Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Do you want to be my seat buddy?
I fully expect Sutton to tell me that she’d rather sit alone, or with the rest of the staff. Why would she sit with me when we’re basically strangers now?
Normally, I would gravitate towards my friends, especially since I need to get my head in the game.
I should be focused on running plays in my head, and mentally preparing to face our competition—a team that’s been in the league since its conception, instead of being brand new.
It’s not as big of a deal if we lose on someone else’s turf, but the first game sets the tone for the whole season, and winning is everyone’s goal.
We’re all eager to prove to ourselves and the rest of the teams in the league that we’re not ready to go down without a fight.
But the invitation for Sutton came out before I could think it through. Whatever is drawing me to her, whether it be nostalgia or the loneliness I refuse to fully acknowledge, this plane ride is the perfect opportunity for an uninterrupted hour to catch up.
“Wouldn’t you rather sit with Kendall or Silas? I’m just going to be reading through everyone’s treatment plans again, so I can’t promise I’ll be great company.”
“Nah,” I say, holding open the door for her.
“If I sit next to Kendall, I’ll be forced to look at pictures of his nieces.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re adorable. But they’re only like, a month old, and he has hundreds.
I can only say ‘wow, cute’ so many times.
Plus, you smell way better than my teammates. ”
A small giggle slips past her lips and it makes my chest warm. I make it my new goal to make her laugh weekly.
“As long as Dr. Kipp doesn’t need to go over anything with me, sure. I’d love to sit with you.”
Hell yes.
After going through security, we board the plane. Half the team is already here, so we make our way down the aisle to find an empty row. Sutton walks in front of me, hesitating when we find one, and a memory surfaces in my mind.
I was fifteen, Sutton was seventeen, and we were flying to California to escape the cold and celebrate New Year’s Eve.
She was assigned to the window seat, and maybe it was because it was her first time flying, but it really freaked her out.
She had a slight panic attack when she realized she’d be able to see how high up we were.
I offered to switch seats with her, and the next two times we flew together, I always made sure she was in the aisle seat.
“Let me take the window seat, you take the aisle.”
“I don’t want you to be squished.”
“It’s fine. Here, I’ll put your bag up first.” I gently push her forward and take her bag, securing it in the overhead compartment beside my own before I slide into the row.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I know you prefer the aisle seat, and look, I have plenty of room.”
Her lips pop open in surprise. “You remember?”
“Of course I remember.” The last thing I want is for her to be anxious the whole flight.
“Thank you, Ezra, that’s incredibly sweet of you.”
An unfamiliar feeling warms my chest, but I brush it off with humor, refusing to give it air to expand. “It’s selfish, really. Now I can kick Ken Doll’s seat, and make him lose focus the whole flight.”
Kendall whips around in his seat and glares at me, but his scowl melts into an overexaggerated pout when he looks at Sutton. “Wouldn’t you rather share a row with me, Sutton? I promise to hold your hand if you get scared.”
“I think I’m perfectly fine here, thank you.” She deadpans, and I’ve decided I quite enjoy the way she handles him.
Kendall clicks his tongue, shaking his head and laying the faux disappointment on thick. “You’re missing out. I’ve been told I’m the life of the party.”
“I’m more of a stay in and watch a movie kind of girl,” Sutton says, sliding her purse underneath the seat in front of her. She reaches for the seatbelt to try and buckle it, but it doesn't reach all the way over her hips. She sighs, giving me a tense smile as she stands. “I’ll be right back.”
“Dude,” Kendall hisses when she’s out of ear shot. “You gave me a whole lecture about not messing around with her, and now you’re getting cozy on the airplane?”
“We’re just catching up. There’s nothing else going on.”
“Sure sure. You’re telling me you’re not interested in her? At all?”
“Who’s Z interested in?” Webby asks, flopping into the aisle seat of Kendall’s row.
“Sutton,” Kendall says at the same time I say, “No one.”
“I mean, I don’t blame you. Sutton’s gorgeous, but a staff member? I don’t think that’s a good idea, man.”
“There’s nothing more than friendship between us.
” Why does my chest burn knowing Webby thinks Sutton is gorgeous?
It’s not like it’s some crazy thought. She’s always been pretty, but the past ten years have only made her more lovely.
“We just want to take the opportunity to catch up on the last decade.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see her heading back in our direction.
“I better not hear either of you say anything like that to her, either. She’s my brother’s ex and works for the team.
Nothing could happen even if I wanted it to—which I don’t. ”
Kendall mimes zipping his lips and Webby nods, but I don’t think they fully believe me.
Whatever.
Eventually they’ll see that my intentions with Sutton are nothing more than to be friends again.
Sutton sits back in her seat, and attaches the seat belt extender before buckling it across her lap, just as the pilot announces it’s time for the flight attendants to give us the safety briefing.
I’ve been on enough planes to have this memorized, which is good, because my attention keeps straying to Sutton.
Friends, Ezra. You want to be her friend again.
When the attendants start talking about what to do in case we need to make an emergency landing, her shoulders scrunch up to her ears and her grip on the armrest gets so tight, her knuckles turn white.
The urge to reach across and hold her hand is so strong it almost knocks the wind out of me.
I refrain, but just barely. I want to assure her we’ll be just fine, and in case of any emergency, she’s my top priority.
Hopefully, with as much traveling as we do, she’ll get more acclimated to flying, and it won’t be so anxiety-inducing for her.
When the flight attendants finish and the pilot announces it’s time for take-off, I turn to the woman next to me, hoping to distract her as we ascend to the sky.
“Have you lived in Utah since you left?”
“Yes, actually. I was down in Southern Utah for pretty much all of it until I moved north.”
“What brought you north?”
“This job. Before, I was the assistant AT for the college basketball team. It wasn’t anything fancy, and I was mostly just restocking supplies, but I was able to learn a lot from the AT there.”
“That’s really cool. What made you want to apply for The Knights?”
“I—” The plane starts moving, and Sutton gasps, pinching her eyes shut.
“Hey,” I whisper quietly. “Focus on me. We’re okay, we’re just taking off. Did you apply because basketball is boring and you needed more action?”
Her responding laugh is a little unsteady, but her eyes open and she focuses on me when she says, “No. Basketball was great, don’t get me wrong, but… Rugby’s always had a special place in my heart.” She looks up at me through her lashes when she says that, and my heart thumps before she continues.
“I knew if I wanted to advance in my career and be more than just an assistant, I’d need to look for another job.
There aren’t many rugby teams here like there are back East, so I considered moving somewhere else, but then The Knights had an open position.
I thought this job was a long shot, but I applied anyway, and I was shocked when I got it. ”
“You shouldn’t be shocked. You’re one of the smartest people I know. I’m sure it was a no-brainer for Dr. Kipp to hire you, and I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Thank you, Ezra.”
I shrug off her gratitude. She shouldn’t be thanking me for telling the truth. “How’s your family?”
“Good, I assume? I don’t really know. My parents text me on my birthday and send money for Christmas, but I haven’t talked to my siblings, pretty much since I left.
None of them could understand why I wanted to move so far away from them.
They felt like I was betraying them, I guess, even though they barely even acknowledged my existence in the first place.
” She shrugs, trying to play it off like it’s not a big deal, but I hear the hurt in her tone.
“How’s your family? I feel awful that I haven’t kept in touch. ”
“Don’t. We understand why you didn’t, and we’re not upset.
” Part of me doubts she’ll believe me, but I had to say it anyway.
“Family’s good. Davis is finishing up his last year of residency in family medicine, then he’ll be opening a clinic with a few of his doctor friends.
Kylie is almost done with nursing school. ”
“Really? That’s amazing!”
“Yeah, she’s preparing for the NCLEX now.”
“She’ll make a great nurse for sure, and I’m sure Davis will thrive with his own practice. What about your parents? How are they?”
“They’re good. Dad’s getting ready to retire, and Mom’s still teaching at the elementary school. They live in the same house, though they remodeled the kitchen a few years ago. Mom finally got her double oven.”
Sutton laughs again, sending another stream of warmth through my chest. “Good for them. I’m glad your mom finally got what she wanted. Are Davis or Kylie married? Kids?”
“Nah. Davis has had a few serious girlfriends, but no one’s stuck around. Kylie’s been dating the same girl for two years, but I’m not sure if they plan on getting married or not.”
“And what about you? Anyone special in your life?”
Kendall snorts from in front of me, turning in his seat. I figured he’d be eavesdropping. “Z probably doesn't even know how to kiss at this point.”
Heat suffuses my cheeks and I swear the next chance I get, I’m tripping him on the pitch.
I’m about to explain that I do know how to kiss, I’m just taking a break from dating when the plane hits a bit of turbulence and Sutton sucks in a sharp breath.
With her eyes pinched shut, she grips the arm rest impossibly tighter and I give in to my instincts this time, placing my hand over hers and giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
To my shock, she flips her hand over and our palms connect as she squeezes my hand back.
If I could make the plane stop shaking by sheer will, I would, just so I’d never have to see the look of panic on her face ever again.