Mr. CEO(9)

I really need to just unwind and relax so I don’t have a nervous breakdown.

Despite Hannah’s rowdy boast, I know this group isn’t serious about hooking up with anyone tonight. Most likely, we’ll all have a couple drinks, flirt a little, maybe, and return to our rooms tipsy a few dollars richer or poorer.

I know I won’t be getting any action, I tell myself. That’s for damn sure.

“There’ll be none of that over here,” Eva says, doing a swirling motion with her hand around her lady bits.

Hannah frowns, messing with her bra. I swear her right boob almost popped out. I have to put my hand between my legs to keep from reaching over and pulling up the neckline of her dress. “Why’s that?”

Eva raises her head and says haughtily, “Because I have a loving boyfriend who can’t wait for me to get back home.”

Cary Ann snorts and drunkenly blurts out, “Please, he’s probably at home banging his side chick in your bed right now!”

“Okay!” Hannah reaches across her seat to high five Cary Ann, nearly popping out of her dress in the process, and the two girls burst into giggles. “You know what they say; a man is only as faithful as his options!”

Eva grimaces and glances over at me. I know what she's thinking. And she’s right. The joke makes me feel like shit.

Cary Ann pauses when she sees we aren’t laughing. “Did I say something wrong?”

I can’t respond. My throat is tight with emotion.

Eva comes to my rescue. “Charlotte’s going through a breakup,” she says quietly. Fuck, I hate this. I feel so damn uncomfortable.

Cary Ann’s face crumples into a frown and she reaches across the limo to place a consolatory hand on mine. “Oh honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Tears burn my eyes and I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s okay.”

“You sure?” asks Hannah. “I hate to think that we upset you.”

“I’m fine,” I lie, putting on a fake smile. “Really, you guys don’t have to walk on eggshells around me.” I wave it off.

“Okay, sorry,” Cary Ann repeats. I can tell she’s really mortified that she’s caused me unintentional pain.

“Don’t sweat it.” I look around and ask, “So what are you guys having to drink when we get to the club?” I want to change the subject and get the focus off me. As soon as f*cking possible.

Hannah claps her hands together, causing her boobs to jiggle. “A bahama mama! 'Cause I’m a big, hot mama.”

“The walking dead!” Cary Ann squeals. “'Cause it’s my favorite show!”

“A blue Hawaii,” says Eva, “my favorite.”

There’s a moment of silence and the girls look at me expectantly.

“Bloody Mary,” I say, thinking quickly on my feet. Because I want to f*cking murder Ian.

“Let’s hit Surrender first,” Cary suggests as the limo slows and we climb out. “I hear it’s awesome.”

“Hell yeah,” says Hannah. “I’m game.”

We make our way inside and I’m immediately enveloped by a pleasant tropical smell and the sounds of slots machine. It’s so bright, I have to blink a couple of times to adjust.

The noises, the lights, the flood of people, it’s all overwhelming. Sin City. This definitely looks like a place made for sin. I walk behind the ladies as they stride confidently to wherever they’re taking me. They’ve been here before and they’re acting like they own the place. I do my best to do the same and look like I belong.

I take my seat next to Eva and put my clutch on the bartop, taking another look around. This place is overwhelming.

I start to ask Eva how many times she’s been here, but before I can even get a word out, she’s holding her finger up and reaching in her purse for her buzzing phone.

She snatches it out and taps the screen. “Hold on a min,” she says, turning her back and typing out a text. Damn. She’s acting like whatever she’s typing is top secret, her fingers flying across the touch screen like a roadrunner.

I used to do that, I think sadly and a surge of loneliness washes over me. When Ian used to text me, I acted like it was the most important thing in the world to text back immediately.

“It’s Kevin,” Eva says when she’s done, confirming my suspicion.

I nod and force a smile as I watch Eva slip her phone back into her purse without a worry. “How’s he doing?”

“Alright,” Eva replies, “but he misses me.” My heart clenches in my chest, but I keep the smile plastered on my face. “He hates when I’m away on business trips.”

I nod and say a silent prayer of thanks as the bartender comes over and interrupts us. I order a long island iced tea in place of that Bloody Mary so I can get trashed. I’m not messing around tonight. At this point I need something strong.

Eva joins in with the other girls who are gossiping about someone who works for another company now. Someone I don’t know.

I nurse my drink and try to keep up and chime in, but I have no clue who and what they’re talking about. After a few minutes, their conversation seems to turn to white noise and I find myself staring into my drink, moving the ice around with the straw and wondering why I’m in such a horrible f*cking mood.