AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turn the collar of my coat up and run for the car. Once inside, the wind buffets the vehicle, pushing it back and forth, and I curse under my breath. Fuck this. Rain isn't going to be the death of me.
I turn on the radio, and the first thing I hear is a broadcast telling me, "The severe thunderstorm warning is still in effect until 9 AM tomorrow. All local flights have been canceled, and we recommend taking shelter until the storm is done."
Half listening, I turn the engine over and put the car into reverse, backing out slowly to make sure the Wagoneer isn't pushed around. As soon as I get on the main road, the realization of what the radio just said hits me like a ton of bricks. All flights canceled? That means...
Noelle.
I turn the wheel hard, tires squealing as the car slides in the rain. I turn the opposite way of my house and start heading toward the airport. What if she's stranded? What if she's alone?
Noelle might not want anything to do with me. Hell, she probably doesn't. But I can't just leave her stranded somewhere. Especially not when the weather is like this. I'll drive her wherever she needs to go and then I'll leave. That's it.
That's the only thought in my head. I'll get her to a hotel, somewhere warm and dry, and then leave her alone. That's the only way I'll be able to let her go.
The closer I get to the airport, the heavier the rain gets. It's so thick that the beams of the headlights barely make a dent in the darkness.
I've got my foot all the way down on the gas, and my nerves are fraught with tension as I try to push the Wagoneer faster. My windshield wipers are working overtime, and still, the water is pouring down so fast that it's nearly impossible to see the road. The car slides sideways as I round a corner, and I curse, correcting the steering.
I can barely make out the shapes of the trees that line the road. Everything is covered in a dense layer of mist.
This is stupid.
I should have called the airport and checked the schedules. What if her flight was delayed or moved, and she wasn’t even there?
It's dangerous to drive in conditions like this, and it's especially dangerous to do it without a real plan. I should just turn around and go home.
Then I remember her, alone in a dark airport, waiting for a flight that won't come. She doesn't have anyone to call, no one else in the state. She could be stranded for hours, maybe days. She'll have no idea what to do.
No, there’s no way I can leave her alone.
I've been in storms worse than this, and I've driven through much more difficult conditions. But as I approach the exit to the airport, the fog suddenly turns to sleet. I turn the wheel sharply to avoid the worst of it, but I lose control, the car skidding. Thank God I'm the only one on the road, and I manage to regain control at the last second, heart pounding a million miles an hour. I can see the airport less than a mile away now, and instead of making me reconsider and go home, the near-crash has only increased my determination to reach the airport. Noelle can't take a fucking Uber in weather like this, which means if she's there, she'll be stuck until morning.
Over my dead body.
I finally see the exit sign for the airport and take the exit, pulling into the nearly empty parking lot. The rain has lessened slightly, but not by much. All the lights in the place are still blazing, and I know that there has to be at least a skeleton crew still working, but there's no doubt in my mind that almost everyone is home in weather like this. Especially with Christmas being two days, no one wants to be stranded.
I park the car and then get out, heading inside the airport and immediately walking right past the security check. I get a few weird looks, but no one stops me, and I can't blame them.
The last thing the TSA needs right now is more people, and I don't exactly look threatening with my soaking-wet hair and suit.
I head into the waiting areas, which are mostly deserted. I keep scanning the seats, looking for the familiar blonde locks, but the more I search, the more discouraged I become. I don't see her, and there aren't many places to look.
As I approach the last section, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and a rush of adrenaline hits my system. I turn the corner and see her, tucked into a window seat, her legs pulled up to her chest and her head resting on her knees. She's wearing a pink sweater and a white skirt, and the sight makes me want to pull her into my arms.
She lifts her head and looks over at me, and her eyes widen. She stands up immediately, and the relief I feel is overwhelming.
"You're here," I say.
"What are you doing here?" she demands. "Did you drive in this weather? You're soaked! How did you even know...?"
"I was at the school, and I heard on the radio that the airport was closed. I had to make sure you were alright. We should go."
"Go? I can't. The flights are all canceled, and the roads are flooded. No one can drive," she says, shaking her head. "I'm going to be stuck here all night. I already checked with the hotel. They're booked solid, and they can't get me a room."
"Noelle." I reach out and cup her cheek. "I can't leave you here. Come stay with me."
"Nathan..." she trails off.
"It's fine. I have an extra bedroom, and you've obviously got your luggage." Noelle opens her full, pink lips to complain, but I cut my hand through the air, silently telling her to stop. "There's no arguing, Noelle. You're coming with me. Period."
