Chapter 8 #2
I continue to stare as the call ends. My heart hammers like a weight in my chest. I don’t know how to feel about him calling and can’t even begin to guess what he wants.
Does he even know it’s my birthday? Some sick, twisted part of me still wants to talk to him, but I don’t call him back for fear that knowing the reason will be worse than the absence.
Continuing to stare at the screen, I keep walking through the hotel in a daze. I can’t decide if I want to get good and drunk to forget about dear ole dad or go back up to the room and fake a stomach bug. I feel sick so it isn’t much of a stretch.
I’m still deciding when laughter echoes against the marble floor. I find myself smiling reflexively as I glance up to find the source. I never want to be the guy bringing other people down, not even strangers.
Three women are standing in the middle of the hall. They’re dressed for a night out—big hair, sexy dresses, and even sexier shoes. They smell good too.
“It’s sold out. We’ll never get in,” I hear one of the women say.
“We’ll get in. Look at us.” Light laughter follows.
“And if that doesn’t work, I’ll beg with tears. We have to get in tonight to celebrate.”
“Let’s just go and see. Heidi and Christina are in line now. If they get in, then we should be able to too. We’ve got your back, Hannah.”
A tingle works its way down my spine and the hair at the nape of my neck stands up.
“It’s really not a big deal. We can go somewhere else.” This voice stands out above the others. There’s something familiar about it.
I look closer as I approach them. Like their voices, one draws my eye above the others.
Long, blond hair cascades over her shoulders and down her back.
She’s in a light purple dress that hugs her small, toned frame.
And as she turns, ever so slightly, I’m rewarded with a glimpse of that gorgeous mouth.
No fucking way.
Her back is still mostly to me, but I’m starting to get the feeling I could pick her out from any angle.
My steps slow and the two women in front of her clock me approaching. My lips twitch with a bigger smile when I recognize them as well. They’re the friends she was with at MVP.
“Oh my gosh,” Kinsley says, mouth hanging open as she continues to stare at me.
“What?” Hannah asks, then whips around. The movement has her blond hair catching the light. So many different shades of blond. Her lips part in an “o” as she spots me.
The knot in my chest travels to my throat, making my voice come out thick and gravelly. “Is it really you or am I dreaming?”
“Did you follow me here?” One hand goes to her hip and her brows pinch together. She might be scowling at me, but fuck, she’s beautiful.
“You wish.” I stop in front of her. The little blue flecks in her eyes flash as she continues to stare at me with disbelief written all over her pretty face. That excitement I was reaching for all night finally hits me.
“No, I really, really don’t. It’s starting to get creepy.”
“I’m here with some friends,” I say, hoping to ease her worry that I flew a thousand miles to Vegas for her. Would I have if I’d known? Nah. Well…probably not. “But I’m always happy to run into you. You look great. You’re wearing that dress.”
Her brows rise again. I’m sure she thinks I’m feeding her a line, but her cheeks flush like maybe the compliment landed anyway. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I pull my gaze away from her to smile at her friends. “You all look great.”
“Thank you,” her friends reply. They’re much more charmed by me than Hannah.
“What are you doing in Vegas?” I ask all three of them.
“Team bonding,” Hannah says.
“We’re celebrating.” Kinsley steps forward and links her arm with Hannah. “Hannah here landed the best coach in all of women’s gymnastics.”
“That’s great.” I smile at Hannah at the same time she shoots her friend a traitorous glare.
“Congrats,” I add. “That’s really fantastic.”
I don’t know exactly what it means, but it sounds as if she’ll be staying in Moonshot, and I like that a lot.
“Thanks.” Hannah’s expression is more bashful than I’ve ever seen from her. “They were already coming anyway so it isn’t really a celebration for me. I just tagged along.”
“It didn’t start that way, but tonight is all about you, babe,” Kinsley tells her.
“Which is exactly why we need to get into this club,” Skylar adds. She looks to me like she’s clarifying for my benefit. “Some famous DJ is here tonight, and tickets are sold out.”
“I can get you in,” I interject.
“Really?” Kinsley’s eyes widen as her face lights up. Skylar’s too.
“No, he can’t,” Hannah says before I can answer.
“I can,” I insist.
“Sorry, what I meant is it’s not necessary.”
“Yes, it is. You worked hard and you deserve to celebrate it,” Skylar says.
Kinsley nods. “After this weekend, Coach Rodier is going to have you training nonstop. You should enjoy your last few days of normalcy.”
“And by enjoy, she means party all night long.” Skylar smiles at her.
Kinsley and Skylar are brimming with excitement at the possibilities for the night.
“Fine,” Hannah relents with a ghost of a smile. “But we can do that anywhere in Vegas.”
“Nah. They’re right. You should celebrate in the best spot in the city,” I say.
“Can you really get us in?” Skylar asks.
“Yeah, my friends are already there.” I watch Hannah’s face for any indication of whether she’s on board.
Her stare gives nothing away. “Why aren’t you with them?”
She’s so skeptical of my every move. I sort of love the scrutiny from her.
“I had a phone call, and they went on without me.” I motion with my head toward the direction of the club and then aim my smile right at her. “Must be fate.”
“Fate would have sent me Tom Holland.”
“Zendaya would kick your cute little ass,” Kinsley says with a laugh.
“I think I could take her,” Hannah says without missing a beat. She stands a little taller, like that’ll make her look tougher.
“Sure, babe.” Kinsley huffs out another small chuckle.
“You think I could take her, right?” Hannah bats her lashes as she tosses the question at me.
“I think that there isn’t a lot you can’t do when you want it,” I tell her honestly.
“That’s so true,” Kinsley tells me.
“See? I know you.” I wink at Hannah, then move to stand beside her and offer her my arm. “What’d you say?”
She hums a cute little throaty sound. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”
My lips curve. I like her fire even when I’m on the other end of the flames. “Low expectations. I can handle that. Nowhere to go but up.”