“Pretty much,” Declan winks.
“It sounds like one big party to me,” I tell him, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice of you to bring me along for the ride, but I really do want to spend this summer developing my business. Not just have a good time.”
“A woman after my own heart,” he laughs, whipping out a pack of smokes, “I knew I chose you for a reason, Kassie. Don’t worry, you’re going to have all the resources you need to get CrowdedNest up and running. We’ll work on your business model, make sure you’re connected with all the right people, and start talking about marketing strategies. But there’s no reason why we can’t do that by the pool...right?”
“I guess you’re right,” I allow.
“You seem skeptical,” Declan says, lighting up a cigarette.
“Sorry,” I say, shoving a hand through my hair, “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful or anything. I’m just not really used to...”
“Having fun?” Declan offers, “Yeah. I could kind of tell.”
“Is it that obvious?” I ask.
“Not to a lot of people,” Declan says, taking a drag of his smoke, “I’m sure that when most people look at you, they see a beautiful, driven, well-adjusted girl. You’re very good at keeping on a game face for the world, aren’t you?”
“I...guess so,” I stammer.
“Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Declan says, leaning forward, “I’m a pretty good actor myself. I know a thing or two about feeling alone. Guilty. Angry. I can recognize the same things in you, Kassie.”
I stare at Declan, at a loss for words. How can he know so much about me? We’ve only just met. But now that I think about it, there is something in his eyes that seems...familiar. Maybe my dark past isn’t too different than where he’s coming from?
“I hope I’m not out of line here,” Declan goes on, “I just want you to know that I get it. Life can be shit, sometimes. And it’s easy to shove all your baggage in the closet and move on like a good little soldier. But sometimes the best way to get over all that shit is to live the life you’ve always wanted. Living well is the best revenge, right? Well it turns out, it’s the best medicine too.”
“Ahhh I see, so speeding on motorcycles, smoking cigarettes, and partying hard are the best medicines?” I smile, cocking my head sideways.
“Touché,” he laughs. “Trust me, I’m speaking from experience—I'm older you know.”
“Trust you,” I reply, shaking my head, “That’s another thing that won’t be so easy, I’m warning you now.”
“I figured as much,” Declan says, taking a drag, “But I can also tell that there’s some little part of you that wants to trust me, Kassie. I’m here to convince you that that little voice is right. Sound good?”
Before I can say anything, Mae sweeps back over to our table. She sets down two heaping plates before us—cheeseburgers, fries, a couple of beers, the works. I stare at the bounty with wide eyes. As if this day couldn’t get any more epic.
“Tuck in, darlin’,” Mae says, “You could use a little meat on those bones.”
Declan raises his bottle in a toast, and I follow suit.
“To your graduation,” he says, “And to all the incredible things we’re going to accomplish together this summer. Thanks for coming along on this crazy ride with me.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I say, clinking my bottle with his.
As we tuck into our burgers, I have to admit that this was not the graduation night I ever would have imagined for myself.
It’s much better.
CHAPTER NINE
For many miles, we’re enveloped by the darkened desert. The only light, save the Harley’s headlights, is that of the moon rising overhead. I stare up in wonder from the back of Declan’s bike as the stars careen overhead. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many celestial fireflies in my entire life. I’ve always lived too close to a city to really get a good view of the stars, but now they’re too many to count. I rest my cheek against Declan’s broad back as he steers us along the empty road. For the first time that I can remember, I actually feel excited. And dare I say it...hopeful?
“There it is,” Declan calls back to me, “Your new home for the next few months. Ready to meet Las Vegas, Kassie?”
I peer over Declan’s shoulder, into the streaming wind. Far ahead of us, the horizon seems to be glowing with daybreak. But that’s impossible—night has only just fallen. With every passing second, that canopy of light ahead grows brighter and brighter. I realize that it’s not the rising sun we’ve spotted that’s lighting up the sky. It’s a wild, vivid array of city lights. The neon glow of Las Vegas is beckoning us like moths to its exotic, irresistible flame. And we’re headed straight for it.
In no time at all, we’ve closed the distance separating us from Sin City. The behemoth casinos and resorts rise out of the darkened desert like Titans, gods in their own right. I’ve never been to Vegas before, only heard stories of the decadence and danger that roil beneath its glamorous surface. I guess that I’m about to see for myself what all those tales are really about.
“Here we go,” Declan cackles, laying on the speed as we fly past the iconic sign that welcomes us, in broad letters, to Las Vegas, Nevada.
I gasp as we’re swallowed up by the teeming, electric strip. The massive, glittering buildings rise up like Canyon walls all around us. Declan guides the Harley through the roaring traffic, making my head spin with exhilaration. I’m bombarded with iconic sights, overwhelmed by the sheer chaos of light, color, and sound that threatens to boil over all around us.
“Does this ever start to feel normal?” I call out to Declan.
“Nope,” he replies happily, “That’s what I love about living here, Kassie. Never a dull moment to be had.”
I don’t think I realized until this moment just how used to dull moments I’ve become. My entire life has been so tamped down, so dark and miserable. I almost don’t know what to do with all of the energy surging around me, all of the excitement and happiness. But I’ve been thrown into the deep end now. Only thing to do is swim.
Declan veers off to one side of the strip, skidding us to a stop at the curb. I climb off the back of his bike with trembling knees, looking all around. Is that panic, setting my heart to thumping, or excitement?