Unconditionally

“Hey, Carly. It’s Kailin. The plane landed a few minutes ago. I’m waiting in the baggage claim. I really wasn’t sure where to meet you. Uh, call me back when you get this.” I sighed and hung up. The flight sucked, and now Carly was MIA.
The kid behind me had lungs of steel and screamed the hour from Pittsburgh to St. Paul, making me wish I just drove instead of having my car towed out with my belongings. The turbulence made my stomach lurch every few seconds and I still didn’t trust myself to eat. The high anxiety levels didn’t help much either. I paced around, staring at passing faces, hoping Carly was one of them.
Twenty minutes passed and there was still no phone call or text. I groaned, readjusting myself in the uncomfortable bench outside the airport. I watched countless reunions between loved ones while I sat in a pit of bitterness. I tried one more time, knowing I wouldn’t get a response and I was right. The sun was now completely set and the late December air had a bitter tint that sank into my bones. I pulled my hoodie tighter and had pulled my knees to my chest, hoping to get warmer.
“Ma’am?” A security officer asked as he approached me.
“Yes?” I sat up trying to compose myself.
“You do know this is a waiting area for airport guests, correct?” Shit, did I look that bad?
“Y-yes, sir.” I stammered. “My ride- my sister isn’t answering her phone.”
“Would you like a taxi? It’s getting awfully late.”
“That would actually be great,” I started hopefully, “but I don’t know her address. Shit.” I sighed and dropped my head. “This is my first night here, my sister was supposed to be here- I’m so sorry. Is there a restaurant nearby? I’ll take a taxi there.”
“Sure, let me go call up a cab for you. There’s a map a few benches down with some local spots. Sorry to inconvenience you.”
“No, don’t apologize, you were doing your job.” I smiled sadly as he walked away.
As I began piling my bags, which was a lot, into a smaller pile, a large SUV pulled up, nearly jumping the curb.
“Fuck, okay you’re still here!” A man’s voice shouted as he ran out of the car.
“Jason?” I asked as he ran to give me a hug. His suit was barely even done up, tie untied and waving in the wind. I lightly patted his back as he released his death grip.
“I forgot you were coming and Soph got sick so Carly is home with her and I think her phone died and I had a game. Shit, kid. I’m sorry.” He apologized profusely. I gave my brother-in-law a slight smile as he let go and started grabbing my bags.
“It’s okay, Jason.” I promised and grabbed the last suitcase and my carry on.
“No, it’s really not. I’m the worst brother-in-law and I’ll make it up to you.” He pleaded. I laughed and as he opened the trunk to the large SUV, I heard curse words drop from his lips.
“Son of a bitch.” He hissed. I peaked into the car and saw the heads of three other guys, and a lot of hockey equipment. I laughed a little before helping him.
“It’ll fit, it’s okay.” I reassured him as I began stacking up the bags of gear.
“Yo, Zucks, you didn’t tell us Carly’s sister was a babe.” One of the guys shouted. I whipped my head to Jason and caught him mid-laugh. The smirk fell off his face as he scolded the guy.
“Keep it in your pants, Scandy. She’s off limits.” Jason hissed, actually sounding serious. I blushed and finished putting the suitcases into the trunk.
“All set. Where am I sitting?” I asked, wiping my forehead.
Thirty minutes of driving through suburbs made me appreciate the screaming child on the plane a whole lot more. I was smushed between two brawny hockey players, who smelt really bad, and then there was Jason and another guy going back and forth the whole car ride. The one sitting on my left would say something every so often, mostly in Jason’s defense, while the one on my right stayed quiet. Sometimes he was on his phone, other times he stared out the window. I caught small glances at him, noticing a large bruise surrounding his left eye. His demeanor gave off that he was pissed, but he was also holding back, whether it be engaging in the conversation or with me.
“So, how was the game?” I piped up as the conversation between Jason and his teammates died down.
“That’s the only question you have to ask? Not what are names are or positions?” The quiet boy to my right snapped.
“I’m sorry- I just- I.” I stuttered, eventually just hanging my head and giving up. Jason cleared his throat and began to introduce the guys, taking the hint from his teammate.
“Um, well that’s Charlie. He’s, uh, center. This right here,” he jabbed the guy in the passenger seat, “is Marco. He’s a pretentious trilingual asswipe who thinks with his dick. He’s a defenseman. And the one on your left is Kurtis, our right wing.”
“Nice to meet you, guys. I’m Kailin, Carly’s little sister.” I smiled,
“You seem fun. Jason, I like her.” Kurtis smiled. I heard Jason mutter something under his breath but couldn’t catch it. He put on his blinker and turned into the parking lot of a large house.
“Wait, do you all live with Jason?” I asked, horror laced in my words.
“No, Carly doesn’t love him that much.” Marco laughed. “I live a few houses down with Kurtis and Tyler. Charlie lives with Jason though.”
“Unfortunately.” He hissed, swinging open the door and exiting the car. I felt a pang of guilt in my chest, unsure if it was something I did.
“Um, well, it was nice meeting you guys. I’m sure I’ll see more of you.” I smiled as we all exited the car. Jason came to stand next to me as his teammates disappeared with their equipment.
“I can bring the stuff in tomorrow, if that’s okay?” I asked.
“I have practice again in the morning. We can put it in the garage for now so you can get it tomorrow.”
“Yeah, that works.” I nodded, reaching for two of the suitcases. Jason grabbed the other two and we placed them in the garage. He locked up the car and led me into the house.
“Kailin!” Carly screamed as she launched herself into me. I laughed, collapsing on the ground as my older sister suffocated me. Jason and Charlie looked on from the kitchen, a smile tugging at Charlie’s lips.
“You forgot me, you hoe.” I laughed.
“I did not! Jason was supposed to get you after-” She stopped and stood up. “You forgot!” She marched over to Jason.
“Babe, I’m so-”
“You left my little sister at the airport! Jason Zucker!” She tried to act angry, even storming off, forcing Jason to follow her.
“Are they always like this?” I asked Charlie. He shrugged, grabbing a piece of fruit from the bowl and disappearing. My chest ached and as I realized that I was now on my own, I wandered until I found the back porch.
I sat in the cold October air, dialing my mom’s number and letting the tears flow freely.
“Mom?” I choked out.
“Oh, baby. What’s going on?” She cooed.
“I’m tired. I’m starving because I haven’t eaten since breakfast. Jason and Carly forgot to pick me up so I waited outside the airport for almost an hour. One of Jason’s teammates also lives here and hates me for no reason. I don’t even know where my room is and I just want to eat and go to bed.” I cried. My mom laughed a little.
“Sweetie, you’re okay. Jason was always on the slower side and so was Carly. A boy can’t hate you on day one, he’s probably tired and hungry too. Go find Carly. Ask her what you can eat and where your room will be, okay?” My mom explained. “Take a few deep breaths too.”
I laughed, taking the deep breaths like she asked.
“You got this. I love you, sweetie.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“Go find Carls, then you’ll be okay.”
“Okay.”
“I’m always a phone call away.” She promised, before whispering ‘I love you’ and hanging up.

Notes

I had to make an edit which resulted in me reposting Chapter 1! Sorry for getting all your hopes up about an update. Look forward to an update later tonight or tomorrow!