Turbulence - (18+)

23.

GATE B19 JUSTIN

New York (JFK)->Los Angeles (LAX)

The flashing white fireworks from the gala lit up the sky as I sped out of the parking lot. My blood pressure heightened with every passing second, and I was sure if I didn't make it home within the next hour, I was going to do something I might later regret.

I was used to seeing my father's face plastered all over the magazines and commercials, used to reading his words and rolling my eyes at his every lie, but actually seeing him face to face tonight made me realize just how much I still despised him. How much Elite and everything he stood for repulsed me.

I turned on the radio so I could focus on something else, but as thoughts of my father slipped away, thoughts of Shay came into focus. The sight of her in that half-of-a-dress and flirting with Evan. The fact that it actually made me react.

"Our arrangement covers sex, not conversations with random people..."

Bullshit.

I made it to the valet at The Madison and didn't bother waiting for the attendant to approach my car. I stepped out and left the keys in the ignition, quickly rushing up the building's front steps.

"Good evening, Mr. Bieber." Jeff held the doors open. "How are the skies lately?"

"Turbulent." I went straight to the open elevators and up to my suite, still appreciating that I no longer had to double check security each time I came home. I opened all the windows in my living room, letting the cool night air sift inside. Then I walked into my kitchen and pulled out all my shot glasses, filling them with bourbon.

I knocked back two and my voicemail system turned on.

"Welcome home. You have two new messages. Would you like to hear them?"

"Yes."

"Please say the password."

I tossed back shot number three. "One, eight, seven, two."

"Message number one..." There was a beep, then a raspy voice. "Hello? Is this Deluxe Catering? This is the number that's-"

"Next."

"Message number two."

"Justin, it's me." Riley's whiney voice echoed throughout the living room. "Justin, I know you're home, so pick up...Okay look. Regardless of how you feel about me, Evan and your dad, we need to talk to you. It's really important and we've been using any means necessary to get your attention for years. Can you not see that? Can you not see?" She sounded as if she was actually crying. "If you're still listening..."

"Next."

"No new messages. Would you like me to delete the most recent messages?"

"Yes."

"Okay. You now have thirty-six archived messages. Goodbye."

I picked up my fourth shot, ready to toss it back, but there was a loud and sudden knock at my door. The type of rude and inconsiderate knock that could only come from Riley.

With the words, "Stay the hell away from me" on my tongue, I walked over to the door, but when I swung it open, I saw Shay. Soaking wet, she was still dressed in the emerald green dress from the gala. Her face was flushed red, and her chest was heaving up and down.

"Yes?" I raised my eyebrow.

"We need to get a few things straight," she said, walking straight past me and into the condo. "We're going to get through this right now and I'm going to talk, and you're going to listen."