Come a Little Closer ((Completed))

Chapter 26

Florida is such a beautiful place. The sun is warm and the beaches are perfect.

California is just like Florida in many ways. But Florida is different. It's peaceful here. And Max isn't here.

It should be perfect. But now I have stitches that I need to hide from everyone. I don't know what Greg meant, but I know it wasn't good. I can't tell anyone or else Max could end up hurt. I'm afraid for my family too. I don't know Greg, but after last night I'm convinced Max was right all along about the shooting.

I don't know how I can pull this off when is hurts to move. Jai will see right past my lies. Piper will question me.

I look up getting frustrated and slap my hands onto my legs. All these thoughts are giving me anxiety. I shouldn't have left my family.

I should have stayed home. Even though this will be best for all of us.

Max more then the rest of us.

I close my eyes and try to push the memories of the other night away.

When I open my eyes again, everyone is leaving the plane. I in hale and stand up grabbing my bag, sending a shooting pain through my side.

What is Max into?! What did I get myself into?

I think and walk out of the plane.

"Aurora!" Jai yells and runs up to me, his arms wide open.

I held my hand up and told him to be careful.

"What?" He laughed.

I had to think of a quick response. "My back is really sore from the plane ride. Also I'm a bit jet legged."

He laughed and more carefully hugged me. "I missed you!" He said.

"Yeah, I missed you too." It feels so good to be back with Jai. Growing up he was my rock. I couldn't have lasted with just my mom and Layla.

"Well this is my friend..." He said and moved to the side.

"Oh, hello." I said to Jai's tall nameless friend.

"Hey, I'm Jaxson." He smiled, and shook my hand. His eyes were electric blue and his hair was dirty blonde. His hand shake was strong and you could tell he grew up a good guy.

"I'm Rory." I told him.

We just looked at each other smiling until Jai waved his hand in front of our faces. "Okay. Now is not time to eye fu--"

"There is my girl!" Piper said and hugged me. I swear she could have popped my stitches she hugged me so hard.

"Ow.." I said..

"What? What happened?" She asked.

"The ride was tough on my back..I'm a little sore." I said and looked at Jai.

"Alright, well let's get home." She said and put her arm on my shoulders guiding me to her car.

--

Later that night after I got settled, Jai amd Jaxson dragged me to the beach. There is something about Florida waters that puts California to shame. I've never been able to decide what though.

"Since when do you ever wear a shirt to the beach?" Jai asked.

"I just recently started." I said. "I gained death weight."

He studied my face for the hundredth time today. He knew I was milking my story about the plane. I knew he would.

"Riiiight." He said.