Collin

  “Yeah, I have them right here,” she said as she handed me the drawings.

  I rolled them up, walked over to her, and gave her a kiss on the head. “I hope you feel better, sis.”

  “Thanks, Collin.” She smiled.

  I tucked the designs under my arm as I left her office. I tried to do a 180 when I saw my dad walking towards me.

  “Stop right there, son.”

  I took in a deep breath as I slowly turned around. “Yes, Dad.”

  “You can go home now.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. After you drop off these plans at the Chicago office.” He smiled. “The plane is waiting for you.”

  “Haha. You’re funny, Dad.” I laughed.

  “Sorry, son, but this is no joke.”

  “You can overnight them. They’ll get there by tomorrow morning,” I said.

  “I could. But I want them there today.” He smirked.

  I shook my head as I grabbed the file from him and walked away in a huff.

  ****

  I was upstairs, packing a light bag when my mom knocked on the door.

  “Come in, Mom.”

  “So, your dad’s sending you to Chicago.”

  “Yep. He sure is.” I sighed. “He knows I’m not feeling well today and he doesn’t care.”

  “You know that’s not true, Collin. Do you want me to go with you?” she asked.

  “No. I’m a big boy, Mom. I can go to Chicago by myself.”

  She put her hand on my cheek. “You’ll always be my little boy, no matter how old you are.” She smiled.

  I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I know I will. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too. Text me when you land and don’t argue with me about it.”

  I sighed and then I flashed her a smile. “I’ll do better than text you. I’ll call you.”

  Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket and saw it was my dad calling.

  “Hello,” I answered unwillingly.

  “Change of plans, Collin. You’ll be flying commercial because something’s wrong with the plane and the mechanic needs to look at it.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Do I sound like I’m kidding, son?”

  I stood there, shaking my head in disbelief over this whole thing. “Your flight leaves in two hours. I suggest you get to the airport quickly. Your ticket is already waiting for you.”

  I could hear him loving every minute of this. He was going to make me pay one way or another for bringing that girl home. “Fine, I’m leaving now. By the way, when are you hiring the new driver?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll talk to you later,” he said as he hung up.

  I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. “Now I’m flying commercial because something’s wrong with the plane,” I said to my mom as I headed towards the elevator.

  “You’ll be fine, sweetheart. Have a good flight,” she said as she kissed my cheek.

  I rolled my eyes and took the elevator down to the parking garage. I climbed in my Range Rover and drove to the airport. As I valet parked, I grabbed my bag from the back seat and ran to the ticket counter. My flight was leaving soon and I still had to get to my gate.

  “Can I help you?” the girl behind the counter asked with a wide smile.

  “I’m Collin Black, and there’s a ticket waiting for me for a flight to Chicago.”

  “I’ll need to see some I.D., Mr. Black.”

  She was hot and she was licking her plump lips. I stood there and stared at her mouth, imagining it wrapped around my cock. She keyed some information into the computer and handed me my ticket with a folded piece of paper. I opened it up and it was her phone number. I looked at her and smiled.

  “Maybe you can give me a call when you come back to New York,” she said innocently.

  “I think I will.” I nodded as I stared at her and started to walk away.

  I checked my ticket and what the fuck! I’m flying economy class! Are you fucking kidding me?

  As I headed to my gate, I pulled my phone from my pocket and noticed there was a text message from my dad.

  “I forgot to tell you that first class and business class were all booked up. Enjoy your flight in economy, son.”

  I wasn’t even going to respond because he did it on purpose. Jesus, he was really making me pay. I arrived at my gate and walked up to the counter. I flashed my smile and asked the girl if there was any way to upgrade to first class. She looked at her computer and shook her head.

  “No, I’m sorry, but first class is full and so is business class. You made it just in time. We’re starting to board.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed as I picked up my bag from the floor and stood in the long line with the rest of the people waiting to board the plane. I was getting so drunk tonight. I wondered if Ellie was going to be around. I found my seat and squeezed in. At least it was a window seat. This was total bullshit that I had to fly like this. Maybe I’d get lucky and some hot chick would be in the seat next to me. WRONG. It was some snot nose kid who sounded like he was going to hack up a lung.

  “Hey, can you cover your mouth when you cough?”

  He looked at me with knitted eyebrows. “Can you mind your own business, fucktard?”

  “Where’s your mom, kid?” I asked with irritation.

  “I don’t know. Some seat way in the back.”

  He put his headphones in and blasted the music on his iPod. It was so loud, I could hear the rap over the roaring engines of the plane. I shook my head and looked out the window. When it was safe to use our phones, I pulled mine from my pocket and scrolled through my pictures. There was one I didn’t delete of Hailey. It was my favorite picture of her and I just couldn’t get rid of it.

  “Who’s that? Your girlfriend?” the kid asked.

  I glared over at him. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”

  “Prick,” he said as he looked at his iPod.

  I turned my phone to camera status and held it up. “Hey, kid, smile.”

  As soon as the kid turned his head, I snapped his picture.

  “What the hell, dude,” he said and then started coughing.

  “Just a memory of my flight.” I smiled.

  “Fucker,” he mumbled.

  I sent his picture to Julia with a text message.

  “Dad made me fly commercial and this is who I’m stuck with.”

  “OMG! That’s hilarious. Be nice to the kid. Remember, you’re going to be an uncle. I’m surprised that kid is in first class.”

  “He’s not. I’m in economy because first and business class were sold out. Fuck this.”

  “LOL at dad.”

  “Haha. I’m glad you find it funny.”

  “Sorry. Have a safe flight. Love you.”

  “Love you too, sis.”

  I looked over at the kid, who was coughing. “Are you sick or something?” I asked with sincerity.

  He turned his head and looked at me. “Yeah, I have cystic fibrosis.”

  I knew what that was because I had to do a power point presentation on it in health class in college. “Dude, I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want your pity,” he said.

  “My name is Collin and I don’t give pity.” I smiled as I held out my hand.

  He twisted his face and looked at my hand. He slowly brought his hand to mine. “I’m Jacob Kline.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jacob Kline.”

  “Yeah,” he said sadly.

  Now I felt sorry for this kid. I understood his rough and tough exterior. It was to hide the sadness he was feeling inside.

  “So, why are you going to Chicago?”

  “To see another specialist,” he replied.

  “How old are you?”

  “Twelve.”

  I turned my head and looked out the window. I felt bad for this kid and I couldn’t believe his mom wasn’t sitting by him. What the hell kind of parent is she?
/>
  “I can switch seats with your mom if you want her to sit here,” I said.

  “Nah. You’re cool.” He smiled.

  For the duration of the flight, Jacob and I talked about a lot of things. I told him about Hailey and he told me all about his disease. He said he didn’t have any friends because the other kids were scared of what he had. When the plane landed, I sat in my seat until Jacob’s mom came over to get him.

  “Hey, Mom. This is Collin. He’s my new friend.” He smiled.

  “Nice to meet you, Collin. I’m Diana.” She smiled.

  She was an older woman and she looked tired. As we walked off the plane together, I reached in my pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar-bill and handed it to Jacob.

  “Here, go buy yourself a souvenir from Chicago.” I winked.

  “Wow! Thanks!” he exclaimed.

  “That’s very nice of you, Collin, but Jacob can’t accept that.”

  “Sure he can. Please, just let him have it.”

  “Thank you. You’re a very kind man.”

  Jacob and I high-fived, and I waved goodbye to him and Diana. As I got into my car that I arranged to have pick me up, I noticed Jacob and Diana standing around. Jacob had told me on the plane that he and his mom had no money because she had just lost her job and she was spending what little savings she had on this trip for him. I told the driver to hold on and I got out of the car. I walked over to Diana and asked her to please let me give them a ride to their hotel. She resisted at first, but after Jacob’s pleading, she agreed.

  “Where are you staying?” I asked.

  She looked down before answering me. “I was just going to have the cab driver take us to a motel that was the cheapest. This trip happened so fast and at the last minute, I didn’t have a chance to really find something.”

  There was no way Jacob could stay in a dirty motel. Not with his condition. I had an idea.

  “Listen, before you shoot me down, let me explain. You shouldn’t be staying in a not-so-clean place with Jacob’s condition. I’ll bring you with me to the hotel I’m staying at, and I’ll pay for your room for as many days as you’re going to be in Chicago.”

  Diana put her hand up and immediately got defensive. “No, absolutely not. No. I won’t allow it. It’s very kind of you, but you’re a stranger and you don’t know us and we don’t know you. Plus, I could never allow it.”

  Jacob had his head lying on her shoulder and he looked tired. “Diana, listen. Jacob told me that you lost your job and you’re using what little you have for this trip to see the specialist. I’m going to introduce myself and then you’ll know me.”

  I held out my hand. “Hi, Diana, I’m Collin Black and I work for Black Enterprises in New York City. I’m here in Chicago to deliver some plans to our Chicago office. My parents are crazy lovers, my sister and her husband are expecting their first child, and my girlfriend of six years left me to study fashion in Italy. Please let me help you out because I really like Jacob and he’s my friend.”

  She cocked her head and stared at me. You’re the son of Connor Black?” she asked.

  “Yes, I am. Do you know my father?”

  “No, not personally, but I know who he is. He holds charity events every year for children with autism.”

  “Yes, he does. See, now you know my family and you know we like to help people. So please, Diana, let me help you and Jacob.”

  “Your parents would be very proud of you.” She smiled. “Thank you, Collin. I promise to pay you back.”

  I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Ellie.

  “Hey, babe. I’m in town. Let’s do some clubbing tonight.”

  “It’s about time, Mr. Black. I was wondering when I’d see you again.”

  “Tonight, babe. How’s seven o’clock?”

  “Great. I’ll be downtown anyway, so I’ll meet you at your hotel.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Ellie was a sexy girl and I couldn’t wait to get her into bed again. My phone rang and it was my mom calling. Shit, I forgot to call her when I landed.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Are you alive? You said you’d call when you landed.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I got distracted,” I said.

  “Seriously, Collin?”

  “Seriously, Mom. I promise to explain when I get home. Now I have to go. I just arrived at the hotel.”

  The driver took our bags from the trunk and handed them to us. Diana and Jacob stood in front of the Trump Hotel and wouldn’t stop staring at it.

  “Come on. You’ll love this place.” I smiled.

  They followed me inside and up to the desk.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Black. I have your suite ready,” the hotel clerk said.

  “Thank you. I also need to book an additional room for my guests.”

  “Sure, Mr. Black. How many nights will your guests be staying with us?”

  I looked over at Diana. “Just two nights,” she said.

  “Are you sure? You’re welcome to stay longer,” I spoke.

  “I’m sure. After we see the specialist tomorrow, we’re flying back the next morning. I can’t afford to stay in Chicago any longer than necessary.”

  “Two nights,” I said to the clerk.

  Diana and Jacob walked over to the glass elevator and stared into it. I leaned over to the clerk and I whispered, “I want you to tell them that the mini-bar in the room is free and so is room service. Just bill everything to my room.”

  “Will do, Mr. Black.”

  I called Diana over and the clerk handed her the key. She explained to her how all room service and the mini bar were free to guests.

  “Are you sure that’s free?” she asked her.

  “It’s a perk of staying at the Trump.” I winked.

  The bellhop walked over and took their bags. Diana hugged me and, with a tear in her eye, she thanked me for all my help.

  “You be brave tomorrow,” I said to Jacob as we high-fived.

  “It’ll be a piece of cake.” He smiled.

  They walked onto the elevator and waved as it took them up to their floor. I pulled my phone from my pocket and called my dad.

  “Hello,” he answered.

  “Hey, Dad. I need you to send the plane to Chicago the day after tomorrow to pick me up.”

  “Collin, I bought you a round-trip ticket.”

  “I know, but something happened.”

  “What do you mean ‘something happened’?” he asked. “Are you telling me that you can’t even fly to Chicago without getting into some kind of trouble?”

  “I didn’t get into any trouble, Dad. I met someone.”

  “Jesus Christ, Collin, I’ve heard enough.”

  “No, Dad, you have to let me explain. I met a kid. A sick kid.”

  “What?” he asked calmly.

  I explained to him about Jacob, and I told him about Diana and how she lost her job.

  “What you did for them was very nice, son. I’m proud of you,” my dad said.

  “Thanks, Dad. I have to go. I need to get these plans over to the office and then I’m off to meet some friends.”

  “Stay out of trouble.”

  “I will. Bye, Dad.”

  Chapter 3

  I walked through the doors of Black Enterprises and, as always, I was warmly greeted by all the ladies. I took the elevator up to Mac’s office.

  “Well, if it isn’t Mr. McHottie.” She smiled as I walked through the door.

  “You do know that your flattery will get you some of this,” I said as I grabbed my crotch.

  “Would you like me to tell your father that you’re sexually harassing me?” She smiled as she kissed me on the cheek.

  “The sad part is, he’d believe you.” I pouted. “Here’s the plans,” I said as I handed them to her.

  Mac – Mackenzie – was the head manager at the Chicago office. She oversaw the entire office and made sure it ran smoothly. She was an older woman and had been working for my dad
since he first built the Chicago building and she’d known me since I was a baby. She was hot for her age and we liked to joke around; too bad she wasn’t into guys.

  “So what did you do?” she asked.

  I sat down in the chair across from her desk and folded my arms. “What do you mean?”

  “Your dad wouldn’t make you fly the all the way to Chicago unless you did something to piss him off.”

  “I went out, got drunk, and brought a girl home. I don’t think it would’ve been a big deal if she hadn’t walked out of my room naked and right into my dad.”

  Mac sat at her desk and shook her head. “Collin Black. Get your head out of your ass! What’s the matter with you? You just can’t bring home a random girl with your parents down the hall. The least you could’ve done was get a hotel room. It’s not like you can’t afford it.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I screwed up. It won’t happen again. I really pissed my mom off and that’s the last thing I wanted to do.”

  “Lesson learned. I understand the pain you’re going through over Hailey. Trust me, I’ve been there. But, screwing every woman that looks your way isn’t the answer to healing your broken heart.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I know and I don’t want to talk about Hailey. She’s my past and that’s where she’s staying.”

  “All right, but I want you to remember that everything happens for a reason. It’s hard to see it now, but you will someday.” She winked.

  I got up from my seat and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s a shame you don’t dig guys. You’re missing out on this.” I winked as I grabbed my crotch.

  “Get the hell out of here before I call your daddy.” She smiled.

  “You wouldn’t.” I pointed before opening the door.

  “Probably not.” She smiled.

  I walked out of Mac’s office and down the hall to the elevators. I heard my phone beep and, when I pulled it from my pocket, I saw there was a message from Ellie.

  “Hey, hot stuff. I’m in the lobby at your hotel. Where the hell are you?”

  “On my way, babe. Got held up at the office. Tell the hotel to let you in my room. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

  As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I opened the door and didn’t see Ellie. I walked into the bedroom of the suite and shook my head as I smiled and began to unbutton my shirt.