Forsaken

Away from the crowd.

'Welcome to Oregon International, the time is...'

I unclenched my fingers from the armrests and looked at Aaron who seemed at ease with the flight.

"You okay?" He asked rubbing my thigh. I nodded in response and looked out the window seeing the runway and tarmac as well as planes awaiting their passengers.

"Hey, don't worry. It's the safest place I know." He whispered.

"Besides your house?" I asked.

"Besides my house." He confirmed.

In a panic earlier, I had convinced Aaron to come away with me. Only I had no idea where so I put complete trust in him to take me out of Vegas. I felt bad for leaving in such an abrupt way but I think Alec understood, deep down I knew he understood.

"Oregon, nothing like Vegas but it certainly feels like home." Aaron answered looking out the window as the plane began getting into position near the terminals.

"You used to live here? Right?"

Aaron nodded "Yeah in Portland Oregon, it's not far from here."

"Hey uh, if you wanted to go and visit your mom whilst we are here, I'm totally down for just chilling at the hotel.." I replied.

"Hotel? Why would I leave you at the hotel? I want you to meet my mom." He explained making me blink.

"Like this? Aaron, first impressions babe..." I reminded him.

"Lucky for you, with a son like me.. My mom is pretty understanding, that and I kind of told her we needed to get out of town for a couple days. She more or less demanded I bring you for dinner."

"Oh." I nodded.

"Don't sweat it. I explained everything."

"Great, so she probably thinks I'm a troublemaker." I grumbled.

"Not at all.." He replied before standing up. "Come on, let's beat the rush."

Taking a small breath, I stood up with him and filtered into the line to get off the plane. As with any airport, it was packed with people. But thankfully everyone was desperate to get to their final destinations and didn't care for a battered woman hurrying behind a gentle giant.

We collected our bags and made our way outside when I had a mental lapse. "Aaron we didn't book a taxi." I sighed.

The queue alone was ridiculous which meant we were in for a long wait.

"Taxi? Why would I pay for that when I've got a hire car?" He asked taking my holdall.

"You have? When did you order that?" I questioned following beside him quickly. His long legs meant a short thing like me had to almost run.

"I used the planes Wi-Fi. I did tell you." He paused looking down at me with concern. "I hope being here helps you Lu.."

I nodded "It will.... I hope." I answered continuing on with him.

****

The rest of it went in a blur, so consumed in my own misery and thinking of what could of happened, I didn't realise we were in the hotel room until Aaron shut the door making me jump.

"Hey.. Come here." He whispered pulling me into a hug.  I melted into his arms relieved that we were out of Vegas and we had put a few hours between myself and Mark.

"Thank you.."

"Don't mention it. Let me look at you." He whispered pulling me back to see my face.