CHAPTER 12
JETTE
Jette smiled and let her phone fall into her lap while the rest of the band casually piled onto the tiny loveseat and armchairs.
She glanced out the window and impatiently waited for an answer.
Jette had made a conscious effort to not text Reese since the kiss.
It felt best to make a clean break and give them both time to forget about it.
But memories still flooded Jette’s mind from time to time, sneaking up on her when she least expected it.
Natalie’s unnervingly bright blue eyes caught Jette’s smile and she playfully teased, “Who’s got you smiling at your phone? ”
Jette quickly composed herself before answering, “I didn’t realize my friend was in Vegas this weekend. We’re trying to meet up.” Natalie seemed a little disappointed that Jette didn’t have a more salacious answer.
“Are they coming to the show tomorrow?” Natalie pressed, quickly scrolling through her phone.
Her short icy blonde hair hung to her chin and her perfectly manicured nails frantically tapped the screen.
Natalie was never without her phone since her job as tour manager was completely dependent on it.
And Jette was thoroughly convinced that no one took their job more seriously.
She looked at her own phone and tried not to feel disappointed by the blank screen.
“There’s still comp tickets available if you want.
I have a stack of them in my bunk,” Nat continued as she absentmindedly chewed on her lip.
Jette nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe I’ll ask her.
Thanks, Nat.” Natalie nodded dismissively and rejoined the conversation with the rest of the band.
Finley, now perched on the armrest next to Jette, playfully ran her hand over the nape of Jette’s neck and smiled.
Jette leaned into the casual contact and returned a gentle smile.
Over the last month, Jette had grown used to how affectionate the entire band was with each other.
It had only been a month and already Jette felt like she belonged.
She fit in seamlessly, picking up on all the little inside jokes or running pranks that they pulled on each other.
Jette felt overwhelmed as she glanced around the room and tried to absorb every tiny detail, feeling strangely nostalgic for the moment that was happening around her.
Savannah and Paulie were squished into the chair opposite Jette.
Sav’s long black hair was tied into a sleek knot at the base of her neck, a perfect contrast against Paulie’s wild and short reddish-brown curly mullet.
Their legs were intertwined as they craned to watch the tiny handheld video game screen in Paulie’s hands.
The sound of their lilting laughter was infectious.
Natalie had now slid to the ground, her back slouching against Sav and Paulie’s shins and her eyes darting back and forth across her phone screen.
Jette looked back to Finley and was surprised to find gray eyes already staring at her.
She opened her mouth to speak as the bus jostled onto the curb in front of the venue.
The women launched into a fit of giggles as their belongings shifted and toppled off the surrounding shelves.
Nat grumbled under her breath and moved to the front of the bus, undoubtedly to check on the driver.
Finley shook her head as she laughed and moved to stand as the bus finally came to a stop.
The rest of the group followed suit without a word.
It felt like they had known each other for years; like there had always been an unspoken bond between all of them.
Jette’s phone vibrated in her pocket and she instinctively reached for it with her heart pounding in her throat.
Too eager to play coy, Jette answered immediately.
REESE
Tonight?
JETTE
8pm? I can meet you wherever
REESE
Can I pick the place?
She smiled to herself at how quickly Reese had replied this time.
JETTE
Of course, send me the address
She felt butterflies deep in her stomach as she nervously ran her hands through her messy hair. She cleared her throat and grabbed Natalie’s attention as she anxiously paced around the common space. “Can I grab a couple tickets for tomorrow?”
. . . .
The drive to the hotel was mercifully short and the small room was nicer than she had expected.
She breezed through the small kitchenette and rolled her suitcase to the bench in front of the window.
Heavy beige and red curtains covered the giant glass panels that stretched from floor to ceiling.
She pulled the curtains open and stood speechless for a moment.
The windows extended from the edge of the kitchenette all the way to the bathroom door, leaving two walls of the room completely open to the Las Vegas skyline.
The sun was still sinking in the distance, casting a warm orange glow over the crowds of people below.
While the rest of the room was fairly standard, the view was extraordinary.
The blinking lights from the casinos twinkled in the distance.
She stumbled backwards until her knees hit the bed.
Laying on her back, Jette debated on taking a nap until the red numbers glowing on the alarm clock indicated she really needed to get moving.
But the butterflies in her chest fluttered to life all over again at the thought of seeing Reese.
She quickly shuffled to the kitchenette and began rifling through the minifridge for a bottle of water.
Something stiff poked through the delicate fabric of her leggings as she bent over.
Jette reached into her pocket and pulled out the paper tickets.
She didn’t know if Reese was available yet or if she even wanted to go, but a small flicker of hope rekindled in the back of Jette’s mind as she set them on the counter.
. . . .
Jette approached the giant glass doors of the convention center and pulled out her phone to confirm she was in the right place.
It was only a little after eight and Jette would’ve been on time had she not changed her outfit three separate times before leaving.
Jette fidgeted with the silver chain at her collar bones when a familiar voice called out behind her.
She could hear the smile on Reese’s face before she could turn around to see it.
A reflexive smile spread across Jette’s lips as she saw Reese coming toward her.
Her cheeks flooded with heat as their eyes met.
Reese’s arms were outstretched for a hug before they reached each other and Jette didn’t feel timid or nervous when she wrapped her arms around Reese’s shoulders.
She smelled of salt and soap and Jette let out a tiny sigh of relief.
Reese gave her a squeeze before moving back to appraise Jette’s outfit.
“Damn, you look great,” she said, her lips curling into a lopsided smirk.
Jette smiled and gestured to Reese, “You’re not too bad yourself.
” She wore a tight gray tank top that hugged her curves and showed off toned arms. Jette’s eyes twinkled as she saw the healed tattoo on her inner arm.
Reese noticed and rotated so Jette could have a better look.
Jette took a curious step closer and asked, “May I?”
“Mhm,” Reese hummed through closed lips.
Jette tenderly ran her fingers over the clean lines.
She marveled at how beautifully it had healed.
It looked as though it had always been there.
Like it had always been a part of her. Reese’s skin was cool to the touch and Jette stole a glance at Reese’s face.
Her green eyes were glued to Jette’s dark ones and Jette felt a spark in her chest. They stood on the pavement for a moment before Reese spoke again.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked, jutting her chin in the direction of the doors.
Jette raised an eyebrow. “Go where?” She looked through the glass and noticed a crowd of people waiting in line.
“In there.” Reese grinned and handed her a lanyard.
“Here, put this on,” she said quickly. She pulled on the handle and held the door open.
“If anyone asks, you’re a skater, got it?
” Jette walked into the crowded arena and followed Reese into the brightly lit venue.
A giant scoreboard indicated that the closest game was paused for halftime.
Skaters aimlessly rolled around the track, casually chatting as loud music played overhead.
Reese turned back and beamed when she saw Jette’s wide eyes.
She held out her hand and clasped Jette’s in hers as she led them through the crowd.
“Wanna see some roller derby?” she asked over the noise.
“Seriously?” Jette was stunned. Her heart pounded for more than one reason as she held Reese’s hand, following her to the sidelines. “Oh my god, this is so cool,” she said in quiet awe.
“I really wanted to see the end of this game. Then we can go somewhere else after, I promise,” Reese explained.
The crowd was filled with people of all ages.
It was a sea of dyed hair, piercings, and tattoos.
There were burly bearded figures in long flowery skirts or tiny spandex shorts, lanky androgynous people with buzzcuts and leather jackets, and even a rowdy group of kids running around the outskirts.
Reese tugged her hand toward a crowd of people sprawled across a quilted blanket.
Several people cheered as they came into view and Reese flashed Jette a brilliant smile.
“Everyone,” she announced, “This is Jette. Jette, this is everyone,” she made a sweeping gesture to the group.
A tall black woman jumped up with a mischievous grin on her face.
Her excited expression was infectious and Jette found herself smiling before they even spoke.