Free Just a Fling by Olivia Noble

Chapter One

     
    The passengers of Flight Delta-084 were
jolted as the iron vessel sliced through the turbulent skies. A
young blonde woman gritted her teeth as she sat in the back of the
plane with her sleeping friend’s head resting on her shoulder. Eva
was not a fan of flying. She took great comfort in her friend’s
nearness, despite the uncomfortable weight of Nicole’s head. Trying
to breathe evenly, Eva allowed her eyes to anxiously dart around,
taking in the enclosed walls of the congested cabin. She found
herself scanning for the emergency exits. It’s the safest way to
travel, she inwardly reminded herself. Her fear was immediately
clouded with guilt. Not that I should be traveling at
all...
    Eva sighed. She had not ventured very far
from her mother’s side in the decade since the older woman had
become ill. Life in New York had been a hectic mess of trying to
excel in school while still being an attentive caregiver to her
sick mother. Now that she had left the city far behind, she could
not help feeling like she was forgetting something. Eva never neglected her duties. I should be at home, and not
stuck on a plane going to the Bahamas, she thought to herself. If the plane goes down in a fiery blaze, I deserve it. When
she tried to glance outside, she was met only with the dark storm
clouds that filled the windows. The plane shook again and Eva
gripped the arm rest of her chair tightly.
    “Dammit,” she whispered irritably to
herself. Eva tried to curse quietly, but felt her friend stir
awake.
    Nicole’s eyelids fluttered open sleepily,
and she smiled up at her friend. “Are we there yet?”
    “No,” Eva snapped, “and I hate you for
making me do this.”
    After a small giggle, Nicole stretched and
yawned. “You shouldn’t have lost the bet then, baby girl,” she said
smugly. “Just think of it this way: soon you’ll be able to get the
stick out of your ass and shove something a lot more fun between
your legs.”
    “That’s not funny,” Eva said, wrinkling her
nose. Leaning back against the comfortable cushions of her seat,
she closed her eyes. I really hate to admit it, she thought
to herself, but Nicole has a point. I do have trouble relaxing.
Maybe a vacation is just what I need. I do deserve one, don’t I? I
graduated with honors and made the Dean’s List. She knew that
she should be proud of this accomplishment, but when she finally
received her final grades, she couldn’t seem to feel anything. She
never realized how much the workload had gotten to her until the
day that everyone around her was celebrating, but she felt like an
outsider. Eva was simply lost without a packed schedule and crazy
deadlines that took all her focus and energy.
    She felt dead inside. Despite how much she
complained about the flight, she did look forward to blowing off
some steam—once she could remember how. The plane jarred again, and
a small gasp escaped her throat.
    “The flight is getting to you, huh?” Nicole
asked sweetly. She placed her hand on Eva’s in an attempt to
comfort her friend.
    The gesture was appreciated. Although Nicole
was often lewd, and never hesitated to attack Eva with endless
name-calling and bickering, there could be no better companion.
Underneath her rough exterior, Nicole was fiercely devoted and
protective. The two were best friends; closer than sisters.
    “You know that I hate flying,” Eva grumbled.
After a moment of frowning, she finally sighed. “It might be more
than that. I’m a little on edge about my mom.” Her hand gripped at
Nicole’s for dear life as the craft started to descend. “I’ll call
her once we land.”
    Nicole’s lips turned up into a soft smile
and she resumed her cuddling against Eva’s shoulder. “Girl, you
need to chill. Your mom made me promise I’d force you to have fun.
She worries about you. So if you really want to do what’s best for
her? Be a good girl. Your mission is to get drunk and party with
me—and go bang some gorgeous