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“I know,” I nodded, “but I'll still be back to visit.”
He snorted. “At some point, yeah,” he tried to keep his voice down. “You changed your six months to permanently.” Throwing his hands out to the side, he took a step toward me. “You're not planning to return, are you?”
“Ian, for fuck's sake,” I growled, “I'm an actor and belong in California.”
“You're running, Chance!” He matched my angry tone.
My eyes widened at the rarity of him using my name. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I flickered my gaze to Ice man rapidly before settling on Ian. Dragon, who was standing nearby, took a step toward him, but I lifted my hand. Turning to face him, I shook my head. “He's fine.”
He nodded, taking three steps back. Glancing around, I discovered travelers watching every move I made; many of them holding their phones up, recording or taking photos of my interaction with Ian.
Peering around, he gnawed the inside of his cheek, then rolled his bottom lip between his teeth. “Just promise me one thing, please.”
I remained silent, sliding my hands in my jacket pockets.
“If you ever need anything,” he paused, seeming somewhat defeated, “call me, okay?”
“I will.” Nodding, my mouth curved into a small smile.
“I mean it, Hollywood,” Wagging his finger at me, he smirked. “Your stupid ass grew on me like a bad mole, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm going to miss you.”
Rolling my eyes, I snickered just as I heard an announcement over the speaker. Both hesitating, we listened.
Good afternoon, passengers. This announcement is for flight 7063 to Los Angeles. We are now inviting first class and business class passengers to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready.
“I guess that's my cue.” Shrugging, I bent down to grab one of my Louis Vuitton bags.
I was taken by surprise when he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around my neck, pulling me in for an uncomfortable, tight hug. My bag made a thud as it hit the floor. Dragon leaned down, grabbing both of my bags for me.
“I was told to pass this on to you,” Ian muttered.
I felt a tug on my jacket pocket before he stepped away. Reaching in, I pulled out a folded sheet of paper, pinning it between my fingers in confusion. Shrugging, he backed up, facing his palms toward me when I tried to hand it back to him. I felt it might be from Amber.
“It isn’t from her.” He read my mind. “However, you might need it at some point.”
“Fine.”
Taking a few more steps back, he pointed at me, eyebrows raised. “Call us when you get settled.”
Without another word, he shoved his hands in his pockets, disappearing into the crowd with Ice Man following closely behind him.
* * *
Once on the plane, I got settled before digging my earbuds out of my bag, not wanting to talk to anyone. I made sure my hat and glasses were securely on my head as I sunk down into my seat, peering out the plane window. Dragon took the aisle seat, creating a barrier between any other person and myself.
A flight attendant stood at the front of the plane, gesturing throughout the routine announcements and safety demonstration. I wasn’t paying much attention to her as I gazed out the window, feeling my thoughts drifting to Amber once again. Fighting back tears, I took several deep breaths, closing my eyes until we departed.
An hour into the flight, I rolled my body to the side, staring at my reflection in the window as I watched the clouds passing underneath the plane. Suddenly, I remembered Ian handing me the slip of paper at the airport. I took it out of my pocket, wishing I could find the strength to read it, but I didn’t have it in me right now. I didn’t know what it was and wondered if he’d tricked me. I flipped it around several times, rolling it between my fingertips, fighting the curiosity growing in my mind. After moments of mental anguish, building random, hurtful scenarios in my head, exhaustion overcame me. I returned the note to my pocket before drifting off to sleep.
1
NEW NORMAL
FOUR MONTHS LATER
CHANCE
The months had passed, and I was finally feeling settled into my home in Malibu; a white, six-bedroom modern mansion with ceiling to floor windows. The view of the Pacific Ocean was unmatched and sold me instantly when I’d toured it a couple of years ago with the realtor. It’d been the perfect second home.
