The buzzer at the end of the game sounds throughout the stadium. Fans of the other team began leaving about three minutes ago when they realized they weren’t going to win. My feet haven’t touched the court since Coach pulled me out, but I’ve been paying attention. Watching what the other players do and trying to figure out what I can improve on so I can get more play time.
The team heads toward the locker room and the coach gives us a speech about how well we played, and I ignore most of it. I failed at picking up a date with the woman on the airplane, and at being able to stay in the game. Even though the team won, I can’t help but feel defeated by the entire day. Once the coach walks out, my teammates and I change clothes. I want nothing more than to go to the hotel room, watch the highlights from the game, and fall asleep. First, I need to call Mom and Gabby. I want to know if they saw me, and what they thought. They love me more than anything, but they aren’t afraid to tell me where I need to brush up my skill.
To my shock, there’s a message on my phone. I slide my finger across the screen to open it, ninety percent sure it’s a text from Derrick, my college roommate. We’ve done a decent job of staying in touch since I graduated. He wouldn’t have made the team if I was drilling him hard before tryouts.
The text isn’t from him, though, and I don’t recognize the number.
Unknown: Hey, it’s Lana. I’m sending a pic of Jolene’s flight schedule for the next couple of weeks. Don’t do anything to screw it up.
And just like that. My whole day has turned around.
Six
Jolene
“Good morning, Jolene.”Bentley nods his head at me before walking down the aisle and taking a seat next to the window. He doesn’t wait for a response from me. I wonder what that is all about. I knew being on the same flight as him would be inevitable. His team is flying exclusively with our airline. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.
I eye him warily before turning to the rest of the passengers and welcoming them aboard the plane. This job is easy for the most part, repetitive, but easy. I skipped college and ran off to travel the world the cheapest way I knew how, but I’m getting bored with the same thing every single day. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older. I want to settle down somewhere, I just don’t know where to start. I’ve lived in my apartment for over three years and I can’t name any of my neighbors. That’s how rarely I’m home. How am I supposed to figure out my life when my only support system is also a flight attendant who craves adventure?
“You look like you’re thinking too hard.” Lana bumps me from behind. “You know there aren’t any more passengers coming on board, right?”
The hall in front of me is empty. “Sorry, it’s a habit waiting for those last few stragglers rushing toward the gate.”
“You thinking about the hunky basketball player sitting right over there?” She points to the man in question.
“Not really. Just life in general.”
“That sounds like way less fun. You should be fantasizing about all the ways you can get him in bed.” She laughs and thrusts her hips like a hormonal teen.
“Last time I did that, the man dropped me like I was nothing.” I shake my head and sigh. “I’ll do anything to keep from going down that road again.” He made a fool out of me. No, I made a fool out of myself. I knew what kind of man Carter was and I willingly threw myself at him. All hoping to make him settle down with me. I won’t make that mistake again. Bentley hasplayerwritten all over him, and not in a way that describes his profession. My heart will stay perfectly caged within my chest, thank you very much.
Lana sighs and places a hand on my arm. “You can’t let one bad experience ruin you for life. No man is worth that. You learn and move on. That’s all you can do.”
“This is me learning. All that happens when I chase down a man’s attention is heartbreak and tears. I don’t want that.”
“Then how about you go into new relationships as something fun. No strings. Just out for a good time. If you end up in the sack, great. If you end up as something more, even better. But just go out and do something that doesn’t involve drinking wine at a bar with only me.”
“But I enjoy drinking with you,” I pout. It’s not a lie. She’s really the only friend I have. It’s hard to make new friends when you’re constantly working. She has the ability to fit in wherever we are and I just can’t do that.
“I refuse to be your only drinking date.” She points toward the front of the cabin as the pilot’s voice comes over the intercom. “We need to go do our thing. We’ll continue this discussion later.”
“No, we won’t. You’re working first class again.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “It’s nice up there. I’ll see you when we get off this plane.” She rushes down the aisle and disappears behind the curtain that separates first class from coach. I used to work that area, but I couldn’t get over the arrogant asshole men that I encountered way too often. The ones who thought they had a right to anything, and everything, they wanted.
I make my way down my aisle and stop in the middle. I don’t like being the one at the front or back; they are usually the ones that give the whole spiel while making the motions. I’m not about that life right now. The least visible I am…the better. And being in this spot gives me a chance to watch Bentley when he’s not aware.
The guy that was with him last time isn’t with him today and the poor guy looks like he’s uncomfortable. There’s a little girl sitting next to him and she’s squeezing a stuffed animal close to her chest. He leans down until he’s almost face to face with her. I’m close enough that I can hear the conversation.
“Is this your first time flying?” His voice is gentle. The little girl nods her head and hugs her bear tighter. “It’ll be okay. This is only my third time, and I’m still nervous. We’ll get through this flight together.”
The little girl looks up at him, eyes wide, and clearly doesn’t believe anything he’s saying. Bentley reaches into his backpack and pulls out a package of gum. He looks to the girl’s mom and asks, “Is it okay if I give her this.”
She smiles and looks down at her daughter. “Of course. My husband is flying into his hometown today from deployment. We wanted to surprise him. I didn’t realize how scared she would be.”
“It’s okay. My first flight was a few weeks ago, and if it hadn’t been for my friend, I’m sure I would have curled up into a ball.”
“I’m glad you’re here to help ease her fears. I flew all the time before I had her, and she doesn’t always believe what I say.”