Chapter 31
Mason
On the way to the airport, I tried not to obsess over what was about to happen.
Thanks to Hudson, I’d been able to get an appointment with the psychologist he had used when his wife died.
After explaining the situation I was walking into, her first advice was not to go, but I couldn’t do that to Maddie.
Even though I knew she would understand, part of me refused to allow Melinda to take another thing from me.
I wanted to be there for my sister even at my own detriment.
So I agreed to take anxiety medication with me, just in case I needed it to get me through the weekend.
But the best thing I did was to make an appointment for the following week to continue counseling.
When Thomas made the turn into the airport, I frowned when he bypassed the entrance to long-term parking. “Are you doing daily parking?”
“Something like that.”
But when he passed that entrance, I became very curious. “Where are we going?”
He sighed, but didn’t respond. That was my cue to stop asking questions and just go with it.
So that’s what I did until he turned into the area where the team departed for away games.
Instead of the huge planes we flew in being on the tarmac, a small private jet sat waiting.
And when he pulled into a parking place and cut the engine, I knew what he’d done.
Looking over at him, I frowned. “We’re flying private? ”
He smiled as if I’d figured it out. “Yes. It was cheaper,” he said, getting out of the car. “Let’s grab our bags.”
I looked over at the Gulf Stream jet.
“Wait,” I said, following him out. “How is a private plane cheaper than first class? I know what Carson paid for us to go to Australia, and that was not cheap.”
Thomas smirked as the rear of the Escalade opened. “Good thing we’re just crossing the continental United States then, huh?”
He handed me bags as he collected his, then closed the hatch and locked the doors. As we made our way to the plane, I was still trying to figure out how his math worked when I stopped outside the very familiar plane. “Is this Mr. Carlisle’s personal plane?”
Thomas looked up at it, then back to me. “Yes. Let’s go.”
“Wait,” I said again, reaching for him. “Why are we flying on this plane and not commercial?”
“Because he offered it to us. He wanted to do something to make it easier so you didn’t have to worry about commercial schedules and getting back on time.”
I gaped at him. “This is because of training camp, isn’t it?”
Thomas chuckled. “Not at all. He offered it when I went to turn down the job. Before training camp.”
Running my hand over my neck, I stared at the jet that, in a way, led me to Thomas. “This is the plane we took to the Gala.” Turning to him, my heart swelled in my chest, suddenly feeling sentimental. “The plane that took me to you.”
His eyes bathed me in all the love he felt for me as he pulled me in for a kiss. I could have stayed right there, but I knew we were on a timeline. “Okay. But I need to pay for the fuel and the pilot at the very least.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “You can work that out with him, but I don’t think he’s going to agree to that. The pilot was going anyway.”
“What?” I didn’t have time to ask what he meant.
“There you are,“ Dane said. “I told Lennox you wouldn’t be late. Looks like he owes me a blowjob.” When he saw me staring, he looked at Thomas. “Sorry. His lack of filter is rubbing off on me. You didn’t tell him we were going?”
I whipped my head toward Thomas. “They’re going with us? To the wedding?”
His smile was all I needed. “Yes, sweetheart. Dane is actually flying this baby.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Lennox has a post-military plan for me. It’s easier to just let him get it out of his system than argue with him.”
I laughed, knowing exactly what he meant. “Where is he?”
Dane motioned over his shoulder. “Scoping out the food, of course. Go ahead and get comfortable. I need to do a walk around.” As he started checking the exterior of the plane, we climbed the steps. Lennox was in the galley, opening boxes and checking out the food selection.
“We’re not late,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Guess you have a debt to pay.”
He grinned, then stepped toward me with outstretched arms. “You know me better than that. I took that bet knowing I’d lose. And really, am I the loser? I think not.”
We laughed as he pulled me into a hug. “You didn’t have to do this,” I whispered into his ear.
“I know, but I wanted to. So did they,” he said, releasing me.
“They?” I asked.
He grinned and pointed outside. “Them. The late ones.”
I turned to look out the door where Carson and Colin were making their way to the plane. My heart couldn’t take it, and my eyes started to leak. Not only had Lennox and Dane taken their weekend to support me, but Carson and Colin did too. “God damn it,” I said, wiping at my eyes.
“Whoa,” Lennox laughed. “Those are powerful words coming from you.”
“Yeah, well…” I sniffed as Tommy handed me a tissue. “You did this, didn’t you?”
“Sweetheart,” he said, “they did this. They called me and told me they were going. I had no say in the matter. The only reason Hudson and Evan aren’t here is because Erin is sick, and someone had to keep the dogs.”
It was almost too much as Colin climbed the steps, followed by Carson. “Dingoes reporting for duty. I’m ready to fuck some shit up if need be.”
“That’s my line,” Lennox griped, stepping out of the way. “The dog thing was yours.”
Colin smirked. “Are you playing flight attendant? If so, I’d like a sex on the beach.”
I laughed as they bickered. Carson rolled his eyes until he met my gaze, smiling sympathetically. “I’m sorry in advance. I had to bring him.”
Emotion filled me again as I looked at my friends. Tears welled in my eyes as Thomas hugged me closer. “One day you’re going to have to accept that they love you equally.”
Dane climbed the steps and closed the door behind him. With it locked in place, he looked us over. “Alright, gentlemen, we need to get in the air. Grab a seat and buckle in while Roger and I get us underway.”
Taking our seats, Thomas smiled over at me, then handed me another tissue. “What time does Axel arrive?”
“Six, east coast time.”
As I looked at Lennox handing out bottled water, I knew with these men, and my brother, this was going to be okay, despite Melinda. “Does Maddie know we’re bringing guests?”
Thomas smiled. “Oh yes. And she’s delighted.”
Of course, she was. She’d do whatever I needed. “I’m glad we opted for the house now.”
He nodded. “Me too. Five professional athletes and two military men in one house should be fun. I have a feeling Axel will fit right in.”
I couldn’t contain my smile as we taxied toward the runway. “I do too.”
When we landed at the regional airport closest to the resort, the guys waited out by the cars Maddie had arranged to pick us up while I checked my phone for messages from Axel.
According to the airline app, his plane had landed ten minutes ago.
It had been four months since I’d seen him in London, and I couldn’t wait.
Scanning the arrivals area, tears formed the minute I spotted him coming toward me.
Was I going to react this way every time I saw him?
When his eyes met mine, the smirk took over his face.
I started walking until we met in the middle of the walkway.
Dropping his bag to the floor, he opened his arms as I wept like a baby. Again. “Hello, little brother.”
“Hey,” I croaked, wiping at my eyes.
Axel released me after a long hug. He ran his hand over his new beard. “Like the addition?” I did, because it made him look just like me.
“You did that on purpose,” I laughed.
He shrugged. “Maybe. Should be fun for everyone to try to figure us out. Besides, you can duck out if you need to. They’ll never know it’s not you.”
Picking up his bag, I slung it over my shoulder. “Let’s try your theory out on my friends.”
Axel grinned. “Yeah, Thomas mentioned they were coming. Lead the way, little brother.”
When we stepped outside the airport, they turned, wide-eyed and stared at us. Thomas folded his arms over his chest and smiled. Lennox was the first to step up. “Don’t say anything and let me see if I can tell which one is which.”
Colin rolled his eyes. “You know what Mason was wearing, genius.”
“Shh,” he spat. “I didn’t pay attention to that.”
Colin barked out a laugh. “If you don’t pay attention any better than that, how can you be our quarterback? Maybe I should take a go at it.” He winked at Carson.
Lennox turned to glare at him. “I hate you.”
Colin grinned. “Ya don’t. Ya really don’t.”
In the end, he got it right. But when it came to when we were dressed alike for the wedding, all bets were off. Melinda wasn’t going to know what hit her, and that just made me smile.