Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“My apologies, Grandma Bishop. I should be more formal.” He flashes a shit-eating grin at me before he continues, “Whiskey penis.”
“And we’re leaving now…” I roughly grab the back of his shirt and push his stupid ass toward the door.
“Bye!” He turns around and waves before I can open the door and shove him out.
“You’re an asshole,” I say as soon as we’re on the porch.
“Your family loves me,” he mocks, stumbling down the stairs.
Rolling my eyes, I follow him to the side-by-side so we can finish our shit and leave on time.
By two, we’re packed and on the road, heading toward the airport. “Vegas bound!” Diesel shouts out the passenger side window, slamming his hand against the door.
“Why do I have a feeling I’m gonna have to watch you like a hawk this weekend?” I shake my head.
“Pfft. As long as neither of us comes back with an STD or a future baby mama, we’ll be fine! Isn’t the whole point of this birthday trip to celebrate and get fucked up?” he counters in a snarky tone, making me want to smack his you-know-I’m-right grin off his face.
“As long as we come back in one piece.” I shrug. “But I’m still not babysitting your ass.”
“Deal!” He holds up his fist and bumps it with mine, but I’m still not convinced.
This might be the trip of a lifetime, or it might change everything—either are possible with two rowdy cowboys going to Vegas for the first time.
CHAPTER TWO
ZOEY
The whole week has been a clusterfuck, and I can’t wait until this weekend when I can go to Vegas and enjoy myself. After I graduated from cosmetology school, I rented a chair at a busy salon known for its crazy and outlandish styles such as rainbow-colored highlights and complicated updos. Though I work in Phoenix, our masterpieces look as if they should be in New York City.
Trina, a woman in her mid-fifties, arrives right on time and sits in my chair. I see her once a month because she’s particular about covering her grays.
“How’s your week going?” I ask once I’ve fastened the cape around her neck. She fills me in on all her family drama and the husband she’s two seconds from divorcing. “Be right back. I’m going to mix your color, and we’ll get started.”
“I should’ve left him years ago,” she says as I brush the dye onto her roots. “Cheating asshole wanted me as nothing but a trophy wife. Now he’s got even more money, and I should take every red cent,” Trina huffs. Listening to people’s adventures is one of the highlights of my day, and considering everything I’m told, I should be paid as their therapist, not a stylist.
“If only I were your age again.” Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and it causes me to smile.
“What would you do?” I ask, actually intrigued.
“I’d do it all. I would live my life regardless of what everyone else wanted me to do. I’d move away. Be a free spirit. Spontaneous even. Travel more. Hell, I’d even get a dog,” she tells me. “Maybe two.”
“Dean’s allergies are ridiculous,” she complains with an eye roll. “We have an aquarium. It’s about as far as it goes for pets.”
Once I’m fully done applying her color, I set a timer and tell her to hold tight while I go clean out the bowl and brush.
“Just wait for the right man. Don’t rush into anything,” she warns when I return.
All I can do is smile because the only man interested in me is my dad’s friend’s son, and he’s ten years older than I am. Benjamin and I have gone on a few dates, which I agreed to just to appease my parents, but that’s about it. He’s a hotshot doctor, an up and coming heart surgeon who’s determined to take over the medical field with his smarts, charm, and good looks. He even gave himself the nickname “Life Saver.” My parents are in love with him, and I’m trying to feel something but refuse to force it.
After I’ve rinsed out the color, then blow-dried and styled Trina’s hair, she pays, leaving me a big tip. I adore her, and she enjoys spending her husband’s money, so I have no complaints.
My next appointment isn’t for two hours, so instead of staying in the salon all day, I decide to go out for lunch. Twenty minutes later, I stop at a sandwich shop downtown. Taking a seat outside, I eat, soaking up the Phoenix sun, wishing I could stay in this spot all day. As I’m taking my last bite, my phone dings with a text, and I pick it up and see a message from my sister, Summer.
Summer
Three more days and we’re flying out! I CANNOT WAIT!
Zoey
I know! I’m itching for a vacation.
I love taking road trips and seeing different places. Having schedule flexibility was one of the reasons I decided to do hair in the first place. I didn’t want to be tied to a nine-to-five job and work for someone else. I needed the freedom to come and go as I please, and with my current position, I have that. Typically, every few months, I’ll get in my car and drive somewhere I’ve never been before.