Page 39 of Final Temptation
But I craved her company more. Company I’d never be able to grant myself full-time, if I couldn’t get my shit together. Before I could think twice, I rolled down the window, tossing the full bottle of liquor out.
I twisted my key, igniting the rumble of the engine. I sped off, back toward home before I had time to regret my decision. The feeling of guilt overwhelmed me, knowing damn well what had just happened was a massive step backward for me.
The time flashed on my dash: nine o’clock.
Two hours since I’d gotten off work.
Two hours driving out of town to a run-down liquor store.
Two hours idle in the parking lot, stuck inside my own head.
I missed my meeting, and there wouldn’t be another one I could attend until tomorrow. To make matters worse, thegym was closed. I needed more than anything to work off this energy. I needed the distraction.
Coming to a stop, I parked my Jeep in its dedicated spot. Before heading inside, I released a deep breath—one I felt like I’d been holding in all day long.
Once I walked inside, I needed to put my mask on—pretend I hadn’t just sat in a parking lot considering whether or not I was going to down an entire bottle of tequila.
“Hey, Rebel.” Sophie smiled at me from the couch. She was on her laptop, most likely getting her homework done right before its midnight deadline.
The ease I felt smiling back at her didn’t feel forced at all. She had a way of taking away all the pain when I was around her.
Even though she was a breath of fresh air, an easy conversation, and everything I’d want to see before I fell asleep at night, it didn’t mean I wasn’t filled with guilt inside for almost relapsing.
“Hey. Getting some homework done?” I nodded at her computer.
“Actually, I was putting all the finishing details on our itinerary for Vegas.” Her eyes lit up. Every time the wedding party trip came up, she had a look in her eyes, one that told me she was more eager to plan it than anything.
“I can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with. It’s going to be a great time,” I forced out. After how my evening went, I couldn’t be happier that she planned to stick by my side in Vegas—I was going to need it.
“Hey, uh, I got stuck at work late, then I had a meeting and didn’t have time to get a workout in. Would you be bothered if I did a quick at-home workout?” My gym routine was all part of my sobriety plan. If I skipped mymeetingandworkout, I’d feel like a piece of shit—an even bigger piece of shit because I already felt terrible lying to Sophie when I told her I went to a meeting after work.
“Only if I can watch.” She winked.
Sophie’s eyes on me made for the perfect distraction, and I planned to give her one hell of a show.
It wasquiet around the apartment tonight, like it usually was, until Myles got home. I kept myself busy, finalizing the details for our Vegas trip. Rooms had officially been booked at one of the classiest hotels on the strip—one without a casino, as we had discussed.
With it being my first time in Sin City, I was fully ready to live my best life. There didn’t seem to be a better hotel to fit our needs, so the plan to stay atVdara, directly in the center of Las Vegas Boulevard, was a no-brainer.
I booked Paige and Declan one of the fanciest rooms they had. Declan told me to reserve the best, it didn’t matter the price, he wanted to impress his soon-to-be wife. When I saw the photos online of the insane strip view, the massive king-sized bed that sat upstairs in a loft, and the gigantic soaking tub looking right out to the city night lights, it was a done deal. My best friend deserved to have the sexiest night in Vegas before she was officially off the market.
On the other hand, I booked Myles and me the standard two-queen room. Even with it beingstandard, it was going to be the nicest place I’d ever stayed. Who knows, maybe when I checked us in, I could show some cleavage and bat my eyelashes for an upgrade—assuming whoever checked us in enjoyed a nice pair of tits.
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Something about planning this party, and how happy it would make the almost newlyweds, had me eager to plan a future for myself. This wasn’t just any vacation. It was an opportunity to prove to myself and my dad that I could be something greater than the owner of a small-town bar.
I can’t remember a time when I’ve been so motivated to do something for myself.
Almost like my dad could read my mind, my phone buzzed with his name flashing on the screen. Normally he’d opt for a text message.
The vibrations from the incoming call rattled against the end table, and a pit in my stomach formed. I contemplated answering, but I couldn’t ignore a phone call.
What if it’s something serious?
These days, he didn’t just call to call.
“Hey, Dad.” I picked up the phone, setting my computer aside.
“Hey, Soph. I just wanted to check in on you.”
