Page 18 of Perfect Storm

We both follow her to the front of the plane and take our seats opposite her. Brooke shuts her laptop and waves over the flight attendant. She requests one of Elsa’s fruit and vegetable smoothies, a green tea for me, and a glass of wine for her. We sit in silence until the drinks arrive.

I stare at the tea. That’s when I know. She knows.

“That’s right, girl,” she says to me, sipping her drink. “I’m a lawyer. The truth is my business.”

Elsa snorts, implying truth and lawyer don’t go in the same sentence.

“How does everyone know?” I groan.

“Because it’s true what they say.” Brooke eyes me over her glass of wine. “You’re glowing. Your hair is shinier and thicker, if that is even possible,” she sniffs. “Adam has been more rash like than normal. If he could get away with carrying you everywhere, I think he would.”

“Shit.” I put my head in my hands. “It’s supposed to be a secret.”

“What is?”

I look at Nick, who has appeared, again.

“Oh my God, you’re like a whack-a-mole,” Elsa cries. “Go away.”

“That wasn’t what you were saying this morning,” he winks. “Come on, don’t keep me in the dark. What are you talking about? All I heard was Adam has a rash, and it’s a secret.”

“Adam has a rash?” Jack says from his seat to the left of us. “What kind of rash and where?” He lifts his glasses and eyes us suspiciously before glancing at the back of the plane.

Adam is blissfully unaware of this ridiculous conversation.

Nick grins. “I hope it isn’t one of thoseintimaterashes,” he parks his ass on the arm rest of my chair. “Or did he use your face cream again?”

“Fucking hell,” I put my face in my hands. Elsa is cracking up beside me.

“You’re like a damn rash,” Brooke is telling him. “How Elsa gets anything done with you hanging off her skirts is anyone’s guess.”

“She likes me hanging off her,” Nick points out.

Then the questions fire at me.

“What about this rash?”

“Is it contagious?”

“Does he need cream for it?”

“Adam! Better get down here,” Nick yells.

“But not if it’s contagious,” Tia repeats, looking worriedly at Nash, who is staring at us all like we’re nuts. Which we are.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Adam comes barreling down towards us, his eyes on me. “Are you alright?” he pushes Nick off the arm rest and crouches in front of me. His eyes scan everywhere to figure out what is wrong.

“We heard about your rash.”

“My… What?” he looks over his shoulder at Jack.

“Your rash. Are you itching in inappropriate places, dude?” he laughs.

Adam looks even more confused. “What the fuck are you all talking about?”

“What am I missing?” Archer saunters towards us. “Looks like a party up here.”

God, everyone is here now. Except Ocean and Dylan, who are asleep in the bedroom. Otherwise they’d be here too. Oh and Ciro, he’s still reading a few rows back. I glare at Brooke. She at least has the decency to look guilty about Nick overhearing her.

---