loves flying so much.
It’s a way to escape reality, if only briefly.
Chapter Seven: Finn
“I hope you’re as good at landing as you are at flying,” Ivy comments through the headset.
“A good landing is one you can walk away from,” I tell her. “A great landing is one that you can still use the plane again.”
“Oh, Lord. Then I hope you’re great.”
“I am great,” I assure her, lining us up and checking my instruments. “I’ve only sent two helos back to the taxpayers.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Where you send a wrecked aircraft,” I explain.
“Oh,” she murmurs, suddenly sounding uneasy. “So you’ve walked away from two crashes? Unharmed?”
“I didn’t say unharmed. The first one was during a thunderstorm and I was returning from dropping off a SEAL team on a mission. The helo got struck by lightning, fried my instruments. So, technically, that wasn’t my fault, but I ended up with a broken arm and two cracked ribs. And, more recently, I was trying to get Kennedy, Aidan and Cassian off an island when everything started exploding and we got hit by debris. So, again, not really my fault. But when we hit the ocean, I got knocked silly. Hit my head so hard, I’m surprised it didn’t crack open. I did pass out for a little bit, though, and Cassian pulled me out. I’ve never regretted making friends with frogmen.”
“Yeah, I heard about that,” Ivy murmurs softly. “Kennedy said it was terrifying.”
“Crashing is never fun,” I tell her. “That’s why I avoid it at all costs.”
The wheels hit the ground, smooth as butter, and we eventually coast to a stop in front of the hangar. After unbuckling and pushing the canopy back, I turn around and help Ivy climb down. Then, I quickly check Lucy out. She held up like a champ and I’m feeling damn good.
By the time the hangar is locked up and we’re back on my bike, it’s late afternoon and I don’t feel like going back home quite yet. I’m getting used to the feel of Ivy’s arms wrapped around me and I want to prolong it for a little longer.
“Wanna go for a ride?” I ask her.
“Sure,” she responds without hesitation.
I’m not sure whether it’s subconscious on my part or what, but after driving aimlessly for a while, I end up taking her to my favorite spot. One that I visit all the time when I’m home. A special place where I like to hang out and be alone; somewhere I’ve never shared with anyone else.
The sandstone cliffs stretch along the Point Loma Peninsula with a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean and wildflowers as far as the eye can see. Once we reach the top of the narrow dirt road, I park the bike and help her off.
“Where are we?” she asks, removing the helmet.
“Sunset Cliffs. Best place to view the sunset.”
“Wow,” she murmurs, walking over to the edge. “This is stunning.”
We sit down on a large rock and look out over the ocean below. The sun is beginning to sink and its rays hit the surface of the sea just right so it appears as though it’s sparkling. Instead of enjoying the view, I find myself staring at Ivy. The setting sun glints off her blonde hair making it appear pinkish gold and I want to run my fingers through it. I remember how silky it felt and I’m dying to touch it—to touch her—again.
“Is this a typical day for you when you’re not working?” she asks, pulling her knees up to her chest, admiring the view.
“I don’t know if it was typical, but I’d say it was pretty perfect.”
She turns to look at me, tilting her head in that adorable way of hers. “Really?”
