Chapter Twenty-Eight
Victor rushes through the airport, struggling to keep his luggage on his shoulder. When he arrives, Frank and Elliott sit near the podium next to their gate.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Victor says as he catches his breath.
“Don’t worry about it,” Elliott says as he gets out of his seat to hug Victor. “The flight is delayed. And it looks like we’ll get a seat in first class because everyone is going to the next flight, which leaves in an hour.”
Frank looks up at Victor with a sly grin. “So why were you late? You’re always on time or early. Was it that Leo guy we met the other night?”
“N-No. W-Why would you say that?” Victor stutters.
Frank gives Victor a shit-eating grin, “Elliott, look at him blush. It was Leo!”
Victor glares at Frank as he takes a seat next to Elliott. “Shut your hole, tramp. So, what’s the delay?”
Elliott shrugs as he responds, “Mechanical. Crew. Catering. You know how it goes.”
Victor looks beyond the podium and sees the flight attendants standing by the door to the jet bridge. “Oh fuck,” he groans.
Frank and Elliott look over. Elliott sees who Victor just noticed. “Well, this is going to be an awkward flight.”
Frank leans over Elliott and asks Victor, “Isn’t that James’ sister?”
“Yes, that’s her,” Victor replies as he tries to hide himself.
Frank leans over more, practically laying on top of Elliott. “Do you think she’s going to tell James that you were on her flight?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Victor responds. “She never really liked me. I think she was just jealous that I took her brother’s attention away from her.”
Elliott smacks Frank’s behind and then Victor’s arm. “Looks like you got her attention.”
The female flight attendant walks over to Victor and his friends. She stops a few feet away and places one hand on her hip. “Hello, boys. Victor.”
Victor tries to hold back how awkward he feels. “Hey, Michele, how are you?”
Michele looks at Victor with an amused expression. “I’ve been good. I transferred from Seattle last year. How have you been? It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”
Victor can feel Elliott’s and Frank’s eyes on him as he maintains his attention on Michele. “Things have been good. Just been busy with work. I see you’re working this flight.”
Michele turns her head to the departure board behind the podium. “Yeah, we have a mechanical. Should be done in an hour.”
“What’s wrong?” Elliott inquires.
Michele doesn’t look at Elliott as she turns her attention back to Victor. “A flat tire. They are changing it now. It looks like you might be sitting up front with me. I’ll make sure to take good care of you.”
“Are you staying the night when you get to Dallas?” Frank asks.
Michele keeps her attention on Victor. “Yes, we are. Are you guys staying in Dallas too, or connecting somewhere?”
“Dallas,” Elliott answers. “We got a couple of rooms at one of our layover hotels.”
“The Grand?” Michele asks, still looking at Victor.
“Yes,” Frank replies enthusiastically.
Michele puts a sly smile on her face. She can sense Victor’s nervousness. “Well, if you boys want to join my crew in the van, you’re more than welcome to.” She looks over his shoulder and says, “Looks like I’m needed.” She looks back at Victor with a smirk. “See you on board.”
As Michele walks away, Frank and Elliott start talking over Victor to each other. “Oh my God, that was so awkward,” Frank states.
“So awkward,” Elliott replies.
Victor slowly slides down his seat while covering his eyes. “Why am I being tested?”
When it’s time to board, Victor and his friends take their seats in the last row in first class.
He takes the window seat while Elliott takes the aisle seat next to him, and Frank sits across from them.
Victor puts in his ear pods and pretends to take a nap.
Elliott tries to get his attention, but Victor ignores him.
The last thing Victor wants to do is interact with Michele.
After a silently awkward flight to Dallas, Victor is relieved when they finally disembark the airplane.
Victor didn’t want an uncomfortable van ride, so he orders an Uber.
When the Uber arrives, he spots Michele and her crew loading into their van.
She looks around before she gets in and closes the door.
Victor sits in the back seat, relieved he won’t be seeing Michele again.
A short car ride later, Victor and his friends arrive at the hotel. As they check in, Victor completely forgot that Michele is staying at the same hotel. He freezes when he spots her at the front desk. He tries to find a place to hide, but it is too late; Michele smiles back at him.
Victor stands still as Michele approaches. “It was nice seeing you again, Victor.” She turns and walks away.
Elliott and Frank are giggling behind Victor. “Oh, shut up,” he snaps to them.
Frank wraps his arm around Victor’s shoulder. “This calls for a drink.”
“Make it three,” Victor suggests.
The next evening, Victor puts on the finishing touches to his suit.
He was thankful the vest he ordered from Clarence arrived before he had to quickly pack and leave for the airport.
Victor reaches for his jacket and then stops, retracting his hand.
“Nah, I think I can do without.” As he’s putting on his shoes, there’s a knock at his hotel door.
He opens the door, and Frank is on the other side.
Frank lets out a low whistle. “Damn boy, did you get sex this morning to make you feel sexy tonight?”
Victor rolls his eyes as he walks away. “You’re just jealous that I look better than you do.”
“Elliott’s waiting for us in the lobby,” Frank mentions as he steps inside and closes the door behind him.
“Why aren’t you down there with him?” Victor asks, discreetly placing his dagger in his vest’s upper breast pocket. Victor takes a quick glance in the mirror to ensure it’s well hidden.
Frank takes a seat at the foot of the bed. “I wanted to talk to you about something, first.”
“What’s up?” Victor asks while looking at Frank in the mirror.
“I saw James the other night. He was on a date,” Frank says solemnly.
“And why are you telling me this?” Victor asks while looking at Frank in the mirror.
“I mean, I know you two just broke up. And I wanted to tell you before you find out from someone else. Because that’s what friends do,” Frank remarks.
Victor turns around and leans against the desk, resting his hands behind him. “Thank you for telling me, Frank. But I’m fine. He wanted to break things off with me, and you telling me this just proves he never loved me. If he wants to date other guys, I really don’t care.”
“He literally broke up with you a few months ago. Aren’t you at least a little upset?” Frank asks, stupefied.
“If he was that quick to move on, then so will I,” Victor responds as he turns around to retrieve his room key.
Frank stands up and crosses his arms. “If it were my ex, I would slash his tires and set his car on fire.”
Victor snickers as he checks himself one more time in the mirror. “I’m going to be the bigger person and pray for him.”
Frank laughs, “I think he needs more than just a prayer.”
“Like what? A frying pan to the head?” Victor and Frank laugh as they head out of Victor’s room. When they reach the lobby, Elliott is waving for them to come outside where their ride is waiting.
Victor and his friends arrive at the restaurant 20 minutes later.
He checks them in and the host hands him a buzzer for when the table is ready.
Victor thanks him, then orders a round of drinks for the table, to be delivered when they are seated.
When he steps back outside with Elliott and Frank, he receives a text.
“They should be here in about five minutes,” Victor says after reading Lupe’s text message. Seconds later, a car pulls up. Lupe gets out first and then helps Amber out. “Or maybe less,” he says in surprise.
“There’s the birthday girl!” Elliott shouts out with open arms. He pulls Amber in and kisses her on the cheek. “Damn, you clean up good. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Amber laughs, “Ass.” She looks over Elliott’s broad shoulders and is surprised to see her friend. “Victor! You made it!”
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss you turning the Big 3-0,” Victor remarks as he takes in his friend’s embrace.
Frank waves the buzzer in the air. “Our table’s ready, guys!”
As the hostess escorts Victor and his friends to their table, Victor stops halfway as he senses something. He looks around to see who it is. He starts noticing the auras of everyone at the restaurant.
“You okay?” Elliott asks Victor.
Victor snaps out of his trance. “Yes, sorry, I was looking for the restroom. I’ll be right back.” Victor leaves Elliott and acts like he’s walking to the restroom.
Victor goes back to focusing on everyone’s aura.
He passes by a couple and can see that the man is in love and has feelings about proposing.
The woman he’s with doesn’t feel the same.
“Poor guy,” Victor says to himself as he walks past them.
As Victor is about to walk down the hallway to the restroom, he notices a guy sitting alone, not far from where his friends are sitting.
The man’s aura looks a little off to Victor.
Victor realizes, “Leo.” Victor takes out his phone and shoots Leo a text. Victor looks back at the man sitting alone. He turns around and gives Victor a wink. Victor walks back to his friends as he passes by Leo. “That charm really does work,” he whispers to Leo.
Victor sits down with his friends as soon as the server brings everyone their drinks.
“I ordered the drinks before you arrived so we can have them once we sat down,” Victor says, while scooting his chair in.
He raises his glass toward Amber, and everyone follows.
“Welcome to the Flirty and Dirty 30 Club!” Everyone cheers and clinks their glasses together.