Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 49-Meg

Meg

I tell Pastor Ben that I'll meet them in Miami. He seems really surprised. Jai explains that his plane will take us directly. He's confused since he knows most planes need a changeover from this remote spot. I know he doesn't realize it's a private plane.
"We'll get to Miami before you," Jai tells him. "I'm already booked on your flight."
"Okay, but if you lose this precious cargo, you'll have her parents hunting you down," he tells him partly joking, partly serious.
"I'll guard her with my life," Jai says and I can see Gale heard that. She's mouthing something to me and I pretend I didn't see her.
"Alright. Take care and I'll see you in Miami?" he questions.
"I'll see you there," I nod.
He hugs me. So does Gale. Floyd asks her what's going on and she explains that Jai is taking a different plane but he'll be on our same flight from Miami, that I'm accompanying him.
"See you in a few hours," Floyd smiles giving me a side hug. He shakes Jai's hand.
I hug all of the Jamaican church members who are present and say my goodbyes. Sister Abigay tells me to step out in faith and I nod in understanding.
I grab my suitcase and I can't believe I'm doing this. Izaak and Valentina wave to us. I smile at them. I wave to everyone else.
Jai puts his baggage in the back seat and mine in the trunk. He steps into the lobby for a moment and comes out grinning. We drive off to his resort and end up back in his room. He packs some things, tossing some worn clothes from the school build. I did the same. He looks ready but I ask him... "Did you have anything in the bathroom?"
"You're right. I didn't check there," he says stepping in. He grabs a couple things and puts them in his bag.
"You may want to put some pants on," I suggest when I notice he's in shorts. "It's below zero where we're going. We might want to see if they have coats in Miami, too."
He nods and changes. "I'm not used to cold weather."
"My dad can get away with the shorts in the middle of winter but I just didn't think it was your thing," I tell him.
He laughs in surprise. "Do people really wear shorts in the snow?" he asks disbelievingly.
"A few people do. I think it's weird and I can't talk my dad into putting on pants in the winter. I think he does to shovel snow, though," I explain.
"Shoveling snow," he mumbles nodding.
"You ready?" I ask.
"I think so," he says smiling at me.
We leave his room and he checks out at the reception desk. He explains that we have baggage in the car. The receptionist nods and makes a note. She makes a phone call and a moment later a familiar face comes out from a back room. He smiles at me. I hug Bembe and he shakes Jai's hand. He walks us to a limousine and I realize that's how Jai knows him.
"I've got some baggage in the jeep," Jai tells him. Jai grabs my bag and his guitar before handing him the keys. Bembe opens the trunk and then steps inside with the keys. I take a seat inside and Jai joins me a moment later sliding over closely to me. I honestly have only been in a limousine once—for prom and it was a group of girls. I feel him put his arm around me and kiss the top of my head in my daze. I'm still in disbelief that I'm actually doing this.
Bembe climbs in and drives us back to the airport. It's such a quick, smooth ride that I can hardly believe I'm stepping out of the limo. I see Jai shake his hand. I notice an envelope that he pockets. I hug Bembe and thank him again. I ask him about contact information and he tells me he's on the church listing online. I smile and promise to check my social media to get it and the others.
Jai escorts me to his plane while the flight staff carry our luggage. He holds my hand up the stairs and ushers me inside. I'm surprised at how spacious it is, how few seats there are. It's almost like a living room with a sofa and two chairs. He sits me on the sofa and joins my side.
"We don't have to buckle up or anything?" I ask disbelievingly.
"Not really," he shakes his head. "Do you want something to drink or eat?"
I decline the offer and look out the window. I realize Jai's holding my hand. I'm too nervous to do or say anything.
"Not a fan of flying?" he asks.
I shake my head. "I sometimes get air sick," I tell him. He kisses my head and tells the staff. I hold onto him as we take off and thankfully the flight is smoother than the other. He offers me a drink and I shake my head.  I can't have anything on a flight or I know I'll vomit.  The flight to Japan was brutal.  We arrive to Miami quicker than I expected.  We have hours before everyone else is going to arrive.  We take our baggage through customs.  I see his passport and I can't help commenting on how cute the little kangaroo on the outside is.  He laughs at me and I realize... he really is from the other side of the world.  How the heck did we ever meet?  I hand the attendant my passport and tickets.  He looks confused but Jai chimes in that I'm traveling with him.  The man stamps my form easily enough and I can't understand how he—as a foreigner in this country—has more sway than a national.  I dismiss the thought and we check our luggage.  I keep my carryon.  He has a small bag, too. 
We stop somewhere for an early lunch.  He insists I eat something even though I don't feel like it.  I humor him, though.  He takes me to some fancy place for vips and I'm surprised when I'm let in.  I have to admit that I'm on edge and not in my element.  I'm used to being treated like cattle herded through the airport, not like someone special.  I grab half a sandwich since he insists. 
"That's all you're eating?" he asks worriedly. 
"Don't worry, it won't stay down long," I mumble. 
"Do you really get that ill?" he questions. 
I nod.  He gets me a ginger beer and I sip it slowly.  It's helping a little but I'm still expecting to vomit with this in my stomach. 
We finish up and go shopping for a bit to kill time.  He purchases a coat and it's pretty nice but I doubt it'll be warm enough for the weather back home.  He gets a few more winter related things as I glance at the clothing on the women's racks.  "Do you want something?" he asks me. 
"No.  I have plenty back home," I tell him. 
"You're an odd girl," he teases.  "I've never met a sheila before that doesn't buy something every time she goes out."
"I guess I'm a more practical girl than the others," I shrug.  "I don't buy what I don't need."
He nods looking me over.  "I guess this is something new I'll have to get used to."
"Did you find some things?" I ask. 
He lifts the pile of clothes in his hand.  I accompany him to the checkout and we wait around at the empty boarding area.  I read my Bible study and take notes while he looks at his phone.  I realize he's wearing his sunglasses and it's not because it's sunny.  He does have less people bother him when he wears them. 
"I can't seem to find a hotel in your town," he tells me. 
"That's because there isn't one," I tell him.  "Oh, wait... there is.  It's kind of a novelty, though."
He looks up to me interested, waiting for me to explain. 
"It's kind of a historical hotel.  It's downtown and was built in the 1800s.  It's rumored that there are ghosts in it," I tell him. 
"Where is this?" he asks laughing. 
I take his phone and do a search.  I hand it back to him.  "Huh," he says surprised. 
I hear that our flight is going to start boarding and I get worried that nobody from the mission trip is here yet. 
"We should get in line," Jai suggests. 
"Yeah," I agree sadly. 
We stand in line and wait to board.  I hear a commotion, people running.  I turn to see the missions group arriving.  Many of them appear out of breath.  I wave to them.  Gale sees me and rushes right up to me.  "There you are," she smiles a little breathless.  "We finally made it."
"Right on time," I tell her. 
"Yeah, good thing," she nods. 
She waves and goes to wait in the back of the line with the rest.  Jai and I board the plane.  He waves to me as we separate for our different seats.  I find my seat and put my carryon in the overhead compartment before sitting down and buckling up.  I hadn't realized I got a window seat.  This is nice.  Everyone fills in.  My friends are sporadically around the cabin but a few are nearby.  I sit back in my seat and take some deep, calming breaths attempting to relax before takeoff.