Page 3 of Survival

My eyes narrowed playfully even as my toes curled at the thought of all I wanted to do to my man the second I got him back here. I shoved against Tucker’s arm with my hand, pushing past him, and he chuckled, taking off down the stairs as I headed into my room for a shower.

I cursed under my breath, slamming on the brakes of Helen’s minivan in the middle of the airport parking lot to avoid being backed into by a hasty driver of a large, diesel truck. I slammed my hand against the horn, flipping theguy off even if he couldn’t see it, but he was already speeding off down the row in front of me. My patience didn’t have time for this shit today; I was wound so tightly.

I seriously needed to see Jet.

At least, now I can park, though. Get inside that much sooner.I couldn’t help the grudging positive thought as I pulled into the now vacant space. I’d wanted to get here a little early, just in case Jet’s plane was ahead of schedule, but thanks to someone blocking me in at the grocery store, Archer calling me, stressed out and begging again to come home, and then the overwhelming rush hour traffic in Houston, I was now dangerously close to being late.

I hated being late.

This was so not the day to have an Izzy moment.

Not that any of it had really been my fault, and of course, I wanted Archer to call me any time he needed to, even if it gutted me to still have to tell him no. He was where he needed to be for now, in a stable home with Tucker’s family. Because ours no longer was.The arrangement sucked, but it was good for him. What was best.God, I hope, at least.It was still hard.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts and stress aside and hopped out of the minivan, locking the doors and stuffing the keys into the pocket of my shorts along with my cell phone. I felt my other back pocket to make sure my cash and ID were still there, and after feeling the folded wad next to the small rectangular piece of plastic, I dashed across the parking lot to the airport entrance.

It felt like ages since I’d seen Jet, even though it had really only been a couple of weeks ago when I’d dragged myself out of his bed at five in the morning, snuck out ofhis window after several long desperate kisses, and then circled around to the front of the house for a last proper goodbye in front of his family. Not that I was sure we’d really fooled anyone that morning. Stef and Helen hadn’t said anything, but somehow, I got the feeling they knew.

They’d been the most supportive since everything had gone down a few months ago.

Well, that wasn’t fair. Tucker’s parents had been amazing as well, taking Archer in and giving him one of their spare rooms upstairs while everything else had just been too overwhelming. Guilt ate at me to do it, but between Izzy still healing and Mom…

I swallowed at the memory, my throat instantly growing tight.

It was best at the time. It still was.I think.

With guilt trying to check its way in again, I vigorously shook my head, darting between the loading and unloading cars to head inside.

I neededoutsidemy thoughts.

IneededJet.

Just a few more minutes.Only a few more until I’d be with my rock again.

Heading straight for the boards that showed the flight arrival and departure times, my heart sank to my stomach, aggravation and disappointment weaving through me. His flight was late.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up which baggage claim that particular flight’s bags would be sent to and made my way down the corridors, reaching the area before I knew it. The thought of waiting felt like torture, but with nothing I could do about it, I took a seat on one ofthe benches to wait, my foot already starting to tap with impatience.Needingtime to go faster.

I distracted myself the best that I could, reading all of the signs, counting the number of stitches along the toe of my left sneaker, comparing it to the number on the right. People watching everyone that passed by. My eyes lingered for a few minutes on a man in flaming red, skin-tight, leather pants and a white designer looking shirt that was plastered to his upper body. Not my style at all, but good on him for owning who he was.

My foot tapped harder against the ground, my nerves bundling tighter. It had only been twelve minutes, and I was going crazy. I bit down on my lip, starting to wish I’d just been late getting here after all. At least, then I wouldn’t be sitting here in some kind of idle torture from hell.Though, you’d think I’d be used to it, growing up with Izzy and all.

I wondered how she was doing. We’d barely seen each other the past couple of days, and when I’d left for the airport, she’d been shut in her studio, the music blaring. Did it drown out her demons any better than running did mine?

I pulled out my phone, bringing up my sister’s name, but my fingers just hovered over the screen, not entirely sure what to say. There was so much I wanted to but couldn’t.

Me: I hope you’re okay.

A ding caught my attention, and I looked up as the board above the belt to my left lit up with Jet’s flight number scrolling across the screen. I jumped to my feet, my stomach flipping in excitement. He had no idea how much I needed to see him. Hear him. To jump into hisembrace and feel his sturdy arms wrap around me as I buried my face into his neck…

Oh, my God.Just the thought of it had me pacing with anticipation now, my eyes scanning the crowd, searching for the well built, sexy as hell frame of my Greek boyfriend.

It only took a minute for me to spot him.

“Jet!” I cried out, my heart leaping with joy in my chest as I bolted towards him. Those vivid, ocean blue eyes I’d loved since I was thirteen locked with mine, and a broad smile stretched across his face. He took the few strides that brought him to me and dropped his bag as I jumped, my legs wrapping around his waist as his arms came around mine. I buried my face into his neck, breathing him in, the scent of ocean and spice filling my senses. The way he smelled when he hadn’t been in a garage. My chest started to shake, tears leaking from my eyes. It felt so good to be in his arms.

“Hey, hey, sweetheart. What’s wrong?” Jet pressed a kiss to my head, but all I could do was shake it. Overwhelmed. “Annie…” he urged, his tone soothing and gentle, yet concerned.

I forced myself to swallow and gain composure, then sucked in a ragged breath, lifting my head enough to say in his ear, “Nothing. I’m just so glad you’rehome.”