The Pilot And The Dreamer

Chapter 5

"Shit Hazel!" The voice says, grunting and I turn around horrified to see that I just stomped on Noah's foot.

"Damnit, I'm so sorry!" I exclaim, leading him to an empty chair and setting him down. He looks up at me and starts laughing, making me wonder if this man is crazy. "Why are you laughing?"

"I never pegged you to have some power, but you sure can kick some ass." He says and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"I'm truly sorry though. My mom practically forced me not to take self-defense classes, saying that no lady should not go anywhere without a man." He looks at me, his gray eyes storming just as they begin boarding passengers for the plane that we deboarded. He stands up, holding his hand out.

"I have heard so much about your mom and to be honest, I'm intrigued." I stand up myself, looking at him and he has about ten inches on my 5 foot 6 height, so that puts me just below his shoulder.

"We barely just met, yet you already want to meet my mom?" I say with a smile and he chuckles.

"I don't fly again for another couple days, so if you're willing." I turn to face Natalie and she has the biggest smile on her face, most likely knowing what we talked about. I turn back to Noah and nod my head.

"Let's hope you're ready." I smile, walking towards Natalie with Noah in tow. I grab my things and Natalie grabs me by the arm and we walk towards the doors, the two guys following behind us.

"He forgave you for assaulting his foot?" She whispers and I chuckle.

"Yep." I say and then frown, realizing I just told a lie to Noah on the real reason why I took self-defense classes. I look for the ladies' restroom and turn to face the guys. "Would you guys mind watching our stuff, we'll be right back." I say, dragging Natalie inside while the guys are left wondering what just happened. I listen to find that we're the only people in the restroom and turn to face Natalie and she has a curious look on her face.

"Hazel? What's wrong?"

"I just lied to Noah." I say, leaning up against the sinks.

"What happened?"

"I told him that my mother didn't believe in me taking self-defense classes, but the true reason," I feel myself tear up and she puts an arm around my shoulders, "Logan abused me, not just mentally and verbally, but physically." I say, feeling my shoulders start to shake. I try to stay quiet knowing that the guys are outside, but I lean my head on Natalie's shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay. You told him it was a complicated relationship, so he does not need to know what happened, unless you want him to know." She whispers and I nod, sniffling. "You are the damn strongest person I have met. If Noah is meant to be in your life, you bet your ass that it will happen." She says, looking into my eyes. I nod and turn to face the mirror and look like a complete zombie. Nat grabs some paper towels, rinses it with water and then I remove the tear and mascara streaks from my face. It looks a little better but Peter can see right through the act. She digs through my purse for my sunglasses and hands them to me. "Put these on. I will do the talking with your mom if you are not feeling up to it." I nod and put them on.

"Nat, I don't know what I would do without you." I say, giving her a hug.

"Me too. Come on, let's go before the guys call security on us." I chuckle and she loops her arm through mine, leading me out and the guys are standing, chatting. They stop when they see us and from Peter changing his posture, I assume he wants to know what happened, but Natalie gives him a knowing signal and he relaxes. He's gonna wanna know and I don't think I'm ready to tell him the extent of the truth. Noah however, I can feel his gaze on me, but we walk out and head over to the rental place. We stand outside while Peter goes inside to fill out the paperwork.

"Hazel?" Damnit, his British accent is slowly breaking my resolve, but I have to stand firm. Natalie puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Noah, she will tell you when she's ready." Natalie says, and Noah must have backed off so I whisper to her.

"I feel terrible."

"Hey, You're being smart. You don't wanna get hurt again so you're playing your cards carefully." She says just as Peter comes out with keys to the car and we walk towards it. We stop in front of a Mitsubishi Outlander and right away, I fell in love it with it. Peter opens up the back so we can put our stuff inside and head to our spots. Noah has the door open for me and I look up at him to see his gray eyes, trying to figure me out, but I smile and nod, getting inside as he shuts the door. Everyone gets inside and Natalie is beside me, holding my hand.

"Hazel, what is your parent's address?" I sigh and relax.

"54 Cantaloupe Ave, but want me to drive?" I can tell that Peter wants to drive, but he nods and we switch places. I get in the driver seat and adjust everything before realizing that Noah is in the passenger seat. I look up in the mirror and Natalie is looking back at me. She touches her pointer finger to the side of her nose and I reply with the same signal. "Shotgun picks the station." I say with a smile, even though I'm hurting inside. Noah changes the station to a country station and I pull the car out and head to my parents' house.