Page 44 of Don't Look Down

“We watched Final Destination.” She visibly cringes at his words.

“Oh my god, Landon! No! That would do it. I didn’t step foot on a plane until I was twenty, and that scene played in my head quite a few times during takeoff. It definitely filled me with nerves that first time. Now, though, it doesn’t even bother me.”

“Lucky. I can’t seem to shut it off. My head knows it’s irrational, but I can’t fight it. If not for me Leigh would sleep through every flight. He babysits me instead.”

“And that brings us to storytime. Thanks for the perfect segue, bro. Does Sky know this part?”

Landon’s cheeks pinken, and he looks at the ceiling, shaking his head. Probably begging God for mercy. If Luc’s smirk is anything to go by, this story is going to be a doozy. “No, but he’s about to, you fucker.”

“Yup. Spence was drafted to the Bull Sharks almost five years ago. As one of the younger guys on the team, I took him under my wing. Had him sit by me on the airplane for our first away game. He decided to keep his fears to himself, and I learned about them the hard way.”

He pauses to glance at Landon and laugh. Addy and I are watching them with rapt attention. Landon seems to be hovering between embarrassment and amusement.

“Flight attendants prepare us for takeoff. I’m chill, leaning back in my seat, ready to nap, when I hear this guy wheezing and practically hyperventilating next to me. I look over and he’s gone pale. No hint of color in his face. Sweat trickling down his forehead. Terror in his eyes.”

Addy has paused eating, her arms folded and resting on the table. She’s leaning toward them. I am, too. “Then what happened?” she asks before I can.

“This fucker asked me, “You good, bro?” and I said, “Dude, have youseenFinal Destination before? We are going to die.” It was quite dramatic.”

“Stop it right now. Really?” I ask, hand covering my mouth, unsuccessfully stifling a laugh.

“Really, really.” Those fucking gorgeous greens meet my hazels and he smiles sheepishly. My laugh can’t be contained.

“This is when I swooped in to save the day.”

“Of course you did. Tell us more, Luc.” She flutters her eyes at him and he winks.

“This was the first of many times I’ve had to distract him. His breathing was too shallow. He was way too close to a panic attack.”

Landon points at Luc with his thumb. “This genius kept talking about the movie. How he can’t drive behind tractor trailers with pipes or anything that looks like a log because he wouldn't want to be skewered.”

A gasp leaves my mouth. “He didn’t!” I look over at Luc. “You didn’t!”

He nods unrepentantly. “Talk about all the other scary parts? I sure did. Then I asked him what he thought of Devon Sawa.”

Amusement fills me as understanding blooms.

Together, Landon and I say, “Devon Sawa is fucking hot.”

“Facts,” Addy chimes in.

“Fun fact, Devon Sawa was the first man I was ever attracted to,” Landon announces.

“Aww, the moment you became a baby bi.” My chin propped on my fists, elbows on the table, I bat my eyes at him.

A laugh rushes out of him. “Yeah, that. And of course, it wasn’t awkward at all. I didn’t have to hide a boner from my mom or anything. I almost died from the struggle and the terror of that damn movie combined.”

“You poor thing.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Anyways,” Luc interrupts, “you’re stealing my thunder. Back to story time. That question was the icebreaker we needed. It got him out of his head and we talked the whole time. My objective was successful. Calm the rookie and let him know he's safe with me. I didn’t care if he fucked women or men or both of them at the same time. He loves who he loves. His talent on the ice, and who he is as a person, is all I needed to know. His skills on the ice were blatantly obvious. I needed to dig deeper.”

“There he goes using his big words again.” He’s teasing, but there’s an edge. Possibly hinting at some discomfort in this particular conversation.

If looks could kill, Landon would be in trouble right now. “I’m being serious, Spence. The team knew he was bi when they signed him. Management had a sit-down with us to make sure we knew not to be assholes. Most of the guys were cool. Spencer’s reputation on the ice superseded any misgivings any of the guys may have had about his sexuality. Some kept their distance in the showers, but who wants to perv on those ugly fuckers anyway?” I raise my hand, because, duh, hockey players are hot. He cracks a smile, but continues, “But nobody outright treated him shitty. Right, bro?”

“It’s not natural when you’re this serious, Leigh, you’re making my skin crawl. I’m lucky to be on such an inclusive team.I had more trouble in college, but after I explained that if they were attractive, it was similar to appreciating a badass car. At least in my case. It looks awesome. Maybe a little sexy, but that doesn’t mean I want to fuck it.”