Beyond Eighteen(71)

J and I couldn’t help but giggle every time Copilot Joshua pointed out new things we should be aware of while flying in GP’s private jet.

“Do you have any questions?” he asked.

J and I looked at each other before looking back at him.

“Can I use my cell phone right now?” I asked.

“Sure, but right before takeoff and landing we will ask you to shut off all electronic devices, including Kindles, e-readers, and iPads.”

“Oh good, thanks,” Joanie answered. I just smiled thinking about all the rich people who walked around with so many devices on at the same time.

Joshua took his seat next to Captain Richard. I was totally amazed at the view of the pilots and how complex everything was in the cockpit. The sound of the switches being flicked, the tin voices from the two-way radio, and the captain’s voice faded behind the click of the door separating us from the men who were going to fly us to California. But seeing as this was my first time on a private jet I really didn’t have much to judge it against.

“I’m going to text Max, tell him we are on the plane,” I said as I looked over at J, who was already on her iPhone. Texting Nick, no doubt.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled down to the last text I’d sent to Matt Gladstone…aka Max.

I pressed the buttons quickly, anxious that I wouldn’t be able to get a message out before I was told to shut it down.

BaBE, We R On PLane! OMG its AMAZING! Miss U HARD ALREDY. J SAYS HI Dont worry-I stopped cryN 4 now. <3 U sooo much. GET 2 ME FAST. U.R.MY.HOME.

I pressed send and watched the little envelope sail across my screen, then turned to J. She had her thumbs bouncing back and forth on her keys, laughing under her breath as she responded to the texts she was receiving.

I looked at my phone, hoping I’d have a text back from Max. Right then, a voice came over the ceiling speaker, telling me my wireless time was up. Okay, so not taking my eyes off my phone wasn’t going to make his text come in any faster. But when you are up against a deadline, wishing under your breath that he’d hurry and respond, nothing was too unreasonable.

I blinked and raised my eyes over to J, who was in a full-on conversation with Nick. I felt my heart start to lower into my stomach. The jets fired up and the whistling of the clicking time clock began to make me ache to hear back from Max before the wheels rolled against the asphalt. Just as the wheels started to roll, my phone chimed with a text. I looked down and sure enough, a bouncing envelope with Matt Gladstone above it made its way to me.

I slid my finger across and pressed open.

Hey, Sweets, glad 2 hear U R on plane. Glad U are comfortable. I’m HARD missing U 2. (LOL). Did they stock the fridge 4 U? Like the choc strwbrys & whipped cream? Hope U R thinkn’ bout me. I am heading N-2 the office now. Just ended call w/Gary. Working my way 2 U. I promise. B-safe, U R my WORLD. Tell J hi back.

My heart jumped into my throat. I loved that he got back to me so fast.

I pushed reply and began typing my response when the captain’s voice came over the ceiling speaker.

“Alright, ladies, we are 3rd in line and have been cleared for takeoff. Please take a moment to turn off all electronic devices while we taxi out. Thank you for your cooperation and please remain in your seats until I announce that it’s okay to walk about the cabin.”

Reluctantly, I pressed the power button on my phone. I wished I was able to get one more I love you off to him before my deadline was up. I looked over at J, smiled, and told her Max said hi before I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to look around the plane during take-off. I didn’t want to see things bounce and watch J’s face as I traveled backwards. Why didn’t I sit in the other chair facing toward the front of the plane?

Once the hiss of the engine and the force of the plane speeding along the runway intensified and I felt the weightlessness of being in the air take over, I opened my eyes and regained my composure. I was, after all, on a luxury jetliner.

“Well, that wasn’t half bad,” Joanie sighed.

“Nope…and hey, you know I am sorry I blew up at you, right? I do appreciate you being here with me,” I mumbled as J nodded, accepting my apology. A silent moment took over our space before I decided to lighten the mood. “So what did off-limits guy have to say?” I teased.

“He’s fine…hey wait a minute…off-limits guy?” J groused.

“Yeah, just like Dump Donnie,” I reminded her.

“That was totally different. I was dating Donnie, and the second I dumped him, Cindy scraped him off the floor and made out with him in the back of the limo at our junior prom right in front of us!” J carped.