CHAPTER 7 #2
“Because if you don’t, you’re going to end up fired.
I heard Chard say it yesterday while I was in the owner’s box.
” She gave him a moment to digest that. “I don’t mean to be cruel about it, but your reputation as a manager is on the line, and unless you want to go back to assistant coaching or something else, this is your only option.
The Bees have to win, otherwise you’re screwed. ”
“Assistant managing.”
“Oh my God, you know what I mean.”
Only the deafening sound of the engine blared between them for a long pause, and Scarlett wondered if she had said too much.
“Why are you telling me this?” he bit out.
“Because I don’t think it’s fair what’s happened to you. From what I understand, last year wasn’t your fault, but you have to start listening to others. If not me, then your own assistant manager.”
“Gary? Did he talk to you about me too?”
“Not really, but you’re not listening to him either.” She paused. “I want the Bees to win just as much as you do, and I know you don’t want to, but you have to consider benching Chassagne. It’s what’s best for the team.”
For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and Scarlett doubted that he was even listening.
“Are you even really afraid of flying, or is this some scheme you cooked up to get me to agree with you on work issues?”
“I’m terrified.”
“Not as much as you’re going to be,” he said as he reached for the dashboard and pressed something—and the engine ceased.
Scarlett hadn’t ever given much consideration to how she was going to die. She knew it was inevitable. Everyone did it, and if she were lucky, it would be a hundred years from now, surrounded by family and friends.
But as luck would have it, she was going to die today. Right now.
“AAAAAAGH!”
The incredible weight of the plane was suddenly at her back, pushing her toward the earth at a sickening speed.
Her legs moved up, almost on their own, as she pressed her knees up to her chin, instinctively rolling up into a ball to protect herself from danger—and then the engine roared back to life and the plane tipped back, evening out in seconds.
Scarlett’s breath was erratic, her chest moving up and down like a cartoon character’s as she glanced at Theo. His focus was straight ahead, and that hinting smirk he had worn before was now a full-blown grin.
“What. The fuck. Was that?” she asked.
“I’m practicing stalls today.”
“What?”
“Stalls,” he repeated.
“What the hell are stalls?”
“You don’t know what the word stall means? Pilots need to know what to do if the engine seizes during a flight. I usually do about five stalls before I go back down, but—”
“Are you telling me you get into a plane, fly up in the sky, and then kill the engine only to switch it back on, for practice?”
“Well, yeah.”
Scarlett stared at him then whacked him in the shoulder, which was, unsurprisingly, solid. He chuckled too, apparently unaffected and enjoying her freak-out.
“And you didn’t think to tell me that before I climbed into this death trap with you?”
“It’s not a death trap, it’s a Beechcraft Bonanza. A very-well-taken-care-of aircraft, I might add. And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you were getting into my plane.”
“Your plane?”
“Yes, my plane. Now save all your punches for when we get back on the ground. You don’t want me to break something up here.”
Regret flooded Scarlett’s veins as she clasped her hands together in her lap. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hit you. I…”
“Is that what you call that?” He laughed, prompting her guilt to mix with humility. “Don’t worry about it. I think I might have deserved it, scaring you half to death.”
Scarlett didn’t know what to say, and gazed out the window on her side of the plane over the rolling landscape of the Greater Manchester area.
Not sure where the city was, Scarlett observed widespread villages that butted up against fields of green and amber.
The seasons were changing from summer to autumn, and she could see hundreds of spots of yellow below in the emerald landscape.
Trees lined the roadways and parks as they flew over small clusters of houses, each centered around church steeples.
They flew higher, and soon, she could barely see as they flew through a sheer wisp of cloud. It was breathtaking.
She twisted back to Theo. “It’s beautiful.”
He dipped his chin. “I told you it would be. I’m not going to do any more stalls today. I think I’ll fly around a bit until my time is up.”
“Okay.”
For the next hour, Scarlett watched the world move beneath them as Theo flew.
It was amazing how quickly the time went by, considering that she had been eager to get off the plane, but by the time they touched down at Avalon Airport, Scarlett was a little sad.
It had been fun flying around, and while they hadn’t talked about work or any of the issues they were having, Scarlett couldn’t help but be pleased with the time they had spent silently together.
Theo killed the engine, removed his headset, and was out of the plane all in a single motion. Before Scarlett could get her headset off, her door was opened and his hand was held out. She scrambled to get out, using his large, warm hand for balance before snatching hers back.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
A thick, unnamable tension was building between them as they stared at each other. Scarlett swallowed and smiled, hoping to ignore whatever sensation was bubbling up within her.
“Thanks—for the flight and for listening, I guess.”
“Sure,” he said. “Did you need a ride back to the city or something?”
“No. I ordered an Uber.” She shook her head. “I’m good.”
“Right.”
Silence.
“Did you want to say anything else about work?”
“Ah, I think we understand each other.” She looked up at him as he pushed back his sunglasses, revealing those gray eyes edged with black lashes. With the sun shining on them, she could have sworn there were hints of blue in them. She swallowed again. “Right?”
“Aye. I’ll try to be more open to suggestions. Your suggestions.”
“That’s all I ask. Thank you.”
Lifting her hand, she expected to shake his, only he didn’t reach for hers. So in an awkward half pat and half fist bump, she touched his bicep, also incredibly solid, before dropping her hand. He tilted his head, squinting at her like she was an insane person, before she walked past him.
“Goodbye,” she called over her shoulder, not waiting for him to respond.
She was through the building and out into the parking lot in a matter of minutes. She needed to put some distance between her and Theo. At the very least, he was going to start considering her suggestions, and really, that was all she needed from him.
Her phone vibrated in her back pocket. Taking it out, she saw a message from Mr. Wrong Number.
Hope you’re out today. The sky is beautiful.
Gazing up, Scarlett sighed.
It really is.