Stranded Page 3

  It was the happy part that was a lie.

  Daniel was living someone else’s life. He was none of the things he claimed to be, just a brilliant actor, playing the part he was bred for, and Katie, a thoroughbred with exquisite bloodlines. On paper she was an ideal match. His parents had his life carefully constructed and planned out. The prominent prep school, boarding at Eton, studying Law at Oxford, all of it written in the stars before he took his first breath. He was never given an option. No one ever asked him who he was or what he might want to be when he grew up. It was inconsequential.

  When he was twelve, just before enrolling at Eton, he confessed to his mother that he wanted to pursue skiing and other extreme sports, like his hero Alec Wagner. The man had broken records for Base Jumping and Sky Diving. He was also a mountain climber and skier, often combining the two and skiing off-piste. He was a legend in Europe and Daniel was gobsmacked by his accomplishments. While his parents humored him, they weren’t the least bit encouraging when it came to him pursuing his own interests, his dreams. In fact, when he expressed his desire to become a professional ski instructor, rather than attend law school, they threatened to disown him and dismantle his trust fund. So he stuffed his desires down and did what any good son would do. He sacrificed his happiness for theirs, but he never wanted to be a lawyer. Not even close.

  He and Katie had been planning their wedding for over a year, and in spite of his trepidation, he probably would have gone through with it. The truth was, she had done him a favor, but why she didn’t tell him sooner that she had cold feet was beyond him. It was the question still pressing through his mind as he made his way through Heathrow airport. He knew why he never told her. He was a coward, afraid to rock the boat. His lessons in submission had started at a very young age, and he’d been properly trained to be a people pleaser. He would never have dumped Katie, no matter how unhappy he was. He would never have hurt her that way.

  She admitted that she was not in love, that she couldn’t marry him and spend the rest of her life resenting him. Her words crushed him, and at first he was livid, but once he calmed down he realized that it was only his bruised ego that drove his anger. Deep down he felt an enormous sense of relief, and beyond that, gratitude toward her for doing what he never would’ve had the balls to do. She’d fallen on the sword for both of them, carrying the weight of the blame, shame and guilt that would inevitably land on her. Katie had the courage to follow her heart and in doing so, set them both free.

  She inspired him actually. As soon as he returned from Fiji he was taking his life back. He wasn’t going to sacrifice his happiness anymore. He was born to be a free spirit, working outdoors and chasing adrenalin, not buried under dusty law books. He wanted to be madly in love, to find a woman as sexual, curious and passionate as he was. He’d always had a vivid imagination, a kinky nature, that had been suppressed along with all his other desires. He was in danger of becoming his father, a pretentious, buttoned-down Englishman, living under the burden of pomp and circumstance, blindly honoring stuffy traditions. Daniel was anything but conventional and it was time he proved it.

  “Sir, may I see your boarding pass and passport?” the flight attendant requested as he approached the jetway. He smiled and handed them both over, waiting for her to process his ticket. He was anxious to leave behind the stress of the last few days.

  He couldn’t explain it, but he knew the trip would be a turning point, that fate had something wonderful in store for him.

  He could just feel it.

  Chapter 5

  Aren’t you Willie Russell?

  Willie looked up from his book as soon has he heard his name. It was a teenager wearing a Lakers cap, an enormous smile on his face. Obviously a fan.

  “I am,” he admitted, holding out his hand. The fan took it and shook enthusiastically.

  “Holy cow, this is frigging unbelievable! I’m a huge fan,” he gushed, continuing to pump Willie’s hand.

  Willie laughed good-naturedly, waiting for the right moment to peel away from the youngsters grip. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Dude, you guys were awesome this year. That game you scored 68 points and ten three pointers! Shit, that was unreal, man!”

  “Yeah, that was a great game. Thank you, brother,” Willie grinned, always humbled to meet his fans. He did his best to be gracious, no matter how tired or busy he was. It was the fans that ultimately wrote his paycheck.

  “Wow, so cool. Can I take a selfie with you?”

  “Sure, Kid. What’s your name?” Willie agreed, standing up beside him. Towering over the youngster, he crouched down to his level, placing a strong, brown arm around his shoulders.

  “David,” the kid introduced himself, struggling to get them both in the shot.

  “May I?” Willie asked kindly, taking his iPhone. He snapped the shot, and handed it back.

  “Thanks,” David grinned, pocketing his phone. “Sorry to interrupt. I never expected to see my idol at the airport.”

  “Not a problem. It was nice to meet you.”

  “Yeah, man. And listen, I’m sorry to hear about the troubles you’ve been having. Just so you know, I didn’t believe for a minute that you were guilty. Shame that people can be so fucked up.”

  Willie’s smile faded, ever so slightly. While he appreciated the supportive words, he hated that his recent troubles had become so public. The situation had gotten a ton of press and were taking its toll on him, in spite of the fact that the accusations were completely unfounded.

  “I appreciate that,” he acknowledged, crossing his arms over his chest, suddenly anxious for the interaction to end. Thankfully the young fan didn’t press.

  “Do you mind if I post the pic on Instagram?” David asked, tapping the phone through his pocket. Willie shrugged his shoulders passively. While he’d been avoiding social media, it was ridiculous to expect others to do the same.

  “Go for it, Kid. Thanks for asking.”

  Willie motioned for the kid to pass him his Laker’s cap. David handed it to him.

  Willie signed it, “To David, the best fan in the world,” and handed it back.

  The kid’s eyes shone like stars.

  “Wow, thanks!”

  “No problem.”

  The kid searched for something to say.

  “Have a safe flight! Looking forward to seeing you back on the court!”

  “You bet! Take care,” Willie waved, gently dismissing him.

  David smiled and walked away, but quickly turned back, pumping his fist in the air. “Go Lakers!”

  Willie chuckled quietly and sat back down, cautiously glancing around the gate, hoping no one else recognized him.

  Satisfied that he wouldn’t be interrupted again, he picked up his book, feigning interest in the pages. The past few months had been the most challenging of his life. He never expected that he would be the centre of one of the worst sex scandals in the NBA since Kobe Bryant. The worst part was that the accusation was completely fabricated, but the fucking press circled like sharks smelling blood in the water and they didn’t give a damn about the facts.

  In fact, they inflated the details beyond recognition. Fanning the flames, gossip spread like wild fire, and before he knew it, Willie was tried, sentenced, and hung before the court of social media, even before a proper investigation could prove his innocence. It was shocking how quickly he went from hero to zero, and more than a little heart breaking.

  He’d played it safe his whole life, always erring on the side of caution, doing his best to make good choices, with integrity. His grandmother raised him and wasn’t shy about giving him a cuff in the ear when he did something stupid. She was a strong woman and kept him on the straight and narrow, consistent with boundaries, and her love and affection. It was unlikely he would have made it through college, or to the NBA, without her guidance. Nana insisted on a strong work ethic too. She would have been devastated to witness the recent scandal, but she would have stood by his side, steadfast in her love.
She had passed away a few years prior, just after he was drafted to the Lakers. Fuck he missed her.

  Boarding was starting right on time. Maybe things were finally going his way, he thought, gathering his belongings. He was on his way to a private resort in the Fiji islands, at the suggestion of his manager. He was normally not one for traveling to such expensive, exotic locations, preferring to live modestly. Yes, he was earning great money, more than he ever dreamed of, but he was smart enough to know the ride wouldn’t last forever. If the recent drama taught him anything, life could change on a dime, and he needed to respect that fate, at any moment, could throw him a curve ball.

  The resort he’d booked prided itself on discretion, meticulously catering to the rich and famous. He’d booked it only a week earlier, as soon as the charges were dropped. He needed to relax, regroup, and get his bearings straight before he had to be back for training camp. He would read on the beach, do a little deep sea fishing and snorkeling, but most importantly, sleep. He’d not slept in months and it was taking its toll on him. A few of his teammates had invited him to party in New York City, and it would probably have been fun, but ten days of solitude and alone time was the prescription he needed to find his way back to himself, the man his grandmother would be proud of. He was Willie Russell, a hard working, decent man with good morals and a strong heart who just happened to play a decent game of hoops. The media almost made him forget that.

  Chapter 6

  Joss stood on the dock, waiting for the pilot to load her suitcase into the cargo hold of the seaplane. She’d never been on such a small aircraft before and was feeling anxious. She swallowed down her nerves and looked around, curious about the other passengers. She was early, as usual. Her flight from the States had arrived many hours earlier but rather than take any chances, she hopped in a taxi and instructed her driver to take her right to the transfer station.

  There was only one other person waiting, a nice looking man with glasses, not much older than she was. He was handsome, in a Clark Kent sort of way, kind of ordinary, but also sweet looking. His skin was flawless and well groomed and he sported a healthy head of hair, dark and neatly coifed. Although he didn’t seem to notice her, she ran a hand through her tangled hair anyway, certain she was a hot mess after more than eighteen travel hours. She pulled an elastic off her wrist and quickly tied her hair back, hoping to resolve the problem without too much fuss.

  The plane she was taking was an island hopper, a Cessna Grand Caravan, just a little commuter. She was told it was a full flight, every seat accounted for. The pilot advised her that they would be making several stops, beginning at the furthest destination and then working their way back. She would be the last drop. The flight plan seemed backward to her, but who was she to complain. She knew nothing about aviation and wasn’t about to argue with him. He was a little ornery.

  She couldn’t blame him really. The threat of bad weather had made everyone a little tense, but especially the small transfer companies. It seemed everyone had altered their travel plans over the past few days. People who were at the end of their vacations wanted to leave early, and those just beginning were desperate to make it to their destinations before everything was grounded. She was lucky she reserved something ahead of time. She was like that. Joss never left anything to chance. She was a Capricorn. Being prepared and planning ahead came as naturally to her as breathing. It was part of what made her excellent at her job.

  Joss stared up at the sky, hoping the weather wouldn’t put a damper on Hannah’s wedding plans. It was starting to drizzle and the wind was picking up, but it was more a relief than a concern. It was frigging hot and Joss rather enjoyed how the soft, cool mist felt against her sticky skin. She hoped it would refresh her and wash away the travel grime.

  “You can board the plane, Miss,” the pilot grumbled with a thick Aussie accent. “No point in getting soaked.”

  Joss nodded at him and climbed the few steps, thinking it best not to challenge him. Although quite handsome, he was a little rough around the edges and didn’t appear to be in any mood to debate. She chose a seat in the very back, pulling her carry-on bag onto her lap, so as not to dampen the seat beside her, and waited. She’d been followed onto the plane by ‘Clark Kent’. He nodded at her, acknowledging her presence, and sat a few rows ahead. She wondered for a moment why he was traveling alone, mildly curious about his story but too shy to strike up a conversation.

  She looked back out the window and noticed a few others gathering on the dock, handing their boarding passes to the pilot, and storing their luggage. The rain was coming down harder and Joss was suddenly grateful she had boarded before the skies really opened up, and the soaking commenced. The air conditioning on the plane was chilly, a stark contrast to the humidity outside. It would have been an unbearable flight if she had been soaked to the bone. She pulled a light wrap out of her bag and cocooned herself in it, grateful for the instant comfort.

  One by one, the passengers began filing in. It wouldn’t be long before the cabin was full. Joss found it curious that all of the passengers so far, appeared to be traveling solo, and all of them were handsome men. What were the crazy odds? she thought. Hannah would get a chuckle out of that. No doubt she’d ask Joss why she didn’t just pick one and join the mile high club. Unlike her, Hannah had no filters. Joss loved that about her.

  There were four seats left to fill and Joss wondered how much longer they were going to wait. They were supposed to take off promptly at 6:00, she was told, and it was getting close to that time. She saw a cab pull up, a young man jumping out. He appeared to be barking orders to his driver, who quickly complied, retrieving a suitcase out of the trunk. He ran toward the plane, and stopped in front of the pilot, handing him a soggy boarding pass. His charming smile and boyish good looks didn’t seem to be enough to thwart a stern look from the pilot. Joss giggled quietly at the exchange.

  He climbed aboard, and shimmied his way down the narrow aisle, kindly nodding at the others as he made his way to the seat across from Joss. The other passengers seemed suddenly excitable, turning their heads to watch him walk past, as though they knew him. He looked familiar to Joss too, although she couldn’t quite place him. Someone famous maybe? She didn’t spend a lot of time watching television or browsing the internet, but she was sure she’d seen him before, somewhere. He was a nice looking guy, cute. He had a youthful face, although a closer inspection proved otherwise. He was probably close to Joss’ age. Maybe a little younger. He nodded at her before taking a seat, removing his baseball cap to run his fingers through his hair.

  “Hi,” he said, holding out his hand, “I’m Ryan.” Joss returned his smile, shaking his damp hand.

  “Joss,” she offered discreetly, not wanting to disturb the other passengers.

  Hearing their introductions, a man in front of Ryan turned his head in her direction and nodded. It was a warm gesture, the kind that says, ‘we’re all in this together, we might as well be friendly’. She smiled back at him cautiously, not wanting to be impolite. He was an older fellow, and very handsome. Dapper was actually a better word for him. He was wearing a white buttoned-down shirt, rolled up to the elbows, exposing a very expensive watch. No wedding ring.

  “Getting nasty out there,” Ryan observed, loud enough to keep her engaged in the conversation.

  “Yeah,” Joss agreed. It was twilight, but the angry skies definitely made it appear darker than it was.

  She looked up, just as the pilot entered the aircraft.

  “Okay folks, buckle your seat belts, we’re taking off. My name is Captain Grant Holmes. As you’re well aware by now, we’ve got some dodgy weather coming, but I’m confident we’ll beat the worst of it. Those poor, late saps are gonna be stranded on the mainland, I’m afraid. We’ve got to depart, and we’re the last flight out. No worries, mates, I’m gonna get y’all to your destinations safe and sound. You’ll be sipping a Mai Tai before you know it. No smoking on my aircraft. If you want a cig, step outside, will ya? It
might be a little windy, but it’ll be ok if ya hold on real tight,” he winked puckishly.

  The other passengers giggled appreciatively at the joke, in spite of the fact that he’d probably used the same line on every flight. Joss looked around the cabin, trying to stay relaxed. The fact that no one else seemed anxious definitely set her more at ease. She shifted her bag in her lap and buckled her seat belt, pulling it tightly around her waist. She heard Ryan chuckle and looked over at him nervously, hoping for some encouraging words.

  “Here we go,” he snickered, giving her a playful wink. She grinned nervously, drawing a good-natured chuckle from him. “You look terrified, Joss. You want to hold my hand?” he teased.

  “Don’t think I won’t,” she retorted playfully, doing her best to steady her voice. Appreciating the playfulness, Joss snuck a curious peak at him, briefly catching his eye. She caught his warm smile before turning away again, still wondering who he was.

  The flight started off routinely, albeit a tad bumpy. It was worsening outside, but Joss had confidence in Captain Grant. He seemed to know what he was doing, having probably flown the route hundreds of times before. Surely he was used to all kinds of weather, she reasoned, doing her best to keep cool.

  She was doing a good job of it too, until about sixty minutes into the flight, when they flew directly into an electrical storm. Suddenly the lights started blinking and Joss heard alarms chirping from the cockpit, followed by hushed whispers from the passengers up front. The little seaplane started pitching and lurching as the captain, in a controlled panic, began flipping switches. Joss’ stomach lurched, more from fear than air sickness.

  She looked over at Ryan, who was no longer smiling. In fact, he was white as a ghost. He caught her eye and shrugged, as though trying to maintain his own composure.