It is Vegas, baby. I am ready to combust with excitement. I have no clue how Del is able to manage planning a wedding in two weeks but she sure as hell did. She is a beast at planning. Brit and I are in charge of planning the bachelorette party. We wanted to include Karrie, but she had so much on her plate with trying to coordinate baby duty while her husband and she are gone. Del didn’t give us much time to plan, but we were able to figure it out. I don’t know how we did it because we had no clue what we were doing.
When we arrive to our hotel, Ping Hotel and Suites, we are bouncing off the wall with energy. We check in and go directly to our suite. The bridesmaids and some of Del’s other friends reserved a three-bedroom suite for the entire trip. Del will be staying with us until her wedding night. The boys liked our idea so much, they did the same. I am excited to hear that Del’s parents were able to fly in from Columbus, Ohio. She wasn’t sure they were going to make it, especially with it being short notice.
Brit and I are sharing a room with Del. We are hanging up her wedding dress and our bridesmaids dresses when Del breaks down in tears. I look at her concerned, and ask, “Del, what’s the matter?”
Brit shakes her head and says, “You have been a blubbering mess lately. What’s the deal?”
She answers, “Bitches, these are happy tears. I’m getting married in two days. Two days! I just can’t believe it. Everything fell into place. It is like it is meant to be. Greg is amazing. His family is equally amazing. I finally get my knight in shining armor.”
Brit laughs, “Did you seriously just say knight in shining armor? What has happened to our friend and can she come back, please?”
Del shakes her head. “Ha, ha.”
I throw a piece of clothing at Brit and say, “She is in love, douche head.”
Del starts to laugh. Brit gives me a snarky look and jokes, “Douche head, really? What are we, like, sixteen?”
Del diverts the attention from her emotional breakdown of happy tears. “Ladies, what’s the plan for the bachelorette party. I am so excited to see what you two have come up with.”
Brit and I look at each other. I reply, “It’s a surprise, missy.”
She laughs, “I hope it involves the male physique.”
Brit shakes her head. “Maybe.”
Del pauses and asks, “Do you still like the male physique?”
This time, Brit throws a shoe at Del. “For real?”
“It is a legitimate question now.”
This should be interesting to hear Brit’s explanation.
Annoyed, she answers, “Just because I’m dating Stephanie doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy looking at the male body.”
Del laughs, “But being lesbian means that you don’t want dick. You like tits.”
Here they go with this conversation.
Brit explains, “Yes, I am very fond of Stephanie’s tits, among other things. But…I was straight for the majority of my life. I’m still transitioning here.”
Del asks another question. “When does Steponowski get in?”
“In the afternoon sometime.”
Del laughs, “I can’t believe she is staying in the boys’ suite.”
Now it is my turn to join in on this conversation. “Del, she is just one of the guys, you know. Girls in one suite and boys in the other. It is the rules until you get hitched.”
She turns her head toward me. “Hitched, really? Do I look like I was raised in the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains?”
We all start to laugh uncontrollably. Brit jokes, “Do you really want us to answer that?”
Del dives for Brit, practically tackling her. More gut filled laughs seep out.
Laughing tears stroll down my cheeks as I blurt out, “Watch out, Del. Brit might cop a feel on ya.”
Brit is still laughing but stops rolling around with Del. “Hey. That was not nice.”
Del chuckles, “You know it’s true.”
Then in walks Karrie, looking at us like we have lost our damn minds. She asks, “What the hell are you guys doing?”
We all pause. I grab a pillow off the bed and throw it at Karrie, hitting her right in the face. She screeches, “Ugh, that was uncalled for. But you are asking for it.”
With that, she grabs the pillow I threw at her and whacks me in the stomach. I grab another pillow and, this time, I hit Del. Del proceeds to grab a pillow and hits Brit. You can imagine what happens next? An immature girl pillow fight. Yep, that is us, goofy friends, and I wouldn’t change it for a minute.
***
The rest of our Thursday consisted of Brit and I finalizing the details for the bachelorette party. Karrie is helping Del with some of the final touches for the wedding. Instead of partying it up on Thursday night, the girls’ room decides to stay in and watch a movie. We allow the boys to join us. Some of the guys go out gambling and drinking while the others stay in with us. We have wine and craft beer, but it isn’t going to be a party night at all. We need to conserve our energy for tomorrow night – bachelorette and bachelor parties. We will have rehearsal and dinner, and then part ways for a fun-filled night of strippers, clubs, and lots and lots of alcohol.
Greg and two of his friends from college stay in with us to watch some silly movies about weddings. Bless their hearts because they are all very girlie movies. Well, except for the Wedding Singer. I am sitting next to Michael. He is an attractive guy. Strawberry blonde hair, with blue eyes and tiny freckles on his cheeks. When he smiles, he sports cute dimples on each side. If I wasn’t so hung up on Leo, there could be potential with this guy.
Throughout the movie, he would nudge me a few times with his elbow. I would look at him confused. Granted, I know what he is doing. He is trying to get my attention. Clearly, he has no idea about my past with Leo. But, then again, why should he? Men don’t care about those things.
I get up from the couch to get another glass of wine. Michael gets up as well and follows me to the kitchen in the suite. Del sees him follow me and she gives me an unusual look. I grab a bottle of Merlot from the wine rack and pop open the cork. Pop. I jump at the noise. Michael is next to me with his glass. He says, “What is startling you? The wine or me.”
Here we go. “Excuse me,” in my best snotty voice.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Suuurrre.”
“Are Leo and you a thing?”
I really have no idea how to answer this question. I am in love with him, yes. But are we together, no. I have to answer truthfully as much as I didn’t want to. I sigh, “No, we are not.”
He licks his lips. “Interesting.”
“What is so interesting about that?”
“It is a shame someone as gorgeous as you is single.”
And now he is starting to put on the charm. My cheeks become warm. I smile, “Well, I’m hard to tame.”
Why did I just say that? Stupid Paige.
“How does one tame this feisty ginger?”
I blurt out, “Did one ginger just call another ginger a ginger?”
He laughs, “Yeah, I did. Well, that was bad.”
“Just a little.”
“Sorry. I’m trying to put moves on you and clearly, it’s not working.”
“You’re sweet. But as much as I am flattered, to be honest, there is only one man that could tame me.”
He nods, “Leo.”
“Yep.”
Instead of me filling our wine glasses, he fills both of our glasses. Michael raises his glass. I follow suit and raise mine to his. Michael’s baby blue eyes look into mine. “Here’s to Leo. The fucker who gets all the hot ones.”
“Here. Here.” Our glasses clink and we take a drink of our wine. We start to laugh at the silly gesture.
“What is going on here?” an abrasive yet familiar tone. We look to see Leo standing there watching us.
Michael greets Leo, “Hey, man. Just talking with Paige as we get a glass of wine.”
Leo’s eyes are skeptic.
I really don’
t want to get into this with him. I add more wine to my glass. I look at Michael and say, “It was nice chatting with you.”
I walk by both of them, staring right at Leo. I told myself I wasn’t going to fight with him. My goal is really to stay away from him until after the wedding. I don’t want to cause any unwanted drama at Del and Greg’s wedding. It is already odd enough with our history and we are partnered together going down the aisle.
Instead of going back to watching the movie, I decide to take my full glass of wine to my room. Before doing so, I let Del know I am done watching the movie. She just shrugs and curls up more with Greg. That right there is exactly why I need to head to my room instead of continuing to watch a movie next to Michael with Leo in the same room. Granted, I made it clear to Michael that I’m taken but not taken. If that makes sense.
I walk into my room. There is a chair by the window that overlooks the Las Vegas strip. The lights are shiny, lively and bright. I take a sip of my wine.
“Were you trying to make me jealous?” And there is that voice again. My attention turns to Leo standing in the doorway. I shake my head at him. He clearly got jealous for no reason at all.
He demands, “Are you going to answer me?”
At this point, I’m tired of the cat and mouse game. I know my plan is to win him back but not right now. This needs to be drama free. So what do I say? “I’m not yours to get alpha with.”
He chuckles, shutting the door behind him. He walks toward me. “Answer me.”
“Leo, not now.”
He stands before me. Leo kneels down coming face to face with me. “If I want it now, then it is now.”
“Are you serious?”
“When it comes to you, I’m always serious.” This time, I smell the whisky on his breath. He is drunk. Oh, we are so not doing this right now.
“Leo, I’m not some toy you can use and abuse. Do we really need to do this right now?”
“Damn it, yes.”
“I promise no drama.”
“Drama. You want to talk drama? You and I being here together is drama. You practically throwing yourself on me for the last month is drama. And now, you are telling me no.”
“You’re drunk.”
“That is how we met. Drink your glass of wine and get naked.”
“Would that make you happy?”
“Very much so. But if you don’t get naked here soon, you leave me no choice but to find someone else.”
I take a drink of my wine. If I don’t get naked with him now, I risk losing him completely. If he leaves here to find another girl to fuck, there will be no us. I love this man, but I love myself. This is confliction at its finest. What is a girl to do?
“Do you want me?” my voice quivers.
His hazel eyes are dark yet filled with blazing with fire.
This time, I demand. “Answer me.”
Leo loosens his tie and then unbuttons his violet collared shirt. “I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
Tears form in my eyes. “Then why fight us. If you want me, you can have me.”
“Get naked.”
If this is what I need to do to prove to Leo that I’m here, then so be it. I strip out of my leggings and oversized sweater. Then bra and panties.
Leo starts to unbuckle his pants. “Get on the bed.”
“Okay.” I walk to the bed and lay down.
Leo finishes getting undressed. He walks to the bed and climbs over me. His lips press against mine. I kiss back, but not as willing as I would before. Leo’s bare cock enters me. He starts to rock back and forth. I stay quiet. Tears continuing to form and fall to the side of my face.
Thrust. Push. Thrust. Push. Grunt. He is quick. Leo peels himself off of me and grabs the sheet to wipe himself. I wipe the tears away. He gets up and gets dressed. Before I could do anything, he is out the door. I lose it. The water works start to flow freely. I curl up in the covers, praying to cry myself to sleep.
Leo just used me.
Chapter 15
The following morning, I wake up to smell a rich, dark aroma. Yes, coffee. I open my eyes to see Del and Britnee sitting on Del’s bed. I sit up knowing a talk is going to take place between us three. This is probably my “come to Jesus” talk. I rub the sleep crusties from my eyes. My vision is less blurred. Del hands me a cup of coffee. I take a whiff to smell a combination of hazelnut and cinnamon. Interesting combination, but it smells delicious. I take a sip and let the warmth flow down my throat to my digestive system.
I look at my friends and say, “Thanks. I needed that.”
Del inhales and exhales, “Are you okay?”
I look down at the blackness of my coffee. I answer, “Not really.”
Del continues, “You were crying last night when I walked in. Greg was with me. We both knew what caused those tears. We saw Leo leave your room and then the hotel suite. If anger had a look, it was Leo. What happened?”
Brit asks, “Did he hurt you last night?”
The tears begin to form again. I am an emotional basket case. I answer, “Yes, he hurt me. He hurt me emotionally.”
Del comments, “That asshole.”
I look at Del. “I let him. It was either I gave him what he wanted or he was going to find someone else.”
Britnee starts to shake her head. “Oh, hell no. Not cool.”
I plea, “Girls, I’m okay. It just sucks. I did it to myself. I could’ve said no. I just didn’t want to risk losing him again.”
Lovely Brit has to give her two cents. “See, the thing is, you don’t have him to lose. Last I checked, you have given him ample opportunity to come back and he doesn’t. He knew damn well if he said he was going to get it from someone else, you would oblige.”
I look at Brit. “He could’ve had someone else last night but he came to me.”
Brit again, “You were the easier choice.”
Del interrupted, “Brit. For fuck’s sake.”
I comment, “It’s okay. It’s the truth.”
Brit stares at me. “How far are you going to degrade yourself to be with him?”
“Brit, hear me out. I hurt him. He told me he loved me and I chose another man over him. I made him feel second best. The last person he cared for like that did the same thing to him. The difference between that person and me is that I’m not his father. I can’t be put in that category of making Leo feel as if he is not worthy of love. He will come around. I know it. Last night sucked, but he thought of me instead of someone else.”
She shakes her head at me. “Nope. Not cool.”
I look into Brit’s sapphire eyes. “Brit, have you ever been in love so damn hard that you would do whatever it takes to make sure the one you love will never question it. That they can say, I am loved.”
Del grabs my hand and squeezes it. She states, “Greg makes me feel that way.”
Brit rolls her eyes. “I just don’t know about that.”
Del turns her attention to Brit. “Maybe I can explain it better. What Paige is trying to say, is that her love is unconditional. I had a similar moment with Greg just a few weeks ago. He was angry and questioned my love for him. He said some pretty nasty things. I didn’t have to sit there and take it, but I did. It is what he needed. To tell me off for not saying yes to him when he proposed. It hurt, but we both needed it. It felt like crap, but it made us stronger.”
“He used her for sex last night. That is not cool.”
Del comments again, “I think he felt equally bad about what he did.”
Brit argues, “I think there is a better way to handle things.”
I interrupt, “As bad as this sounds, sex is our thing. He had something to prove last night.”
Brit again, “It’s just wrong. I don’t agree with it, but if you’re okay with it, then I guess I’m okay.”
I smile, “Yeah, I’m fine with it.”
Del grabs both Brit and I and hug the hell out of us. I totally get where Brit is coming from. The actual feeling of loving someone is st
ill very new to her. Steponowski and her just started telling people about their relationship. Baby steps, for sure. I know Brit loves Steph but she isn’t in deep yet with her. When you dive into the ocean of love, you will do whatever it takes not to drown but to stay afloat. I am still trying not to drown. Treading the water like a duck more like it.
***
The limo party bus picks all of us up outside our hotel. We are ready for a fun-filled night of drinking, dancing, seeing Magic Mike and whatever else comes our way. Brit and I totally went with the cliché theme of Fling before the Ring. We are going to tear up Fremont Street tonight and hit up a club on the strip. Well, if we make it that late. Who knows?
Ten of us young, successful women ready to party the night away before Del’s big day. Our first stop on Fremont Street is this fruity alcohol place called Sunshine Drinks. Del talked about it for several days before we left for Vegas. Brit and I had to put it on the itinerary. We walk into the bar and yeah, it is quite colorful. Bright neon pinks, blues, yellow, lime greens shine thoughout the entire facility. The music is bumping techno dance music. Go-Go girls are dancing on platforms. Where the hell did we just go?
Del screams, “Yessss! Shots. Shots. Everybody.”
We just have to laugh at her excitement.
Del continues, “All righty, who is buying the first round of shots. I’m getting married tomorrow. Woo!”
I chuckle, “I got the first round.” I head to the bar to order whatever specialty shot this Sunshine place has.
The bartender sees me immediately and comes over to me and asks, “What would like, red?”
Well, that is ballsy, if you ask me. I look at him and say, “Red, really?”
“Just a friendly observation,” he smirks. There is something mysterious about him. Maybe the tall, dark and handsome thing. He is a mixed breed cocktail of white and black, with deep brown eyes. And built like he hasn’t missed a day in the gym for years. Is this God’s way of testing my true feelings for Leo? Oh, he is a funny guy.
I respond, “Whatever. I need shots. What is your specialty? I need nine of them.”
He leans in toward me, letting me get a whiff of his masculinity. “Bachelorette party?”
Pulse Page 8