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This was why it didn’t bother me that I was about to graduate, and I was still a virgin. I had four men more than ready, and willing to take care of that problem for me. Well, for Amanda, but I’d talk my way into that hotel room somehow. I knew I could.
I just had to have faith in myself.
In the end, I’d ruin Amanda’s plan, something she’d strived to achieve for four years, while I reclaimed my self-worth. It was crazy, but it was my plan. And if it failed, I’d go home and try something else. It wouldn’t be the end of the world.
But I’d still try fucking hard to talk those guys into letting me into their room. I wanted it more than anything I’d wanted in my life. I felt my phone buzz and glanced down at it. I wanted everything they’d offered me, whether it was crazy or not.Chapter NineGraduation day. I stared out at the throngs of people as I marched in time with other graduates. It was finally here, that day I’d waited so long for. No more papers, no more exams, no more classes. I took a deep breath and listened to the speeches but didn’t actually hear a word anyone said.
I looked around, wondering what each student would end up being. We all had hopes and dreams, the same as we when we started, but now we all had new directions to go in. I just had to take a little detour on the way.
It was still early enough in the day that Mom and I would be back in Hickory in time to have a celebratory dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant there. I’d break the news to her that I was planning a short little getaway to Vegas over dinner. It wasn’t something I wanted to dump on her right away.
I heard my name called, along with my degree program, and stood up to walk across the auditorium. That’s when I heard Mom break the rules and shout my name with so much pride it made me blush.
“That’s my baby girl!” Mom called out before she sat down.
I chuckled a little and took the rolled paper that the dean handed to me. I shook her hand and walked off the stage. I wanted to just leave the building at the point, but we were only halfway through the alphabet. I felt bad for the people that were at the beginning of the alphabet.
I sat down and let my brain zone out as I waited for the ceremony to end. I applauded when appropriate and before I knew it, I was outside looking for Mom. Brooklyn was on the other side of the campus, where her program’s graduation was being held. We’d said our goodbyes early this morning and made plans to meet up next weekend.
“Baby love!” I heard my mom call out and turned around to her, still dressed in my cap and gown.
I hugged her close as she rushed up to me, her light brown hair down to her waist and free. I’d always loved her hair. “Hi, Momma. I’m so glad to see you!”
“Congratulations, Nicolette! Oh, my goodness, I’m so proud of you, baby!” She pulled back and the smell of her citrus-scented perfume diminished. “You’ve done it!”
“I have!” I smiled happily, but the smile dimmed as I watched Amanda walk by. We’d been in the same program, so it was her graduation day too. She stood with an older couple I guessed to be her parents. They looked pleased but far too formal to be as effusive as my mother was. Amanda looked grumpy, and that made me beam with happiness. I guess she still hadn’t been able to contact the Rome brothers.
I was surprised that she hadn’t, I thought to myself as Mom and I walked to the parking lot where I had left my car. I’d figured she’d get them back on a new phone and they’d figure out I wasn’t her, but it hadn’t happened. Plans were still on to meet Sunday at one of the swankiest hotels in Vegas.
“Oh, before I forget, you got this in the mail at the house. I brought it to you.” Mom handed me a bright yellow envelope that was obviously a card. It was from my father’s parents out in California.
I opened the thick envelope up, expecting some expensive-looking, thick card, but found a stack of money inside. Spread inside the envelope were ten brand-new $100-dollar bills and plane tickets for a trip to California in August. There was also a letter.
I looked up at Mom, completely shocked. I had barely heard from them most of my life and now it looked like they wanted to see me. I stared at the money and lost the ability to speak. I guess I could afford a trip to Las Vegas after all. A very short one, but if it came down to it, I’d have money for a hotel room.
