Free Spirit

Chapter 2

Paddy

"You really have no idea where we're going?" I asked while I fiddled with my seat. When you're six-foot-six, a first class seat is a must for the extra leg room.

"Nope," Alexis mumbled, glaring at the crying baby across the aisle. "Why would someone fly first class with a baby?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "Why not?"

"Because people pay good money to have a peaceful flight."

"You had the option to fly up yesterday on the private jet with your family."

"You couldn't go yesterday."

"I'm a big boy. I can fly alone."

"Well, I didn't want to go without my pooky," she cooed, caressing the top of my thigh.

"Stop that," I ordered, removing her hand from my leg before I got a hard-on. That hadn't happened with Alexis since I was a horny teenager. I'd learned to control my urges around her. But that was before she asked me to be her fake boyfriend.

"We need to practice our PDAs. Otherwise, nobody will believe we're a couple."

"Why do we need to convince a bunch of strangers? If you introduce me as your boyfriend, I think that should be sufficient."

"You know why I asked you to do this, Paddy. I was very upfront about my reasons, and you agreed to help me."

"That doesn't mean I think it's a good idea."

"Why did you come then?"

"Because you're my best friend, Alexis. And I will always have your back."

"Thanks, Paddy."

"And who would turn down an invitation to a rock star's secret wedding?" I whispered.

"That is true," she laughed. "I guess you're definitely benefiting from our little arrangement."

Was I though?

I wasn't entirely convinced of that.

This wasn't the first time we'd gone on vacation together. I enjoyed spoiling my best friend with trips to Caribbean resorts. Alexis was barely getting by before her sister got together with Miles. She couldn't afford to go anywhere, but I didn't mind spending my money on her. She was worth every penny.

The parents died a few years ago, leaving them with nothing but debt and a shitty apartment. They had an autistic sister who required a lot of care. Cleo received a government disability pension, but they still struggled to make ends meet. I tried to help them out as much as I could, but Hannah was a strong-willed woman who didn't like handouts.

Alexis and Hannah were two very different people. They looked alike, but that's where the similarity ended. Hannah had always been the mature responsible sister, even when their parents were alive. Alexis, not so much.

I wasn't blind to Alexis's flaws. My best friend could be lazy and self-centered. But I loved her for who she was. And I knew there was a beautiful person inside. Alexis was a free spirit, and I would never want to change that about her.

I waited patiently while she went through her partying phase. My mom said it was important to let her sow her wild oats. I just wished that didn't include banging so many different guys. And I was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to grow up. Her twenty-fifth birthday had come and gone, with no transformation to a responsible adult.

"What is it about this guy anyway?" I asked.

"What?" she mumbled without looking up from her phone.

"The drummer dude. Why are you so obsessed with him?"