20. Chapter 20

As soon as we arrived in Las Vegas, the team was swept away to the local arena for practices and meetings. Sawyer and Jodie are meeting with local media outlets, and I'm stuck in my hotel room with nothing to do. Before we left Sunnyvale, I contacted a few blogs and podcasts and got some to cover the games. Two local podcasts in Las Vegas agreed to host one of their episodes at the game tomorrow night.

Normally, I would live it up in the City of Lights, but being here with the team feels different.

I feel different.

We are in a nice hotel right off the Las Vegas strip, and my room has a nice balcony overlooking the desert and mountains. Stepping outside, I let the warm heat cascade over my skin. I decided to take a selfie and add it to my social media pages. It's been ages since I've been active on social media. Being in Sunnyvale, I really haven't had much to post. I've spent the majority of my time in class, working or finding ways to hook up with Logan. None of those things were social media-worthy.

I take a cute picture and then add it to my story. It doesn't take long before I see likes and comments popping up. Flopping down onto one of the chairs on the balcony, I take a peek at the comments on my post.

Hey girl, are you in Vegas?

I see the comment from Ally, a ‘friend' of mine from Miami. Now that I think about it, we were more like party acquaintances, but we always had a good time together.

Yes, I'm here with my dad and the hockey team he coaches.I replied.

Wow, that's so cool. I'm here for the weekend. Let's meet up tonight.

I contemplate her offer. I haven't been out with friends since the night I got so black-out drunk that I ended up getting myself sent to Sunnyvale. I feel like I've changed and grown a lot since then. The same temptations that once haunted me have been tamed down. One night can't hurt, right?

Sure, that sounds fun.Text me where and when you want to meet.

After sending the message, I decide to spend a few hours relaxing before I go out. Tomorrow, I will be in full work mode as the Hawks' games begin. Tonight, I'm going to live it up in Vegas.

***

As the bass thumped through the club, I recognized Ally"s shimmery dress and blonde curls from across the room. As soon as Ally"s arms wrapped around me in a bear hug, I knew it would be a wild night. We hugged and laughed as we made our way to the crowded bar.

"Girl, where the hell have you been?" Ally asks, stepping back and taking a good look at me.

Her black-as-night hair is silky straight as it lands over her shoulders. She's wearing a skin-tight red leather dress that looks killer on her frame. Ally is the daughter of a huge record executive who jet-sets all over the world. Being her friend comes with a lot of perks, including private jets, lavish parties, and all the drinks and drugs you could imagine. She has a way of making you forget about reality– she's like a wild ride you can't get enough of.

"I needed to take a break," I admit, yelling over the music in the club.

"Are you living in Vegas now?" she asks, her eyes glowing.

Shaking my head, I force a smile. "No, I'm living in Sunnyvale. It's a small town in southern California. I'm actually here with the Hawks, a hockey team. I work for their PR company and go to school in Sunnyvale."

Ally looks shocked as her mouth falls open. "You are in college? And working?"

Trust me, I'm just as shocked as she is. I was never the one to like schedules and be reliable. I must look like a stranger to her now. I need to change the topic away from myself before this conversation gets too heavy.

"What brought you to Las Vegas?" I ask, my body starting to rock to the rhythms around us.

Ally smiles as the topic comes back to her. "This guy I'm seeing is opening a new hotel. He flew me out here with him. He's at a meeting tonight, so it's so cool that you are here, and we can hang out like old times." She grabs my hand and drags me over to the bar before I can protest.

We find ourselves at the bar, Ally ordering us drinks. Part of me wants to refuse the alcohol because, let's face it, the last couple of times that I drank, I ended up in shitty situations. However, tonight, I will pace myself and just have some fun.

With drinks in our hands, we glide onto the dance floor of the pulsing club, my body responding effortlessly to the infectious beats of the music. The bass reverberates through my chest, syncing with the rhythm of my heart. I raise my cocktail glass to my lips and savor the tartness of vodka and cranberry juice, feeling invigorated and alive in this moment. The colorful lights illuminate the room, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the writhing bodies around me. I let go of all inhibitions as I lose myself in the trance-like atmosphere, my movements becoming more fluid and sensual with each passing second. This is where I truly feel free, surrounded by the energy and euphoria of the dance floor.

One drink turned into two, then four, and before I knew it, I was stumbling on the dance floor with Ally by my side.

"Hey, do you want to head to my penthouse? We have this killer room, and I'm sure I could get us hooked up with some Xanax if you want," Ally offers, her words slurring.

The old Ashlynn wouldn't think twice about jumping at this suggestion. I know I should say no, but something inside of me is keeping me from speaking up.

"Maybe in a little bit," I slur, dancing in a circle around her.

Throwing my arms up in the air, I let my head fall back as the music and alcohol brought me to a whole new level. Instinctively, my mind starts thinking about Logan. I want him here with me.

I need his arms wrapped around me.

I miss him.

As crazy as that sounds, I really do miss him. Why can't he be here right now with me? My mind can't seem to process anything right now.

As the night wears on, I can't shake off the memories of Logan. Pulling out my phone, I attempt to text him in my drunken stupor.

Me: Where r u I am needing you. At hotel club

My eyes blur as I try to read back the message I just sent to Logan. Stumbling, I fall into Ally, and we laugh as we crash to the sticky floor. I can't remember why I texted Logan.