Chapter 1
Melody's POV
"Man, I love Las Vegas. You just can't beat the parties here!"
That's my best friend, Trixie, talking. She's the spirit of every party, the stereotypical chaotic, cheerful, fierce character. You know, the self-diagnosed crazy bitch who embraces the title.
"Mel, don't even pretend you're not in love with this city too. Well...with its clubs," Trixie corrects herself. She's always dragging me to the hottest new night clubs, and I stubbornly stick to my role of reluctant party goer. It's an act, though, of course I would go anywhere with her. She doesn't have to ask twice, we're practically sisters and I just can't say no.
"That was fun," I admit, still enjoying the buzz from the club and the drinks. Ashley, who completes our trio, joins in. "Hell yeah! Did you see me dancing with those guys? There were three of them! It was great!"
She's the player of the group, and prideful about it to. But you know what? Good for her. Sometimes I wish I had that kind of power. "They were practically a wall around you," I say mischievously. "A very muscular wall that followed you everywhere."
"Wrapped around your little finger, as usual," Trixie teases, her purple hair glowing in the neon light of street signs as we walk through the city. Ashley giggles in response. "No regrets. I got their numbers." I turn around to face her. "All three? You slut."
"Prude," she shoots back, completely unbothered. I wave away the insult. "For your information, I got someone's number too," I say airily. Trixie's head snaps to face me so fast she gets whiplash. "What?! Why didn't you tell me?!"
I laugh at her response. "I just did! And you don't have to sound so surprised..."
Ashley nudges me playfully. "You never put yourself out. I thought you were a virgin for literal years before Trixie spilled the tea. Of course we're surprised!"
"You act like I took some chastity vow or something," I grumble, cheeks pink. They're right though, it's unusual for me to even attempt talking to guys, let alone get their number. Maybe it's the sexy dress I'm wearing, but I just felt more confident tonight. Plus, the dude was cute. "I just have high standards, okay?"
Of course, Trixie has to push for more as usual. "Are you gonna tell us more? You can't just leave us hanging, Mel," she scolds. "Who was it? That bartender who was staring at you all night? He was kinda cute." She steps around a mysterious puddle of who knows what on the sidewalk, looking at me expectantly.
"Yeah, it was the bartender," I say with an uncharacteristic giggle. "We talked a little...turns out not ALL men spew crap when they open their mouths. He was...nice." Ashley gives me an exaggerated, wide-eyed look. "Did you just... compliment a man?" Trixie joins in on the teasing, jaw comically slack. "Melody! One conversation, and suddenly he's 'nice?' He must have said something special..."
My cheeks redden further as they continue. "Shut up! I can complement a guy if I want to. And...he likes Lord of the Rings, okay? It's impossible to be suspicious of someone when they're a Frodo fan," I defend. I guess that was the wrong thing to say, because all it does is dissolve my two idiot friends into hysterical giggles.
"Frodo fan," Trixie gasps between fits of laughter, stopping to lean against a building for support. "You mean you found a nerd?"
I blush furiously. "Stop laughing! It's not that funny..."
Ashley pats my shoulder condescendingly. "Sure it isn't. Do you want to know what the highlight of my night was? Dancing with three hotties. Trixie found a chick to make out with. And you," she says fondly, grinning, "are lovesick over a 'Frodo fan?'
"Shut up," I mutter, hiding a smile. "I'm not lovesick!" She pats my shoulder again. "Keep telling yourself that, love."
A taxi saves me from more teasing. "Oh look, a taxi," I deflect, waving at it. "Perfect! We don't have to walk." The taxi pulls to the side, successfully distracting my tormentors.
"This isn't over!" Trixie says, still snorting, as she unpeels from the wall and climbs in. Ashley follows, winking at me while I hold open the door. I groan, rolling my eyes. I'm about to slide in the car when I feel a prickle on the back of my neck.
I pause, glancing around cautiously. No one on the street...the shadows between buildings seem to stretch ominously and I shiver again, still searching. And then...there! A faint glow coming from a dark alley. I narrow my eyes, focusing on the barely there light. The shadowed outline of a face takes shape behind it, distinctly male. I glimpse a sharp jawline, dark eyes, and a cigarette dangling from his mouth. The end flickers softly, glowing orange.
"...Mel? You getting in?"
Ashley's voice snaps me back to reality and I mentally shake myself. "Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry." I slide inside the taxi, glancing at the alley one last time. I swear the smoking man smirks at me before the cigarette is stubbed out, plunging his features into darkness.
"What's wrong?" Trixie asks. "Daydreaming about your man?" I shake my head. "No...just tired, I guess. It's kinda late." I shut the door, mind racing. Who was that guy? Has he been watching us the whole time?
Despite my distraction I manage to give the cabbie my address while Trixie and Ashley chatter in the background. How they're still so animated I don't know. I'm feeling suddenly exhausted from the dancing and drinking and socializing in general.
"Melody? Hello? Did you hear us?" Trixie interrupts my thinking again, snapping her fingers impatiently. "What was your bartenders name?"
I look up at her. "Uh...what?"
Ashley elbows me. "Frodo fan! Did he tell you his name?"
My eyes meet hers sheepishly. "Oh! Um...I forgot to ask," I admit with an embarrassed chuckle. Trixie immediately scolds me, of course. "You didn't ask? First guy you've clicked with in months and you don't know his name," she face palms.
I shrug helplessly. "Sorry! This is why I don't hit on people. I'm really bad at it...." My words trail off into a yawn. "You can yell at me later. I'm tired."
Trixie rolls her eyes but lets it go. "Fine. We're almost at your apartment anyway." Ashley nods. "It has been a long night...but you're not completely off the hook. We want to know more about your bartender tomorrow."
Trixie exchanges a knowing glance with Ashley. I hide my face in my hands. "Ugh, you're impossible. Fine, tomorrow."
