The Sire

Chapter 53

The sun pierced through the glassy roof above their heads. The rays reflected on the white tile floor, making everything around them shine. It was warmer than usual even if they were near summer season. Little murmur around him for the waiting room at that part of the airport was almost empty. Apart from his band mates, and their girlfriends, only another couple was there with them. They were kissing and Stone couldn't take his eyes from them. His elbows rested on his knees and his legs bounced up and down. His bags already inside the private plane that would fly them all to Hawaii in an attempt to recover the companionship the band once had. His head was elsewhere though. Iris... he looked at the watch on his wrist and puffed. Then, he looked around him and there was no sign of someone approaching that privileged area. The couple in front of him kept sharing tiny pecks. They were probably newly wedded because their wedding bands were still so shiny. A bit strayed from the group, Eddie watched the planes on the lane with Poppy by his side and his arm around her, pulling her to him. Despite his strangeness, Poppy and Eddie were a strong couple. Sitting on a bench, giggling as they talked, Jeff and Maggie. She had her legs over his. On a corner, Mike, and Dave, they were somehow estranged from the others in every sense. Mike dealing with alcoholism and Dave being shunned by almost everyone. Stone rubbed his face with both hands feeling his heart racing with every second that passed. He looked at his watch again.

"She's not coming..." He whispered all alone, feeling despair erupt from his pores.

Stone got up, puffed, and walked up near the door that linked the public area and the private area they were at. His eyes roamed through the sea of people that went back and forth to their flights looking for her. A huge lump on his throat as he looked at the doors that led to the street and no sign of Iris. His heart broke as he ran his fingers over his hair and he felt tears coming to his eyes. Jeff and Maggie watched him as he just stood there with his hands on his waist, frozen, waiting...

"Did you text her?" Jeff looked back at Maggie and she nodded. "She didn't answer?"

"No." Maggie shook her head at the same time. Then, she grabbed her cell and showed him. "See? Nothing... it's weird. Iris always replies."

"He's not going without her." Jeff commented and Maggie nodded knowingly.

"I know..." She said. "He asked me to keep his bags ready to grab if needed."

"I understand if he stays." Jeff ran his thumb over her face and pecked her. "He's crazy about her, they have a kid and she's pregnant. That's a lot. He doesn't want to risk losing that. So, I get it and I am ok with it... I would do the same thing."

"Aw, babe." Maggie pressed her lips on his and then kissed the tip of his nose.

"If we were in the same situation, I wouldn't go." Maggie smiled at him as she heard his words.

"I'll be right back." She leaned over Jeff, kissed his lips, unburden him of the weight of her legs and got up.

"Be a friend and not a manager." Jeff smiled. "He needs a friend."

"Really?" She curled an eyebrow. "What the fuck do you think I am?"

"Just saying." He raised his hands in the air as in a peace sign and she shook her head, then she left.

When she got near Stone, she rested a hand on his shoulder, stopping by his side. Stone was so out of this world that only when she touched him, he felt her presence. He turned his head to look at her and Maggie looked up. Stone towered over her quite a little. Their eyes met and he shrugged and shook his head after.

"She's not coming..." He whispered. "She's not..."

"There's still time." She tried to cheer him up. He shook his head vigorously. "You don't know that."