Page 2 of Decoded
Anna
You just want me to sit in a hotel room by myself when I am single and free in Las Vegas? Girls, where is your sense of adventure?
Jasmine
Girl, where is your sense of safety?
I snort as they continue texting back and forth about what I should do tonight in their absence. It isn’t ideal that the small airport I fly out of only has certain days it flies from Kentucky to Nevada, but it’s a nonstop flight for a ticket I can afford. The idea of being a single woman all alone in Las Vegas should probably terrify me to some degree, but I need this trip so desperately that the only thing I feel is excitement. Besides, anything is better than spending another day in the office with Daniel Brenner.
My phone buzzes again and I look at the screen expecting another group text from my Boozy Besties, but my smile quickly fades, my soft stomach tightens, and disgust runs through my body.
Daniel
The office sure isn’t as beautiful without you here.
The acid from the bile traveling up my throat burns as I swallow it back down and another message comes through.
Daniel
I’m sitting here in my office, growing hard while thinking of you. I know you’re probably dripping thinking of me, too.
Daniel
I’ll be sure to send you a little something later tonight so you don’t feel so alone.
His words disgust me, and I thank my lucky stars that the man is all talk, or at least he has been so far. The last thing I want is a dick pic from my skeevy boss who is thirty years my senior. I quickly close out the text and take a deep breath, repressing the panic attack that is trying to break through. Humiliating myself in the middle of this airport isn’t the way I want to kick off this getaway.
My phone buzzes again and I can’t bring myself to look at it right now, fearing what, orwho, might be on the other side of the screen. Instead, I pocket my phone and press the little button on my pods that are safely tucked into my ears. I’ll just listen to a few chapters of my smutty book before boarding so I can forget about my boss and focus on the adventures that await me in Sin City.
When I reach the part where the heroine realizes the guy she’s been hooking up with in the secret sex club where everyone is forced to wear masks is actually her ex-boyfriend’s dad, I hear an announcement from my gate:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now boarding all remaining passengers for flight 756 to Las Vegas, Nevada at this time.”
Pulling out my phone so I can let my friends know I’m about to board, I breathe a sigh of relief to see no more disturbing messages from my boss.
Jasmine
Whatever you decide to do, just be careful. We don’t need anyone else falling into a cactus on vacation.
Skyla
That was one time!
Jasmine
Once is one time too many.
Penny
Turn on your app so we know where you are in case some creep tries to steal you away from us.
Anna
Everything is going to be great. I’m getting ready to board. Love you all. See you tomorrow!
My phone begins chiming with what I’m sure are messages of affection from the best girls I’ve ever met. I smile to myself as I pull up my boarding pass on my phone. This weekend is going to be everything I’ve needed.
Chapter two
