Warmth (Cheer Legacy Trilogy #1)

27.

"Take much care on journey, Miss Pippy," Oma comments, fussing around like a mother hen. "You bring enough shirt? Dress? Pants? Undies?"

"Oh my god!" I smack a hand over my eyes. "Oma, relax. I've got everything."

"Toothpaste, toothbrush, towel..." she continues like I hadn't spoken. "Phone? Phone charger?"

"Yes, Oma," I groan. I'm itching to get on the road and drive to where my heart is. Jesse doesn't want me to drive alone though, so he'd hired a car to take me to the airport. And he'll pick me up from the other side. 

The car dude has been waiting patiently while my housekeeper gives me the third degree, and I beat a hasty farewell. "Bye Oma!"

"Goodbye, Miss Pippy!" she calls back loudly. "Take much care! Bye-bye!"

"Your mom?" the driver says amiably. I look at him like he's crazy. I look nothing like Oma, but then again, there's lots of kids that don't look like their parents. 

I soften my expression. "Uh, no. She's my housekeeper."

"Ah," he chuckles. "Russian?"

I nod. "How'd you know?"

"Ah, I have plenty of Russian customers. I love their accent," he continues. 

I smile politely then pull out my phone. I start texting Jesse.

In the car! Can't wait to have my heart back.

I don't have to wait long, his reply is immediate. 

Your heart can't wait to be with you.

God, this guy is cheesy.

"What's your name?" the driver dude asks. He's nice and friendly. 

"Pippy," I tell him. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Pippy. I'm Peter," he beams at me in the rearview mirror.

By the time I reach the airport, I know that Peter is forty-six, has a third wife and seven children--not all from the same wife. Peter's half Mexican, and he loves spicy food. He thinks cheerleading is awesome when I told him I'm a cheerleader. He'd even told me all the names of his children but I promptly forget them all. 

"Thanks, Peter," I say, tugging my bags out of the trunk. He brings a luggage trolley over to me and helps me haul my bags. It's not that bad. Just one 20kg luggage and an overnight bag, and my handbag.

"No problem, Pippy. Have a safe flight!"

I tip him generously for his wonderful service and practically dash into the airport. Pretty soon, I'm up in the air, first-class.

There's a couple seated near me who look real snobbish, and their little son is a nuisance. I don't really pay attention to the other passengers and pop my handphones on. The food is great, though, and I help myself to seconds at the desert bar. 

"Ew," I hear a bitchy voice say. "That's gonna make you so fat."

I turn around and see a bitchy looking girl to go with her voice. She has dark auburn hair, looks a year or two older than me, dressed in a deep blue sheath dress. The blue reminds me of Jesse's eyes and a pang runs through me. I miss him so much, I can't wait to see him again.

There's a really good looking guy right next to her. He looks like a million dollars, all groom and poise. He's frowning at the girl and gives me an apologetic look.

I smirk and shrug. I lift up my shirt to show my midsection and pat my abs. "I think I'm good, but you take care, alright. Wouldn't want you getting fat."