Page 61 of See You Soon
"Huh? What do you mean?" I ask, wiping away a tear, and laughing.
Danny looks at me with a grin. He grabs my hand and it sends me into a shockwave.
"You'll see."
* * *
Danny and I are escorted in a car toward the airfield of the military post. It doesn't take long at all. Everything was built so close together on this post.
The night is dark but the moon gave us enough light to see where we are. There were Apaches, Black Hawks, Chinooks, and airplanes surrounding the airfield, all lined up and organized. But there were a few on the tarmac getting ready to fly. The sounds of helicopter engines and the blades of the aircraft filled the air.
The closer we got, the vibrations and volume grew. Danny opened my car door and I was extremely hesitant about what his plans were. I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed anywhere near this area.
"What are we doing here?" I ask him, as he grabbed my hand leading me out of the car.
"Have you ever been inside a helicopter?" His question catches me off guard. I open my mouth to answer but saliva gets caught in my throat.
Palpitations hit my chest and I cough. I have a huge fear of flying. Airplanes and heights in general. I never rode roller coasters or went hiking in high mountains, it just wasn't for me. Acrophobia is a real thing and a huge red flag.
Danny laughs at my incompetent behavior.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry it's just that... I'm terrified of heights. And no, I've never been in a helicopter before. When would I ever find myself in that situation?"
Danny shakes his head, leaning in my ear.
"Another first I get to take part in then.” Danny grins. My mouth falls open and I lightly push him away from me.
"Danny! I am not getting on a helicopter! I'm pretty sure I'm not even allowed to be here." I nudge him in his side as he tries to pull me into his arms.
"No, you're not but again, a good friend of mine is a Black Hawk pilot. I wanted to show you what it's like to ride in one." He's not giving me the option to say no. His hand finds mine, intertwining our fingers together and he's pulling me against my will. I try my best to run but his grip only tightens on my hand.
"No Danny stop! I’m scared of flying!” I'm trying to pull my hand out of his but it's no use.
We're walking closer to a group of men dressed in their camo uniforms standing next to the helicopters running. I'm literally fighting against his hold like a child throwing a tantrum and the parent has to drag them along.
As we get closer, I stop trying to pry myself out of Danny's hand. My cheeks are heated as I grow uncomfortable the closer we get to them. I'm in my scrubs and the wind begins to pick up leaving my skin in goosebumps. Danny wears a dark green shirt, a particular shade of dark green that's almost brown. Along with all-black Oakley pants and boots.
We’re finally a few steps away and all the men turn towards Danny, they all have wide smiles on their faces, excited to see him. He finally drops my hand.
"Oh, would you look who it is? Mr. Grim Reaper joins us on tonight's ride." A tall, handsome man greets us reaching out for Danny to shake his hand. They pull each other into a brotherly hug, a pat on the back and he does the same to the other four men around us.Does everyone know Danny?
"You know I never pass up a chance to be in one of these, Reid. If I didn't love the forefront so much I'd be up in the sky with you guys flying these badass machines." Danny says with a wink. His smile flashed his straight white teeth. And I almost faint at the beautiful sight of his thrilling look. I stand there awkwardly behind Danny, hiding behind his massive frame.
"So this is Ari? The nurse that helped save Rookers' life?" Another voice I don't recognize asks and Danny moves to the side, revealing my hiding spot. He must have told them about me.
Shit. I have to socialize now.One of the things I least enjoy doing.
"Hi..." my voice breaks and I clear my throat while waving awkwardly next to Danny.
One of the men, bald and more rugged looking, looks me up and down before drawing his hand outwards for me to shake. The way the man looks at me makes me uncomfortable. Danny senses my uneasiness and placed his hand on my lower back, and I feel like he's sending them a message.
“We can get in a lot of trouble for this but a friend of Grim and Rooker is a friend of ours.” I shake their hand, nodding in return.
“Alright, it’s just about that time y'all, let’s fly.” Reid claps his hands together and waves his hand over his head as he retreats towards a Black Hawk Helicopter.
Chapter27
