Ryder claimed he wanted the trip to feel extra special, so he cashed in some frequent flyer miles for the first class upgrade. Stormy couldn’t help but feel out of place amongst all the upper crust people that surrounded them in first class. They were, by far, the youngest and most underdressed, but she tried not to let it get to her.
She heard the jet engines firing up and watched as the flight attendants secured a few things and got into position. The captain made his announcement over the loud speaker, and the doors were latched and locked.
The plane taxied to the runway where it came to a complete stop before gently taking off again. It started out slow, then fast, then even faster as she felt the nose of the plane lift up. It tickled her stomach until she felt the rear of the plane lift up as well and they were sailing upwards, straight through the air. She was officially headed to Los Angeles with Ryder. There was no turning back, at least not yet.
Stormy spent much of the four hour flight resting her head on Ryder’s shoulder and breathing in the comforting scent of his organic, lemongrass body wash. She was trusting him to take care of her and to follow through with his promises.
They touched down a little after noon and were some of the first to exit the aircraft. They walked, hand in hand, down the terminal and towards the baggage claim area. Ryder was in Heaven with Stormy by his side. Every so often he’d squeeze her hand and smile at her, as if he was reassuring her that she’d made the right choice.
“Brooklyn!” Stormy blurted out as they waited for their bags.
“Huh?” Ryder asked, confused.
“I didn’t say goodbye to her,” she pouted. “I didn’t even tell her I was leaving. I’m such a shitty person.”
“The last couple days were sort of nuts,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“She wanted to come out here with me and visit,” Stormy said.
“And she still can,” he replied. “Fly her out next weekend or something. My treat.”
Not only did Ryder want to take care of her, but he wanted to spoil her as well. He was almost too good to be true.
“Really?” She was almost in disbelief.
“Yeah,” he insisted. “You can call her when we get to the car if you want. Make the arrangements. Whatever. Not a big deal.”
Their multiple bags came veering around the carousel as he scrambled to grab them all. Stormy laughed as she rushed to help him. They wheeled their bags out to the shuttle and rode it to the long-term parking area where his red Audi was waiting.
The air was dry and warm and the palm trees were swaying in the breeze. It was a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, and Stormy felt nothing but hopeful.
When they arrived at his condo, it looked exactly like it had a couple weeks ago when she had first visited. She wondered if he was a clean freak or if he had his own housekeeper, but she figured she’d find out soon enough.
He wheeled her bags to his room and parked them in front of his walk in closet. He shoved a bunch of his clothes to the side and tried to make as much space for her things as he could.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I really don’t have that much stuff.”
She stared down at her two suitcases and her one carryon. Her entire life was in those bags.
“I’m so tired,” he groaned. He stumbled out towards his bed and collapsed on the fluffy bed.
“Me too,” she said as she followed and laid down next to him.
He closed his eyes, and Stormy studied his face. With his eyes closed, he was a living, breathing Jett. She looked at his soft lips and wanted to kiss them. She pulled his arm out and around her as she nestled up into his shoulder. The heat of the early afternoon sun beat down through the window and warmed the bed. She closed her eyes and drifted off to the most peaceful slumber she’d had in weeks.
When she awoke a couple hours later, she found their legs intertwined and his head buried in her neck. She felt so safe and cozy squished up next to him on his soft bed.
She heard Ryder make a few audible moans and sighs as he loosened himself from her and stretched out.
“That was a freaking awesome nap,” he breathed.
“Yeah, it was.”
He rolled back towards her and rested his head on his hand and looked down towards her smiling face.
“Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life,” he said.
“You’re so cheesy,” she laughed. “But that’s okay. I can handle cheesy.”
“You hungry?” he asked as he scooted off the bed and headed towards the hall.
“A little,” she lied. She was starving. She followed him down towards the kitchen where he was grabbing plates and avocados and various tools.