Gray Area (sequel to White Noise)

Ch 15 - Whatever You Say

I had thought about flying to Australia by myself closer to the wedding because four weeks was a long time to take off from work. But I couldn't leave my friend hanging like that. She had so much left to do, and I knew she wanted and needed my help. And, of course, I wanted to be there to help. I had a crap ton of vacation saved up, so I really had no excuse.

I found it rather humorous when Tori promised to return the favor and travel with me to wherever I wanted when I got married. I have no doubt that she would do just that. But, one: I'd never be able to afford even a small wedding in a foreign country. And, two: I was pretty sure I'd never be getting married. That requires a partner. There was no partner in my foreseeable future. That was mostly by choice, but still, it was what it was.

The date of departure had arrived, and I still wasn't ready. Despite spending less time at Tori's over the past few days, I still had some packing to do. Normally, I'm a very organized and prepared person. But I'd been so swamped getting everything caught up at work in order to leave for a month that I just didn't seem to have time to complete the task. So there I was at nearly 3:00 a.m., throwing crap in my suitcase, stumbling over heaps of clothes and who knows what else on my floor, cursing with every other word.

When I finally got my shit packed, ten minutes ahead of schedule, mind you, I sat down and rested my head in my hands. I'd had exactly forty-five minutes of sleep and could probably sleep standing up if given the chance. I actually did doze off for a second but woke to the sound of my doorbell ringing. It was Ashton, offering to help with my luggage. He's such a gentleman, I tell ya. His momma taught him well.

He crammed my belongings in the back of the SUV while I found a seat between Luke and Michael. I was glad to see that I wasn't the only one who looked and felt like a zombie. Those two were both passed out, leaning against the windows. I decided I'd use Luke's shoulder as a pillow. He didn't even budge when I laid my head down and got comfy. I was out like a light. It may have only been twenty minutes of sleep, but it was twenty minutes that I desperately needed. Thankfully, Luke accepted my apology for drooling on his shirt.

The guys had been careful not to mention anything publicly about leaving Chicago. As far as the fans knew, they still had some recording to finish up. This made the airport experience so much easier. No offense, but dealing with hundreds of screaming girls was certainly not what any of us wanted to worry with at such an ungodly hour.

We hardly spoke a word to each other while we waited to board the plane. Little Avery fussed once but was quickly calmed as Calum walked around with her. I swear I didn't think I'd ever get used to Calum being a father. He was amazing and already seemed like a pro. And somehow, it made him ten times hotter, which I didn't even know was possible. No, I've never been attracted to Calum like that. It's just that there's nothing wrong with appreciating beauty, even if it's your best friend's soon-to-be-husband. She's heard me gush about Calum several times. She got it, so it was okay.

Since Tori had booked the flight for everyone, I hadn't even given thought to who I was going to be seated next to for the long ass nineteen hour trip. But I should have known it would be Michael. Sometimes Tori has a wicked sense of humor.

I claimed the window seat, even though our tickets had us assigned the other way around. For once, Michael didn't argue with me. We were off to a good start. But that didn't last long.

I had taken some medication to help prevent motion sickness. I was hoping the medicine, plus the exhaustion I was already experiencing, would help me sleep a good deal of the flight. And maybe it would have, but there was a six-foot-something restless goober sitting next to me. I'm the lightest sleeper ever, and every time I was about to doze off, he'd move and wake me up.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. He was bouncing his leg, and it was rubbing against mine, driving me insane. I firmly grabbed his knee and whisper shouted, as to not disturb my neighbors, "Would you just fucking sit still already?! Jesus, Michael. Go to sleep or something."

He exclaimed, "I'm sorry! I can't help it. I can't get comfortable. And I can't sleep on planes. I can sleep anywhere under any circumstance, except on a God damn plane. Fuck."

As aggravated as I was, I knew he really couldn't help the fidgeting. And the pained expression on his face had me feeling bad for snapping at him.

"Good grief. I'm sorry for yelling at you. I'm just so exhausted, and it's making me irritable."

"You, irritable? Never," he said, shaking his head, not at all hiding the sarcasm.

"Very funny, jerk," I said with a punch to his leg.

Michael sighed. "You know what helps?"

"Helps what? Me sleep, or you sit still?"

"Well, both, probably."

I was waiting on one of his infamous remarks about sex or something along those lines. But instead, he said something that made perfect sense.

"Music." He dug his phone out of his jacket pocket and attached some earbuds. He handed one to me, and placed the other in his own ear.

"You're a fucking genius, Clifford. I knew I loved you for some reason."

With a smirk, he told me, "Just wait. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve to make you fall even more in love with me, Alexis."

I rolled my eyes at him for the 5475489th time since we'd met. "Dude, I said that I loved you, not that I'm in love with you. There's a difference."

"Whatever you say, babe. Whatever you say," he replied, starting the music, then closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the seat.

We're now up to 5475490 eye rolls, even though he didn't see it. "Shut up and try to sleep, Mikey." I found a comfortable spot on his shoulder, and after a few songs, I was finally able to fall asleep.