Chapter 38 Donovan
DONOVAN
The plane ride was spectacular on every level.
Not only was it was fun to see things through Audra’s eyes and watch her eat it up, plane sex was just hot.
Maybe I really did need a jet in my life.
I was so desensitized to the extravagance that it didn’t even register with me anymore.
She’d been giddy from the moment we got up to spotting the Statue of Liberty from the sky and everything in between.
I didn’t get shit done for work, but I couldn’t even care.
Even if we hadn’t talked the entire flight, I couldn’t stop looking at her.
But then add in conversation with her and all bets were off.
I didn’t know if I could be more into that woman.
She was fascinating, incredible, funny, intelligent, witty, and fun.
We could toggle back and forth between some heavy shit to tear-filled laughter.
I forgot who I was when I was with her, but at the same time, I never felt more like myself.
When the back door of the limo opened, I was curious about who would be coming out, but I watched Audra sigh and look disheartened when a beautiful woman, she couldn’t have known was my sister, exited the car.
I bet most people wouldn’t have picked up on Audra’s reaction, but seeing that I’ve recently developed a staring problem when it came to her, I saw those shoulders drop ever so slightly.
And that little flair of jealousy filled me with some satisfaction.
“Van!” came a high-pitched screech from the mystery woman as she ran toward me and put her arms around me for a huge hug. “I have missed you so much. Thank you for coming!”
Then, I watched the piece click into place for Audra, and a warm smile crossed her face. “McKenna, this is my … Audra. Audra, meet my sister, McKenna.”
Audra did a little wave, but my sister, who gave no shits about personal space or boundaries, bounded right up to her and engulfed her in a hug, too.
“It is so nice to meet you! Thank you for coming with Donovan. I’m excited that you’re here and that I got to meet you right away.
This is your first time in New York, right?
I can’t believe Van actually brought someone here!
” My sister had a habit of talking a mile a minute when she was excited, and she continued the no-boundaries thing.
“I’m excited to be here. Yes, it’s my first time. But in more important news, congratulations to you! It is quite a feat to pass the bar the first time. You must be proud! I know how proud Donovan is of you,” Audra shared.
My sister’s face lit up. “Thank you! I am pretty psyched about it. I’m not sure what my next step is quite yet, but it’s another check mark, that’s for sure.”
Another reason she could go to Savannah Springs for a couple of weeks, I thought. She confessed she had no plans. I was unsure what she wanted to do or what her plan was moving forward, though I was really hoping that it involved heading south to stay with me for a few weeks to help with Quest.
Speaking of not knowing her plans, what was she planning to do today?
We had a relatively tight itinerary, and I was selfishly hoping to have Audra to myself all day.
I wanted to solidify this thing between us and have her agree to give me an honest shot.
However, I carried overwhelming guilt that I hadn’t seen McKenna in so long, so if she wanted to third-wheel it, it wouldn’t be a problem.
“What are you doing today, Kenna?” I asked.
“Oh, I have a crazy busy day today. This was literally the only time I would have been able to see you, which is why I came in the car. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t move things around, but I figured I’ll see you tomorrow night.
Maybe you guys can come an hour early so we can have a cocktail before? ” she looked at me hopefully.
“I think that could work. Audra?” I turned to her because I wanted her to know she had stock in this conversation, too.
“That sounds perfect, McKenna,” she smiled warmly.
I gestured for the two of them to hop into the car, but realized my mistake, held Audra back, and guided her to the trunk of the car where our driver was waiting.
“Miles, this is Audra King. Audra, this is Miles. He’s been with me through a whole lot of stuff,” I couldn’t help but laugh. The two of them shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, but as she went back to the car, I hung back to talk to Miles.
“Donovan James Wright.” he held out his arms to me, and that hug felt like coming home in a different way than McKenna’s did.
Another pang of guilt hit me. I should have kept in touch with him better.
Miles was in his late fifties and had been my driver for over fifteen years when I lived there.
The man was more of a father to me than my own, as he actually celebrated my achievements, gave me the pep talks I needed, bailed me out of more than one situation, and offered me unconditional support.
He had a wife, daughters, and grandkids, but he always called me his bonus son, or BS for short.
We both thought that fit well because he put up with a lot of it from me.
Besides the extra silver in his hair, he didn’t look that much older.
“I’m sorry I disappeared with nothing but an occasional text, Miles. I missed you.” The words were as heavy as my shame.
He hugged me tighter. “You stop that right now. It wasn’t good for you here.
I’m so happy you were able to escape, and I know why you did what you did.
It’s great to see you, Van, and let’s leave it at that; you have nothing to apologize for.
You look good. And you brought a beautiful woman with you, who hopefully means something to you, because you deserve good things, Donovan. Happy to see you, BS.”
I felt tears form in my eyes as I got choked up at his words.
I had to reel it in before I lost it. I was taller than him, but not by much, and I was bent with my head on his shoulder, not unlike how a parent consoling their child would look.
He was one of the few people, if not the only person, who knew everything about my life; about the extent of my crazy years, my underground fighting, the way my ex sold me out, the way Tommy’s death impacted me, about what went down with my mother right before I left.
I mean, fuck, he drove the getaway car after the trust money had officially been transferred.
I tried to give him enough cash that he would never have to work again, but he refused the sum.
We ended up agreeing on a much lower amount.
Maybe I’d try to give him the rest this weekend.
He intimately understood why I had trust issues …
issues with everyone but Audra, it would seem.
But he’d be so proud of me for how things were going in South Carolina.
This man meant so much to me; I should have been better.
“I’m only here for two days, but I promise things will be different now, Miles.
I finally feel like I’m in a place where the hold isn’t suffocating me.
And you were … are so important to me. I’m still so sorry.
I would love to catch up with you, too. How is that grandkid doing? How are you? How is Sally?”
“Donovan, we have two days, and from what you’ve told me, there will be a lot of driving around in traffic for this first-time visitor you brought.
Let’s talk about those things in the car.
We’ll already be hitting rush hour. Hop in.
” He tapped the tops of my shoulders twice with both hands to spur me to get a move on.
I caught Audra eyeing the interaction between Miles and I.
She would ask about it later, and I’d tell her Miles is the best man I’d ever known in my life.
God, I really did feel like a shithead that I didn’t keep in touch like I should have.
But I guess I never really took a breath and felt safe to relax until after I settled in Savannah Springs.
Still, that was fourteen months ago. No excuses.
Hopping into the car, I closed the door, and McKenna and Audra were already chittering like best friends.
It filled me with a feeling I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Contentment? Not that I thought they wouldn’t get along, but seeing them together made me happy.
It felt like another piece was clicking into place.
Every damn piece clicked into place with her.
“Donovan, I had no idea you had the nickname Van,” Audra grinned at me. “I kind of love it!”
“Yep—those closest to me call me Van. McKenna, my travel group, and Miles. He had another name for me, though, didn’t you, Miles?”
The laughter from McKenna and Miles filled the car. “Sure did,” Miles responded. “I called him BS too, and the meaning depended on the day. Sometimes it meant bonus son, sometimes it referred to the extraordinary amount of bullshit he put me through.”
Audra snort-laughed at that, and it was so uncouth that I’m pretty sure I fell in love. I mean, not really love. I couldn’t love someone in that short of time. Fell in captivation? Yes, captivation. That’s the word I was looking for.
“What nicknames do you have, Audra? Hell, what’s your middle name?” I asked.
I saw Miles’ glance in the rearview at that question, silently asking, how are you dating someone and don’t know their nickname or middle name? Our behind-the-car catch-up didn’t really lend me the opportunity to explain to him what was going on.
“Audra Emory King is my full name. No nicknames, which I kind of hated growing up. I wanted one so badly, but nothing worked. Dra? Aud? AK-47?” She scrunched up her face.
“Though I guess no name is better than a terrible one, like Pee Pants or something.” The whole car laughed.
“You gave me my first actual nickname, Donovan … Chaos.”
“Chaos?” McKenna asked. “That’s what you nicknamed her? There better be a good story there.”