Ten Ways to Reject My Mates (Ongoing - Being edited)

Chapter 9 - Back Home

Chapter 9 - Back Home

The drive to the airport was mainly a blur. The check-in line was long but eventually we got our tickets to go back home.

Home. It felt so strange thinking of Wisconsin as home. In my gut I knew one day I would have to return. I just never expected it would be under these conditions.

I kept reminding myself that dad is a fighter. He's one of the strongest men I knew. But that thought didn't stop a tear from unknowingly escaping down my cheek.

After an agonizing wait, our flight number was called and we got on the plane for the 2 ½ hours flight back home.

As I sat next to Ash and gazed out the window at the tarmac an air stewardess instructed all on board to fasten our seat belts and enjoy the flight. 

My hands tightly gripped the seat as I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the head rest. I hated flying. The last time I flew was approximately ten years ago, when we came from England to the United States. I promised myself that day, that I would never fly again. I never expected to break that promise.

As the plane lifted off the ground, it rattled as if it was going to fall apart. I jumped in my seat when I felt a hand cover mines and my eyes turned to Ash beside me.

"It's going to be ok," he told me quietly. "Your dad is going to be fine."

It dawned on me that he thought that my reaction had to do with my dad, so I quickly corrected him.

"I'm afraid of flying," I admitted to him. "The last time I flew was when we came from England to the US. I promised myself then that I would never get on a plane again."

He gave me a small smile as he squeezed my hand. "That was over ten years ago. I am sure air travel has modernized since then."

'I highly doubt it,' i thought as I let out a sigh as I looked out the window. By now the plane was thousands of feet up in the air and we were surrounded by clouds. I pulled down the blinds over the window and closed my eyes.

I thought of my dad again and I could only imagine the pain he's in right now. My mind then went to my mom and Harry and I mentally urged the plane to go faster. I needed to see my dad, I needed to be there with them, for them.

I must have dosed since I was jolted awake as Ash gently shook my shoulder. I looked around confusedly, taking in the  people around me disembarking the plane, before quickly unbuckling my seat belt and got in queue to unboard.

It felt good to stand on solid ground. As I looked around I realized the airport look exactly the same as the day we first arrived in Wisconsin. We collected our bags and quickly made our way through customs since we didn't have anything to declare. As we reached the arrival gate I spotted two huge guys who stood out in a crowd gathered to welcome friends, family and love ones. They held up a sign which said Stephens and Turner. They looked familiar but I couldn't place them. As we got closer my eyes widen when their names came to me.

"Jack? Marcus? What are you two doing here?" I asked in disbelief.

"It's good to see ya too sunshine," Jack told me with a thick Scottish brogue. I noticed he had several bruises on his hands and face. My stomach dropped as I remember the reason why I came back.

"So, no greeting for me then?" Marcus asked teasingly. I tore my eyes away from Jack's bruises and looked at Marcus. I noticed he also showed signs of being in a fight and his shirt was spotted with dried blood. Both men have grown and filled out from the somewhat scrawny teenagers I remembered. I never remembered them being so friendly though while growing up. They mainly ignored me back then. I guess alpha Bradford gave them orders to be nice.