Left Field (New Hope #4)

Chapter Fourteen

Blake

My jet waits outside its private hangar at LAX, the pale blue sky behind it. The sun has yet to rise, but evidence of its impending arrival blankets the busy tarmac. I reach behind me and into the vehicle, taking Lucy's hand to assist her. She accepts the offer, a bright smile on her face.

After Julian made his dramatic appearance—I did say he would eventually show—on the beach yesterday, the country club was a flurry of activity. Police descended, casing the yacht and nearby areas for signs of foul play. They took reports and checked the cameras, but found nothing to raise suspicion. After speaking with Julian's irate parents and an hysterical Natalie, they left.

Guests loitered in communal areas, gossiping about the groom's shocking earthly departure. It was quite morose, so we decided to vacate the premises. Besides, we were already dressed up. It would be a shame to waste a perfectly good suit.

My parents, Lucy, and I shook off the bad news and headed to Venice Beach to enjoy the beautiful day. The locals and tourists stared at our group on the boardwalk, no doubt wondering why we were wearing black tie. Some of them glanced around, as if they expected a film crew to be in tow.

We ate at a cantina, our toes in the warm sand as we stuffed our mouths with margaritas and nachos. We perused the shops, purchasing unnecessary knickknacks and tacky accessories. Mason bought boxers with writing on the back that said 'Assquatch.' My mom had to outdo him, opting for a G-string that said 'Caution: Slippery When Wet.'

I gagged over a nearby trash can while Lucy cackled.

"Khaaan!" Lucy now screeches.

I roll my eyes, guiding her onto the plane with my hand at the small of her back. "My apologies, Captain Kirk."

The captain laughs congenially. "It's good to see you again, Lucy."

Once inside, she turns, walking backward into the jet's cabin. "'To boldly go where no man has gone before...'"

"She must've gotten into the catnip," I explain, tossing our carry-ons into the overhead bin as the stewardess stifles her laughter.

Kirk salutes Lucy, playing along. "'We're human, and maybe that's the word that best explains us.'"

She pumps her fist in the air. "Yes!"

The copilot shuffles his feet, frowning. "I've never been so disappointed to be named Dan Jones."

After the nerdiest hello in the history of mankind, the pilots retreat to the cockpit to perform their safety checks and the stewardess starts a pot of coffee. I grab Lucy around the middle, carrying her toward the aft cabin and dropping her on the bed.

"You're chipper today," I muse, my own contentment cresting at the presence of her unafflicted smile. "Did you eat your Wheaties?"

She spreads out like a starfish on the mattress, her cropped cashmere sweater rising to expose her navel. "I'm... relieved. To be going home."

Right. That's the source of Lucy's relief. Not the fact that her rapist is dead.

"I'm glad," I state, honest. No matter the reason, she's happy and that is what's important. "Unfortunately, I have some work to get done. I can use my laptop if you want to watch something on my tablet?"

She takes the device I pass her. "Do you have Gilmore Girls?"

"We have everything, Red."

I show her how to unlock it, then load the streaming service. She thanks me with a kiss, her lips parting just enough to make me consider 'christening' the bed—as Lucy so eloquently phrased it on our first flight together. But I really do have to respond to the shareholders regarding our delay. If I don't, I'll be hours behind at the office tomorrow.