Xandry

XANDRY

“Tell me again why should I come with you?” I asked my cousin, Pyke one more time as he pulled his car to a halt at the private airport and directly onto the tarmac. If he didn’t barge into my apartment and pick me up by himself I didn’t have a plan on going with them because I was still far from ready to face Camila again. Besides, I sent him a message that I couldn’t make it, but Pyke is Pyke—he didn’t buy my excuse.

“Have you not apologized?” he asked back, grabbing my dark brown leather duffel bag from the backseat of his car while I ambled defeated at his back.

“I did, but—”

He stood up, closed the door a little bit with force, sighed, and gave me a sympathetic looked. “Xandry, she forgave you, and don’t beat yourself up. Camila has the kindest heart on the planet, and whether you like it or not you’re still coming with me. End of discussion.” Pyke hastened to the jet waiting for us.

“I know, but they’re not my family, and I’m not comfortable around them.” Or maybe I am, but the guilt is overpowering me.

He stopped, turned to face me, and smirked. “Really? And where are you comfortable with?”

I smirked back. “In between women, tits, pussies, and asses. Should I go on?”

“Behave there, asshole. You will not stick your dick around anyone who has a hole. Don’t put us in trouble again, Xandry. I mean it.” He turned and climbed up the airstair of the jet with HugKingWill printed in red—it would be too long to write the Hughes, King, and Williams.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Williams!” The flight attendant not older than I gestured her hand to the aisle. I’d traveled by this jet more than I could count since Williams merged its forty-five percent share to the Hughes and King industries two years ago. Dad had a restaurant business with Uncle Hawk as well.

Speaking of the attendant, she was cute with cat-like eyes, but I promised Pyke to behave and not create troubles, so I just gave a polite smile and muttered thank you.

I sauntered to the massive lounge area where everyone was already sitting in the long elegant cream leather seats on both sides. A muted flat-screen, flashing foreign exchange rates mounted on the glossy cherry wood veneer wall. A single red tulip on white porcelain slim vase and a laptop on top of the dark red glossy square table.

Camila was already sitting on Pyke’s lap and kissing his head like they had not seen for over a year. Kyland Wright, Pyke’s bar manager, and his close friend was lying on the long comfort sofa.

Camila shifted her gaze in my direction, eyes glowing with warm fuzzies. “Oh, hey, Xandry! Thought you ran away,” she said with a laugh, stood up, and walked toward me.

My brow slowly cocked when Camila grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the lounge. I forced myself to follow her to the two-row seats where we were going to settle throughout the flight.

“Guys, let’s go to the seat and buckle up. We’re taking off in a few minutes,” Pyke announced.

The captain’s voice echoed overhead simultaneously, announcing the jet would take off in thirty minutes.

“Thank you for coming, Xandry!” Camila smiled genuinely, taking a seat beside Pyke across mine.

legs on the wide space

ass out of your apartment, will

shrugged and replied, “I sent him a message that

mean

Camila scolded.

“You’re forgiven, man!” Kyland yelled.

apologized.” She

bet on

at Kyland’s remark.

The moment we were

at her cousin. Kyland wanted to say something but shut

If someone did that to Saphoera, I’d gone ballistic and choked him to

me that I couldn’t quite put my finger on by how Kyland apologized to her and how Pyke

Jealousy?

the thickness forming in my throat. Throughout my teenage and adulthood, I never experienced a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. It was my choice. One time, I saw Saphoera crying because of a guy she had a crush on asked her friend for a date instead of her— she cried all night. It

nosy of my personal business and bitchy most of the time, I knew what she was doing was for my own good.

in searing agony when she ignored me for a month after she found out what I did to Camila and my best friend--the

fiancee, Bianca. According to Pyke, Kyland’s mom and Bianca arrived yesterday. I drew the shield down to block

death for two days—no hot woman, no club noises, and only the neighing of horses or maybe a rooster crowing to wake me up in the morning—no warm thighs, perky

***

my shoulder woke up straight into the unfamiliar surrounding. The humming of the pressurized cabin pulled me back out of my silent

in a few minutes. You might wanna freshen up.” Camila settled back to

shook my head and rubbed my

are you

My eyebrow

one, Xandry. Just saw you know, I was glad that you made a bet with Pyke, not that I’m saying what you did was right, but I didn’t have the courage to

again, the confrontation that I always hated. I breathed

your

you know I love that car. It was Saph’s

Camila laughed again. “Sorry, Saph must be angry

me for a month. Not because of the car though, but for what I did to you.” I pursed my lips, holding my smile.

to you, Xandry.

it back, Cam. That was meant to be yours. I’ll just buy a new one

close to your twin.”

or we’re twins but I can feel if she’s happy or hurt. I know it sounds crazy, it’s just… I love Saph so much and I don’t think I’d survive if something would happen to her. And I will do everything for her.” And I can’t let her feel when