Chapter 20
Indie
I couldn’t stop smiling. Literally could not stop. My face hurt from how hard I’d been grinning all morning, but I didn’t even care.
We were going to St. John on a private jet. For four whole days. Me, Stone, Ish, his girlfriend Destiny, Aurora, and Kenzo. This was some rich people shit I never thought I’d experience in my life.
I sat in the backseat of the blacked-out SUV next to Stone, with Ish and Destiny in the row behind us.
Stone had his hand on my thigh, his thumb rubbing slow circles over my jeans.
He looked calm as hell like flying private to a tropical island was just another Tuesday for him. Which, knowing Stone, it probably was.
But for me? This was everything.
I glanced back at Ish and Destiny. They were holding hands, whispering to each other and giggling about something.
Destiny was cute as hell. She had light brown skin, long box braids pulled into a high ponytail, big brown eyes, and a sweet smile. She was sixteen like Ish, but she seemed mature for her age. She was respectful and smart.
I’d met her a few days ago when Ish brought her by the estate, and I liked her immediately. She was good for my brother. Kept him grounded and made him smile in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.
Plus, she wasn’t on no bullshit. She was focused on school, talked about wanting to go to college, and had goals. That’s the kind of girl I wanted Ish around. Not some fast-ass girl trying to get him caught up in drama.
“You good, baby?” Stone asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I looked at him and nodded, my smile widening. “More than good,” I said. “I’m excited as hell.”
Stone smirked, his dark eyes warm as he looked at me.
“I know you are,” he said. “That’s why I planned this shit.”
I leaned over and kissed him on the lips, quick and sweet.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“Anything for you, Indigo.”
The SUV slowed down, and I looked out the window to see we were pulling onto the tarmac at a private airport.
And there it was.
The private jet. Sleek, white, and polished to perfection, sitting on the runway like something straight out of a movie.
My jaw dropped.
“Oh my God,” I breathed.
Stone chuckled beside me. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”
The SUV came to a stop, and I saw another SUV pulling up beside us. Aurora and Kenzo.
The driver opened my door, and I stepped out onto the tarmac, the warm California sun hitting my face.
I was wearing a pair of high-cut shorts and a fitted tank, nothing complicated. White sneakers, my hair up in a high ponytail, and minimal jewelry. Simple but cute. Perfect for the flight.
I looked over and saw Aurora stepping out of the other SUV, and our eyes locked. We both screamed at the same time.
“BITCH!” Aurora yelled, running toward me.
“BITCH!” I yelled back, meeting her halfway.
We hugged tight, jumping up and down like we were teenagers again.
“We’re flying on a private jet!” Aurora squealed. “This is insane!”
“I know!” I said, pulling back to look at her. “Look at us! Living like rich bitches!”
Aurora was wearing a black crop top, ripped jeans, and black Balenciaga sneakers. Her hair was in long goddess locs that hung down her back, and she had on gold hoop earrings and a gold chain. She looked so good.
Kenzo walked up behind her, shaking his head with a grin.
“Y’all loud as hell,” he said.
“Shut up, Zo,” Aurora said, waving him off. “Let us be excited.”
Stone walked up beside me, his hand going to the small of my back.
“Y’all ready to board, or y’all just gon’ stand out here screaming all day?” he asked, his tone amused.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t rush me, nigga. Let me have my moment.”
Ish and Destiny walked up, both of them staring at the jet with wide eyes.
“Yo, this is crazy,” Ish said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe we’re really doing this.”
“Believe it, lil bro,” I said, grinning at him.
Destiny looked at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Thank you for letting me come, Indie,” she said sweetly. “This is amazing.”
“Of course, girl,” I said. “You’re part of the family now.”
She smiled, and Ish looked at me with this grateful expression that hit me deep.
He was happy, and that made me happy.
“Aight, let’s get on this jet before Indie passes out from excitement,” Stone said, his hand guiding me toward the stairs.
I smacked his arm playfully. “I’m not gonna pass out.”
“You might,” Aurora said, laughing. “You look like you about to cry.”
“Shut up!” I said, but I was laughing too.
We walked up the stairs and stepped onto the jet, and I swear to God, my breath caught in my throat.
The interior was a whole vibe. Cream leather seats that looked like they cost more than my old condo.
Polished wood tables. Flat-screen TVs. A full bar in the back. Everything was pristine and luxurious.
“This is...” I trailed off, unable to find the words.
“Fire, right?” Kenzo said, grinning as he walked past me.
“Fire doesn’t even cover it,” I said.
Aurora grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the seats.
“Girl, come sit with me!” she said.
We sat down in two seats across from each other, and I ran my hand over the soft leather. Stone sat down beside me, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Ish and Destiny took seats toward the back, and Kenzo sat across from Stone.
A flight attendant in a crisp white uniform walked over with a tray of champagne flutes.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” she said with a warm smile. “We’ll be taking off shortly. Can I get anyone a drink?”
“Champagne for me,” I said immediately.
“Same,” Aurora said.
“I’ll take one,” Stone said.
“Me too,” Kenzo added.
The flight attendant handed us each a glass, then turned to Ish and Destiny.
“And for you two?” she asked.
“I’ll take a champagne too—” Ish started.
I whipped my head around so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.
“Boy, if you don’t get some lemonade,” I said, giving him the look.
Ish’s face fell. “Come on, Indie. I’m sixteen—”
“And?” I said, cutting him off. “You ain’t grown. Get you some lemonade and sit down somewhere.”
Aurora burst out laughing, and even Stone smirked.
Destiny covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Ish groaned. “Man, this is embarrassing.”
“Should’ve thought about that before you tried to order alcohol in front of your big sister,” I said, turning back around.
The flight attendant smiled politely. “Lemonade for both of you?”
“Yes, please,” Destiny said sweetly.
Ish mumbled something under his breath, but he didn’t argue.
I took a sip of my champagne and sighed. This was the life.
The flight attendant brought Ish and Destiny their lemonades, then disappeared toward the front of the plane. A few minutes later, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom.
“Good afternoon, everyone. We’ll be taking off shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for departure.”
I buckled my seatbelt, my heart racing with excitement. The engines roared to life, and the jet started moving down the runway.
I grabbed Stone’s hand, squeezing it tight. He looked at me, his expression soft.
“You nervous?” he asked.
“A little,” I admitted. “I’ve never been on a plane before.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Never?”
I shook my head. “Nope. First time.”
Stone brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.
“You gon’ love it, baby,” he said. “I promise.”
The jet picked up speed, and then we were lifting off the ground. I gasped, my stomach flipping as we climbed higher and higher into the sky.
Aurora squealed across from me. “Oh my God, we’re flying!”
I laughed, my nerves melting away as the jet leveled out. The seatbelt sign turned off, and I unbuckled, leaning back in my seat.
“This is amazing,” I said, looking out the window at the clouds below us.
Stone wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “Told you,” he said.
For the next few hours, we all talked and laughed, the champagne flowing freely. Aurora was cracking jokes, Kenzo was roasting Ish about getting denied champagne, and Destiny was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. It felt good. Like we were a real family.
Eventually, the conversation started to die down, and I noticed Ish and Destiny had dozed off in their seats, their heads leaning against each other.
Aurora was curled up in her seat, her eyes closed, her breathing slow and steady. Kenzo had his head back, his arms crossed over his chest, clearly asleep too.
It was just me and Stone awake now. I looked at him, and he was already looking at me.
“Come sit on my lap, baby,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
I didn’t hesitate. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. His hands went to my waist, holding me steady.
“You having fun?” he asked, his dark eyes searching mine.
“The best time,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you for this, Stone. For real.”
“You don’t gotta thank me,” he said. “I told you. It’s anything for you.”
I leaned down and kissed him, slow and sweet. His lips were soft, his hands warm on my waist. When I pulled back, he was staring at me with that look. The one that made my heart race and my stomach flip.
“I love you,” I said softly.
“I love you too, Indigo,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.
He shifted me so I was sitting sideways on his lap, my head resting against his chest. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close. I closed my eyes, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“You tired?” he asked, his lips brushing against my forehead.
“A little,” I admitted.
“Go to sleep,” he said. “I got you.”
And I did.
I fell asleep in his arms, feeling safe and loved and happier than I’d ever been.
***
“We’re landing, baby.”
Stone’s voice pulled me out of sleep, and I blinked my eyes open. I was still on his lap, his arms still wrapped around me.
“We’re here?” I asked, my voice groggy.
“Yeah,” he said, smiling down at me. “We’re here.”
I sat up and looked out the window, and my breath caught.
The water was the brightest shade of turquoise I’d ever seen, sunlight dancing across it. White sand beaches seemed to go on forever.
“Oh my God,” I breathed.