Lost in Flight (55 page)

“Bonnie was so mad with me,” she said, making Riley laugh harder.  “Aagh, but I didn’t care.  I started walking – running actually – from the nightclub to your house.”  Riley laughed so hard his shoulders were shaking and he was clutching his stomach.  “Oh, it gets worse.  Mandy and Bonnie chased me with bikers, and tackled me.” 

“Stop it,” he wheezed, “stop it.”

Christina grinned and giggled.  “I kicked one of the bikers in the leg and he sat on me until Bonnie, and Mandy could get me in the car.” 

“That explains it,” Riley chuckled, “man, you were a sight.  You were covered in grass and dirt.  I thought you’d been wrestling with someone.”

She laughed and pushed Riley back on the bed, snuggling into him with her arm around his waist.  He folded her into his arms and she lay with her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.  “I didn’t think I deserved another chance with you.” 

Riley kissed the top of her hair.  “Yes – you do. 
We
both do.  Neither of us have been angels in this, Dina.” 

“My life hasn’t been, um, as exciting as yours,” she said and felt him laugh.  “I studied and worked.  Then… I worked some more.  I didn’t travel like we always said we would.  I’ve left the country exactly three times, all arranged around work.  I’m really good at my job though, but I didn’t have much time for anything else.”

“I’ve run from all other relationships” and when she felt Riley freeze, she hugged him tighter.  “If it didn’t work with you, it wasn’t going to work with anyone.  It’s not that I didn’t want to get married again,” she said with a straight face, “I thought maybe Denzel Washington would turn up and then I held out for Channing Tatum, but funnily enough, that didn’t happen.” 

Riley laughed.  “Oh you did, did you?”  And then he tickled Christina until she had to go to the bathroom.

When she came back he was sitting up on the bed with his back resting against the heard board and legs bent at the knees.  It reminded her of all the times they’d done this when they were teenagers.  They’d spent hours talking, listening to music, making out, and getting interrupted by her family. 

Not a lot had changed and yet everything had.  They were adults now and how their relationship developed from here would be framed as grown-ups, not hot headed, insecure teenagers.  Christina snuggled up to him and he rolled over, wrapping his arm around her waist. 

She smiled.  There were some things that didn’t need explaining between them.  They knew what the other one needed. 

Christina said to him, “I don’t know how this works, Riley, but my life is better with you in it than when you’re gone.  You were right about that.  I did some terrible things to you, but I thought if I didn’t leave at the time I was going to die.  I didn’t die, but I didn’t live much either.”

She felt Riley smile into her hair and he kissed the top of her head.  She closed her eyes and breathed him in.  “Dina, the tattoo, I’ve always viewed it as a source of strength and inspiration, not weakness.”

Christina put her finger to his lips.  “Um, I’m not a massive fan of tattoos or tongue piercings, but I did like your hair longer and when you used to wear it up.  I loved your freckles.  I used to count them.  I guess I’ll have to get used to the changes and tracing the loops, and spirals of your artwork.”

He rolled over and stared at her.  “You did – did you?  Well I might have to grow my hair longer, but the piercing stays.”  He waggled his eyebrows at her.  “It has other - benefits.”

Christina laughed and then went red.  Yes it did.  The memories made her cover her face with her hands, but he said, “Uh-uh” and they wrestled, which turned into kissing.  “I’ll move to D.C. if you want me to,” but she stopped him and shook her head. 

Riley’s eyebrows disappeared into his hair, but she smiled.  “Compromise.  I’ve got things I have to take care of back in D.C., but if you were prepared to do a long distance relationship until I’m done, I’ll move to Seattle to make this work.  It’ll probably take me six months to get everything cleared away, but after that… if you want me to, I’ll come to Seattle.”

“Works for me,” said Riley, “I’ve got some things I have to do as well, Dina.  I’ve got projects to finish and one of them I’m late on.  I go off grid for a few months over winter, but we can keep in touch and meet up.” 

Christina liked the sound of that.  She laughed and then started crying, and then laughed again.  Riley hugged her tighter.  “Shhh, baby.  It’s okay.  Whatever happens?  You know.  Let’s do this.  Let’s try.  I’d regret it, if we didn’t.”

“And if it doesn’t work out?” Christina whispered.

“Then we’ll know,” he said, “but at least we’ll have tried.” 

Christina nodded and kissed him on the lips.  “I love Seattle, baby.  I’ve enjoyed it there so much, even with all the drama that’s been going on, but I still hate it here,” she laughed.  “I don’t mind visiting every now and again, but I couldn’t stay here for much longer.  This place – it drives me crazy.  I worry that if I had to stay here any longer it’d affect my mental health - permanently.” 

Riley sat up with a strange look on his face and changed the subject.  “You hungry?  I am.  Let’s go get burgers.  You get ready and I’ll meet you downstairs.” 

He exited the bedroom as fast as he could. 
Strange
, thought Christina, but didn’t give it much thought.  She threw on some jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater and jacket with some of Riley’s sexy knickers underneath. 

When she went downstairs, Gabby clapped and said, “Bout time.” 

“Shut up short-stuff,” quipped Christina with a grin. 

“Hey – I’m not short,” retorted Gabby, “I’m concentrated awesome.” 

Christina grabbed Riley’s hand and started dragging him to the front door.  Her “We’re going for burgers” was met by “Hey, wait up.  We’ll come too,” but Christina pretended she hadn’t heard them.  As soon as they made it down the front steps, Riley and Christina ran. 

********************

Riley had brought his old, red pickup truck and when she saw it she stared at him with a huge smile on her face.  He’d done it up and given it a new lease of life.  She ran her hands down the side of it like it was an old friend: an old friend that had had a whole heap of plastic surgery. 

He grinned and winked at her.  “Still not driving it, babe,” which made her pout.

They arrived at the bar-grill, which was right beside the Bikers’ bar, the Hub & Spoke, and opposite the nightclub.  It amused Christina because it was like her time in Shanwick had almost come full circle.  She’d found her way back to Riley from this place – even though it had been a strange and torturous route.

Riley opened the truck door for her and slung his arm over her shoulder when she got out.  She placed her arm around his waist and they walked into the bar-grill to the stares of a few Shanwick residents.  They found a booth and sat opposite each other playing footsies under the table. 

Christina hadn’t realized how hungry she was and ordered the double cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate malt.  Riley ordered a double bacon hamburger, fries, steak meal, and beer.  She raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged.  “With you around, I need my sustenance and by the way, you can help me finish it.  You could use an extra ten pounds.” 

She started to protest, but he leaned across the table and kissed her, shutting her up.  Christina and Riley were holding hands and kissing when they heard.  “Ahem.” 

Looking up, Christina gazed into the face of a chunky biker who was dark haired, in his mid-thirties and had arms the size of tree trunks.  Her mouth opened in surprise when the biker asked.  “Are you shoe girl?” 

Christina blinked and then went bright red, making Riley laugh.  “Agh, yes I am,” she smiled.  She’d been called much worse in this town.  ‘Shoe girl’ was almost polite and a term of endearment.

The other biker – who was about her age, tall and skinny, with a blonde ponytail  - pointed at Riley and asked her.  “Is this your man?”  When she nodded, he grinned.  “You took my advice then?  Good girl.”

Biker 2 tapped Biker 1 on the arm and looked at Christina.  “See Bones – never fails.” 

The bikers introduced themselves to Riley with a: “I’m Bones” (Biker 1) and “I’m Tommy” (Biker 2).  The men shook hands and passed the time talking about the mutual people they knew in Shanwick, cars, bikes, and all manner of things Christina switched off to.   As the bikers were leaving, Christina said, “I’m not sure which one of you I kicked the other night, but I’m really sorry.  You were really sweet and thank you so much for helping me.” 

Both the bikers laughed and waved her comments away.  “I’ve been hit worse,” said Bones. 

“Yeah.  Me too,” agreed Tommy, “Don’t you worry about it.”  They waved and left, heading toward the bar. 

Riley waited until they were out of earshot and looked at Christina, shaking his head.  “You took relationship advice from bikers?” 

She shrugged and grinned.  “No.  I took
seduction
advice from bikers and clearly, it was good.  It worked on you.”

Riley laughed.  “You are unbelievable, Dina.  The shit that happens to you – it’s like you’re a magnet for everything weird.” 

Christina gave him a pointed look and raised her eyebrow.  Riley nudged her with his foot under the table and grabbed her hand.  “Only in this town, baby,” Christina said.  “My life elsewhere has been quite sedate until you get involved in it.”  Looking at him with a smirk on her face, Christina said, “You sure about this, Riley?  We drive each other crazy sometimes, we’re going to fight and life will be tumultuous.” 

He nodded.  “Sure.  Then we fuck like rabbits and no one makes me laugh the way you do.” 

She laughed.  “Maybe we should draw up a code of conduct?” 

Riley sat forward in interest.  “I’m pretty good at negotiations and contracts these days.  I’m in.”  They were still laughing when her ever increasing family appeared in the bar and grill.  Riley and Christina looked at each other.  They’d had half an hour alone. 

Her family looked like some kind of mad menagerie of circus people with the tattoos, wheelchair, and the beautiful LiLi.  Andy James was pushing Gabby in her wheelchair, bouncing on the balls of his feet, like he was the Energizer Bunny.  Johnny was standing in the doorway with his arms folded and a lopsided smile on his face, totally unaware of his surroundings.  Dad was so engrossed in a conversation with Tessa, he hadn’t realized Johnny was blocking the doorway and knocked straight into him, sparking an argument. 

Every eye in the place was glued to LiLi who even in casual clothing had an unearthly beauty.  Gabby pretended they were looking at her and waved at them like she was royalty.  Christina groaned and rolled her eyes, trying to hide her face behind a menu. 

“Speaking of weird,” she said, “my family have arrived.  Hide!  Hide!”  Riley looked at her and squeezed his eyes shut trying not to laugh.

Johnny spotted them and came over trying to sit in their booth, but Christina blocked him.  “Move over,” Johnny snapped. 

“No,” snarled Christina, “go find somewhere else.  We want some time to ourselves.” 

“Well, too bad,” said Johnny, “move over.”  When she wouldn’t budge, Johnny sat on her and they started wrestling, pushing, and shoving each other like they did when they were children.  Christina got her foot on Johnny’s hip and pushed him out of the booth, making him land on the floor with a thud. 

She shouted, “Dina, for the win!” with her arms pumped over her head. 

Johnny jumped up shouting, “Cheater” and trying to start round two.  Gabby and Andy were watching, and laughing their heads off.  Tessa looked embarrassed and LiLi frightened. 
Yes sweetheart
, Riley thought.  Get used to it because this is what you’re marrying into.

Jack Martin came over shouting, “Oh, for
god sake
you two, cut it out.  I can’t take you anywhere.” 

“Second time to apologize,” Johnny and Christina said in unison.  Brother and sister looked at each other, pointing fingers.  “NICE” they grinned at each other and laughed.

Riley watched all this with a smile on his face.  He’d had his chance to get out, but he wouldn’t swap any of it for the world.  He looked at Christina who was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. 
There’s my girl
, he thought, and when her eyes met his, his smile stretched wide across his face.  He was home.  They were home.

Epilogue:  Christina, D.C., The Present, Monday 22 October 2012

There was a reason Christina was suspicious of happiness because whenever she threw caution to wind, it came back to bite her in the face.  Christina had been back in D.C. for less than a week when everything changed and not for better.  At first, Christina couldn’t believe how happy she was.  In retrospect, she realized that was a mistake. 

Christina and Riley kept in contact every day, sending texts, ringing each other or calling via Skype.  She took three pregnancy tests and even had a blood test to confirm what she already knew:  she wasn’t pregnant.  They’d both been disappointed, but agreed that it was too soon in their rekindled relationship to make plans for a baby.  If things worked out between them, however, a baby was definitely in their future. 

The one area that Christina had reservations about was work.  She knew things were difficult for Bindmans at the moment, and she wanted to relocate to Seattle, but feared she would take clients from the firm.  Dad, Johnny, the band, and Riley would all move their business to wherever she went.  Christina hoped she could come up with some compromise, but couldn’t see any way out of it.  She had to leave Bindmans to be with Riley and they would follow her. 

Christina heard her phone and opened a text from Riley with a grin on her face.  Riley was leaving today and going off-grid.  She was going to miss him, but he told her he would check in with her once a week. 

They’d lasted nearly five years without each other.  They could do this, but she already missed him so badly.  She’d brought some of his t-shirts back to D.C. with her to sleep in, but it was no compensation for the real thing.  The real thing, sending her dirty texts right now!