Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

I set my jaw. “I’m good.” No, I’m not.

Miranda continues to study me for a moment but then gives up and relaxes back in her seat.

The pre-flights are done within the next half hour, and the whole time, I stare out the windows, wishing that I could change things. When the plane jolts, signifying that it’s moving, I grip the armrest as it begins to taxi.

Just as the plane turns onto the runway, I’m hit by a surge of adrenaline, my entire trip flashing before my eyes. Image after image coalesces before me, all of my special moments with Brianna. Her smile. Her touch. Her sweet, innocent laughter.

And in that moment, Leslie’s words come back to haunt me.

Don't be like me and miss out on the best thing in your life.

Suddenly, my career as a sports star doesn't seem as important anymore.

“Stop the plane!” I yell, drawing the attention of the flight attendant.

“What the fuck?” Miranda cries in alarm as I rise out of my seat. “Gavin?”

I ignore her and yell again. “Turn the plane around. I have to get off!”

“Stop it!” Miranda commands, trying to grab at me. I swat her hand away.

“Sir,” the flight attendant says, coming up to me. “We’re about to take off. We can’t just stop the plane on a whim.”

“You can,” I growl. “This is an emergency!”

The attendant frowns at me, disturbed by my frantic state. “What kind of emergency?”

I grab my carry-on and begin moving toward the exit. I don’t give a fuck what this flight attendant, Miranda, the pilot, or what anyone else says. I don't even give a damn if I have to parachute out of this motherfucker. I’m getting off this fucking plane one way or the other.

“Love,” I throw over my shoulder.Brianna

I draw a line of lip gloss on as I look at myself in the mirror, but I don’t really care that much. Once again, it’s time to go to fucking work. I really wanted to take the day off, but at least it’ll keep my body and my mind busy.

My heart skips a beat as a pain lances my chest. It hurts to think about it.

Gavin’s gone. Forever.

A deep sigh escapes my lips as I stare at my reflection. My eyes are puffy and bloodshot from crying all night. I suspect I’ll go through many more days like this until I’m all cried out. But right now, I need to be strong and go to work.

I get my things, leave my apartment, and get in my car. As I start the engine, the radio comes on, but I quickly turn it off. I know the news will just be gossiping about Gavin and his departure. And I don’t want to hear that right now.

As I traverse block after block, I find it difficult to concentrate, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I told myself I wouldn’t do this this morning. But it’s damn near impossible. I grip the steering wheel tightly, trying to focus on the road, taking deep, calming breaths.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, I chant.

I get a couple of blocks from the hotel when my car begins making a chugging noise, stuttering violently before finally dying and rolling to a stop in the middle of the street. “The hell?”

Trying to remain calm, I put my foot hard on the gas and turn the key. I get the motor to turn over, but it keeps sputtering, and I’m only barely able to pull over to the side of the road.

I hear someone honk their horn several times, and a lady yells out her window as she passes by, “Learn how to drive!”

I ignore the bitch and the surge of anger that goes through my chest, giving the gas everything I have with violent kicks.

Click. Click. Click.

Only dead silence now.

I shake my head, panic gripping me as I glance at the time. I only have ten minutes to clock in or I’m going to be late. Grabbing my cell, I dial the office but then stop. I can’t exactly call in sick at this point. No matter what I say, Vandenburgh isn’t going to care.

I imagine he has my slip written up already.

“God damn it!” I yell, hitting the steering wheel with my fists, blaring the horn. The sound causes a lady stepping out in front of my car to jump in alarm and look my way. When she sees me, she averts her gaze and scurries off. Yes, I know I must look like a mad, pissed off bitch. Because I am. I’m hurt and fucking fed up.

I get out of the car and take in my surroundings, not sure what I should do. There are several shops nearby, but I know no one is gonna be able to help me get my car up and running in time.

A heavy feeling settles on my chest as I consider my dwindling options. I can either call for help or just not go into work. For help, Mindy immediately pops in mind, but I quickly discard the idea. There’s no way I’m making her leave her shift on my behalf. It will only end up getting us both in trouble.

And if I don’t go into work, I’m as good as fired.

Shading my eyes, I peer down the street. I can see the hotel in the distance, just maybe a mile away. In my car, it would have taken me fewer than two minutes. But now . . .

I sigh, my body already aching as I realize there’s only one thing left to do.

Run.

* * *

My ribs ache, my lungs burn, and my ass feels like it was dipped in gasoline and set on fire when I stagger through the front door of the Waterway twelve minutes later, covered in sweat. My heart pounding, I’m praying that my watch is slow, but when I clock in, I see that I’m two minutes late. Thankfully, there’s no