Fly Me

I have no idea how I got here. One minute I'm thrashing on a beat up Fender in a smoky club in a backwater town and eight months later I was playing the The Troubador in LA. I got a three record deal, and a new band. I hadn't let my hair grow to extreme lengths but it was brushing my shoulders. I couldn't believe the whole whirlwind that was around me right now. Being a rock star was turning out pretty cool.

The record label called my manager before my set today and told him I was needed to fill in for a gig where the headliner had dropped out and I was to be on a private plane from LA to New York that night. I was exhausted but it was too early in my career to start complaining and figured I could sleep on the plane.

When the limo pulled up to the plane on the tarmac my manager put her hand on my sleeve.

"I have a meeting here in LA tomorrow. I'll fly to New York as soon as it's over. I hope I can make the show, but in case I can't, break a leg. I know it's going to feel weird without your own guys to back you up but trust them. Get some sleep on the flight."

"Yes mom." Sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Hey! Don't give me any of your shit. I'm trying to keep you on the right track. So no blow and keep the booze to a minimum."

"Like you've ever seen me do coke before. I can't even smoke weed without getting stupid as fuck."

"That's why I'm still here. Alright, get out of here." She pushed me towards the door.

I looked up at the plane which was a small private jet. There was no red carpet but there were stairs to the open door. I looked up and a knockout blonde was standing there in a sexy, short, uniform.

"Things are looking up already." I mumbled as I took the steps up two at a time. The attendant smiled and stepped back.

"Welcome aboard Mr. Rockwell. I can take your bag." She reached for the duffell I'd thrown together and even held up her hand for my guitar case.

"Be careful with my baby." I said grinning. She sidled sideways ahead of me between the seats towards the rear of the plane not jostling my gear at all. She returned a few minutes later passing me by, picked up a small phone handset on the wall and made a few remarks before hanging it up. She walked up to me and gave me a short rundown on the safety features, seat controls, and belt connection.

"Have you ever flown in a small aircraft before?"

"No. This is really nice. I have you all to myself for the entire flight?" I noticed her little name badge said Erin.

"That you do Mr. Rockwell. In smaller jets you feel a little more inertia so don't be surprised when you're pushed back into the seat on takeoff. They bank more quickly in turns too so please stay seated until the pilot clears us to move around the cabin."

"Call me Adam." I said.

She gave me a brilliant smile, "call me Erin. We'll be ready to taxi to the runway in a couple minutes. Please put your seatbelt on and once we're airborn I'll open the galley. Have you had dinner?"

"I'm not really hungry, but I could use a drink."

"I can do that." She stood up and went forward. I saw the ground crew pulling away and saw Erin lean out and pull the door closed. I heard a few thumps as she latched it in.

She went to the phone again before coming towards me. "We're all set. You'll hear two pings over the intercom when we're ready to start taxiing to the runway." She checked my seatbelt and I checked her out. She was mid-height, with long legs, short blond hair, golden brown eyes and lips made for making out. She was gorgeous with a capital 'G' and her perfume was sweet as it wafted past.

I relaxed and the pings came shortly after and with a gentle bump we began moving, thankfully the wait wasn't long and soon we were shooting down the runway. Erin was right and it felt like being in the front seat of a rollercoaster there for a few minutes and we rose rapidly and I leaned into the turn as we climbed. The plane leveled out and the engines quieted. The double ping sounded again and a moment later Erin was beside me again.

"What can I get you to drink?"

I looked her up and down. "In any other place that would be my question to you."

She smiled and surprisingly didn't give me an eyeroll.

"Sorry. Whiskey rocks please."

"Any preference?"

"Crown if you've got it."

Erin laughed, "this plane is owned by a record company. We have everything." She patted me on the shoulder as she walked past me into the galley.

Jesus she looked good in that short skirt. I began to wonder who she'd seen on these flights. She walked back and I swear there was a little swagger in her step as she set the crystal tumbler in the holder next to my seat. "Can I get you anything else?"

I looked her up and down, my eyes resting back on her face.

"Besides that." The corner of her mouth lifted.

I found myself apologizing again. "It's uh, well. No, thanks." I felt my face get warm, and her smile brightened.

"I'm just messing with you Adam." Her hand brushed my shoulder as she walked past me towards the back again.

I sipped my drink. I wasn't sleepy and I figured I'd get a nap when I arrived at the hotel in the morning. I got restless and looked around the edge of my seat to find Erin sitting in the back looking down at something. I picked up my drink and stood, and walked back to where Erin sat. She looked up and her expression looked tentative like she was ready to do my bidding.

"May I?" I placed my hand on the back of the seat opposite her. I was surprised to see her eyebrows rise slightly but she nodded. She unfolded her legs and sat up, slipping her feet back into the shoes in front of her. I just waved her to relax.

"I'm not sleepy despite my manager telling me to sleep on the trip. I didn't get up until nearly noon today."

"Long night?"

"Yeah, I had a show last night. It was pretty energetic so I didn't get to sleep until almost three."

"When we land it will be nearly five in New York. Once you're at your hotel and settled you'll be able to sleep until noon again." She grinned.

"That's what I figured. I'll have to be at the soundcheck by four or so and probably jam a little with the band since I've never worked with any of them before."

"Session guys are some of the most talented musicians who never got a break."

"I swear this face is the only thing keeping me from strumming back up for someone else." I took a long swallow of my drink and leaned my head back.

"I don't know about that. You're pretty good from what I've heard."

"You've heard my stuff?" I was genuinely surprised.

She nodded, that hundred watt smile lighting up. "I was at the Troubadour last night. One of the perks of being in the business. Well that, and this," she pointed at her face and ran her finger down the length of her body, "can get me past a lot of bouncers."

"I bet you've seen a lot of great acts come through the door. Got any wild stories?"

She just grinned, shrugged, and shook her head. "Not a one." She pantomimed turning a key in her mouth and tossing it.

"A very admirable trait." I smiled and swallowed the last of my drink. Erin leaned forward and took my glass.

"Another? Or something else?" She said standing. When she did she leaned forward far enough for me to catch a peek down her blouse and I felt myself getting hard.

"Another, please."

"Do you have any food allergies? Nuts, seeds, that sort of thing?" She leaned over me and set the drink in the holder. I got another whiff of her perfume and it did nothing for the growing discomfort in my jeans.

"Uh, no. Why?"

Her other hand came around and set a small dish on the side next to my drink. It had small sections with nuts and dried fruit.

"I figured you may want a snack." She turned and walked away again. I popped some of the cashews in my mouth and took sip of my drink. Erin reappeared with a bottle of water in her hand and sat back down.

"Why don't you join me?" I pointed at the drink.

Her ever present smile deepened. "Can't, I'm on the clock."

"It's just me. I won't rat you out." I returned her smile.

"We're not the only two here." She tilted her head forward looking towards the cockpit.

"Ah yes, the driver."

"Pilots. If you call them drivers they get really annoyed." She laughed.

"If one appears I'll apologize."

She looked at her watch. "Could be any minute now. They can't hold their coffee for an entire transcontinental flight. This must be some pretty big gig you're going to. Usually someone fairly new like you they'd just dump on a commercial red-eye."

I shrugged. "My manager told me I was filling in for an act that cancelled at the last minute. I'll do my usual set list and I guess head back to LA after. Enough about me. What about you? How did you end up here?"

She shrugged like it was nothing. "There's not much to tell. I was a nerd in school, braces, straight A's. I worked summers as a life guard for the city of Pomona. We didn't have a lot of money so college was going to be a hard time. The only thing I knew is that I wanted to travel. I figured out fast that a job in travel and tourism may be the shortest path so I signed up for community college and got a two year degree and my advanced life saving certification which got me a small raise with the city. One of the professors invited a rep from the flight attendant's union to talk to the class about careers. I thought there was no better way to get my ass off the ground than in a plane. After the presentation they wandered around chatting with us and answer questions. She said I would be a prime candidate and my lifesaving certification would be a plus on the application. So I applied."

"You got right in like that?" I nodded in appreciation.

"Yup. I got picked up by an airline and went through their training program. Worked there for six years."

"How did you end up here?"

She made a little face and realized I was just going to keep pumping her for the story. "I pissed off the wrong person." She pursed her lips and took a long swallow of her water.

It was my turn to raise my eyebrows.

Erin sighed and continued the story. "I'd been pushing to get a better schedule than Kansas City, Dallas, and Denver. I got lucky a few times, called up for reserve to Miami a couple times. One night I got into Miami and went out with the crew. Mojito's are a hell of a drug by the way." She smirked. "Well rules are rules. We were not allowed to consume alcohol within twelve hours of working again. Someone who shall remain nameless was jealous of me and reported me working after only seven hours of last call. I wished some pretty heinous stuff on her after I got that write up. I got sent back into the pool for reserve flights and ended up in some crappy areas. I was working a flight to Cleveland and a really nice record executive was talking to me."

"Like they do." I added quickly making Erin smile. I figure he was probably trying to get under that skirt.

"Yeah they do. He told me that his company was going to start their own travel division instead of constantly using commercial flights to head off issues with famous people causing trouble on public flights. He got me the information for the people in charge, and put a good word in for me. I started about sixteen months ago. I had to certify on a couple corporate jets first, and I got a basic medic training so I could apply the Naloxone if needed."

I looked at her not understanding.

"You're one of those innocent ones aren't you?" She grinned.

"I'm twenty-six. I've been around a little bit."

She nodded. "Rock stars, and often their entourages are known to do a little partying. It's in case I'm the only sober one around if something goes south. As I said, advanced life-saving was a big plus for both the commercial job, and here. I have an entire medical kit on board for contingency. If I have to I can divert this plane to the nearest airfield with a hospital nearby."

"Damn. They have you working like a waitress when you've got all that going on?"

Erin laughed. "It's part of the job. When I started here they were a little sticker shocked at what I was asking considering the lesser amount of work ferrying you famous people around as compared to regular red-eye flights to Milwaukee. The truth is that there's more work because unlike standard passengers, famous people tend to need a lot more servicing." She added the last word with air quotes. "I don't mean that in a salacious manner either. Although there have been a few. It's just that they expect the champagne and caviar treatment versus the coffee and a bag of pretzels treatment."

"The perks can't be that bad. Have you made it to Europe yet?"

"A few trips to London, but not any further since tour buses tend to be the best mode of transport once the artists are there."

"And not a single story to share?" I grinned.

She sighed and gave in. "There was one trip, I'm not naming names, but there was a group and they were young and cocky. I think their manager and I were the oldest ones in the cabin. When I asked if I could get the lead singer anything he responded with, 'I'd love a blowjob when you have a minute, but get the other guys their drinks first.'"

I barked out a laugh and covered my mouth. "Oh wow. What did you say to that?"

"It got really quiet once the rest of the band heard him. I looked him dead in the eye and told him my mother taught me not to put small objects in my mouth because they're choking hazards."

I kept laughing. "You didn't get in trouble?"

"Hell no. They thought I was a hot shit after that. Pardon the language." She grinned. "Though he did try to get me to go back to the hotel with him when we landed. I politely declined."

"Damn. It must be hard doing this job looking like you do."

She tilted her head in inquiry.

"I mean you're drop-dead gorgeous."

She blushed and looked aside. "Thanks, you're not so bad yourself. But it's not so bad. It's the lecherous back of the house guys that make it creepy. That isn't much more than a casting couch right there to most of the executives." She nodded towards the subject of her statement.

"They don't get that you're not here to be their entertainment." I shook my head.

"Shmucks will be shmucks, but they're paying the bills so I discreetly decline. "It's not really different than dealing with cocky pilots really."

Her gaze swept up and she pursed her lips as one of them walked past us to use the bathroom.

"They're probably going to want more coffee." She stood and went forward.

The pilot walked past again and gave me a nod. A few minutes went by and another guy walked past and gave a similar nod on his way back. A few minutes later Erin came back and sat down.

"Where were we?"

"I believe we were at shmucks and cocky pilots."

Erin covered her laugh with her hand. "Close one there. So what's your agenda when you get to New York?"

"I honestly don't know. I hope that someone from the label is there to get me going in the right direction."

Erin laughed. "Well your someone is actually right here. A car will be waiting for us to head to The Plaza for check in, after which I hand you off to the New York office to handle."

"Wow, a hotel room at The Plaza. Erin, we only just met." I smiled.

"I like to treat my boys special." She winked at me.

"How did you get wrangled into being my handler?"

"Nobody else was available on short notice I imagine. My responsibility ends at The Plaza and making a call to let them know you're checked in."

"Maybe I'll let you see me in my Spiderman pajamas."

"It wouldn't be the strangest thing I've seen." Erin glanced at her watch. "We're probably coming up on the Chicago area, we've got about three hours to go. Do you want to try and catch a nap? I can lower the cabin lights."

"Sure, I'll go back and sit up front and leave you alone."

"You're no bother Adam. I've enjoyed chatting with you." She dropped another of her full wattage smiles on me.

"Thanks. I've enjoyed it too."

I took my seat and put my feet up and just stared out the window into the dark assuming there was no way I'd sleep with the engine noise. A soft grip on my shoulder woke from a hazy dream where I only saw the golden brown eyes and pale pink lips of the girl I was making out with. I opened my eyes and she was still there.

"I'm dreaming about you. Let me sleep." I mumbled.

Erin smiled. "I'm flattered and a little curious, but we're going to land in about twenty minutes. If you could sit up and buckle in we'll be on the ground in no time."

I made a quick dash to the bathroom before doing as she ask. I hadn't asked but there was a cold bottle of water next to me when I sat down and buckled up. Erin made a call on her intercom and instead of sitting in the back took the seat next to me and buckled herself in. She turned to me and smiled, a blush lit her cheeks.

"Should I ask what you were dreaming, or should I assume it was the typical male fantasy. Mile high club?" Her eyes rolled and she leaned in, chin on her hand.

I had the good grace to feel my face warm. "Um, if that typical male was a teenager, maybe? We were making out." I looked forward and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

"That's all?" She sounded surprised.

"Well, if you hadn't woken me up right then," I shrugged, "I might have tried for second base."

Erin laughed at that and settled back in her seat. I caught her stealing glances at me out of the corner of my eye a few times.

A soft voice came over the intercom stating the landing might be a little bumpy from turbulence caused by low pressure front and rain near the airport. The engines changed pitch and I got a sudden sinking feeling and new we were losing altitude.

"Are you okay?" Erin asked.

"I'm good, just got that sudden weightless feel, like when you top out on a rollercoaster and it just begins to drop."

Erin smiled and reached out her hand to me. "You can hold my hand if you're scared."

I looked at her and the light hit her face just so. "What if I'm not scared? Can I still hold it."

Her eyes opened just a little wider and her cheeks reddened as I took her hand in mine.

The plane made a few turns one of which caused it to shake a little as we descended. There was a humming I assumed was landing gear coming down. There was another shudder and I wasn't sure if I gripped her hand or if she gripped mine just a little tighter. We dropped down from the low clouds and I could see the gridwork of the city below us as it we descended.

"I sure hope there's an airport in front of us or we're going to end up in a Denny's near a strip mall by the looks of it." I laughed.

"Maybe they can get the cars out of the way in time, and we'll get pancakes." Erin joked.

The scenery raced by and the landscape turned into larger buildings I assumed were hangars and the plane dropped and jostled as the wheels touched down, the nose came down suddenly and the engines pitched as they reversed quickly. We slowed and turned towards one of the buildings moving along the taxiway, lights blinking all over the grounds.

"Welcome to Teterboro, New Jersey. The local time is five thirty-eight in the morning. We'll have you at the hangar in a moment." Said the disembodied voice of the pilot. Erin's fingers slipped from mine and she unbuckled and stood holding herself against the sway and stepped forward.

"You stay in your seat." She commanded.

The view of a ground crew guy with flashlights directing the pilot where to stop. Erin started tapping what looked like a security code into the wall and a door opened. She pulled out a case with a red cross on it and set it near the door. The plane stopped with a slight jostle and she walked past me towards the rear. I could hear bumps from outside the plane and engines wound down. Erin appeared wearing an overcoat and leading with my guitar and bag and made another trip and came back with a small wheeled case. She opened the door leaning out to swing it fully open then lowered the steps. A cold damp blast of air entered the cabin and I understood why she grabbed her coat. She handed the bags out to someone and looked back at me.