Chapter 47

David
“Hey, I want to borrow your car,” Greg said, waking David up.

“Keys are on my desk. It’s a red Porsche Macan. Tell the navigation, ‘Malibu,’ and it will give you directions.”

“Thanks. I want to be there when they wake up.”

He really didn’t have to explain it to David. His three were in a strange place, and their dad hadn’t come home last night. The kids’ grandma said they hadn’t missed him because they were kept busy with all their cousins and, David suspected, Nana’s and Papa’s attention.

David gave his brother a half-assed wave and rolled over to go back to sleep.

David loaned Phil some of Alex’s clothes; they were about the same size. Phil had grown a couple of inches since David had seen him last. He was now six feet tall and starting to fill out. You could tell that working out with Joey had transformed his body.

Speaking of whom, she came out of Alex’s bedroom and yawned. David had been quiet while pilfering his roommate’s clothes to let her sleep.

“Where’s Greg?”

“He went to Malibu to get your stuff and say good morning to everyone. The shuttle will be here in an hour. How about we go down and eat some breakfast?” David suggested.

David took them down to the cafeteria. They had a skeleton staff because the dorm would be closing at noon. David was disappointed they didn’t have the omelet station going. They had to rough it, going through the steam-table line. While they ate, the people who were going with them on spring break began to trickle in.

David introduced everyone. Phil was tentative at first, but Lindsey began to draw him out. By the end of breakfast, he was getting comfortable hanging around college-age kids.

David had hired a shuttle bus for the group. It was like the ones that took people to and from airports and hotels. With the shuttle, everyone could drop their bags off in the front and go to the back and relax. After the shuttle had picked up the group at Sandoval Hall, it picked up Allard and Seamus at the athletic dorm. The next stop was Alyssa’s dorm, followed by the townhouse to pick up Cassidy.

Greg had texted David to let him know that Tami and Lexi were at the house and that Manaia would drive the three of them to the airport.

Soon after they arrived at the LAX FBO, a taxi pulled up and disgorged Tim and Wolf. David made the introductions of his old friends, new friends, and family members.

Before they got onto the plane, Lexi took charge.

“I’ve assigned you all seats for the first part of the flight. I tried to arrange it so you would be seated next to someone you don’t know very well as sort of an icebreaker. Once we get cruising altitude and the seat belt sign is off, feel free to mix it up and sit where you want.”

David checked, and he was seated next to Lauren. He noted that Lexi had picked Joey as her seatmate.

They were flying on a Gulfstream G550, which could handle 19 passengers. The private jet company they were chartering the flight from had provided an aircraft configured with one large leather seat on each side of the aisle. David and Lauren claimed the front seats, which gave him some extra space to stretch out his long legs.

Out of habit, he put in his earbuds and found some music to listen to. Lexi got on last and tapped his arm, which caused him to take out one earbud.

“The purpose of an icebreaker is to actually talk.”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that.”

David loved flying private, rather than having to endure the cattle car that was a commercial flight. As soon as Lexi was strapped in, they were rolling toward the runway. Five minutes later, they were in the air.

“Do you ski much?” Lauren asked.

“No, not really. I haven’t been in three, maybe four years.”

“Why do you own a condo near a ski resort?”

David shook his head.

“I would never have gone out and bought it. What happened was that I received it as payment to settle a lawsuit. I’ve never set foot in it,” David admitted.

“It’s just sitting empty?”

“No. I had it decorated to be sort of a party house. My mom Airbnbs it for me. It’s been booked solid all season.”

“I can’t imagine doing that. If it were me, I would worry it would get trashed,” Lauren conceded.

“I was, too, until my mom explained how it works. On top of the rent, they pay to have the place cleaned. If they leave it how they found it, the cost is minimal. If they trash the place, it can get pricy in a hurry. The renters also have to leave a large deposit. That way, they can’t skip on any additional charges they build up.

“It also has a secure closet that houses ski gear. If the people renting don’t have their own or don’t want to rent from the resort, they can rent ours. They’re then given the code to the closet.

“I had them add a service to have the pantry stocked if they wanted. That’s popular for families. I asked Lexi to order food for breakfast and snacks. And I had them stock the bar. I thought most everyone would prefer to grab lunch at the resort, and we could figure out dinner as we go,” David said.

“Are you and Lexi ... uh...”

“If you hadn’t noticed the sleeping arrangements, Lexi and I are in the master,” David said so he didn’t have to answer directly.

“Are you two serious?” Lauren asked.

“No. Neither one of us is dating anyone. So, if you wanted to hook up with Lexi, she’s a free agent,” David shared.

“Just when I think you’re a nice guy...”

“I suggest that I watch you and Lexi do naughty things,” David said as he waggled his eyebrows.

“Are you two really into that kind of stuff?”

“We haven’t yet, but if you want, I’ll go ask her,” David teased.

“I dare you.”

Lauren’s eyes got big when David unbuckled his seatbelt and walked back to where Joey and Lexi were having an animated discussion.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Lauren was wondering if you would be up for some girl-on-girl action tonight? I’d be willing to video it for my spank collection ... I mean, personal library.”

“What did I say?! This is going to be the best trip ever,” Phil crowed from the seat behind them.