Page 105 of Space Oddities

My ears feel like they’re going to explode.

But I take the drink. And go back to my happy place.

* * *

“Ladies and gentlemen,please ready for landing, making sure your trays and seat backs are in their upright and locked positions and all larger electronics are put away.”

I’m soaked. Absolutely drenched in sweat.

And I have a raging case of blue balls.

But I made it.

Withoutthrowing up on myself.

All things considered, I’m calling this a win.

“Well done, son.” Crew Cut smiles at me. “Knew you could do it.”

Looking away from the window, where cars and people are getting larger the more the plane descends, I smile at the old guy. “Thanks, I—” I catch sight of his phone screen.

He follows my gaze “Oh. That.” He chuckles. “Third wife. Wants me to be more romantic.” He snorts. “I never really considered myself an old dog, and yet here I am learning new tricks.” He holds out his phone to me and taps the audiobook’s cover image. “You ever heard of Audrey Cole? The covers may have half-naked men on them, but the stories are actually pretty good.”

“I do know her.”

“Yeah?” He brightens, some of his constant, hard-ass look leaving him. “Which book was your favorite?”

“Ah, no. I mean I knowher. Audrey Cole.”

His jaw drops, and the shocked expression on his serious face is comical. “Get out.”

“No, really, I do.” I sit up, thankful that my hard-on has subsided. Only took two hours. “In fact, that’s who I’m flying to see.”

“No shit.” He looks up and down the plane, then leans forward like he’s about to impart national secrets. “Any chance you could get me an autographed copy of one of her books?” He holds my gaze, his brows rising. “It would go a long way in the romance department with the missus.”

My nostrils flare as I try and hide my amusement. As a senator’s son I’m no stranger to people wanting things from me. But a military man wanting to use my in with a romance novelist to score points with the wife? That’s new. “Yeah, man. I’ll get you one.” I force my expression to remain blank.

“Nice.” The plane touches down on the tarmac and he sits up. “Maybe that will stop her from signing me up for couples yoga.”

The pleased expression on his face when he gives me his contact information is probably nothing compared to how I feel when I finally exit the plane. I’m out. I’m here. I made it.

I’m this much closer to Trish.

Pulling out my phone and turning it on, I call Holt. “Tell me good news.”

* * *

Trish

“Good news, Miss La Rue.”Officer Lydia’s keys and cuffs jangle together off her uniform’s belt as she appears in front of my cell. “It’s time to go.”

Rose left a while ago. The police officer who came to collect her said something about not being able to hold her any longer. Before leaving, Rose promised to light a fire under her lawyer’s ass and left her button-down shirt with me, totally not caring that she walked out of jail in her bra.

Thankfully, she wasn’t arrested for indecent exposure again.

I’ve been sitting with my legs drawn up under me on the bench and the lightweight button-down wrapped around me like a blanket since she left. Without a phone or watch, I’m not sure how much time has passed. But I didn’t think it was long enough to get an extradition organized.

Whether from cold or fear, I feel numb as I stand, my goose-pimpled flesh shaky. “Okay.”

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