Just Pretend

Chapter 66 - Everything & Nothing

"It's so weird not flying back with Sadie. This whole flight has felt strange without her." I say watching the L.A skyline come into view.

Noah nods in agreement next to me, his hand gently resting on my thigh. 

"It feels too quiet. Not enough sarcastic commentary." Noah chuckles as a faint smile tugs on my own lips.

With Sadie's U.S Visa being close to done, she's applied for a new one and in the meantime she's gone off travelling, hopping country to country until her new visa comes through.

I feel Noah's grip on my thigh tightening and I place my hand over his own.

"You're okay." I whisper rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. He exhales slowly looking straight ahead giving a gentle nod. He scrunches his eyes shut as we land the wheels smacking hard off of the run way. "You're okay." I repeat and his grip on my thigh loosens.

"I hate that part. It's the fucking worst." Noah grumbles as the plane comes to a stop and people start grabbing for their bags pushing their way off of the plane.

"I never get the rush. We're all gonna get off eventually." Nick mumbles from next to Noah his voice unimpressed and I can't help but giggle and Noah finally cracks a small smile.

We eventually make our way to the exit of the plane the dry L.A heat hitting me hard.

"Oh fucking hell. We're back." I announce slowly making my way down the steps Noah's hand in mine the whole time.

"I bet you can't wait to get home." Jolly kindly says from behind me.

"I love you guys but I can't wait to be in my own bed where I can feel sorry for myself without being around you all pretending I'm fine." I awkwardly laugh as we all shuffle across the tarmac towards the entrance of the airport my dress clinging to me with every step I take damp already from the L.A sun. "Fucking hell, being pregnant in this heat is gonna be a real struggle." I mutter as I fan myself with my hands.

"You got this Momma." Noah whispers making my heart swell at the small acknowledgment. He wraps an arm loosely around my shoulders pulling me into him protectively as if he can save me from the scorching sun.

We make it through the glass doors of the terminal and into the fresh blast of air con, cooling me down and I finally relax into Noah's side as we head for baggage claim.

Folio yawns dramatically as we look at the carousel numbers seeing where our bags are gonna rock up.

"They never fucking make it easy." Nick moans waiting for ours to flash on the screen. Noah smoothes down my hair kissing the top of my head absentmindedly clearly not a care in the world about who might spot us.

"Number fifteen, let's go gang. Mar looks like she's gonna collapse." Jolly kindly nudges us in the direction of the belt and finally our luggage is spat out one by one.

"Thank fuck." I mumble seeing our cases roll closer towards us and Noah whisks them up with no hesitation before I can even move towards them.

"You okay?" He checks looking at me his eyes searching for mine.

"Yeah, honestly I'm okay just tired. I can't wait to be horizontal." I laugh reaching for one of the cases but Noah beats me to it pulling both of them along behind him and we slowly all take our leave.

The dry heat hits me hard again, seemingly hotter than when we stepped off the plane. I run my hands through my hair which is already clinging to the back of my neck.

"Fuck the landing being the worst part this is." Nick grumbles to no one in particular leaning against the wall a scowl painted on his face.

"What waiting on the uber?" Jolly chuckles leaning against the wall next to Nick.