What Happens in Vegas

I did my best taking lots of photos, and sending them off at the girls’ requests. Making it seem like I was having a great time, even alone. In truth, I’d had enough fun last night to last me a hundred weeks in Vegas. Only it was a secret fu

n that was destined to reside only in my mind. A twisted, forbidden fun I couldn’t share with them in a million years.

I figured maybe tonight I’d just stay in and rent a movie. Indulge in a little room service — maybe some french fries, or loaded nachos. I could wake up early tomorrow. Hit the hotel gym. Have breakfast outside, relax by the pool…

The more I thought about it, the better it sounded. I went ahead and rented the movie. I even ordered the nachos. But only an hour later, I was still restless. Still pacing the hotel suite in my most comfortable T-shirt and cutest pair of sweat-shorts, my movie unwatched, my food uneaten.

I passed the square of rich leather couches, where we’d gathered that first night and mapped out all the things we wanted to do. We hadn’t gotten through half of them. It was a little sad, thinking about missed opportunity. Realizing that the bonds we shared ten years ago weren’t as strong anymore, not because we didn’t want them to be, but because life just got in the way.

Then the girls faded from my vision… and I saw the guys instead.

I saw Corey, drilling me into the soft leather cushions where Deanna and Noelle had sat laughing. Bending me over the bar, right where Heather had been mixing spiced rum with some kind of tropical chaser. Wandering into Bella’s room I could still feel Brody, spreading my legs. Screwing me lazily beneath the blankets, while I clutched his warm, hard body against mine.

It was like two different vacations had happened in the same space. Pre-flyer, and post-flyer. First girls, and then boys.

I was on my third glass of wine when I thought about calling them. I’d checked my phone a half-dozen times already, but the only alerts I’d received were social media updates and a few stray texts of encouragement from the girls. Some of them felt bad about leaving me. Others…

Should I call them?

I certainly could. It’s not like they told me I couldn’t.

Wouldn’t it be weird, though?

Not for me, I chuckled. I couldn’t imagine it would be for them, either. Besides, Brody had called me earlier. It was only fair that I should—

“Hello Lauren.”

I stared down in astonishment, to where I’d apparently already dialed. I’d even pressed the SPEAKER button. Holy shit.

“Oh… heyyy!” I said, trying to sound happy and enthusiastic. But not too enthusiastic. But also not too unenthusiastic… “Brody?”

“Nope. Corey.”

I should’ve known the voice. A little higher, a little clearer. Then again, had I really talked to them enough to know the difference?

“Sorry,” I said for no reason. “I—I was talking to Brody earlier, I just figured this was his phone.”

“It’s our shared phone,” Corey replied. “Or rather, it’s the phone.”

The phone…

Just the thought of it made my mouth go dry. This was the phone — the one they shared together, to answer the ads. The phone number on the flyer. The one they used together, to talk to women like me who—

“Is everything okay Lauren?”

All of a sudden I was getting butterflies again. Losing control. I took another sip of wine, to calm my nerves.

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I said. “Great actually. I just… I…”

My stomach rolled. I drew a blank.

“You what?”

C’mon, really? The little voice in the back of my mind was laughing at me. After everything you did last night, you’re not going to say it?

“I was wondering what you guys were doing tonight. If maybe… you were available?”

There. I’d said it. It was out there now, no going back.