Nonstop (Open Skies #3) - Becca Jameson Page 0,47

I think Shayla sometimes works that flight. Let me ask her. It might be nice to know someone on the plane.”

“Even better.” Bracken just hoped to heaven this idea didn’t backfire on him. He thought she was stronger than she believed herself to be, but he could be proven wrong. In which case he would end up kicking himself for the entire week.

Chapter 19

On Friday night, Shayla insisted on hosting a girl’s night at their condo. Bex had hardly been home in days, and she hadn’t seen her friends all together in one place in forever.

A part of her irrationally hated the idea of leaving Bracken for the evening. She had a nearly unhealthy bubble with him. He understood her and what she was going through. He was supportive. She wasn’t fond of the idea of stepping out of their cocoon.

Bracken thought it would be good for her though, and she knew he was right, but somehow, she felt like a different person than the one her friends thought they knew. She’d changed.

As soon as they had all arrived and taken their seats around the living room, Christa sighed. “I hope I remember how to be a flight attendant tomorrow,” she joked.

Libby laughed. “Oh, right. Your first day back. You’ll be fine. It’s like riding a bike.”

“Yeah, well it seems like I’ve been off work far longer than six weeks.”

Nerves caused Bex to fidget where she sat on one of the armchairs. She needed to talk to her friends and tell them what was going on in her life. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention though. When she was with them, she was never the focus because she didn’t date often nor did she share life dramas.

Christa smiled at her. “When is your first flight? I don’t think I’ve asked you what your schedule is yet.”

Bex cleared her throat. “I’m not going back yet. I extended my leave a few more weeks. In fact, I’m actually going to Maine with Bracken tomorrow for a week.”

Silence filled the room for a few moments, and then Shayla clapped her hands together. “That’s so exciting. I figured things were getting pretty serious with you two since I never see you anymore,” she teased.

Libby giggled and leaned forward from her spot on the couch. “Oh my God. Details, woman. I didn’t realize things were that serious.”

“Me neither,” Christa added. She shifted her attention to Shayla. “You never mentioned that Bex wasn’t around much.”

Shayla shrugged. “Not my story to tell.” She turned toward Bex and spoke softly. “I’m really happy for you though. You look…different somehow.”

Bex could feel her cheeks heating and she couldn’t keep from smiling. “Yeah. Bracken’s…he’s…”

“You’re in love with him,” Christa blurted out.

Bex’s face grew warmer. “Maybe…” She gave them a shy smile. This was out of her comfort zone. Everyone was looking at her.

Christa’s smile warmed. “Well, I think you guys look cute together. I’m glad it’s working out. He’s so nice. And laid back too. I bet he never raises his voice.”

Bex chuckled. “It’s true. Even when he’s in a fistfight.”

“Fist fight?” they all shouted at once.

“Yeah. We might have run into a guy I dated a few times and Bracken might have punched the guy in the jaw.”

“What?” Christa’s eyes were so wide.

Shayla’s and Libby’s jaws were hanging open.

“If you tell me he was defending your honor, I’ll swoon,” Shayla said.

Bex giggled. “He totally was.”

Shayla dramatically leaned back in her seat, tossing an arm over her forehead.

Bex wanted to share more with her friends. It was time for her to stop keeping everything buried. The more she opened up, the easier it would be to move on in life. Dr. Rawlins had encouraged her to communicate more with her friends. She drew in a slow breath, wringing her fingers together. “The truth is that I suffered a traumatic experience in high school, and the incident on the plane brought back memories I thought I’d buried. I’m working through shit. Bracken is helping me. But that’s why I’m not ready to go back to work.”

Libby was the first to respond. “I’m so sorry, Bex. You know we’re all here for you if you need us.”

Christa and Shayla nodded their agreement.

Bex forced a smile, glad they didn’t demand more information. It was hard enough for her to open up as much as she had. She wasn’t ready to rehash the entire experience from high school. She was still raw from doing it the first time. Maybe someday it