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Kylie answers, and it’s loud wherever she is. “Hey, baby love!”
“Hey—Kylie, where are you?”
“I’m walking the strip with Oscar. What’s up?”
“Are you far from our hotel?”
“No—about a ten minute walk away.”
“Do you think you can meet me here? I’ve decided I want to stay the night in your room.”
She laughs. “Oh, bravo, babe! Bra-fucking-o! I knew you’d come to your senses and ditch that lunatic.”
Lunatic. That, he truly is.
“I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Okay,” I murmur. She has to be drunk, and I’m sort of glad for it. I didn’t want her to catch my silent cry for help as we spoke, but I do need her right now. I can’t stay in that room with him.
God, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Shane has money, yes, and I need it right now, but I’d much rather talk to my no-good mother than deal with him anymore.
He’s hurt me twice now. The first time it happened was after a party I attended. He was there with me. We were having a great time at first. Laughing. But then he saw me talking to Pete, a guy in my English class, and got way too jealous. That was the night Kylie was there.
I considered it a mistake and figured he was too drunk to think clearly. I brushed it off and forgave him. But I can’t forgive this. The second time. He did it on purpose.
I saw it in his eyes—his intent to harm me, bring me to the brink of tears.
Asshole.
I make it down to the casino and sit in front of one of the slot machines, in Snoopy pajamas with a glass of scotch in hand. I know people probably assume I’m some alcoholic bum with the way I’m looking right now, but I honestly couldn’t care less.
I wait and wait for Kylie to come—or at least call. Ten minutes my ass. I bet she’s gone ten minutes further instead of coming back towards the hotel.
My phone rings.
It’s Kylie.
“Kylie—where the hell are you?”
“I’m on the way, hun, I swear! I got caught up with this crazy poker game Oscar was in and then Drake wouldn’t let up.”
“Wait—what? Drake?”
She completely disregards my question. “I’m coming! I’m coming!”
I sigh. I’ll ask her about the Drake thing later. “Well, hurry, please. I’m by the slot machines whenever you get here.”
“Okay!”
“You know, Kylie shouldn’t drink so much. She has no type of filter when she does.” A deep voice sounds behind me and I gasp, spinning in my seat.
With my phone still glued to my ear, I focus on familiar green eyes. I’ve seen them so many times in one night, after so many years of seeing them only in my dreams. My breath comes to a slight halt.
Drake stands only inches away from my chair. He looks me over in my pajamas, and I’m surprised his face doesn’t scrunch with disgust. As a matter of fact, he looks amused by what I’m wearing. His Snoop wearing Snoopy pajama pants. What are the odds?
I end the call when Kylie starts going on about God knows what. I have a feeling she’s going to get delayed again, which isn’t a good thing right now because I need her.
“Drake—what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you, Jenny. Why else?” He takes the seat beside me, placing his elbows on top of his thighs and clasping his fingers. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”
I look away, picking up my scotch. He watches me drink it, and that’s when his face scrunches up. Hey, maybe if I keep drinking he’ll continue to be disgusted by the act.
“I couldn’t stay.”
He releases a breath. “Why not?”
“I needed to get back to my room.”
“To your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I snap.
“So you lied to me?”
“I didn’t lie. I wanted you to leave me alone so I told a small fib.”
“So he’s just some guy you fuck around with?”
I ignore his question. As of now, Shane is dead to me, but Drake doesn’t need to know that.
I place my empty glass down and then turn in my seat, grabbing the handle of my suitcase.
“I have to go.”
I stand up and walk away from him to get to the lobby. I have no idea where I’ll go, but it will be better than being in this damn hotel.
Before I can make it to the door, Drake catches me by the hook of the arm and pulls me aside.
His eyes meet mine, his lips so close, his body even closer. We stand in a dimly lit corner, a few feet away from the exit. The people walking in and out don’t notice us. I’m not even sure how Drake made it into this place without being spotted.
Well, actually I take that back. I do know how.
He’s wearing a black t-shirt and baseball cap that he’s practically hiding beneath. His eyes spark as I stare up at him.
