“At least we’re parting on better terms this time around, right?”
Expression impassive, he stays silent.
I didn’t expect a sonnet from him or anything, but I figured we’d share one last hug and a few parting words.
“Takeoff is in three minutes,” Chandler announces, and everyone loads onto the plane.
With the exception of Phoenix, who’s still staring at me…not saying a word.
It’s really starting to piss me off.
“Seriously? You’re not even going to say goodby—”
His lips crash against mine and he gives me a kiss that makes my head light and my knees weak.
On second thought, maybe goodbye was a bad idea. My drug just gave me another hit…which will make the withdrawals that much harder.
“Bye—” My words fall by the wayside when I notice the plane moving in my peripheral.
Without Phoenix.
Waving my arms, I run toward it, attempting to stop it before it takes off. “Wait! You’re missing someone!” Anxiety rises up my esophagus. “Call Chandler…or the plane company people. They’re leaving without you.”
How the hell could anyone forget Phoenix?
I sure as hell can’t.
Peeling my gaze away from the rolling jet, I look at him. Unlike me, Phoenix isn’t freaking out.
Quite the contrary. He seems highly amused by the whole thing.
Then again, he’s been acting strange all day.
“What is wrong with you? You don’t even say goodbye to me. Then your freaking plane takes off without you and you’re smiling. What—”
“I didn’t say goodbye because it’s not goodbye yet.” He moves closer. “And I’m not worried about the plane taking off because it’s not my plane.” He points to another jet that’s a little farther down the runway. “That’s my plane. Or should I say, our plane.”
Once again, I’m beyond confused. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, that’s our plane? Plane to where?”
I already told him I can’t go to Europe, and he’s well aware that after today we’re done for good.
“Our date isn’t over yet.” Reaching for my hand, he begins escorting—or rather, dragging me—to the aircraft. “You told me six days, five days ago, which means I get you until tomorrow. And believe me, I’m cashing in on every fucking second.”
I plant my feet and yank my arm away because he’s insane. Plus, I have no idea where he’s even taking me, but given it involves a damn plane, I assume it’s not close.
“My flight home departs from JFK tomorrow morning, which is in New York. Plus, my luggage is still at the hotel.”
“I had Skylar book you a new flight. One that leaves from LAX tomorrow. I also had her pack your suitcase, which is already on the plane.” His fingers tighten around my wrist and he starts tugging. “Problem solved.”
Hardly.
“First of all, why are we going to California? Secondly, why didn’t you tell me any of this? We spent the entire afternoon together.”
“I didn’t tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise, but I also didn’t want to lie to you.” He shrugs. “I had no choice but to ignore you.”
I don’t even know what to say to that.
I plant my feet for a second time when we reach the plane steps.
I already mentally prepared myself to say goodbye before, but now I’ll have to do it all over again tomorrow.
Maybe it’s best we go our separate ways now.
“Come on, Groupie.” He cradles my face, his eyes imploring me to extend our time. “Spend one last night with me.”
“Where?”
“My house.”
His house.
The tour consisted of nights spent in either a hotel room or a bus. It helped maintain a clear distinction between tour world and real world. It also made things easier because every place we went was temporary.
Like us.
Going to his home makes things deeper…more personal.
The tie that much tougher to sever.
However, the pull of the sun is too mesmerizing. Too powerful.
“Okay,” I whisper. “One more night…but that’s it.”
CHAPTER 68
LENNON
I ended up sleeping for half the duration of the six-hour plane ride…after joining the mile-high club.
Fortunately, California is three hours behind New York, so we didn’t lose all that time.
My eyes widen when the driver turns into a gated community with very beautiful and very large houses.
“Didn’t think this was your style.”
If I offended Phoenix with my comment, he doesn’t show it. “Me either. But when you grow up having nothing…”
“You want everything,” I finish for him.
I’m torn because on one hand, I’m happy for him.
But on the other? I can’t help thinking about what he did to get his everything.
Falling silent, I look out the window at the sunset. It’s vivid and beautiful, especially among the backdrop of all these stunning properties.
We turn down a quiet street and continue past a row of houses, each one bigger than the last, until we come to a stop in front of a two-story farmhouse-style villa with a big palm tree in the front.
The driver pulls the SUV up far enough so Phoenix can punch the security code in. A moment later, the gate opens, and we pull up a large circular driveway.
After Phoenix opens the front door, he places our suitcases in the large foyer.
“Come on.” Taking my hand, he leads me toward the living room. “I’ll give you a tour.”
On the outside, it looks light and cheerful, but on the inside, it’s darker.
Not in a depressing way, but in an intense way.
A very Phoenix way.
The color scheme consists of black and gray…with accents of white here and there. The twelve-foot ceilings make the already large house feel even more spacious.
I’m speechless as I take everything in.
The formal dining room with a long black table that looks like it’s never been used.
The expansive gray and white gourmet kitchen that makes me want to whip up a twelve-course meal.
The outdoor patio leading to an in-ground pool.
I have no doubt Quinn will love this place, but knowing her, she’ll want to add some brightness…or at least pull up the black blinds obscuring all the windows.
Phoenix guides me down a hall, pointing out a bathroom and a movie room along the way. However, when I head for the door at the very end, he gently steers me away. “Let me show you the upstairs.”
I don’t press the issue since I’m a guest in his home and he’s entitled to his privacy.
“Storm and I share it,” he informs me as we trek up the wooden staircase leading to the second floor of the house.
That makes sense. This place is beautiful, but it would be awfully lonely living here all by yourself.
He points out another bathroom and two guest bedrooms—one of which will be Quinn’s. Knowing her, she’ll take the one with a bigger closet.
His steps falter as we reach the door at the end of the hall. “Storm and I flipped a coin for the master suite.” His grin is cocky as he turns the knob. “Guess who won?”