Page 3 of A Knotty Road Trip

As we reach the scanners, I wait until the next line opens before removing my Kindle, phone, keys, and wallet, placing them in the bucket.

My shoes are a little harder to remove, and I'm sweating by the time I'm walking through the X-ray machine.

A man waves me over with his wand, and I sigh.

“Remove the jacket, Miss, and raise your arms.”

Nodding, I do as he asks and cringe when he takes longer than necessary to ‘check’ me for weapons.

When he's finished, I don't waste a moment. Grabbing my shit, I toss it all into my bag, then make a mad dash to the restroom.

Locking myself inside a stall, I rest my back against the door,close my eyes, and take a few breaths.

I hate when people touch me without my explicit consent. As my heart rate calms, I begin to remove my clothes and pull out a dry pair of soft leggings with a large fluffy sweater.

After I'm changed, I look down at my feet and cringe. I am totally going to need to toss my new Christmas socks away, but for the moment they will have to do.

My boots are soaked.

Leaving the stall, I wash my hands, then fluff up my light curls. This weather is hell on my hair. I'm going to need to book a deep conditioning treatment soon.

Deciding to toss it up into a messy bun, I grab some chapstick and give my pout a thin layer. One of my favorite holiday songs begins playing over the speakers, and I find myself singing along as I grab my stuff and walk out into the hall.

My gate is across from the bathroom, and there are only a few people waiting. Maybe this means the red-eye to LA was a good idea after all.

Claiming a seat in the corner, I pull out my charger and plug it into the wall. I need to make sure my Kindle is completely charged for the trip.

I hate flying, and sleeping on a plane? Ah, yeah, that's not going to happen.

Placing my bags and boots on the seat beside me, I grab one of my cozy travel blankets and settle in for a quick rest.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I groan. I knew my father wasn't going to leave me alone.

Accepting the call, I wait for his latest melodrama.

“Hello.”

“Finally, Belle, how incompetent can you be not to answer your phone? I shouldn't have to call you three times!”he growls, and I roll my eyes.

“Oh, did you? I'm sorry, I must not have had a signal.”

“Likely story, but now that you have wasted my time you can be the one to contact Paul for a ride when you get into LAX.”

Ugh. Seriously?

“Why would my ex-boyfriend be the one to pick me up? We haven't spoken in almost two years.”

“Yes, well, he offered, and I don't have the mental capacity to drive to the airport and see your pathetic face. It's bad enough you're going to be around for two weeks.”

Someone giggles in the background, and my stomach cramps. I really hate going home.

“Okay,” I whisper, and he grunts.

“Great, glad we have that covered then.”He hangs up, and I'm pissed as a tear escapes the corner of my eye.

Quickly wiping it away, I look up and pause. There are three gorgeous men walking closer to the seats across from me, but that’s not what makes me freeze. A man is watching me intently, but he’s not giving me creeper vibes. Tall with dark hair and blue eyes, wearing a leather jacket, I almost regret using a scent blocker.

Though I am thankful for my scent blocking panties. I totally just made a mess in them. Giving him a shy smile, I look down and focus on my phone, trying to fight the urge to not stare at him.

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