Page 134 of Really Truly Yours

Is no one ever on my side?

I’ve drifted in my faith lately, but I know God loves me and isn’t out to get me. I bow my head and stumble through a disjointed prayer.

My phone on the coffee table lights and dances.

I swipe the call and words I’ve longed to say for days now tumble out. “Gray, I want to come to Houston.”

∞∞∞

My heart is in my throat as the airplane hurtles itself along the runway.

Avery glances at my white knuckles and smiles kindly. “First time flying?”

So embarrassing. I nod.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize or I’d have prepared you for the experience.”

I’m not sure anything could have prepared me for being propelled at the speed of light or sound or whatever it is. At least the view out the window is worthwhile. “How long is the flight?”

“Less than an hour, so it’s a great choice for the first time.”

I smile and nod like she’s making perfect sense, but my sanity is trying to reconcile itself with the fact that I, a mere mortal, am rocketing toward thirty-thousand feet at hundreds of miles an hour.

I’m such a bumpkin.

I lay out what I hope to be a placid moue. “I’m fine now. This is awesome.”

Awesome? That’s a colorful word for vanilla me. Liftoff must have addled my brain.

I loosen my shoulders and play like everything is cool. In reality, my stomach is a ball of I-don’t-want-to-know what, and not because of the rocket launch. Who is this person jet-setting to her see her…boyfriend?

My brain spits out an error message.

In the aisle seat, Tripp texts away with buds in his ears. Avery notices my glance and shrugs with her eyes. “Work. It’s always something.”

I’m guessing that as long as her husband is not undercover, she’s content. “How is he doing? With Donny?”

Smiling, she tips her head. “Just a heads-up. The earbuds are a ruse. He’s never checked out, even when he looks like he is.” She shrugs. “Job hazard.”

Oh.

“As for things with Donny, he’s doing alright. Still going to counseling.”

Sure enough, Tripp shoots a frown toward his wife. As if the eyes in the back of her head actually function, she reaches for his hand. He squeezes it and resumes typing.

Envy slides over me like hot wax. Their…oneness…stirs my wildest dreams.

“He’s coming around.”

I’m so glad. Donny’s holding on to hope that, before it’s too late, his older son will fully accept him. He needs to hear he’s forgiven and hopefully, loved. I hope he gets that gift.

Poor guy. He was devastated not to be able to come along, and odds are against him having a future chance. His health simply wouldn’t allow for travel this year.

Avery and I chat for a time, and then we enjoy the lull before, I’m sure, the day flies into high gear. Gray has team stuff to do this morning and won’t be able to make it to the airport, so the plan is for Tripp and Avery to rent a car and drive us to Galveston to Tripp’s family home where we’ll be staying.

On the beach.

The beach.

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