Chapter 4 #2
The flight to Asheville is only an hour, and it’s a much smaller plane.
They’re not my favorite at all, and there’s no first class.
At least I reserved a window seat, but it’s at the back of the plane.
It’s not a full flight, and the seat next to me is empty.
I’m relieved I don’t have to worry about a stinky person for this part of the trip, either.
Once we’re airborne, I check my phone for the confirmation from the car service.
I hope it’s not the same guy who drove Jaclyn to the mountain.
She said he gave her the creeps, but it won’t stop me from going if he’s the driver.
Of course, there’s always the chance we’ll land, and my brothers will be waiting for me.
Now that would be a dumpster fire for sure.
It feels like we were only in the air for about ten minutes before they make the announcement to prepare for landing.
Crazy. It went so quickly. I turn off my phone and tuck it away.
When we land, the worst part is waiting for everyone to get off the plane before me.
Back rows are sucky. At least it gives me plenty of time to make sure I have a ride to the mountain.
The Asheville Regional Airport is small, especially after being in Atlanta and San Francisco.
It doesn’t take me long to find the exit.
My first trip alone went pretty well, if I say so myself.
I don’t know why my family freaks out over it.
It was easy-peasy, except for almost missing my flight from San Francisco.
After I pass through the security area, I look for my brothers and sigh with relief when there’s no sign of them.
In the bathroom, I fix my hair and put on more of my cherry-flavored lip gloss—my favorite flavor.
Jac teases me about it, saying I only put it on so I can lick it off. She might be right.
When I’m as presentable as I can be without changing clothes, I go in search of my driver. I don’t have to look for long. As soon as I reach the main terminal area, there are a few people holding signs with people’s names.
I walk up to the woman holding the sign that says “Cherise Santini”—stupid wrong credit card—and smile as I introduce myself, “Hi, I’m Cherise Santini.”
“Hello, Ms. Santini. Do you still need a ride to Gallant Mountain?” she asks with a shuttered expression.
“Yes, I do. Thank you. I’m visiting a friend,” I answer. It’s the truth, even if I’m not expected. I wonder whether she knows the Gallants, and that’s why she’s being a little weird. I figure I’m right when she raises one eyebrow in surprise.
“I’m Abigail, but you can call me Abbie,” she says as I follow her outside. Abbie stops in front of a dark green pickup truck that looks like it’s seen better days. I know nothing about cars, so it’s probably okay. As long as we don’t get stuck in the middle of nowhere, I’m fine.
“I hope you don’t mind riding in a truck. The usual drivers weren’t available. I know the scheduler, Betty. She asked if I’d take you since I live in Maple Creek. It’s the town at the bottom of the mountain.”
“Oh, wow. I guess I got lucky you were around. Thank you. I really appreciate you doing this.”
Abbie’s gaze travels down my body before she meets my gaze.
I definitely feel judged, and I don’t like it, but I need the ride since there’s no way to find Gallant Mountain unless you have directions, which I don’t have.
Maybe wearing one of my Daddy T-shirts wasn’t the best idea, after all. “They expecting you?” she asks.
I don’t like lying, but in this case, I feel the need. “Yeah, my friend is. She’s with Andrew.” That raises Abbie’s eyebrows again, and she gestures toward the passenger door.
“Climb in. I’ll put your suitcase in the truck bed unless you want to keep it with you?”
I kind of do, but I’m probably just being silly.
She’s suspicious, and I can’t really blame her.
I’m sure lots of people try to get up to the Gallants’ house without being invited.
They’re billionaires and own one of the biggest tech companies in the world.
The press probably tries to get in all the time.
After buckling my seatbelt, I watch Abbie add my bag to the things she already has in there. She must have a lot of errands. Everything feels off, but it’s probably just my writer brain working overtime.
When she climbs into the driver’s seat, she glances over at me and smiles for the first time, easing some of my panic.
“It’ll take us about an hour or so to get there. If you call ahead, they’ll watch for us and open the gate.”
“Oh yeah, good idea. I should have thought of that, but I’ve been traveling all day.
” I try to sound relaxed, but I’m not sure I pull it off.
Why am I getting creepy vibes from her? Is it everyone out here who gives them off?
Or just because Jac and I are from the city and used to everyone ignoring you as they try to live their best lives.
Maple Creek is a small town. Jac said they were getting married in the courthouse.
I bet it’s charming. Hopefully, I’ll be able to explore it before I head back home, or my brothers drag me to New York.
My family will never let me live alone, especially so far from home.
Overprotective jerk-burgers. I’ll die if I have to go back to living under my parents’ thumb until they marry me off after having my freedom to go to college.
If not for that, I wouldn’t have met my bestie or written my first book.
Merda. I’m daydreaming instead of texting Jac. I hope she answers. What if they won’t let me see her? I’ll do a sit-in. Tie myself to their fence or something. Yeah, that’ll work. Probably. Maybe. Ugh.
I grab my phone out of my backpack. Cavolo.
I forgot to turn it on when we landed. Thankfully, I didn’t turn the sound back on before I shut it off, because there are at least a dozen messages.
Too bad none of them are from Jaclyn. Even without the notification sounds, it vibrates enough for Abbie to notice.
“You must be popular, huh?”
I look over and roll my eyes before grumbling, “No, not exactly. I have four annoying older brothers who think they can tell me what to do.”
Abbie laughs. “You, too? I’ve got those as well. I guess I’m lucky there are only two of them. But bossy is an understatement.”
“That’s for sure. I call mine jerk-burgers.” I grin, thinking about how pissed they’d be if they heard me say it.
“Ooh, I like that. Mind if I borrow it?” Abbie’s still smiling as she navigates the nearly deserted road. I remember Jac saying it was beautiful; she wasn’t lying.
“Go right ahead.” I scroll through all my messages, skipping past my brothers’ and hoping to find one from Jaclyn. But there’s nothing. She’d better be okay, or I’ll be taking down some mountain men—or my brothers will. No one messes with my bestie.
Cheri: Hey, Jac. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding. But I have a surprise for you. Me! I’ll be there soon. I can’t wait to see you and meet your new husband. You did get married, right?
While I’m waiting to see if she responds, I read some of my brothers’ messages. Cazzo. They’re on their way. It’s shocking they didn’t beat me here, or maybe they’re already up the mountain waiting for me. Now isn’t that a pleasant thought—not.
I don’t want to deal with them, but I don’t have a choice. There are no options with the Santini family. I suppose I should be happy I escaped for as long as I did. Still, that’s a problem for Future Cheri. First, I need to see Jac to make sure she’s safe and happy.
Cherise: I made it to Asheville, as you already know since you’re tracking my phone. I’m in the car headed to see Jaclyn. Since you’re being your normal bossy selves, I suppose I’ll see you when you get here.
Cris: It took you long enough. See you soon.
Matty: We’re landing in about twenty minutes.
Dante: The advantage of private planes.
Wait. They have a private plane? Since when?
Cherise: When did we get a private plane?
Cris: We didn’t. I did. Dad doesn’t understand the need.
No kidding. Dad hates going anywhere outside of New York. No way would he want to spend money on a private plane. What the hell kind of business is Cris into? Actually, I probably don’t want to know. Sometimes I wonder whether we’re really mafia-adjacent or they just humor me.
Cherise: Private plane or not, you didn’t have to come.
Enzo: Sure, we did. Be a good girl until we get there.
If steam could come out of my ears, it would be right now. They make me so mad sometimes.
“Brother trouble?” Abbie asks.
I’d forgotten she was here, and my heart jumps a little. “Yeah, they’re being especially jerk-burgery right now. How did you know?”
“I know that look. It only happens when you have older brothers.” Her laughter makes me giggle, too. It helps more than I expected. I’d been stressing since I hung up with Jac this morning. Holy moly. Was it only this morning?
My stomach growls. Ugh. I should have stopped and got some food at the airport. I search my backpack and find a bag of M&M’s Peanuts. Candy is the perfect meal, especially when served with coffee. Too bad I don’t have any of that in my bag.
“Would you like some?” I eat two green ones and then offer the bag to Abbie.
“Thank you. Gosh, it’s been ages since I’ve had these. They’re just as yummy as I remember.”
As Abbie munches on the candy, I really look at her for the first time.
She’s probably close to my age and really pretty.
Not in a flashy, city kind of way, but the typical girl-next-door you see described in books.
She’s got hazel eyes and tanned skin that practically glows.
Her wavy, shoulder-length brown hair has golden highlights in it, and I’d bet anything they’re from the sun and not from sitting in a salon for hours.