Chapter Five
“I’ve never met anyone like you before! You know wine, and you’re good at the slot machines,” I say in my high-pitched voice that increases in elevation with each passing alcoholic beverage. “No one is good on the slots!”
Jack laughs, slipping another player card into one of the penny machines we can’t seem to leave. “Trust me, I’m not. You’re just good luck.”
I flush. “Maybe.”
Foggy-eyed, I grab the light green martini from the side of my Jurassic Park-themed game. And to think I loved dinosaurs as a kid? I’ve only played on it twice since I’ve had myself shoved into Jack’s space while he plays on his. He’s not bothered by my lack of personal space and has even wrapped an arm around me a few times to nudge me closer.
My eyes fall closed as I take a sip from the oddly shaped glass that holds an apple-flavored beverage. Wait. How did I get this drink?Is this what I ordered? It tastes like shit. “Why is this green?” I ask, haphazardly pushing it less than an inch from his face.
Chuckling, Jack draws his head back. “It’s a green apple martini. I told you not to get it. You hate green apples.”
I pull my mouth to the side, creasing my forehead. “How do you know I don’t like green apples?”
Jack wraps his hand around the back of mine, drifting the glass away from the front of his face. “When we were talking about the fruits we don’t like, you gave me an extremely passionate speech about how green apples are the worst fruit and should be removed from every grocery store permanently.” His hand wraps around mine, placing the martini back down on the side of his game. “You even listed three reasons why.”
I nod. “Oh yes, I forgot that. And yours are blackberries.”
“You remembered.” He smirks, pressing the BET button, and the game starts spinning.
“I’m bored with these stupid machines and this nasty drink.” I hold up one unstable finger into the air. “And my experience in this hotel slash casino would be greatly enhanced if I was to win something.”
“I think I can find you a different drink. I”ll take another one too.” Jack slips a hand into mine and tugs me into a standing position. “Let’s get you something you’ll like and find a game where your odds will be better.”
“You are my hero. Do you know that, Jack Bravley?” I say, quickly falling behind him as he gently pulls me through the dense crowd on the casino floor.
Jack stops and turns to me. “What’s my last name?”
“Bravley? Bradley!” I excitedly scream, proud of myself.
The corners of his eyes crinkle as he chuckles. “It’s Bradley, Piper. Bradley.”
“My bad.” I rub my lips together, ashamed at how my drunken words are coming out.
“I’ll let it pass.” His thumb rubs the inside of my palm. “You’re adorable. Which you have going for you.”
If my hand wasn’t so numb, I could feel his light touch. I don’t need another drink, but I’m having so much fun with him. I don’t want the night to end. Jack leads me over to the independent roulette tables. I fall into the seat to his left as he quickly rattles off the rules and strategies of the game.
I know how to play roulette. It’s my favorite table. I humor him, smiling and nodding. Instead of paying attention to what he’s explaining, I study the small scar on his forehead right above his right eyebrow.
I suddenly find myself only a half an inch from his face—once again. “Where did you get that scar from?” I boldly ask.
Jack finishes making his selection on the roulette screen, then waves down one of the cocktail servers before answering me. He doesn’t back away, letting his breath dust over my lips. They tingle. “I fell into a grapevine when I was seven.”
I try not to crack a smile because I expected him to say a bicycle accident or a fight with a kid at school, but falling into a grapevine was the last thing I would have thought.
“Interesting,” I say, lifting my hand to let my index finger gently glide across the scar. Jack doesn”t back away or even flinch.
“What can I get you guys?” A large black tray with empty glasses appears between us.
“What would you like?” he asks me.
I shrug. “I don’t care, something fruity but not apple.”
“She’ll take a pineapple martini, and I’ll have a vodka soda,” Jack tells the woman before she briskly walks toward the bar to fill our order.
My eyes fall to his lips. “That was a good choice.”
“I knew you’d like it.” He runs his tongue along his bottom lip, sensing my stare.
It’s almost one in the morning when Jack and I find ourselves in the middle of a rowdy craps table. We’re shoulder to shoulder with various groups of people that line the oval perimeter. Each time someone rolls the dice, the entire table screams and hollers—including myself and Jack. The energy level in this spot is unmatched compared to other games on the casino floor.
As a text message comes through, I fumble to get my phone. Bailey is messaging me from our group chat.
Bailey: Just checking on you, Piper. How was Jack?
Me: Still in Vegas. He’s a fucking catch. Tell you about it in the AM.
Lina: Who’s Jack?
Avery: Who the hell, Jack? TELL ME NOW!
I giggle.
Bailey: We ran into him at the airport. He went to college with Mason and Harry.
Me: We hit it off, and now we’re in Vegas together.
Bailey: You’re still in Vegas?
Avery: Shut up! Why are we just now hearing about this?
Lina: Piper! Why didn’t you tell us?
Me: I will tell you ladies all about him later.
Before I have a chance to get distracted from more of their responses, I shove my phone back into my cross bag. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I whisper yell into Jack’s ear, fighting the urge to bring my lips to his earlobe.
He shoots me a mischievous grin. “Is that an invitation?”
My lashes flutter. “Funny.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
“I’ll be right back.” I toss over my shoulder, heading off the casino floor.
I palm the double doors right as my phone vibrates once again. I might as well give my friends the scoop, or they won’t leave me alone for the rest of the night. With slightly wobbly legs, I sit on the pink couch next to a full-length mirror in the ladies’ room.
“Spill it.” I hear Bailey’s voice on the other end. “And you’re three-wayed in with Avery and Lina too.”
I giggle. “Hello, my lovely friends.”
“You missed your flight home?” Lina asks in a lively tone.
Avery laughs. “That must have been some good conversation.”
I rub my lips together, thinking about Jack. “Oh, it was! And a pair of the most perfect electric blue eyes to stare into.” My words come out with a subtle drawl, but I still smile into the mirror with satisfaction for keeping myself together.
Lina laughs. “How drunk are you?”
“Yeah, you sound plastered!” Avery adds.
“A lot. I’m a lot drunk. But I’m still standing, and you three know I’ve been worse off than this before.” My voice comes out rushed and breathy.
“Oh my god. I love you so much!” Bailey exclaims. “Jack is safe, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“That’s good.” Avery comments with a sigh of relief.
“Stop it, ladies,” Lina scolds them both. “Like you don’t know Piper? She’s a goddess at handling stuff like this. She’s good. Let her have fun.” She’s not wrong.
“I have not a care in the world.”
“Of course you don’t,” Avery says playfully.
We all share a laugh.
“Enjoy, babe. Be safe and update us tomorrow,” Lina says before I end the call.
After using the bathroom, with wild butterflies in my stomach, I realize I’m in store for the best hookup of my life. My reflection is a little blurry, but I can’t help winking at myself in the mirror. Jack is a catch. He’s completely out of my league, and that’s why I’m going to enjoy every single minute of our drunk Vegas fun.
By the time I’m back at the craps table, it’s Jack’s turn. He quickly glances down at me. “I missed you.”
I gaze up at him through my lashes. From this angle, his eyes sparkle, and his lips look more plump than usual. “I missed you.”
He holds out his hand in front of me with black and white dice in the center of his palm. “Will you blow on my dice?” So cliché, but I fucking eat it up.
“I’d love to,” I tell him, puckering my lips together and lightly blowing into his hand.
His focus bounces between my lips and my eyes. I don’t mind blowing on Jack’s dice, and at this point in the night, I’d probably blow on other things if he asked me.
“I’d blow on other things if you asked me to.” Oh my god. Did I say that out loud?
I did. But I don’t care.
Jack’s eyebrows snap together, and he licks his lips. “I think I can arrange that.”