Hard Luck (The Vegas Obsession Series, #1) (4 page)

My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe the girl insulted me in one breath and invited me to party with them in the next.

“Look. I don’t want to get started on the wrong foot, but if it continues... I’m calling the cops.”

The girl rolled her eyes. “We’ll keep that in mind, but you know it’s like eight o’clock, right?”

“What’s going on, babe?”

I turned my attention to a guy who approached the door and wrapped his arms around the girl’s tiny Goth-clad waist. He looked older, but his eyes were dark and he had several face piercings.

“Nothing,” the girl laughed. “We were just being advised of the building noise ordinance from this lovely burst of sunshine at the door.”

He looked up, catching my stare and smirked.

“Okay, if you want to go to bed... we’ll tone it down a little.”

“I...” I started to argue, but the door shut in my face.

Shit!
I was fuming. The way these kids were so disrespectful, it was unreal. I walked back to my place and slammed the door. The music did go down, but I could still hear laughter on the other side of the walls. I couldn’t call the cops for people laughing and having a good time. I tried to get back into the reality show, but there wasn’t any use. My mind kept wandering back to how the girl looked me up and down. I couldn’t blame her. I felt so lackluster, and suddenly wanted to change, but didn’t know how.

***

T
he next day, I spent a good portion of the day trying to appear occupied with work. All I could think about was talking to Mr. Barkley and finally taking a step closer to my career goals. Periodically, Monica checked in on me, motioning from a distance about whether I asked him yet. Sadly, I had not found the right time all day. He was either too busy or in meetings or about to put out a proverbial fire on set. In my excitement, I had even tried to get a few minutes as he returned from the men’s room, but Mr. Barkley was not impressed.

As I packed up for the day, my spirits were low. I was convinced another missed opportunity had passed me by. But when I saw him coming out of his office, my hope reignited. I couldn’t believe it. He looked my way and motioned for me to come and speak with him. By then, I was so doubtful I still had a shot that I glanced around, just to make sure he wasn’t looking at anyone else.

Convinced I was the object of his momentary focus, I left my desk and practiced my ‘Pick Me!’ pitch on my way. Considering I wasn’t the one to make the first move, there was some hope. He’d already taken his seat when I entered his office, brimming with enthusiasm.

“You wanted to see me?” I asked, stepping closer.

He looked up and lowered his bifocals to the edge of his nose to make eye contact.

“Indeed I did. Have a seat, Leslie.”

I wasn’t nervous as I watched him fumble through some papers. Well, maybe a little.

“How can I help you?”

He moved around some more of the clutter on his desk until he found a large manila envelope.

“There it is,” he mumbled. “I didn’t want you taking off before I had the opportunity to talk with you.”

The suspense was killing me, but I tried not to appear too eager to hear what he had to say.

“As you know, we were left in a bind when Daisy up and quit, but...” he hesitated before continuing, “it wasn’t exactly a surprise.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “It’s unfortunate she was so... unhappy.”

“That’s an understatement. Monica did a great job today, even without the help of a co-host, but I feel that she needs someone to properly complement her.”

“I know what you mean,” I replied, feeling like this was my moment in the sun.

He smiled. “So, I’ve decided to go forward to find a person who will be a good balance with Monica.”

I accept!
I practiced in my mind. I didn’t want it to come across as overzealous, but I needed to convey the right message...that I was the right person for the job, and so freaking excited for this new chapter.

“That’s great news!” I answered eagerly. “I’m sure whoever you choose will be excited to take the reins and has the potential to be a positive addition to the news’ family.”

I would have given anything to take those words back. It came across as way too cheesy, and I could tell by the look on his face that he thought so, too.

He nodded absentmindedly. “Yes... I suppose you’re right and I certainly hope so.”

I settled back into the chair. I needed to keep calm and hoped I didn’t already blow my chances.

“Anyway, that’s where you come in,” he announced.

Leslie

H
oly fuck, say it already!
I was on edge as I waited, anxious to hear the words. My attention shifted to the manila envelope he held on to. I figured it contained my first news’ script or something of that nature. It was so exciting and I couldn’t wait to hear him say what my ears – and my self-esteem – needed to hear. He looked down at the envelope and pushed it over to me. There was a name and address written at the top of the envelope. Neither of them was mine.

“What’s this for?”

“That’s where I need you to drop off the envelope. That way he can sign the contract before coming into work tomorrow.”

“I don’t understand,” I replied, looking down at the envelope in total confusion.

“I figured since his apartment is only about two blocks from your place, you wouldn’t mind dropping it off.” He paused for a moment. “You don’t, do you?”

My head spun. Nothing could make sense of his words. “Who am I supposed to drop this off to?” I asked, staring at him.

“Drew Masterson... the new anchorman.”

Every word Monica said to me came rushing back in.
I don’t want to see you put yourself through this and I definitely don’t want to see your heart get broken.
I wanted to keep my promise, but I never dreamed this would happen again... and so cruelly.

I had worked three years, putting my heart into this job, and for what... to find out that I was passed up again? This couldn’t be happening. I put the envelope down on his desk, searching for the right words.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“I guess that I’m a little bit surprised. I thought... I mean, I hoped I could be considered for the job.”

Mr. Barkley nodded. He didn’t seem the least bit surprised to hear it.

“Actually, I did consider you,” he confessed. “I know you’ve been working for a promotion, but this isn’t the right one.”

I opened her mouth to argue, but he stopped me.

“I have confidence that you would do a good job, but I’ve decided to go with a different approach. You know our viewership has changed. More women are watching, and they’re clamoring for a male anchor. Daisy’s departure created the perfect opportunity to give our viewers what they want. I’m sorry, Leslie. It’s the way it is and I have to roll with the punches.”

Roll with the punches?
This was the second time someone wanted me to roll with it and it felt like it meant I needed to stay out of their way.

“So... I didn’t get the job, because I’m not a man?”

It was even worse than I thought. It felt like I was a victim of discrimination for something I had no control over.

He looked like he was mulling over his response.

“That’s not what I said. We have to be responsive to our viewership or they will simply switch the channel and let some other station give them what they want. This is a business, Leslie. It’s nothing personal. Besides, being in front of the camera can attract a lot of negativity. I know you’re eager, but I honestly don’t know if you’re ready to embrace the realities of this job."

The truth was out!
That was more like it. She knew it had something to do with her looks.

“I see...” I replied, standing up so I could escape the humiliation.

I started to turn around, but he cleared his throat.

“Are you going to drop off the script or do I need to find someone else?”

I don’t know why I did it, but I reached for the envelope and snatched it from the desk.

“Thanks for your honesty, Mr. Barkley.”

It was all I could muster before leaving his office. I would drop the script off to Drew Masterson, whoever he was, because I was asked to. But I would have to think long and hard about staying at a place that wouldn’t consider me for career advancement.

As I got back to my desk, I looked toward Monica’s dressing room. Her door was open, but she was on the phone. I wouldn’t interrupt her. Heck, I didn’t even want to talk. I could tell her later, after a bottle of wine to scrape up what was left of my confidence. I grabbed my purse and left with the envelope.

I knew exactly where his apartment was. I passed that complex everyday as I drove to work. Seething, I wondered who this Drew Masterson was, and what he was like.
Probably a snake. A fucking penis-owning pretty boy with bright eyes, a square jawline, and good teeth.

I pulled into the parking lot and found the only vacant visitor spot. I left the car and headed to his building. The complex wasn’t much different from where I lived. It was a little bit bigger, but that was about it. Admittedly, I was busying my mind; distracting it from thinking about who in the hell got
my
job, and why I agreed to be the dumbass to drop off his offer letter and contract.

Sighing out my frustration, I entered the alcove that read
221
and headed up the stairs. Suddenly I was nervous. I had no idea who this guy was. It felt strange knocking on his door and interrupting his evening. I looked down at the envelope. For a moment, I considered sliding it under his door, knocking and running away.

“This is stupid,” I said, a little louder than I had intended it to come out. “Mr. Barkley gave me a simple task... I’m sure the guy’s already expecting me.”

I walked up to the door and knocked. No answer. I waited and knocked again. Still no answer.
Oh well, I tried.
As I turned to leave, I heard rustling on the other side of the door. I turned back to see the door opening, but it was a woman. I couldn’t stop staring at her. It was one in the afternoon and the woman had a sheet draped around her like a toga. She didn’t appear much older than twenty.

“Yes?” she asked, the frustration of my disruption thick in her voice.

I’m not sure why, but I was at a loss for words. It must have been the toga.

“Hello... did you need something?” she asked.

The irritation grew on the woman’s face.  I had not considered running into a half-naked woman in a toga at my new co-worker’s door. All she was missing was a laurel wreath on her head and she could be right out of a Greek mythology book.

“Uh...I...I am looking for Drew Masterson?” I felt nervous; it was so distracting, standing there with the woman.

A light of recognition danced across the woman’s face, and then, a flash of disgust played on her features.

“Hon... you have a visitor,” she called out.

I thought about throwing the envelope to her and making a quick exit when a man peeked around the door. His hair was messed up and he appeared groggy, like he had just woken up or, more likely, was torn from a passionate round of sex. He stood in only a pair of lounge pants. I couldn’t help but look at his muscular chest. Eventually, I forced my way back up to his eyes. He was smiling.

“Hello again.”

Shit.
It was the gorgeous man I ran into at the station. And here he was, hotter than sex itself, clearly not expecting visitors.

The toga chick cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to her.

“Are you going to stand there and eye-fuck Drew, or do you have a reason for being here?”

“Uh...” I stammered, moving back from the door. “I was asked to bring this to Drew. It’s the contract for you to sign.”

I handed over the envelope. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my eyes wandered over his chest and abs again. I could feel the heat he gave off and it radiated right through me.

“Thank you,” he said in his sexy baritone voice. “You know, I bumped into you and I never asked you your name.”

“It’s Leslie,” I stuttered. “Leslie Adams.”

“A real pleasure to meet you, Leslie.”

I shook the hand he offered and got lost in his eyes for a moment. Sadly, toga chick pulled me out of whatever trance he put me under.

“Seriously?” she asked.

“Ahh, thanks again for dropping it off,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

I nodded, but before I could turn away, the woman’s hands were all over him. He laughed, forgetting all about me.

“Who was that?” the woman asked before the door closed, already nibbling on his ear.

The door closed, but it didn’t stop me from hearing his reply.

“Nobody.”

I was frozen. The way he looked at me made me feel he could see the real me, but the way he talked, it was like I was scum. This must have been
Trash Leslie Week
in some other dimension. I bolted to my car and rushed home to cry, drink my bottle of wine, and down a tub of ice cream to forget this week ever happened.

***

Drew

I
took a drink of coffee. I had a massive headache and knew that three o’clock would come awfully early. Kimberly didn’t take it too well when I kicked her out the night before, but I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of this new job. I took another long sip, reading through the contract. I was eager to sign, but still wanted to make sure nothing major hid between the lines. There wasn’t time to let Shannon look it over, so I would have to go with my gut.

When I signed my name, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was waiting for this big chance and it was finally here. Slipping the contract back into the envelope, I couldn’t help but think about the woman who brought it to my door...
Leslie
. Finally I had a name to go with the face and that delectable body.

The timing wasn’t great, though. I wasn’t exactly at my best when she stopped by. Kimberley was all over me again. I swear I would have to quit that acting class because of this chick.  I had signed up thinking it would be good to keep upping my game so I could have an edge as a news anchor, but the instructor paired me up with Kimberley the nymphomaniac. I’ve never fallen for her repeated advances, but I got so close before Leslie came to the door. I let the alcohol take over, and while it shouldn’t be an excuse, it was the only one I had.