Page 60 of What Happens In Vegas
Chapter 24
‘Hey, baby.’ A deliciously sexy voice woke her up. Right along with some deliciously wonderful lips.
‘Mmm.’ Bonni smiled. ‘I could get used to waking up like this every morning.’
‘And I could get used to waking you up like this every morning.’
Bonni opened her eyes, squinting at the bright sun pouring in the windows. Quinn was sitting on the edge of the bed, putting on his shoes.‘Are you leaving?’
He turned to press a soft kiss to her lips again. ‘Yes, I gotta go. Final rounds today.’
‘Nooo, not yet.’ Bonni had a flash of déjà vu. Once again, she was trying to coax Quinn into staying while he already had one foot out the door.
‘Darling, I’m sorry. I would stay if I could, believe me. But, listen, we really need to talk. Can you come to the tournament and hang out today?You can watch me win and then we can talk afterwards.’
Bonnisat up and grasped his hand. ‘But my plane leaves this afternoon. I can’t just not be on it. Why don’t we talk now?’
Quinn pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. ‘There’s not enough time. I want us to have a real conversation, where we’re both sober, preferably some place without a bed to distract us. Just reschedule your flight toleave tomorrow or the next day. C’mon, be spontaneous. I change flights on a whim all the time.’
He gave her hand a squeeze and then got up, acting like the matter had been settled. What, she was supposed to drop everything, completely change her plans, so she could sit around and wait for him? For a conversation that couldn’t be incredibly important if he wasn’t making time for it now? Becauseit was no big deal for him to randomly change his flights to go whenever he wanted, wherever he wanted? Because it was no big deal for him to justleave?
Chills ran down Bonni’s spine. Tossing the covers off, she stood a little too quickly. She wobbled and pressed her fingertips to her temples, wanting to ease the pounding inside her skull.
‘Steady.’ Quinn reached for her, and Bonni raised herhand, stopping him.
‘No. Don’t touch me.’
He froze, a confused expression on his face.
‘Not all of us can go where the wind takes us, with no thought to anything. Some of us have actual jobs and actual homes and people who count on us. We can’t just flit around the world to play a stupid game.’
Quinn’s confusion solidified into coldness, but he took a breath before he said in a measured tone,‘Bonni, maybe you don’t remember last night, but it’s not what you think—’
Bonni turned away, unable to listen. She yanked on her clothes, grabbed her purse and phone and, as she headed forthe door, she said over her shoulder, ‘I remember last night perfectly. Being rebellious only gets you so far, Quinn. At some point, you have to grow the fuck up.’
‘Bonni, where—’
The door slammed behindher, cutting Quinn’s words off. Bonni felt as if she were dying. Her body wouldn’t work as it should; her vision blurred and darkened and she gasped for breath. With her hand on the wall, she felt her way to the elevator. It was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other and not fall into a heap.
She had to get moving. Quinn could come out at any time. To head for the tournament .. . or to chase after her? She fled down the hall and punched the elevator call button. Thedingand swoosh of the elevator doors opening gave her the escape route she needed. Once inside, she took a deep breath and pushed her floor. The doors closed, sealing her in. She was safe.
She was alone.
He hadn’t come racing after her. And she wasn’t entirely sure he should have. Tears pricked her eyesas she began to realize the magnitude of her actions. She had taken something precious, an emotional intimacy, and thrown it back in his face. Sadness punched her in the heart and she leaned back against the wall, watching the floor numbers indicating the rapid ascent of the elevator.
Was this a break-up? How could it be a break-up when this was just a fling? Bonni scoffed to herself. A fling?What she’d just destroyed, it had been more than just a fling. And she hadn’t taken a leap of faith, she hadn’t fought for it. No. She had run.
With a chime, the elevator doors slid open and Bonni found herself staring at the painting hanging across the way. The colors blurred as her eyes again welled with tears. Stumblingout of the elevator, she mindlessly made her way down the short corridorto the suite.
Bonni hesitated before opening the door, running the back of her hand across her eyes. She was coming unglued, on the verge of losing it. Now, more than ever, she needed her friends. She needed their understanding. She needed people she could let go with and know they would support her. Entering the room, Bonni closed the door and leaned against it. She took a few deep breaths,trying to calm herself down as much as possible. It was no use.
Pushing herself from the door, she was both shocked and relieved at the chaotic state of the living room. It helped distract her. Clothes, liquor bottles, half-packed suitcases and make-up were strewn about as if a hurricane had hit the room. Their check-out time was late, 1 p.m., but clearly, they were already packing.
‘Where areyou guys?’ she called out.
No one answered her, but she could hear activity in the other rooms. She smiled and was relived her friends, at least, had enjoyed their Vegas vacation. While she had spent the time getting her heart torn into shreds and worrying about a future with a man that likely would never settle down. She was so damn confused, she felt like a train wreck about to happen.
‘Hey,Bons, you’re back already?’ Fredi had been in the kitchenette. She came around with a big glass of orange juice and handed it to her.
