Free Backfire by J.R. Tate Page A

credit at the very end.”
    Michael backed away and held his hands up.  “Sorry.  Don’t forget though, I did throw a couple of socks in.”
    “I think we should just call a cab to your mom’s place.  I really don’t feel like dealing with the subway right now.” She leaned the luggage near the door and pulled her hair back away from her face.  The look on her face showed vulnerability and it made Michael laugh.  “What, Mikey?  Why are you staring at me?”
    Moving toward her, he pulled her in close and nipped at her neck . Her skin was smooth and salty against his lips.  “You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”
    Pushing him away, she walked back toward the bedroom. “That nap must’ve done you some good.  Get ready.  I want to get to your mom’s and settle in.  I’m exhausted.”
    Michael hurled himself on the bed and buried his head in the pillows.  “Maybe you ought to lay down here with me and relax a bit.  You seem stressed. Come on.” He bobbed his head in his direction .  “I’ll help you relax.”
    Eva shook her head and her expression was enough for Michael to know that she wasn’t in the mood.  “I’ll relax at your mom’s.  Get up and call a cab.  This is the worst part of traveling.  I don’t want to hear any complaining from you if I forgot to pack something.”
    Shrugging, Michael got up, stretched out, and grabbed his cell phone.  “I tried to help, miss bossy.”
     
    ***
     
    Due to the anticipation of seeing Casey for the first time in months, the flying, and everything in between, Michael didn’t sleep well that night.  They were all three waiting at the gate for their flight.  They had a connection in Dallas, which made no sense.  Michael reviewed the information on his ticket for the one-hundredth time.  They still had about forty-five minutes to burn and there were airport bars in every direction. 
    “Mikey, sit still.”  His mom placed her hand on his knee and he didn’t even realize he had been bouncing his leg up and down until she did that. “What’s the problem?”
    He sat back in the chair and watched the scrolling marquee above the gate.  It gave the flight number, the destination, and the current weather in Dallas.  It was a scorching one hundred and six degrees there, compared to the upper seventies in New York. 
    “Nothing.  Just ready to get there.”  He had checked the weather several times and prepared himself for the worst heat he had ever experienced in his life.  Casey had warned them about it as well, and Eva double-checked to make sure they had sunscreen and appropriate clothing.  He was excited about it, but at the same time, he was almost sure he would be miserable.  He had been to Texas one time before when he was younger.  They were not in the midst of one of the worst droughts in their history when he had been there.  This would be a whole new thing to see. 
    “Well, go for a walk or something.  You’re driving me insane.”  His mother peered over her reading glasses.
    “Nah, I’m good. Sorry.”  Truthfully, he didn’t want to leave them and face the temptations of the bars.  There was one adjacent to their sitting area, but with both Eva and her there, he wouldn’t even think to walk in that direction.  He stared at the groups of people sitting and sipping on the poison, unable to help the fact that he felt jealous. 
    “American Airlines announces the first boarding call for flight two twenty eight to Dallas Fort Worth International.”
    They were one of the first groups to get on and Mich ael allowed Eva the window seat .  Usually, he avoided the middle seat, but took it to appease both of them.  In just a few short hours they would personally get to witness the drought that was ravishing the south.  Most importantly, he could finally quench his curiosity in seeing his little brother. He would know instantly how Casey’s well-being was just by his presence. 
    He loved how excited Eva got