Two hours into the flight and I’ve successfully managed to get a nice buzz going, despite the attendant’s raised eyebrow and offer of coffee instead. I mean really, would you be drinking coffee if you’re faced with seeing the girl that broke your heart and the people that may or may not be pissed at you for disappearing without a word for four years?

At least there’s Haley.

Haley helped pick up the pieces that was left of me after Peyton left, helped me put them back together, despite the fact that most of the pieces just wouldn’t fit right again. Still, if it wasn’t for Haley? God, I don’t even want to think about that.

So not surprisingly she’s first on my list of people I plan to see. Is it going to be an easy meeting? Hell no, I mean she’s not going to approve of this. Of me coming home to patch things up with Peyton, which she’ll see as me trying to break up Peyton and Lucas. Which, just between you and me may be the plan, but for the most part I’m really just here to find myself again and for that I’m going to need my Tutor Wife. She was always the heart of the group and if there’s something I’ve lacked in these last few years, it’s a bit of heart.

Plus I’ve seen pictures of Jamie. That kid is cute as a button and I plan on squeezing those chubby little cheeks the first chance I get.

By the time the seatbelt sign flashes on, I’m stuffing those little bottles of Vodka and Whiskey in my jacket pockets. I mean you never know when you’re going to need a stiff drink, especially if you’re in my position. Besides, this is first class and I paid enough for the ticket to warrant a few miniature bottles of booze finding it’s way into my pocket.

I ignore the tight feeling in my stomach as the plane touches down, even as I exit and make my way to the baggage claim. Even in the taxi I pretend that I’m not seconds away from either throwing up again or forming a stomach ulcer. My assistant has one of those and she’s forever worried that the thing is going to cause an internal bleed or something, so I’m not casting my vote for that one. Internal bleeding just sounds gross, you know?