Writing A Wrong (Write Stuff 2)

He cuffed Zachary on the back of the neck since he was closest and made him clean it off before they could start their fireworks show. Alec was guilty by association, so he helped with the mess. He looked flattered that Dad was treating him like he had my brothers. As if Alec was already a part of my family.

I was thrilled when they took to Alec almost instantly, especially after the big news that we had moved in together. I had expected my family to balk at the idea or for my parents to play the concerned card. Neither happened. They had treated me like an adult and allowed me to make my own decisions. How ironic. The very thing that I was stressing so much about lately. Being an adult. Alec walked to my side and placed his arm around my shoulder as the fireworks show was about to begin. All I could think about was how I wanted to rewind time back to Christmas Eve when none of this mattered. I wanted my happy place back.

Chapter 6

The next morning, Alec opened the car door, handing me a latte and a paper bag with a chocolate chip muffin inside. "You didn't get anything?" I asked, stifling a yawn. I was still dead tired from staying up so late the night before.

He buckled his seatbelt and pulled out of the parking lot. "Nah. I'll get something after I drop you off." He placed his hand on my knee and I laced my fingers through his. I left my muffin and coffee untouched, not wanting to miss a moment of caressing him. There would be plenty of time to eat once I was gone. We were only a few miles from the airport and I'd already decided that Alec should drop me off rather than accompany me inside. There was no reason for him to fight the parking garage when he couldn't even go through security with me.

My plan was to get a little work done while I waited to board the plane. Olivia wouldn't be flying out until later that evening, so I hoped to bang out a couple thousand words to at least feel productive.

As the exit signs for the airport came into view, I gripped Alec's hand tighter. With all my recent misgivings, the trip felt thick with bad mojo. My stomach clenched painfully, and I had an overwhelming feeling that if I let go it would be the last time I ever held him. There was no reason for my apprehension, especially since I never had been a superstitious person. Our relationship was solid—strong even. Alec wasn't even aware of any of my recent doubts.

The departure terminal loomed ahead. "I love you," I said, almost desperately. I turned to look at him, fighting back tears. This was why I never went to summer camp and chose not to attend college out of state. I sucked at goodbyes. My heart ached anytime I'd ever been forced into an extended absence. Thankfully, it hadn't happened much in my life. I guess I was fortunate.

Alec pulled to the curb in front of the baggage drop-off area before turning to me. His hand trailed up my arm slowly, cupping my face. "I love you too, sweet stuff. It's going to be fine." He swiped away a stray tear that was trekking its way down my cheek. "Think about military families. Those goodbyes are months on end. We can talk and text constantly. We'll FaceTime it." I nodded, choking back a sob while trying to maintain a brave face.

He was right. Of course he was. I was acting like a child.

"Besides, I'm already looking forward to all the dirty text messages you're going to send me."

I chuckled through damp eyes. "Won't you be too busy learning how to take care of patients?"

"Exactly. I'll need something to break up the monotony. Those kinds of texts will be a welcome distraction."

"I better go," I said, spotting an approaching airport cop. "Don't forget to feed Severus," I added for the millionth time, pressing a hard kiss to his mouth. It felt desperate, and I briefly wondered if he could read my mind. My lips clung to his, not ready for the contact to end. His tongue caressed mine before he finally did what I had no strength to do—he pulled away.

"Be careful. Keep the pepper spray on you at all times."

I smiled. Just like my numerous reminders about Severus, Alec had gone over his safety advice countless times. He wasn't the only one. Each of my brothers put me through refresher self-defense lessons during the last month. I was quite certain that if, God forbid, a situation like I had experienced at the hotel in Tennessee ever happened again, I would be capable of handling myself. "I will. I'll call you when I land," I said, pressing another kiss to his lips even though the airport cop was giving us the evil eye.

This time it was me who pulled back. I knew if I stayed, even a moment longer, chances were I wouldn't be able to climb from the vehicle.

Alec grabbed my suitcases from the back of the jeep and loaded them on a luggage cart. I cringed at the two large cases. I was going to miss the smaller carry-on luggage I normally traveled with.

With my bag hiked up over my shoulder, I gripped the handle of the cart tightly and pushed it toward the automatic door.

"Nicole," Alec called out behind me.

I turned around to face him with my heart in my throat. "Yeah?"

He was leaning against the side of the jeep with his hands in his pockets. "Knock 'em dead. Remember you're a star. This is your moment," he said, winking at me.

His words warmed me like a shot of bourbon on a cold day, but it was his wink that made my blood boil like lava. He knew I was a sucker for it.

"I love you," I said, smiling as I blew him a kiss. I pushed the cart through the door, wanting that moment to be our goodbye.

The airport was a bustling bevy of activity with people coming and going in every direction. I thought maybe I'd be the only poor sap traveling on New Year's Day, but obviously I was wrong. My good mood faded quickly as I waited in the long line to check my bags. Everyone seemed grumpy with very little patience. Even I couldn't help getting ticked after the couple behind me allowed their kids to run over my heels no fewer than five times with their luggage cart. After the second time they stopped apologizing, like it was no longer a big deal.

I had to maneuver my body to the side of my cart to keep from screaming something that would have attracted more attention than I cared to get. Not that it would have done any good. The two small children didn't seem to hear a word their parents said. Why would they listen to me? I remained on the bad end of their torment as they swung on the rope barrier that corralled the line, pulling a heavy brass pole down on my recently healed ankle. Where was Olivia when I needed her? She would have already told the parents and their kids to take a flying leap into Fuckville.

At least I got another dismissive apology after giving their mom a death glare that should have melted the skin from their rotten faces. I debated dumping my latte on their annoying heads, but I decided that would only be a waste of the peppermint deliciousness.

By the time I made it through check-in and another long line at security, I barely arrived at the gate before the attendant began announcing boarding procedures for my flight. So much for getting any work done. At least my publisher had sprung for a first-class ticket, so I was among the first group of passengers to board the plane. Limping gingerly down the Jetway, I held up the passengers behind me until I reached a waiting flight attendant who helped me to my seat.

"Mimosa?" she offered as I stowed my shoulder bag under my spacious seat.

I smiled gratefully. "Yes, please." I situated myself in the wide plush leather seat, glad to be off my sore ankle. I took off my sandal to assess the damage and saw no swelling, thank goodness. Only a small scratch. My gleefulness continued when the demon family from earlier shuffled on board and headed toward the back of the plane—far, far, far away from me. There was a god.