"Good morning, Mike," said Peter cheerfully.
"Mornin'. How late were you guys out last night?"
"I think Autumn said she brought me home at two."
"You've already talked to her?"
"Yeah, I had to call her to make sure she got up on time. It's moving day."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, she's moving into her great-aunt Tillie Clara's old house."
"Where is it?"
"I'm not sure. She says it's a while away."
"Oh." Just then, Davy walked into the kitchen, still bleary-eyed from sleep.
"Hi Davy."
"Hi guys."
"Hey," said Mike, "how did it with Mallori?"
"We decided just to be friends."
"I'm sorry, man."
Davy looked around. "Where's Micky?"
"I thought he was up already," said Mike. "What was I thinking?"
"Yeah, he hasn't been up yet. Last time I saw him was at the airport."
"Airport?"
"Yeah, Rachel had to leave town last night."
"What?"
"Rachel had to leave town at three A. M. last night."
"Why?"
"I don't know—they didn't say."
"Sir? Wake up, sir."
Micky sat up, and hit his head against the poor flight attendant's. "Hi," he said groggily.
"Hello, sir. Do you need a place to stay?"
"No, no, I live here. What time is it?"
"Nine o'clock."
"I'd better get home. Thanks for waking me up."
"Hi," said another flight attendant approaching Micky and the first stewardess.
"Hi," said Micky.
"My name is Carey," said the second stewardess as the first flight attendant walked away.
"Hi," Micky repeated, standing up.
"Where do you live? I can give you a ride home."
"I live out on Beechwood."
"What was your name again? I didn't catch it."
"I didn't throw it," said Micky.
"Micky?" called a familiar voice.
"There he is!"
If Carey hadn't stepped back, the seven people rushing over to Micky would have knocked her down.
"There you are!"
"We were so worried!"
"Why didn't you come home last night?"
"George Michael Dolenz, how could you scare us like that?"
"Why didn't you call?"
"I just fell asleep. I'm sorry, guys."
"It's okay."
Laine walked over to Carey, who was still staring at the young man who'd been sleeping in the terminal.
"Carey, I was here last night—he proposed to his girlfriend."
"Did she say yes?"
"I don't think so—she got on her flight to Mexico City."
"Then he's mine." George Michael Dolenz, she thought, be prepared for the love of your life!
"Carey, don't you dare take advantage of another man!" Laine hissed.
Carey shrugged. "You try and stop me."
"Maybe I can't, but someone can. And they will. You see one of those girls over there? She's a Carnem—her family is rich and powerful, and she could have you killed if you messed with her friend—and the police wouldn't even care."
"How would you know?"
"She happens to be a close family friend, and her parents have done the same thing."
Carey finally stopped staring at Micky. "What?"
"You heard me. Be careful with that one. You've been warned."
Gonna Buy Me a Dog Part Seven
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