Free Hard Luck (The Vegas Obsession Series, #1) by Chloe Grey Page B

Ten
    Leslie
    I didn’t know what to do with myself after that mind-blowing night with Drew. I didn’t mean to kick him out after, but I felt so completely out of control; so off balance. He said I had an effect on him, but God, why did he have to have that mesmerizing effect on me too? I had to occupy my mind somehow, so I watched television between chores for almost the entire day. I couldn’t even stay in the bedroom. It reminded me of him. Of all the pleasure he delivered to my body. Oh God, I’ve got to sleep on the couch tonight.
    The day went by and I got myself ready for the week, busying myself with laundry and cleaning. While I was watching the late night news, the phone rang. At this time, it could only be Monica, and sure enough, it was her number displayed on the phone.
    “Hey,” I said into the receiver, falling back against the couch.
    “Hi Les, just checking in.”
    “I didn’t jump off a bridge, if that’s what you mean.”
    “Car running alright?”
    I opened my eyes and stared at the television screen.
    “Yep, still running. I know I should be thrilled that Drew bailed me out, but I don’t like having a debt hanging over me.”
    “He said you didn’t have to pay him back,” Monica replied, pointing out the obvious.
    “Yeah, I know, but even if it was you... I would still feel I owed you something. I don’t know. I guess I’ll figure something out. What are you doing?”
    “Just sitting here and watching the news,” Monica answered between a  yawn.
    “We lead such interesting lives. I’m doing the same. We should be sleeping right now. We both have to be up by three a.m.”
    I kept glancing at the screen. I had been waiting for the lottery segment to come on, and it looked like it was just starting.
    “Next weekend we should change that,” she coaxed. “Let’s get dressed up and go have some fun, instead of staying at home like two dried up hags.”
    I laughed at the visual. It was bang on.
    “Sounds fun,” I answered.
    My full concentration wasn’t on Monica. I was trying to focus on the lottery numbers flashing across the TV. I looked them over, reading them slowly. One by one.
    “Yes,” Monica shouted. “That’s just what we have to do. Instead of saying we’re going to do it, we just have to—“
    “Wait a minute, Monica,” I cut her off.
    11 14 22 25 31 39 46
    “Oh my God!” I said, reading through the numbers again to be sure. I had played the same numbers for four years; I knew them, and those were the numbers!
    “What?” Monica asked.
    I could feel my heart racing.
    “I...I...Monica, I won,” I whispered, my lungs barely able to supply enough air to say the words.
    “You won? Won what?” Monica asked.
    “I... I won. I won the Texas lottery.”
    “You won. You won?” Monica’s words were a piercing scream in my ear. “Are you sure?” she asked, panting. “How many numbers did you get?”
    I nodded dumbly into the phone.
    “All of them,” I said in disbelief. “I’ve been playing these numbers for four years... fifty-two times a year. I am sure. I just won the lottery!”
    “Eeeep!” I had to pull the phone away from my ear, as Monica’s shrill scream blared through the speaker.
    “Look. I have to go. I’ll call you later,” I said, still breathless, still disbelieving.
    “Goodbye? Wait...” Monica said, but I hung up before she could continue.
    I jumped up and went to the kitchen, where my purse was on top of the table. I rummaged through it, frantically looking for the ticket. Shit. I dumped the purse out on the counter, and went through every piece of paper, searching every pocket and compartment. My heart skipped a beat. The ticket wasn’t there.
    “Where did I...” I began, and then it dawned on me. I had put the ticket in my glove compartment!
    It was already after eleven so I grabbed a flashlight from a kitchen drawer, took my keys and hurried out of the apartment. There was no way I could go to sleep without that puppy under my