Page 86 of Rival Summer

Parker

Boston wtf how’d you get away with ditching the lock-in?

Bailey

Not like coach can make us run laps anymore

Crew

So we didn’t have to go? Shit. My back hurts from those stupid cots.

Me

Told coach I had to be at the airport early, couldn’t risk it.

Parker

Genius

Bailey

You know what’s not genius? Me, at 6’3, trying to sleep on a 4 ft cot

Reese

There’s no way you’re 6’3

Bailey

Am too

Crew

My ass. But we love a short king.

Reese

??

Bailey

Fuck you all

My head snapped up as I realized I had missed the announcement and boarding had already begun. With a quick press of the side button, my screen went dark, and I hurried to take my seat just before we ascended into the sky. I slouched in the stiff airplane seat, my eyes tracing the rolling clouds. I closed my eyes briefly, only for the image of Chandler to float behind my eyelids. I forced them open, shaking my head.

Stepping off the plane, the airport buzzed with a tornado of people sprinting in all directions. My eyes scanned the arrivals crowd until they landed on a driver holding up an iPad with "Boston Riley" across the screen.

"Mr. Riley?" he asked as I approached.

"Call me Boston," I replied with a nod, following him to the sleek black SUV waiting outside.

"Please make yourself comfortable," he said, gesturing to the interior where bottles of water, chips, and peanuts were neatly arranged. "Help yourself to anything."

"Thanks," I said, settling into the plush leather seat.

The city passed by in a blur as we drove to the hotel. I could imagine the possibility of living there, seeing the view everyday.

We pulled up to a hotel downtown and a doorman greeted us with a bright smile. The driver retrieved my suitcase from the trunk.

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