Page 51 of If You Were Mine
“Feels better than that. Here, put your arm out the window.”
I frowned and realized we weren’t standing on the flight line like I had thought, with the sun shining ahead of us and that cool breeze sliding over our skin. Instead we were in the cockpit of a plane, with the windows open as if we were driving down the highway in my Jeep, the doors and roof completely off.
When I had been in college, I’d dug into some of my trust fund because I couldn’t help myself. I bought a sports car, because everybody did. And I liked going fast. I’d take the top off and just let the engine purr. Joshua and Wellesley would be in the car with me, with Joshua egging me on, begging to drive, and Wellesley just in the back seat, arms above her head, screaming in happiness.
Then I got the Jeep, a used one that had seen better days, but the engine and tires were perfection. We’d go off-roading, get stuck in the mud, and laugh at each other as we tried to get ourselves out of whatever situation we ended up in. Wellesley would sit back and take photos, and Joshua would flip her off, before she’d pull out some homemade baked good to make us smile.
But I don’t think I’d ever been in a plane with the windows open before. It was nice, though getting a bit cold. Even with the sun beating down on us, an icy chill settled over me, and my teeth began to chatter.
“Don’t you think we should close the windows? We’re a little high up, don’t you think?”
“It won’t matter soon. It’s just a damn good day. I love flying. I know this isn’t my plane, but one day I’m going to be able to get one on my own. I’m going to be able to go anywhere I want, with no responsibilities, no looking back.”
“What about Harper?” I asked, frowning when I realized I was using her name. I usually just called her Wellesley, but that was between us. And for some reason I didn’t think I should tell Joshua that there was anything else between us. That would be wrong. Wouldn’t it?
“Oh, don’t worry, she can take care of herself.”
“That doesn’t sound like you,” I said dryly.
“Too true. But you’ve got her. Whatever I can’t handle, you’re there. That’s why you’re my best friend.”
Guilt settled into me, but I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like she was in the plane.
Then a small hand gripped my shoulder, and panic seized me.
“How did you get in here?” I asked, knowing what was coming next. I looked over my shoulder at a smiling Wellesley. Her hair was back to that reddish hue that she’d had once before. And she no longer had bangs. Instead her hair was piled on the top of her head, and she grinned at me with that gorgeous smile of hers.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m where you are. I trust you.”
Guilt warred with horror as I turned to Joshua. But my best friend wasn’t looking at me, instead he faced forward, his eyes vacant.
“I wasn’t ready to die.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “You shouldn’t be dead, Joshua.”
“It sucks. I had all these plans. I was going to go out and take over the world right beside you. We were going to open up a bar together. You remember that?”
I nodded, unable to speak. Though Joshua couldn’t see me. He couldn’t see anyone.
“You were going to fly with me, and if I couldn’t find a way to save to buy a plane of my own, I was going to trick you into doing so.”
He winked and blood began to seep out of his ear. I reached forward and tried to wipe it away, but it wouldn’t budge.
“I would’ve bought you anything. Even though I don’t think I can ever get in a fucking plane again.”
“You don’t have to. I don’t need the plane anymore. You’re taking care of my sister though.”
He turned to me, his eyes gaping holes instead of that blue gaze of his.
I tried to move back, but the plane just continued to get smaller and smaller, and I couldn’t escape him.
“Joshua.”
“I’ll be okay. Wherever I am. I’m long dead. Worm food if you buried me. Or that dust that gets stuck in your throat because you fucked up.”
“You weren’t supposed to die.”
