~ONE DAY TO CUBA~
~LORI~
I can't believe I'm walking through the airport right now, my carry-on backpack over my shoulder, boarding pass safely tucked away in the front pocket. I thought my mom would make a big deal over my leaving for a week instead of focusing on my MCAT prep, but I've been mopey since my parents shot down my gap year idea. I think they believe that this trip will satisfy my urge to travel the world and find myself, so they let me go to Cuba, on the condition that I focus on the MCAT earnestly when I get back. It physically pained me to agree to that, but I knew I'd have to study for the MCAT anyway, so I might as well get a trip to Cuba with my best friend out of it.
Faye was ecstatic when I told her. Today she even showed up at my house hours earlier than she needed to with all her luggage until it was time to go to the airport. She hasn't stopped talking since, even while we were checking in and dropping off our bags.
"I am so excited!" Faye exclaims as we walk to our gate. The number of times she's said that today alone is in the hundreds.
"Me too, Faye," I say. We sidestep groups of people as they rush about the busy airport, only just managing to stay side by side instead of single file.
"I can't wait, I really need this vacation," she says, tightening the straps of her backpack. "This last year of high school has fucked me harder than any guy ever has."
I burst out laughing. "TMI, Faye."
"It's true! I just barely graduated. At least now we can relax on the beach, meet some boys, get your mind off your Sexy Gym Guy . . ."
"Oh my gosh, Faye," I mumble, remembering how she reacted when I told her about my run-in with Mr. Blue Eyes. She's given him his own nickname. "If you were there, you would've murdered me." We turn a corner to get to our gate, and I scan the area for Faye's brother.
"I probably would've," she admits. "You need to stop being so damn shy! Oh, there's Adam, he's waving us over."
And that's when I see him, standing with the group of guys talking to Adam.
Instead of brushing it off and playing it cool like a normal person, or even stopping dead in my tracks like a normal-but-slightly-more-awkward person, I grab Faye's forearm and pull her through the nearest door. I'm one hundred percent sure our transition was neither graceful nor unnoticed.
"What is your issue, Lor?" Faye asks once the door safely separates us from the group of probably now confused boys.
"That was him!" I exclaim, my heart beating erratically as if it can't decide whether to be excited or terrified.
"What are you talking about?" Faye asks, eyebrows drawing together and bottom lip pouting out.
"I'm talking about how the incredibly good-looking guy from the gym who saved my ass last week is the very same extremely good-looking guy talking to your brother!"
Her warm brown eyes widen in recognition. "No shit!"
She pushes open the door to look, but I yank her back in.
"Don't go out there!" I order.
Please tell me he's not coming on this trip with us. Or maybe tell me he is? I'm not sure which I'd prefer. I'm already worried about making a fool of myself in front of Faye's hot brother, so I don't need another hot guy to make me worry about my every move.
Faye rolls her eyes at me. "Yes, Lori. Let's stay in here all week. Who needs to go to Cuba when we can spend all our time enjoying the scenery of this beautiful ro—"
She cuts herself off as she peers around the room for the first time, which gets my attention, because Faye is never speechless.
I follow her gaze and . . . yup . . . of course.
That's a row of urinals.
And that's a bunch of confused men staring back at us.
My face heats, probably making me look more like a tomato than a teenage girl.
Faye recovers a lot faster than I do.
"Yes." She looks around the room and up at the ceiling as if examining it. "Everything seems in order here. We'll report this back to our supervisor." She grabs my arm and pushes me out the door. "Carry on."
"Supervisor? Carry on? Really, Faye?" I don't know how she comes up with these things.
"What?" she defends, not even a bit fazed. "It was better than standing around gawking at a bunch of men with their pants practically around their ankles."
I groan. "Do you think your brother and his friends saw that?"
A sly smile spreads across Faye's face as she looks in their direction. She doesn't bother answering me. I follow her gaze. Her brother is ruining his perfect face with a frown aimed at us, and the other guys are staring at us.
"You're right," Faye says without taking her eyes off the group. "Sexy Gym Guy definitely earned his nickname."
"Faye!" I exclaim, not because I disagree or need to point out she gave him that nickname, but because we're almost at the group and they can probably hear us.
"Oh, don't get your panties in a twist." She grins at me, making zero effort to lower her voice. "I know you have first dibs."
Before I can say I don't want "dibs" on a human being, Adam stops us.
"What were you two doing in the men's washroom?" he asks, impatient.
"Supervising," Faye answers without hesitation, and I reflexively slap her with the back of my hand.
He rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Can you at least try not to embarrass me in front of my friends this week?" His voice is low, and I glance at the four other guys a few feet behind him.
Faye pouts. "But I wanted to have some fun this week too."
"We'll be on our best behavior," I add before Faye can piss him off. "Thanks again for letting us come."
His captivating hazel eyes give me a once-over as if trying to decide whether I'm lying.
"Come on," he grumbles. "I'll introduce you."
We follow him over to the group, and I pray my face isn't bright red.
"For those of you who don't already know, this loser is my sister, Faye, and that's her friend Lori." Adam gestures to us noncommittally.
"Hey, Lor," Dylan and Kellan greet. I'm familiar enough with them, even though I'm always quiet when they're around.
"Fayanna." Kellan winks at her suggestively.
Faye flirts right back. "Kellan." She shoots him that smile that can make any boy melt.
He's the only person Faye's ever let call her by her full name more than once and live to tell the tale. Probably because if you could draw Faye's dream guy, it would be an illustration of Kellan Reyes.
He's shorter than the rest of the boys but still over a head taller than Faye, standing at five foot eleven, which I only know because Faye loves teasing him about it. He has tousled black hair, deep-brown eyes, full lips, and a tan that lasts all year round, which he attributes to his Filipino genes. He's not the most built or muscular person, which is obvious when he's standing next to Mr. Blue Eyes, but he's got broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build from the sports he plays. Throw in his perfectly straight teeth and his penchant for mischief, and you've got walking, talking Fayanna Murray catnip.
Faye says that she and Kellan haven't really talked to each other since the last time they slept together, but it seems like nothing's changed. At least Adam's still in the dark about it.
Adam ignores the obvious flirting. "Lori, I'm not sure if you've met Alessio, and this is Dylan's cousin Dean." He gestures at the guys as he says their names, ending with Mr. Blue Eyes—Dean. "Faye, try not to bother us this week."
I've only met Alessio a few times when he was coming or going from Faye's house, but I do know he's dating Jenna's cousin. I wave at the boys and smile, trying to channel my inner Faye and be cool for once.
"Lori, huh?" Dean says to me as everyone carries on their own conversations. "You ran off so fast the other day I didn't get the chance to ask your name."
Adam glares at us, probably hoping I don't say something embarrassing to his friend. I chew my lip as my face heats. "Yeah. I'm not the greatest in awkward situations."
He bites back a smile. "Jumping in front of a car to avoid me isn't that awkward."
"That's not what happened!" I defend myself but end up laughing.
"If you're that desperate to get away from me, I wonder what's going to happen when we're stuck on a trip with each other for a week," he teases, and I'm drawn in by the playfulness in his eyes.
I'm wondering the same thing, Dean.