After Hours

Chapter 13

{A/N: Double update due to my recent absence. Make sure you've read the previous chapter first.}

When our flight landed, we were driven to a hotel where we watched a show as we ate dinner. After it's over, we walk down the street to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. My eyes widen when I realize it's the same place we watched the Chippendales at. I turn to Jasmine who laughs. "Too bad I don't have a bride to be sash," she says.

I nod a little, remembering the other events that took place that night. "That was a good night."

She grins but doesn't say anything. We follow Zach and Dominic into the building with Benjamin and his girlfriend Alexis trailing behind. Taking the elevator up to the roof, I stare at Jasmine in confusion but she doesn't say a word. On the roof, there are men in yellow jackets collecting money and managing the line of people. "All six of us," Zach says, taking out his wallet.

"Fuck that," Benjamin says. "We'll meet you guys downstairs."

I look around in confusion, my eyes landing on the zip line. Zach rolls his eye. "Four then."

He passes the man the money as Benjamin and Alexis take the elevator back downstairs. "I don't know about this," I say softly.

Zach sighs. "This night is supposed to be fun. If you weren't going to participate then you shouldn't have come."

I glare at him. "No one told me we were going to be doing this or maybe I wouldn't have."

He shakes his head. "Don't be a pussy."

My jaw drops. "I'm not."

"Then go first," he says.

"You," I snap.

He narrows his eyes at me. "Fine. I will."

"Wait, let me and Jasmine go first so I can get pictures," Dominic insists.

"Okay," Zach agrees, turning away.

I cross my arms over my chest and wait for our turn. Once Jasmine and Dominic have gone, I glance at Zach. He smirks before gesturing for me to get on. Shaking my head, I climb on and he takes his place beside me. We're strapped in and I take a deep breath. "How fast does this thing go?" I ask.

"Over thirty miles per hour," Zach says. My eyes widen and he stares at me in disbelief. "You just got off of a jet and you drive your car faster than that. How could you possibly be afraid?"

"I can't actually see the world beneath my feet in a jet," I say.

Before I know it, we're launched off and I shriek, automatically reaching for his arm. He laughs as I hold onto his wrist for dear life but after a moment I begin to relax. The sight is incredible and the air is so cool. It is over too soon and I am blinded by the flash of Dominic's camera. As we climb off, I finally release Zach and I can't wipe the smile off of my face. The experience is so exhilarating and I'd love to do it again. "See? It wasn't that bad," Jasmine says, nudging me.

"That wasn't but wait for what else I have planned," Zach says, winking at me.

When we get downstairs, we get back into the limo and Zach instructs the driver to take us to the Stratosphere Tower. Jasmine shakes her head. "Hell no," she says seriously. "I'll wait downstairs with Benjamin and Alexis."

"Why?" I ask, frustrated that I'm not as familiar with the place as they are.

"They have four rides; two of them dangle you off the building, one shoots you up in the air, and the for the last one you jump off the building," she explains.

"It's 108 stories high," Dominic adds. "So I'll be waiting at the bottom to take pictures."

I glance at Zach. "Which one are you doing?"

"Sky jump," he answers. "You jump off the building and land safely at the bottom."

I raise an eyebrow. "You don't have to do it," Jasmine says.

Zach smirks. "Don't be a pussy."

Tightening my jaw, I turn towards the window and wonder if this is something I really want to do. Deciding that I can't let Zach win, I agree to go. When we the car stop, I get out and look up at the building. It's huge. The rides are lit up on top of the building and they look so far up. I watch as someone jumps off the side of the building, landing safely on the ground. Zach begins heading towards the entrance and I follow. "You don't have to do this!" Jasmine yells.

Once we're through the doors, we step onto the elevator, taking it all the way to the top. I offer to pay but Zach shakes his head before paying the man. We walk out onto the rooftop and stand in line for the Sky Jump. There are about ten people ahead of us but they gear people ahead of time so there isn't a long wait. A long while passes as the line gradually shortens, finally putting us near the front of the line. They hand us each a yellow suit and once we have it on, the check to make sure everything is on right. When it's finally our turn, I turn to Zach. "You first, you cocky little shit."

He chuckles. "One day you'll look back at this and thank me for getting you out of your shell. You have to live a little."

"Yeah, yeah. Go."

Nodding, he walks through the gate where I watch as a woman checks his suit once more. She talks him through it before looking back. "Go."

My heart drops and I gasp as I watch him step off the building, my chest tightening. When the gate opens and they wave me through, I am frozen to the spot. I can't do it - especially when he's the only reason why I was doing it in the first place - but if I don't do it, I will have to face their comments for the rest of the night. "Come on, lady," a kid says from behind me.

Clearing my head, I step forward. "Have you jumped before?" the woman asks.

"No," I answer.

"Face that way and hold the bar," she instructs. "I am just double checking your gear. Now turn this way and grab that bar. Wait for my countdown."

"Okay," I say with a shaky breath.

"Three, two, one. Go."

Breathing in, I step off of the ledge and exhale as I go down. My fear only grows as I grow closer to the ground but I slow down until my feet hit the ground. I grin at my friends who stand outside the gated area. "I did it!" I yell excitedly as a worker helps me out of the suit.

"We're top live," Benjamin announces. "This is Emery Smith at the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Say hi Emery."

"Hi," I grin, waving as I walk towards them.

Jasmine hugs me tightly. "Jackson is going to kill me," she whispers with a chuckle before releasing me.

I don't have much time to think about her comment before I'm dragged away for more fun, I assume. This is the most fun I've had in a long time.

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