Chapter Eight
As we take our seats, I sober up instantly.
There’s no doubt I’m feeling emotional and incredibly stupid as I bring my legs up to my chest for letting myself get so caught up in the moment.
This is not who I am.
I don’t have sex on a plane with some guy I met a couple of days ago.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I don’t think I’ve ever been so ashamed of myself—completely and utterly ashamed.
Colt sits down and looks at me with his head cocked to the side and his eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry about them. They’re just being idiots,” Colt whispers as he rests his hand on my knee.
I instantly flinch away from him.
I’m angry.
At him, at me? I don’t know.
I’m just plain angry.
“Whatever this is, stop it,” Colt exclaims sternly, pushing me to look across at him. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head as a tear forms in my eye, then falls down my cheek.
“Dee! Don’t let those idiots get to you,” he pleads, resting his hand back on my knee.
I sniff and wipe away a stray tear that has escaped from my eyes.
“What have I told you about all that emotional girly shit? Here, have one of these. It’ll help,” he says, then pours a glass of Jack.
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Dee, talk to me?” He hands me the glass, as if Jack will make the humiliation less.
“I don’t want another fucking drink, Colt,” I state loudly, causing everyone in the jet to turn to look at me.
Colt puts the drink down and exhales. “That’s what got us into this mess in the first place.
I met you when I was drunk. Our first kiss…
drunk. Now, it’s our first time having sex, and we’re tipsy.
I let myself get swept up in you and do things I’d never normally do.
This isn’t me,” I insist and swipe angrily away at another stray tear running down my cheek.
“So what happened to being spontaneous and living it up, Dee?”
“I’m not used to this, Colt. I hardly ever drink and certainly don’t get it on with a man I’ve known for less than a week.
I live a simple life. Yes, it may be dull and boring, but it’s what I know, and joining the Mile High Club is not something I know.
I just don’t know how I’m meant to fit in with you and your people. ”
“My people? What do you think we are, a bunch of fucking heathens?”
“Don’t swear at me, and you know what I mean. You can’t be restrained and normal like me. You’re a rock star, so everything you do is outrageous, crazy, over the damn top. It’s like you’re on steroids. Nothing’s normal about you, Colt.”
He scoffs. “So let me get this right. I’m a rock star, so everything’s different for me?”
“You know it is!”
“Do you even know what you’re saying, Dee? What is normal anyway?” he questions.
“Normal is not having sex for the first time in a freaking private jet with everyone listening in.”
“Okay, so you’re angry. At me or them?”
“At you!” I yell, taking him by surprise.
But the kicker is, I’m surprised by my reaction as well.
“Right.” He huffs and stands, shuffling past me and down a small passageway from my sight.
Exhaling, I rest my head on my knees as the tears fall. Now, I’m on a jet to the States, and the one person who was going to look after me, I’ve managed to make incredibly angry.
Good going, Dee. Well done!
I feel someone at my side and look up at Anna, who is sitting beside me. She smiles and hands me a tissue. “If it’s any consolation, I told them to leave you guys alone, but they never listen to me. Even Johnny was telling them to walk away, but what can I say? They’re all arseholes.”
I half-smile, taking the tissue and wiping my eyes and nose. “What am I even doing here?” I ask Anna.
She wraps her arm around me. “You’re here because you are having an adventure with a really awesome friend who needs your company because her husband’s on tour with a bunch of arseholes.”
I manage a slight smile, and she clasps my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I think I really pissed Colt off.”
“Meh, he’s a tough nut. He’ll get over it.
He’s not used to being sassed. Girls throw themselves at him, and he always has to push them away.
He’s not used to someone thinking that he’s not right for them.
Which, between you and me, I think you’re perfect for him.
He needs someone with a level head, which you definitely have. ”
“Not bloomin’ lately,” I say.
“Well, maybe you can teach him a thing or two, and he can teach you as well. You both have polar opposite personalities, and you know what they say?” she says, smiling at me.
I furrow my brow in confusion and shake my head.
“Opposites attract. And with that in mind, you and Colt are a match made in heaven. I just hope he sees what’s in front of him.
The amazing and bright young woman that Johnny and I see. ”
I exhale and look back down the passage. “Thanks, Anna. I really appreciate you.”
She nods, then stands abruptly. “Go find him, hun. I know everything will be all right,” she states, patting me on the shoulder.
Taking a deep breath, I put my legs down from the seat and stand, wiping my eyes while Anna walks back to Johnny. She’s right. I know she is. But this is all so new to me, and I don’t know any of them. And worse than that, I feel out of my depth most of the time.
Heading down the passage in search of Colt, I walk past the bathroom and touch my lips, smiling as I remember the feeling of his mouth on mine.
I keep walking and notice another door, so I knock and open it to a small office.
Colt’s on a phone plugged into the wall of the jet.
He looks up at me as I enter the office.
“Can you hold on for a sec, Sarah?” he asks, covering the receiver.
“I’m just organizing something. Can we talk later?” Colt then goes back to his conversation with Sarah, whoever the hell she is. He turns in the chair so his back faces me as if I’m not even here.
“Okay, so I’ll see you at midday. Yep, in the luxury suite. Thanks, Sarah, can’t wait,” he says, making me feel sick to my stomach. I close the office door and lean against the wall.
He just had sex with me in this freaking stupid jet, and now he’s arranging to meet Sarah in the luxury suite.
I fucking hate flying!
Walking back down the passage and to my seat, I feel like my whole world is spinning out of control.
How could I have been so wrong about Colt?
I thought he liked me. I know I’m certainly feeling something for him.
Maybe this is all just craziness from my breakup with Joseph.
Maybe I am so heartbroken over Joseph leaving me, and this is a coping mechanism that’s failing miserably.
Panic falls over me as I sit in the back of the jet, watching everyone in front of me having a laugh and getting along well.
Reclining my seat, I lie down, letting the feeling of melancholy wash over me once again.
How did this get so messed up and so quickly?
I turn on my side, facing the wall, and softly cry.
At the sound of footsteps behind me, I turn to look at Colt walking down the passage toward me.
I wipe the tears from my face and go to sit up as he reaches me, but he keeps walking straight past me without even looking.
He continues toward the front of the jet to Dingo, who slaps him on the back as he sits down next to him.
The new sparkle in Jessi’s eyes at his appearance doesn’t go unnoticed, and she instantly pounces on his lap. He does nothing to stop it, but he also doesn’t reciprocate anything she is trying with him. I should get up and slap a girl silly, but I can’t bring myself to care.
I think I just hit a new low.
He didn’t even look at me.
What the fuck am I doing here?
I turn back over and softly cry myself to sleep.
A new habit, it seems.
***
I wake to Tamara gently nudging me.
“Miss Norman, the jet is about to land. I’m sorry to wake you, but you have to bring your seat up into position,” she states with a smile.
I nod and look over at Colt’s seat.
He isn’t there.
No surprise, I suppose.
Sitting up, I gaze around the jet. Everyone’s in the same seats, and Colt is still sitting next to Dingo.
I stretch and flatten my hair, as I’m sure it looks messy, and start to feel nervous as the jet begins its descent.
My breath quickens, and my grip on the armrests is so tight my knuckles turn white.
For some reason, when laughter from the front of the jet travels back to me, it makes me more nervous. Colt is probably up there, laughing it up about our tryst and his plans with Sarah. I will be the laughingstock for the rest of the tour.
Maybe Daddy was right after all.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, Dee. Now you’re paranoid!
The cabin starts shaking, and my whole body tenses in a knee-jerk reaction. Not long after, the jolt of the tires hitting the landing strip catches my breath in panic.
I. Fucking. Hate. Flying!
When I exhale, the sound catches Anna’s attention, and I cringe because the last thing I want is pity or to draw any more unwanted attention. But instead of saying anything, she smiles brightly, then turns back to face Johnny.
What was that about?
Even though I don’t know Anna that well, I don’t think she would be the type of person to make fun of me, but there was more to that smile than meets the eye. I am sure of it—my brows furrow.
The jet slows as it travels across the private airfield’s tarmac.
When it finally comes to a stop, Tamara gives a signal, and everyone stands.
She doesn’t need to tell me twice. If I could, I would be the first person off this plane and on another one home.
Or maybe I could cruise home? That would take forever, and it would probably be a good thing for me and everyone around me.
They all walk toward the front exit as the doors open, leading the stairs onto American soil, leaving me to follow quietly behind.