Page 9 of Love Off Course

The moment I land, I’m calling Daddy and getting my flight changed. I’ve been off balance since I stepped into LAX and met up with all these people. I’m in the twilight zone, not reality. Once I reroute, things will go back to normal.

I close my eyes, imagining the resort Daddy rented out for his wedding. It’s the nicest one in Costa Rica. It’ll be wonderful to unwind in the presence of family and friends. To take a week off of my busy work schedule and just be.

It’s almost laughable.

Just being.

I haven’t done that in so long, I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like.

Seagulls. Warm breeze. Momma’s humming.

I’m thrust back to the summer before she died. When Daddy took us to the beach for the day. We didn’t have a penny to our names. The hospital made sure of that. It felt like saying goodbye. Rather than letting it consume us, we enjoyed the day the three of us. We didn’t worry about Momma’s illness or bills or the fact time was running out.

We took the day to just be.

A hot tear races down my cheek and I hastily swipe it away. I don’t cry. Not anymore. Not since we buried Momma all those years ago. Daddy and I had to toughen up. He threw his energy into his work and pulled us out of the hole we were in. And rather than leaving me in despair all alone, he did it with me. Anytime I wasn’t in school, I was jetting across the country to meet clients with Daddy, sitting in his office working on homework while he worked, or having dinner with him and David as they made plans. From the get-go, I was a part of RT Corp. I never left.

When we roughly touch down, I pop my eyes back open. Trees whiz past us and I wonder if I’ll be able to catch a new flight quickly. As the plane slows, I frown. No buildings. No other planes. Where the hell are we?

“Carson,” Lawton calls out, “you’re losing your touch and I almost lost my cookies with that landing.”

The captain’s laughter travels into the cabin and grates on my nerves. Really damn funny. All of this is some huge game to them. Unprofessional. This company will hear all about my flight. I’ll leave my one-star review with pride.

“Don’t worry, Sherrie,” the old lady named Doris says. “I’m hungry too. We’ll make sure you get fed, honey.”

I grit my teeth. “Sheridan.”

“That’s what I said, honey.”

I’m not Sherrie or honey or whatever the hell these people want to call me.

I’m Sheridan Reid.

The bitch who’s about to go nuclear.

As soon as Lawton opens the side door of the plane, I unbuckle, grab my luggage, and storm over to him. His eyes widen as I near. He stumbles over his words, but as soon as the stairs have fully unfolded and are touching the ground, I stomp past him. The stairs are steep, so I have to carefully maneuvermy black Valentino Garavani leather booties so I don’t fall. My eyes are trained on my feet. As soon as my shoes hit the asphalt, I lift my gaze.

Trees.

Trees.

More damn trees.

I swivel around to look back at the plane. Behind the plane is a small hangar. No. This is definitely a dream. I’m still flying on the way to Costa Rica and I’m asleep. I pinch myself hard enough it’ll bruise.

Still here.

Something comes barreling down the asphalt, snarling and big. A flash of light brown. Oh my God. I’m going to die. In this stupid not-dream. I turn to face the creature, but it’s moving too fast. Straight for me.

“Get away from me,” I screech, holding a hand out in front of me.

The thing ignores me and pounces. I’m going to be mauled to death by a lion. I’m tackled to the asphalt and my head hits hard, causing stars to swirl around me. Something wet drags up my face. It’s licking me. The thing is licking me.

It’s then I lose it. I start to cry. Full-bodied sobs as this—I think it’s a dog—thing licks away my tears. It’s heavy and it stinks, but I don’t have the strength to push it away.

“Oh. Em. Geeeeeee!” Damian screams. “It’s eating her! Help! Handsome, pilots, help!”

“Toro,”hecalls out. “Toro,ven con papá”

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