Page 45 of The One I Need
“Probably not,” he says.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t have anyone to go with.”
“So?”
I drop the bag of food down on my kitchen island before pouring myself a glass of wine before I dig in. “So what? Go solo. Solo traveling is great.”
“Maybe for you,” he says. “But as you could probably guess, I’m not that kind of guy.”
“I get that,” I say, taking a sip of the crisp pinot grigio. “But have you tried it? Or is this you just having a feeling?”
“I actually tried it,” he says. “I tried going to Savannah a few years ago. It’s a place I always wanted to visit, so I figured there was enough to do that I could keep myself occupied for a few days. After day two, I got lonely and depressed and stayed in my Airbnb for the rest of the trip.”
Well, shit…now I’m mad at myself that I suggested it. Oliver’s such a sweet guy. I might not believe in love or marriage or any of that crap, but if there is one person who deserves the fairy tale story, it’s Oliver. He should be able to have that partner to see the world with and go on cute vacations.
Well, I might not be able to give him the love stuff, but the vacation I can handle.
“Come with me to Vegas.”
It takes him a few moments to realize what I said. “Did you just say come with you to Vegas?”
“I did.”
“Are you sure?”
Am I sure? The fact I’m not freaking out that those words just came out of my mouth actually scares me more than the words themselves.
“Yes. I’m sure.” I say confidently. “I have a fully paid for room with two double beds, and one is now open because Jules can’t come. I’m sure I could even transfer her ticket to you. And it works perfectly because we leave the day after you’re done with school. Plus, Hazel’s bringing Knox, so you two can pal around together during the day while we’re off doing boring conference stuff. Lay by the pool. Drink a mai tai. Find a buffet. Do whatever you want. Then after we’re done, we can hang with them, or the two of us can paint the town while they’re off doing romantic couple shit.”
“I mean, I guess I could…” I can actually hear the wheels turn in Oliver’s head as he thinks this out.
“Yes, you can. Your plans were to sleep this weekend. You can do that on a lazy river while sipping a pina colada.”
“I thought I was drinking a mai tai?”
I smile, because it looks like I have a travel buddy for Vegas. “You can drink whatever you heart desires. It’s Vegas, baby.”
Chapter15
Oliver
I look at my bed,which is currently covered by everything I could think to pack for this three-day trip to Vegas. Outfits for the day and for the night. Swim trunks. Boxer briefs. And of course, twenty pairs of socks. I like to have options. What I make surenotto pack are condoms. It’s not like I’m going to sleep with Izzy. And I wouldn’t dare hook up with someone while I’m on a trip with her. Especially since we’re staying in the same room. So no bother in packing those.
When Izzy asked me yesterday if I wanted to go to Vegas, I was hesitant for a few seconds. Then she sold me on lazy rivers, drinks with umbrellas, and a weekend away with no school, no kids, and no responsibilities. Now I’m a half day of work, cleaning my classroom, and turning in equipment away from slot machines, a sports book, and hopefully a show or two. Maybe I can convince Izzy to see Criss Angel?
I laugh to myself as I head to the bathroom to grab my toiletries. I hear my front door slam open, and just as quickly, slam shut.
“Oliver!”
Why is Shane here? It’s seven in the morning. “In the bathroom!”
If there was anyone described in our friend group as the “mean” one, it would be Shane. But that’s just to people who don’t know him. Is he the brooding, silent type? Yes. Does he constantly wear a scowl? Also yes, but only when we’re in public. In private it’s only half of the time. I’ve even seen him smile more than twenty times; it’s rare enough I keep count. I’ve known him since we were six years old, and there’s nothing he can do to scare me.
Or so I thought. The look on his face right now is making me wish I didn’t packallmy clean boxers.
“You’re going to Vegas with a stranger, and you didn’t bother to tell us?”
