The hallways were shockingly quiet compared to the night before. Every so often I’d pass a room where someone was snoring, but other than that, the building was absolutely silent. Outside, the air was refreshingly cool and the breeze swept over my skin. I sat on the step and waited for my cab. 7:35……I’d be pushing it if the driver was much later. When he finally pulled up, I gathered all of my bags and paced toward the car.
It felt like we were driving for hours because I was painfully aware of being pressed for time. I thanked and paid the driver hurriedly and rushed inside, pulling my bag behind me. Another two minutes and I would’ve been too late. When I took my seat, I breathed a sigh of relief, both because I’d made it there on time and also because I knew that in a few short hours I’d be with him.
Chapter 2
Sam
LaGuardia was so packed that I couldn’t move one inch without bumping into someone. I’d been cussed out twice, flipped off, and molested already and I hadn’t even been off the plane ten minutes. Not to mention, I got stuck sitting next to an obnoxious twelve year old returning home from visiting his grandparents in St. Louis. He talked my ear off, passed gas the entire time, and kept trying to lay his head on my boobs when he faked sleep. If there hadn’t been witnesses, I would’ve put the brat out of his misery halfway through the flight. Needless to say, I was very thoroughly irritated by this point, so imagine my surprise when I felt someone’s hands slide around my waist. I’d been groped one too many times that day, so my first reaction was to inflict as much pain as possible on the offender. I clenched my teeth and shot an elbow into the ribs of the unsuspecting victim.
“Not quite the greeting I was expecting,” AJ said as he backed off a step or two.
My eyes widened with surprise at the sound of his voice. “Shoot! I’m so sorry. It was a really bad flight and I thought you were…… Never mind.” I gave up trying to explain as I comforted him. He laughed it off, but clearly still felt a twinge of pain. “I can’t believe I did that. Are you…”
He interrupted my rambling with a kiss. “I’m fine.” He cleared his throat and straightened from his doubled-over stance. “It didn’t hurt, you just caught me off guard,” he joked.
“Sure……whatever.”
I looked at him – dressed in a pair of breakaway pants, t-shirt, white socks, Adidas flip flops, and his headphones around his neck. I chuckled a little to myself.
“You laughing at me?”
“Who wears socks with flip flops?” I looked him over again.
AJ looked down, assessed his attire and then shrugged nonchalantly in response.
“Let’s just go.” I shook my head at him and grabbed his hand.
We pushed and shoved our way to the baggage claim area where I retrieved my bags, staring at AJ curiously when he didn’t seem to be searching for his own luggage.
“Uh, don’t you have to get your stuff?” I asked. He pointed at the backpack on his shoulders that apparently was the only thing he was traveling with. “You are such a guy. How could you possibly have everything you need in that one bag?” I inquired.
“Simple. I only need a few pairs of clothes, a pair of gym shoes, and boxers. My toothbrush, deodorant and stuff like that fit right up front.” He flashed his perfect smile.
Again I say: such a guy. I rolled my eyes at him playfully and we moved to the exit.
“So, do we actually have a plan or are we gonna be sleeping on the streets while we’re here?” I asked.
“Maybe,” he replied, smiling to himself. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but something told me that he’d gone all out – as he often did.
There were three taxis parked along the sidewalk, so I picked one and started walking toward it. I felt AJ grab my hand, holding me in place. When I stared at him questioningly, he pointed toward the elegant, black sedan parked at the front of the line. The driver was standing beside it holding a sign with AJ’s last name printed in bold black letters. I looked at AJ questioningly as he led me to the vehicle awaiting us.
“How did you pay for this? Won’t your dad find out?” I asked nervously.