Page 157 of His Boys to Protect

The clerk raised an eyebrow, then clicked away at something on a computer. She rattled off a series of destinations, all of them way out east via connecting flights in San Jose, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

Skylar tried to think. He was sure he looked suspicious as hell, standing there with a handful of cash, asking to go far away with no destination in mind, but he didn't know what else to do.

He tuned back in, listening to the departure times of the flights. They were all hours away. Skylar would have to sit there and wait, spending the whole time fighting the temptation to stay.

“What's the next available flight?” he asked. The sooner he got out of there, the better.

The clerk turned back to the computer. “The next flight out that I can get you on is nonstop to San Francisco International Airport.”

Skylar stared at her. It was all he could do not to throw his head back and laugh.San Francisco? Are you fucking kidding me right now?

Of course that would have to be the soonest flight out. The one that took him right back to where he'd always been.

Skylar deflated. It was a sign. That was where he belonged. Not here. Not with Ward and Charlie, with perfect happiness and safety. He was a whore. An unwanted, dirty, nameless whore. He wouldn't have to try to explain his past. Wouldn'thave to constantly worry that someone might find out. Because it wouldn't matter. It would all be right there, out in the open, just like it always had been.

“I'll take it,” he said, barely managing to get the words out above a whisper.

He paid for the ticket, put what little remaining cash he had back into his wallet, and walked off to go through security. His stomach lurched at having to leave his bag, but it was a little too big to count as a carry-on. Skylar itched all over, being separated from all his worldly possessions yet again. He had to tell himself it was only temporary. In a few hours, he'd have them back.

Along with his old life.

Skylar sat down to wait. He pressed his hands between his knees, wishing he at least had his phone to distract him. Maybe read a book he hadn't finished. Except, right before handing over his bag, he'd shut the phone off and stuffed it inside, leaving it out of his reach.

He cursed himself, wishing he'd thought to shut the phone off sooner. He didn't want Charlie to be able to track where he'd gone. Besides, he'd have to mail it back to the Pratts once he got settled somewhere. He'd thought about leaving it on the counter at Ward's place, but it wasn't Ward's responsibility. It was his. He needed to make sure the phone got where it needed to be.

At least the wait wasn't too long. Skylar barely got a chance to feel the itch to change his mind when the announcement was made that his flight was boarding. He got up on shaky legs and joined the line, handing over his ticket and walking slowly onto the plane.

Skylar's heart beat so hard, he thought it might burst right out of his chest. He listened to the whir of the engines, the growing sound making his heart beat even faster. The plane lurched as it began to move. Skylar gripped the armrests, staringout the window, fighting to stay calm.Oh fuck. He wasn't ready. He didn't want to leave!

But he had no choice. Ward and Charlie deserved better, and they were sure to find it. Whether it was in one another or someone else in the future, they'd be happy, not having to explain Skylar or needing to help him keep his dirty secret.

The plane taxied onto the runway, then came to a stop. Skylar swallowed hard. The engines roared, and the plane began to move, going faster and faster until it began to lift. Skylar's stomach lurched. He glanced out the window and saw the earth fall away beneath him.

There was no turning back now.

The flight was just over an hour, though it seemed to only last a few minutes. Skylar came out of a trance when he felt the plane tilt, beginning its descent. He gave a start and looked out the window.

Oh fuck. He was back.

The plane touched down, making his heart lurch again. Skylar gripped the armrests and stared straight ahead, dreading what was coming but also desperate to get it over with.

Taxiing seemed to take forever. It felt like they rolled along the ground for miles before finally coming to a stop.

Everything blurred around him. Half of the passengers stood up all at once, looming over him, crowding the aisle, reaching for their carry-ons. Skylar itched to get off the plane. Away from the press of bodies. He felt crushed and surrounded, like the hallway in his nightmares. It got worse once he was inside the terminal. People rushed here and there or ignorantly blocked the way, holding up his progress.

Skylar finally made it to the baggage claim area, then had to stand there, shifting from foot to foot, waiting for his flight's luggage to appear.

He had to get out of there.

Skylar spotted his bag. He rushed around the carousel, squeezing through the crowd rather than waiting for the bag to come to him. Skylar snatched it up and hugged it to his chest. He let out a sigh of relief. At least he had this. Something to his name. A little bit more than nothing.

He turned away and followed the signs to the exit, shying away from the crowds as he went.

Out on the sidewalk, he came to a stop. What was he supposed to do now? Skylar squirmed. He wished Ward were there to tell him what to do. Then he wouldn't have to make any decisions or have to worry about anything but the immediate task in front of him.

Then again, he knew what the immediate task was. The only option available.

Skylar drew himself up and raised a hand, flagging down a taxi.

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