CHAPTER 11 #2
“We should get a picture in front of that!” Lida pointed at a garishly painted Las Vegas-themed mural across from baggage claim.
She began to excitedly shuffle towards the wall and Reese smiled before following suit.
Reese knelt down next to her, shooting a cheesy smile in the direction of Lida’s phone.
Lida squealed with excitement, “Oh my god it’s perfect!
I’m posting it now. Vacation has officially started!
” Her thumbs rapidly tapped across her phone screen before Reese felt the notification buzz in her pocket.
She glanced at the picture and smiled before re-posting the picture to her own instagram story.
Instinctively, she opened the story and looked at it again, the same way she had habitually done after every published post and story, pondering how it looked to her followers—to one follower in particular.
Lida’s boisterous voice disrupted her thoughts.
“Okay,” she announced, “The Uber is on the way, check-in is in thirty minutes, and then I’m gonna need a big-ass margarita with lunch. ”
“It’s nine am and you’re already thinking about tequila?” Reese couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her throat.
Lida’s laugh was infectious. “Welcome to Vegas, babe.” Reese giggled and cheered in agreement, though a cocktail was the very last thing on her mind.
It was a blustery forty degrees back home, so the warm sunlight felt extra luxurious as they exited the double doors.
Enjoying the warmth on her skin, Reese glanced over and admired Lida for a moment as she inhaled deeply.
Her long black and blonde braids were swinging down her back, nearly grazing her leggings.
Lida opened her eyes and grinned before throwing an arm around Reese’s waist and teasing, “Are you checking me out?”
Reese snickered, “Oh shut up, I was just having a moment.”
“You’re a fucking sap,” Lida quipped with a hearty laugh.
“God you’re annoying.”
“Shut up, you love me.”
“I love you, but that doesn’t make you any less annoying,” Reese shot back as Lida cackled in response.
Lida gave her a small squeeze before letting go and pointing them in the direction of the car approaching.
Reese was overwhelmingly grateful to her best friend and quickly planted a kiss on her cheek, giggling at Lida’s obviously fake disgusted groans in response.
This weekend was shaping up to be the perfect distraction.
. . . .
The convention center was cavernous inside.
Numerous tracks were already set up, with at least two games being played concurrently.
Players skated by in full gear, frantically heading to the track as whistles echoed in the background and a small smattering of fans were spread out in the stands above.
A friendly purple-haired volunteer animatedly waved Reese and Lida over to the registration desk.
Reese’s eyes wandered as Lida began filling out the stack of forms that covered the tiny surface.
There must’ve been at least six or seven teams roaming around the venue, and it was only Friday morning.
This place would be absolutely filled to maximum capacity by tonight.
Reese was simultaneously repulsed and comforted by the smells that drifted through the entryway.
Hints of popcorn, biofreeze, beer, and sweat permeated the air.
To most people, it was a revolting combination.
But to Reese, the smell felt strangely comforting.
It was a scent that accompanied every roller rink she had ever been to.
A common denominator among different venues, different cities, different countries even.
The announcers overhead excitedly rattled on, riling up the sparse crowd.
It was too early in the day for most fans.
To be fair, it was too early in the day for most of the players too.
The convention was hosted by Sin City Skates, a team with a worldwide reputation for playing hard, fast— and often hungover—roller derby.
“Yo, are you filling out your shit or what?” Lida’s voice cut through the noisy arena and Reese quickly turned her attention to the pages in front of her. She muttered an apology as Lida clarified the directions while signing the forms with a flourish.
“You’re already registered for the weekend, so keep your lanyard with you at all times and you shouldn’t have any issues.” The purple-haired volunteer gave both of them a crooked grin pulled tight over an already bruised and split lip.
“Thank you!” Reese replied excitedly. “Can we walk around to check it out?” she asked, her eyes already wandering.
“Honey, you’ve got your passes so you can do whatever you want. Have fun now.” Their attention drifted off distractedly as a new group arrived behind them.
Lida and Reese made eye contact and immediately broke into matching grins as they strolled around the arena.
Skaters continuously streamed across the polished concrete floor, heading in every direction.
The sharp grating sound of wheels stopping and rolling was like music to Reese’s ears.
She’d never been to a tournament of this size before, and Reese felt her jaw hanging open as she took it all in.
Tournaments and conventions like this never got old.
The echoes of whistles, the distorted music playing from the loud speakers overhead, and the cheers from fans and coaches alike.
Every tiny detail felt satisfying. Reese turned around and saw Lida slowly walking towards the beer tent, exaggerating her steps with a faux-sly expression across her face.
She broke into laughter when Reese’s eyes met hers.
Reese nodded and galloped over to join her in line.
“You know, we really shouldn’t be drinking before our games this weekend,” Reese scolded.
Lida’s head whipped around, her brow furrowed in shock.
Reese could only keep her expression serious for a moment before she felt herself start to break.
Her lips curled into a teasing smile and she burst out laughing as Lida extended a middle finger.
“Jesus, you scared me dude,” Lida sounded exasperated. “I thought you were getting all strict on me. Because there’s no way I’m going all the way to Vegas and not having a couple drinks,” she defended in a voice that was already raspy.
“Babe, you know I would never do that to you,” Reese teased back. “I mean, I’m not gonna go crazy. But that just means I’ll be here to make sure you turn out okay,” she affectionately leaned into Lida’s shoulder.
Lida snorted and reached for two beers before telling the vendor, “Thanks so much…she’ll be paying,” and gesturing to Reese with her chin. Reese cackled and pulled out her wallet in defeat. As they walked away, they clinked their plastic cups together and toasted to a great weekend.
. . . .
Hours later, they both flopped onto beds in the hotel, stomachs full and desperately eager to rest. Heavy tan and red curtains hung in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered an entire side of the frigid room.
It was a decent hotel room, nothing too fancy.
Just a small outdated loveseat, a mini-fridge, and two queen-sized beds.
Lida yawned as she stretched her legs. Reese’s eyes lazily drifted around the room, too tired to move.
“Do we think a nap is a good idea or a bad idea?” Lida’s voice was already muffled by the pillows.
“Good idea,” Reese confirmed through a long and drawn out yawn. “Are you setting an alarm?”
Lida shook her head before groaning, “Too tired. Can you do it?”
Reese reached into her pocket and browsed through her texts, catching up on the rest of the team’s staggered arrivals in Las Vegas.
No more than five minutes had passed before Reese heard Lida’s quiet snoring from the other bed.
She snuggled under the blankets and scrolled through her notifications, instinctively scanning for one name in particular as she pointlessly fought off sleep.
Her heart jumped into her throat when she saw a familiar name.
As she clicked on Jette’s profile, Reese swallowed a gasp.
Less than fifteen minutes ago, a picture had been posted of Jette and the other members of Fincher in front of the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign on the strip.
Reese double-tapped on the picture immediately and beamed under the covers.
She rolled over and turned off the screen, nestling into the mattress to nap.
Her eyes shot open as her phone buzzed against the mattress.
JETTE
Vegas, huh?
Can you meet for a drink?