Page 68 of Eagle

“I get that. But I’m glad you answered. Not to sound cliché, but maybe when things calm down here, we can visit. But I don’t want to go back home. Maybe halfway?”

“Well, you may not believe this but I’m leaving Florida today. I could change my flight to visit. Unless that’s obnoxious. Never mind! I shouldn’t assume I can just fly in anytime!”

“Stop!” I bolted back up on the bed. “Please come! I can pick you up from the airport. How soon can you find the times? I work later, but I can leave early if I need to!”

“Slow down. If I switch, it’ll probably be later before I can get in. Airports are a pain.”

I hadn’t flown since I was a teen, but airports were busy and miserable. I’d never been to the Atlanta airport, but everyone knew it was one of the largest ones anywhere. “Find out what time you can get in and tell me where to pick you up. Do I need to come inside?”

“Hell no. I’ll tell you the gate and meet you out there. Just circle so you don’t have to pay to park. Holy shit, I can’t believe I’m going to see you today!”

Squirming and trying to quietly squeal so I didn’t disturb Jeannie, we ended the call and I hopped up to shower and get ready for the day. By the time I was out of the shower, Shiv hadmessaged me back and she’d be in by seven-thirty.

I looked up the route from work to the airport and it was much closer than Jeannie’s house. Perfect. Still, I’d ask Mama Hen about cutting out a few minutes early for traffic, but it shouldn’t be too terrible.

As I was filling my coffee mug, Jeannie shuffled down the hall and came in. “Hey girl. You’re up early,” she said.

“I didn’t lounge as much. Too excited.” I handed her a mug with some coffee. “I talked to a friend from ages ago this morning. Can she hang here a few days? I promise she’s not a freeloader, but I sort of asked her to visit on a whim.”

Jeannie stirred her creamer. “I don’t care. I don’t have the other room made up, but she’s welcome to crash wherever she can find a spot.”

“Oh, she can sleep with me. She used to be my nanny so we’ve shared a bed lots of times.”

Jeannie’s brows shot up.

“Oh, not that way. But we’d pass out together reading or watching movies. You’ll like her. But she’s not…umm–”

“A dancer? It’s okay, Lacy. There’s actually not many of us in the grand scheme of things. I don’t assume everyone pays their bills the way we do.”

Nodding and taking a sip of coffee I said, “She’s cool. Oh! I have news!”

Jeannie put her mug down and looked like I was about to share the secret of youth.

“Well, I don’t know how cool it is, but I have a car!”

Jeannie grabbed my free hand and squeezed. “That was fast, girl. You must be killing it on day shift! That’s awesome.”

“Oh. Well, I’m doing alright there, but Eagle gave it to me.Well, his dad sort of did? But either way, I have a car! He signed the title over to me and everything!”

“Shit! Even better! Jimmy is pretty cool. Wouldn’t mind taking that for a spin if you feel me,” she said as she waggled her brows.

“We had dinner with him last night. He’s a good-looking man, and he’s so sweet. He even put Eagle in his place. It was fun.” I didn’t want to tell her about the crazy moment that I thought they wanted to try a three-way. That would probably only make her more giddy. “You should shoot your shot.”

“Ha! I may be too much for him. I’ve met him and I’m sure he has reasons for not patching in, so I don’t know if we’d mesh well.” Jeannie’s excitement melted into an endearing smile. “Listen, you stay as long as you need, but I won’t be mad if you go back. A little sad and lonely maybe,” she said with a chuckle, “but I’ll see you at the clubhouse, I guess.”

“I’m not leaving yet,” I said with a shrug.

She smirked. “I know that look. That swoony, heart-squeezy, panty-melty, googly eyes. You’ll be gone by the end of the weekend.”

“Truth? I wanna go. Right now. I appreciate you so much, Jeannie, but being there just feels right.”

“I feel another ‘but’ coming,” she said before taking another sip of coffee.

Shaking my head, I said, “I can’t put my finger on it. But something feels…off. And I worry if I go back now, things will go right back the way they were.”

Jeannie put her mug down and pulled mine from my hand and set it next to hers. Grabbing me by the shoulders, she looked me in the eye. “That won’t happen. You know how I know?” My head shook but she continued. “Because you foundyour voice, realized your worth, and know you have options. You’re unstoppable now and I feel sorry for any man who tries to defy you.”

Pulling her in, I let out a ragged breath. Tears filled my eyes, but instead of sadness, I felt relief. Jeannie’s words were what had been buried deep inside and I was scared to acknowledge. But she was right. I stood up for myself and I’d do it again if necessary. And while I knew it would crush me if things didn’t work out with him, I would be fine eventually. I was stronger than I wanted to admit. But something told me Eddie wouldn’t hurt me again–not if he had anything to do with it. Their lifestyle meant that forever may be cut short, but I’d rather have a little amazing with him than a lifetime without him.

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