“I’ve never gambled in my life,” the bachelorette discloses. “I just want blackjack once.”
“This is the first time you’ve ever sat down at a table?” I look at the cards, then at Ned, then at her.
“Yup, we’re just about to head out to a male revue and then some clubs. I figured I’d try my luck.” One of the women in her party hands her a drink with a penis straw sticking out of it.
“Well, if you want some advice, I’d split those aces and go for double Blackjack then.”
She sucks down the drink and nods. “Let's do it. What she said,” she tells Ned once she swallows. I hear Kira giggling behind me as Ned splits the cards and deals two more. Everyone crowds around the table to see if my advice was right. I’m feeling pretty confident. We haven’t seen many face cards the last few hands, so I think this gamble could pay off. Ned turns the first card, and it’s a queen of spades. The table ripples with excitement. When he pulls the second face card, everyone erupts with a thrill. Ned delivered the bachelorette’s wish. Blackjack, times two.
“Oh, my God,” she squeals as her stack of chips triples in size. “Best night ever.”
“And it’s only just beginning,” I comment.
“Yup, and you two have to come party with us. You’re my good luck charms.”
Kira and I are caught off guard. “We . . . um . . .” I don’t know what to say.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. There is plenty of room in the limo and all the champagne you can drink.” All the girls around her nod excitedly in agreement.
“We have an awesome night planned,” one of them says encouragingly.
I glance back at Kira. “Is this the kind of trouble you had in mind?”
Kira bites her lip. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?”
“Will Ky shit a canary if we go?”
“Probably, but my therapist says I have to take more risks and learn to trust the world again.”
“Well, this would be the perfect opportunity, then.”
“I agree.” That mischief-making smile reemerges.
I turn back to the bachelorette. “We’re in.”
“Woo-hoo!” she exclaims. “Let’s go!” She sweeps her chips into her white purse and hops off her chair.
“Later, Ned.” Kira and I follow suit.
“Have fun, ladies,” he sends us off with a salute.
Once engulfed in the small throng of women, I realize I'm the black sheep, literally. I am the only one not wearing white. I don’t mind standing out, though. I have my whole life, and I’m not about to change now.
Kira texts Ky as we make our way through the casino with the bachelorette party. She’s typing furiously, and I have a feeling Ky is not on board with the idea. Just by chance, I happen to see Damon standing next to a packed poker table with several players wearing Baum Squad cuts. He’s talking — no, not talking — flirting with a cocktail waitress whose skirt is way too short and boobs are way too big. I trail behind the group, spying on him. Yes, spying, and I don't care who knows it. I watch their flirty exchange. He’s laying it on super thick, flashing her that award-winning smile. Even with his black-and-blue eyes and cut lip, he’s still a snake charmer. And she’s hypnotized by his song. It makes me sick. When she writes something down on a cocktail napkin and hands it to him, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. He folds the napkin with pleasure and places it in the pocket of his cut.
This is it. Right here, the sole reason I’m keeping my distance from Damon La Rue. No matter how much sweet and sexy bullshit he spews at me, at his core, he will always be the same man. The man with a wandering eye and a taste for a variety of women.
The past
Damon kissed me.Like, honest and truly kissed me. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop kissing you tonight.”If there is such a thing as cloud nine, I’m on it. Dancing on it. Spinning on it. I trace my lips as I look in the bathroom mirror. How many times have I fantasized about him? About him touching me or kissing me or looking at me the way he did on the dancefloor. Like he sees a whole new person. Not just the Bowman’s daughter. Or the girl he grew up teasing like a little sister.
Everything inside me is fluttering. I’m shaking, but in the best possible way. I’ve wanted to be with Damon since I was five years old. Before I even knew what those feelings meant. And now here we are. And it’s better than I could have ever imagined. Even if it’s only for tonight. Tomorrow is too far away to think about, so I’m just going to concentrate on the here and now. Take each minute as it passes and enjoy every second that ticks by.
I re-gloss my lips, and tuck away some stray hairs, wanting to keep the princess look intact for as long as possible. I don’t know where this night is going to lead, but I’m hoping someplace quiet and private where way more kissing is involved.
I emerge from the bathroom where a crowd of rowdy seniors are congregating by the entrance of the hotel, waiting to get picked up by their limo.
I’m supposed to meet Damon by the fountain under the massive chandelier, but he’s not there. The hotel lobby is a decent size, and crawling with my classmates, so us missing each other is a strong possibility. I circle around the modern-looking fountain with multiple tiers, searching Damon out. I scan the faces of the people around me, until my gaze crosses over a couple kissing, semi-hidden by the grand staircase. I dismiss them initially, but then backtrack for a better look. At first, I don’t believe it. It just seems unfathomable, but as I slowly step closer, my irrational fears become a reality. Hannah — head cheerleader, prom queen, and school slut — has Damon pinned against the wall with her tongue shoved down his throat.
