Vegas Bets
Nevada Bad Boys
Kelli Callahan
Copyright © 2018 by Kelli Callahan
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
1. Aurora
2. Ryker
3. Aurora
4. Cole
5. Aurora
6. Ryker
7. Aurora
8. Aurora
9. Ryker
10. Cole
11. Aurora
12. Aurora
13. Ryker
14. Aurora
15. Aurora
16. Cole
17. Aurora
18. Cole
19. Aurora
20. Cole
21. Aurora
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About the Author
Chapter One
Aurora
“We’re going to Vegas!” I pushed my sister’s door open and ran into her bedroom.
“What? Seriously?” Becca hopped up from the bed and blinked in surprise. “How?”
“I entered one of those contests I told you about and I won!” I held up my tablet and showed her the email.
“Aren’t these things just a scam though? They pay for your plane ticket and give you a place to stay so you’ll blow a lot of money in the casino.” She took my tablet and scrolled through the email.
“Well, the jokes on them, because I don’t have any money to blow in the casino!” I practically trembled with excitement. “We’re going to Vegas!”
“Wait, this is in September—crap, it’s the same weekend as Carla’s wedding. I can’t miss that.” Becca grimaced and handed the tablet back to me.
“But, it’s Vegas. We’ve always wanted to go!” I read the email again and confirmed that what she said was true.
“I’m sorry, sis. I’d love to go, but I’m kinda the Maid of Honor. I think she’d notice if I wasn’t there.” Becca sat down on her bed and sighed.
“Hold on, I’ll email them and see if they can schedule it for another weekend. If they want my money, they’ll work around my schedule.” I sat down and smiled as I started typing a return email.
“Your imaginary money?” Becca chuckled and shook her head. “Why would they offer this to someone who just graduated from college and doesn’t even have a job yet?”
“Oh, yeah. I might have lied about that.” I twisted my face into a slight grimace. “There’s an Aurora York in Nashville that works at an investment firm. I borrowed a few details—exaggerated, I guess?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s identity fraud.” Becca rolled her eyes and sighed. “Our parents didn’t raise us to be criminals.”
“I’m not a criminal. I’m just an exaggerator.” I smiled and stood up once the email was finished. “Okay, I’ll let you know when I hear back. Don’t make any more plans until we have a date for the trip!”
“Okay, I’ll wait here on pins and needles.” Becca laughed as I walked towards the door.
I knew what I did was wrong, but I really wanted to go to Las Vegas, and I wanted Becca to go with me. We were as close as we could be when we were younger, but we had drifted apart. She went away to college after high school and when I finished a year later, I decided to attend a local university so I didn’t have to leave home. My sister got the full college experience while I spent Friday nights at home watching movies with our parents. Every year that passed seemed to pull us further apart and I missed what we used to have. Our mutual interests had dwindled, but there was one thing we still shared—a desire to see Las Vegas together. I had to make it happen.
If they want that other Aurora York’s money, they have to be flexible, right?
I waited almost a full day for the company to get back to me. When I opened the email, my heart sank into my stomach. I had to either take the weekend that was offered, or they would give it to someone else. They offered to put me back on the list, but said it might be a full calendar year before I was selected again. I didn’t have that much time. By then, I probably wouldn’t even see my sister for the holidays. The guy she was dating planned to pop the question soon. I heard my parents discussing it when they thought I wasn’t listening. He was also trying to get a better job—one that would take him, and my sister, far away from Tennessee. I felt hopeless and dejected as I tossed the tablet on my bed.
She’s going to leave and I’ll be here all by myself…
My future wasn’t completely bleak, I just wasn’t ready to lose my sister completely. When I was younger, I always envisioned us growing old together in the house we grew up in. It was a silly childish fantasy, and I knew that, but I still didn’t want us to become strangers who only saw each other on social media. I wanted some sort of adventure before I accepted the fact college was over and it was time to get a job. A trip to Vegas would help us bond and create memories that would last a lifetime. It would be just like the ones my mother had with my aunt. They always told the stories when they were together, and I wanted that kind of relationship with my own sister. It just didn’t seem like it was going to happen.
“So, did you hear back about the trip?” Becca walked into my room and sat down on the bed.
“Yeah.” I looked over at her and sighed. “They can’t change it.”
“Dang, that sucks.” Becca shrugged and grimaced. “It was stupid, anyway. The two of us running off to Vegas? We can’t do that.”
“What? Why not?” I sat up and blinked several times. “We always talked about it. I’ll see if I can find another way—you’ve got some money saved up, right? I’ve still got a little too. Maybe we can pay for the trip, just like when we were saving our birthday money.”
“We were kids. I’ll admit I got excited when you told me about it, but I don’t know—Vegas is something I’ll probably want to experience for the first time with Xavier.” A smile formed on the corner of her lips. “I think he’s going to ask me to marry him soon.”
Yeah—and I should just spoil it for you right now, but I love you too much.
“Oh? That’s wonderful.” I feigned excitement, but I had a sick feeling in my stomach. “You really don’t want to go with me?”
“Maybe one day. Who knows, after you get married, we might be able to make a couples trip out of it. By then, we’ll actually have some money to blow in the casinos.” She nodded and slowly stood.
“That probably won’t happen for a long time. I don’t even have a boyfriend.” I sighed and shook my head.
And I’ve never been kissed—or anything else.
“You will, though. You’ve gotten so pretty since you graduated from high school. Just stop ignoring all the guys that try to hit on you.” She patted my shoulder. “But most of all, you’ve gotta get out of this house—get your own place. I love Mom and Dad, but you need your independence. I didn’t realize how big the world was until I went away to college.”
A great big world and not a bit of room in it for me.
“Yeah, I guess so.” There was no emotion in my voice and I absently nodded.
“You could ask one of your friends to go, right? If it means that much to you.” She tilted her head and shrugged.
There’s nobody I wanted to experience it with but you.
I was furious when my sister left the room. I felt like she had just thrown me away and crushed my dreams
. Vegas was our experience. It was always supposed to be the place where we blossomed and saw all the places from the movies. We would be close enough for a day trip to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. We would stand on the roof of Caesar’s Palace and that was where I was going to have my first drink—just like in The Hangover. Granted, mine wasn’t going to be spiked with drugs. I just wanted to live it out—feel myself finally break out of my shell. Vegas had to happen. It was too important for her to dismiss it like it was nothing. I stared at the screen and hovered over the accept button on the reservation. There were a few friends from high school I kept in contact with, but none that I could really see myself going on vacation with.
Am I brave enough to do this on my own? Am I actually considering it?
Setting up the reservation was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. Vegas was no longer about bonding with my sister. It was about the independence she so eloquently claimed I needed while she crushed my dream. I didn’t care about saving it for someone else. She was the only one I ever wanted to go with. If it was no longer her dream, then I wasn’t going to waste a free trip. I had enough money saved up to gamble a few dollars at the casino, eat at a couple of nice restaurants, visit the sights, and tip frugally. It would have been much better to have my sister by my side for everything, but I had to make the most of the opportunity in front of me. The only thing standing between me and the vacation of my dreams was a plane ride—oh, and my parents.
“No, absolutely not!” My mother stomped her foot and I saw her face turning red. “You can’t do this on your own. Your sister told me that you lied on the application to get the trip in the first place.”
“We didn’t raise you like this.” My father folded his arms across his chest. “I thought your sister was the free spirited one—where is this coming from? Why do you want to go to Las Vegas on your own?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” I looked back and forth between them. “Bottom line is that I’m twenty-two years old, and if you’re not going to have me arrested, you can’t tell me where I’m allowed to go anymore.”
Wow, I’ve never actually stood up to my parents before. This independence thing is awesome.
“It’s not safe.” My mother shook her head angrily. “It would be bad enough knowing you were there with your sister, but on your own? That’s… ridiculous.”
“I’m not going to wander into the desert and get lost or get randomly kidnapped. I’m going to stay at the hotel, see a few shows, go on a couple of tours, and then come home. People do this all the time.” I shrugged and tilted my head. “I’m not asking your permission.”
“You’re not getting it, either!” My father raised his voice and glared at me.
“Then we’ll just have to agree to disagree.” I walked back to my room and closed the door.
My parents practically ignored me until the morning of my flight. My sister left a few days earlier for Carla’s wedding, so they were the last thing standing between me and clear blue skies. She sided with them, but they eventually stopped trying to fight it. I was going to Vegas, and they had no choice but to accept it. I took an Uber to the airport and when I watched the planes zoom overhead, I started to feel excitement. I had never been on a plane before. Heck, the only place I had been besides Tennessee was Florida—and the states we drove through to get there. After checking in with security, I got on the plane and took a deep breath. It lifted off the runway and a smile spread across my face.
Las Vegas—here I come!
I never really had a fear of flying. There was something exciting about it that I couldn’t completely describe. Watching the ground below disappear as we entered the clouds felt like real freedom. I was happy that I lucked into a window seat, because it was a marvelous sight. I stayed awake the entire time, just watching the world zoom by. When the clouds parted over Nevada, I got my first view of the Grand Canyon. I pressed my hands to the glass like a kid, smiling from ear-to-ear. The plane finally touched down in Las Vegas and my stomach was doing somersaults from nothing but pure joy.
Wow—I really am all alone.
I stepped out into the terminal and as I watched families walking together, it sank in that I really was on my own. It was a new feeling entirely and my first true taste of independence. I got an Uber to pick me up and asked them to take me to the Bellagio. There were a number of hotels that could have picked up the reservation once I confirmed it, and while I hoped for Caesar’s Palace, the Bellagio was definitely a great option. As soon as I arrived, I walked over to the railing and stared at the fountains. I couldn’t wait to see them when it got dark and the lights came on. I finally turned to the hotel and walked inside. The instant my feet hit the marbled floor, I was in awe. It looked like something out of a modern day fairy tale. There were expensive stores, slot machines, and restaurants as far as my eyes could see.
I might be alone, but it looks like there will be plenty of distractions to keep me entertained.
Chapter Two
Ryker
“I’m all in.” I pushed my chips to the middle of the table and glared at the gray haired man across from me.
“Pocket aces, huh, Ryker?” He tilted his head to the side and tried to read my poker face. “That’s the only thing a logical person would go all in on now that the cards are on the table.”
“Are you going to analyze my play or give me your money, old man?” I narrowed my eyes and growled under my breath. “Either way, I’ve already won.”
“Or are you bluffing?” He drummed his fingers against the felt.
“Calling it will cost you money, Saul.” I stared him down with the most ice-cold expression I could muster. “Like I said—I win either way.”
I played what some liked to call aggressive poker. It didn’t matter if I was sitting on trash or a gold mine, I talked shit until the cards were flipped over. Saul knew me too well, which didn’t exactly work to my advantage all of the time. We had been playing long enough for him to call my bluff when others would simply shit their pants and walk away. He was still a good opponent, though, because he was a challenge.
I didn’t get many challenges playing for pennies, but I didn’t like to risk more than I had. The high rollers didn’t like to play with me, and I didn’t like losing money to cocky assholes when the card odds eventually went the wrong direction. Saul was different. He had money to burn, and I needed the pot or I wasn’t going to leave the Bellagio with enough money to pay my rent. I was all in, all right. There would be food on the table and beer in my belly when we were done or I would be begging for scraps until I could find work again.
“Okay, old man—what are you going to do?” I put my hand on the table and stared.
“Ah, fuck it. I fold.” He tossed his cards down in disgust. “Let me guess, you had nothing?”
“You gotta pay to see the cards.” I smiled and pushed them face down towards the dealer.
If I show you that I was sitting on a losing hand, it might make you take a bigger risk next time. I can’t have that.
“Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m not paying for anything else today. Time for me to call it quits.” Saul gathered his remaining chips and started stacking them up.
I cashed out once I was done playing with Saul and looked around the Bellagio casino until I saw my best friend, Cole, sitting at the bar. He was drinking whiskey, so he must have had luck like mine. He usually didn’t get drunk until he had some money in his pocket, and if he came up short, he would still be playing. I considered picking up another game since there was still daylight left, but I had the money I needed to get by for a while. It was usually best to stop when I was ahead, otherwise I’d run into a tourist dumb enough to call my bluff because they had money to burn. My risks had to be calculated or else I’d be homeless. I walked over to the bar and took a seat.
“I’ll have a Bud Light.” I motioned to the bartender and then turned towards Cole. “You did good?”
“I can pay the rent, how about you?” He
turned towards me with a grin.
“Yep, same here.” I nodded quickly.
Cole and I had been best friends since we were kids. We both grew up in the dirty underbelly of Sin City, doing anything we could to get by. We joined the Marines when we turned eighteen, so we spent some time apart, but as soon as our tour was over, we ended up right back where we started. We weren’t fancy and we didn’t need much to get by. Gambling usually paid the bills and if that didn’t work out, there were usually security gigs we could pick up. We had done just about everything from running drugs to beating the fuck out of strangers in the underground fight clubs, but it had been a while since we delved into anything illegal. Ninety days in county for a joint before Nevada legalized weed was enough for me to realize how much I valued my freedom.
“So, are you ready for another random side-bet?” Cole lifted the glass of whiskey to his lips and grinned.
“It’s your turn, so I don’t really have a say in it, do I? Just follow the rules. Don’t be trying any of that stupid shit you tried last time.” I glared at him and sipped my beer.
Side-bets were a form of entertainment for us. We never bet money—not directly, at least. We had a lot more fun betting other things. Usually it was something simple, but Cole loved to push the envelope. As long as it didn’t break the rules, I had to accept the bet and the stakes. He’d have to do the same when it was my turn. There was a time when our bets had no limits, but once we got older, we had to institute a few rules. I wasn’t willing to walk into a convenience store and try to steal a pack of smokes like I did when I was fourteen. Cole didn’t seem to give a shit, he just liked pushing things as far as he could. He had already started drinking, so that didn’t bode well for whatever dastardly deed his filthy mind could cook up.
Vegas Bets: A MFM Romance (Nevada Bad Boys Book 5) Page 1