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“Have you been to London before?” she asks.
“Afraid not.”
“Oh.” She pouts, sticking her bottom lip out. “That’s such a shame. I was hoping maybe we would meet someone who could show us around.”
“Listen,” I say, “I have a sister your age, and I’m going to give you the same advice I would give her. Don’t go looking for some strange guy in a foreign country to show you around.”
She laughs dismissively. “This is England. It’s not really a foreign country.”
I resist an eye roll. I could give her a geography lesson, but we’ll be deplaning soon. “Do you have an older brother, Lexi?”
“No, I don’t.”
“That’s becoming pretty clear. For the next minute, think of me as your older brother, and listen carefully. If you want to see London, join a guided tour. Do not go up to some good-looking guy and ask him to show you around.”
“That takes all the fun out of it.”
I hold up my hands. “Suit yourself. I hereby resign as your honorary brother. You have my advice. Whether you take it is up to you.”
The plane stops taxiing, and the bells ring, indicating the doors are being opened.
I take off my seat belt and stand, stretching my legs. I used the bathroom a couple of times during the flight, but other than that, I’ve been stuck in the seat. It will be good to do some walking, even though I’m exhausted because I didn’t sleep a wink.
I pull down my carry-on and grab Lexi’s for her. Her other two friends have their stuff in the overhead compartment on the other side.
No one moves. I’m far in the back and have to wait for all the people ahead of me to get off the plane, but standing feels damned good.
I rub the crick in my neck, massaging it, finding knot after knot after knot.
Damn. Maybe I can get a massage tomorrow or something. I can’t have all this muscle tension if I’m going to perform.
Finally, the people ahead of me begin to walk. I advance forward, finally making it off the plane and into the gate.
The rest of my group stands there, looking rested and refreshed.
And Brianna looks the best of all of them. Her long hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, and it looks freshly brushed. Her cheeks are pink, and her lips glossy.
“Bye, Jesse!” Lexi calls. “I hope we can get tickets for your concert.”
“Bye, ladies.” I wave.
Cage, Jake, and Dragon all look well rested as well. They may not look perfect like Brianna, but their eyes are bright.
“I see you made some friends, Jess,” Cage says.
“Just some college girls in my row. I didn’t talk that much during the flight. Kept my headphones in.”
“You mean you didn’t join the mile-high club?” Jake gibes me.
“Uh…no.”
Brock and Donny are walking ahead with my two older sisters. Behind them are Brianna and Maddie.
The guys and I bring up the rear.
“To baggage claim,” Cage says. “And then customs and all. I have to say, Jess, I’m really glad I changed my mind and went first class. I got a good night’s sleep, and I’m feeling great. You doing okay?”
“Oh, yeah,” I lie. “Slept like a fucking baby.”
