Austen doesn’t take long to get ready, then we’re heading out.
“Who’s calling the cars?” Austen asks once we get to the lobby.
“Oh, actually, we got a bus,” Mack says with a grin.
“A what?” Austen asks, looking as confused as I feel.
“A bus,” Paul says, throwing his arm around Austen. “You know, one that goes up and down the strip.”
Alex grins, sliding his hands in his pockets. “It was my idea.”
“We’re going to go down the strip, stop at the Vegas sign, take some photos, then the driver will drop us off at the club,” Mack explains.
“Best part is we get to drinkonthe bus!” Trey announces, throwing his arms in the air.
Am I pissed about this? Yes. Yes, I am. Because what the fuck? They all knew about this, planned this whole thing, without telling me? Or even cluing me in a little? I shouldn’t be surprised, and maybe I’m not, but considering this isn’t a surprise for me, they could have let me in on it. Why didn’t they? Because they knew I couldn’t help pay for it? Because they thought I’d tell Austen? I really hate these guys.
“Seriously?” Austen says.
“Hell yes.” Mack slaps him on the shoulder. “Figured it was just one more experience.”
“So where is it?” Austen asks.
“Should be here in about ten minutes,” Paul says, glancing at his phone.
I watch Austen and the way he smiles, that grateful gleam in his eye. It’s nothing compared to the way he looked when I gavehim the watch that’s around his wrist, but it’s still there. He can’t be anything but nice and appreciative. It’s just who he is.
The bus pulls up right on time, and we all file in. It’s dark with blue lights along the inside and enough seating for us and a few more. There are champagne bottles on ice, and cups that get passed out to each of us.
Mack is talking to the driver and comes back to sit beside Austen before the driver takes off, blasting some rap music that sounds ridiculous. I down my glass of champagne all in one go.
“We’re hitting a liquor store first,” Mack says loudly, holding his glass up. Everyone else joins him. “To Austen getting fucking married!”
I hold up my empty glass, trying to play nice so I don’t piss them off and make them give me more shit than they already do. It’ll be easier to handle once we’re in the club. I don’t have to stay with them; I can go off and do my own thing.
We all go into the liquor store together. I get nothing, but they buy a ton of alcohol. No idea how we’ll drink all that in the short time we’ll be on the bus, but it’s their money wasted, I guess.
I zone out most of the ride, focusing on alcohol and listening here and there to conversations. I’m on the end, by the door, which I didn’t do on purpose. Just kind of happened while everyone else was fighting for a spot to sit near the other, I got pushed to the back.
Maybe the more drunk I get, the easier this will be to manage.
Since they’re all focused on one another, I snag a bottle of tequila, smirking as I pour it into my glass to the tippity top. It’s the good shit, so when I sip it, it doesn’t make me gag.
Is drinking straight tequila a good idea? Hell fucking no, it isn’t. It’s the only alcohol that makes me black out. But when in Vegas…
I don’t guzzle the drink like I want to. I take my time with it, knowing it’s going to fuck me up and I don’t want to get sick. I’mhere for Austen, after all. The last thing I need is to ruin his night with having to take care of me. Because he will, even if I tell him not to.
When we get to the Vegas sign, we all head out and wait in line to take some photos together. There is a photographer there who charges ten dollars for a group shot, so someone pays him and we get together for a photo. Once again, I’m on the end, but it’s fine. I don’t want to be squished between these people, anyway. The guy promises to email the photos, which he does.
As we head back to the bus, Austen reaches my side.
“You good?” By his tone, I know he’s already feeling good.
“Great.” I grin at him, and his smile grows.
“Thanks for coming. I know you didn’t want to.”
“Of course I wanted to, Austen.”
