1000 and More Calls ✔

Chapter 21

Bridgette is now suspicious. How does Preslea know that Leigheanna is heading to Las Vegas? Apart from intuition, there's no other explanation.

Preslea: I'm not joking, Bridgette. Believe me.

Bridgette: How on hell do you know, though?

Preslea: Oh, I called Dave just to say hi, and he told me what happened. He might've learnt that from other sources, though. Or, maybe, he called her directly.

Bridgette: That could be possible.

Preslea: By the way, Lenna and I are coming round to visit. Is it okay for you?

Bridgette: Oh, yes, that's great! Thank you so much for calling, Preslea. I needed someone to cheer me up a little bit. Since not hearing from Dave or Leighy, I've gone crazy...

Preslea: Great. See you tomorrow, then.

Bridgette: See you.

The phone call ends, and Bridgette notices that Abbie is still there, hands on her hips and a suspicious glare in her eyes. She sighs and shakes her head, wondering whether has niece has started acting exactly like her daughter, Leigheanna.

Bridgette: I know you overheard me, Abbie. You don't need to hide that.

Abbie: I'm not hiding anything, Aunt.

Bridgette: Are you sure?

Abbie shakes her head and can't help laughing softly. It seems as tension is slowly disappearing, now that things about Kaitlin and Leigheanna are unraveling.

Bridgette: Come on... Do you mind helping me with dinner?

Abbie: Of course, Aunt. You know what? I forgot that staying around you is pleasant, after all.

Bridgette: Well, this is what you get when you spend your whole life with such a-

The two women exchange glances and burst into laughter.

Bridgette: Oops... I shouldn't have pronounced that name!

Abbie: You didn't, anyway.

Bridgette: Haha... Come on.

As Bridgette and Abbie prepare for dinner, it's finally time for Leigheanna and Rowan to reach Sin City, the place of their dreams. In particular, the one Leigheanna has been longing for since the beginning of the year. Now, her dream trip has become true.

She's impatient to say hello to Taylor, Leslie and the others, but also to introduce Rowan to all of them. She's giggling excitedly, hoping that Leslie is going to bring exciting news and juicy gossip.

However, Rowan is more interested in having the sassy blue-haired girl all for himself. Even though he's driving, he somehow finds some time to exchange glances with her. Seeing her blinking is distracting, he knows, but, even though he's willing to get into an accident for her, he knows that he must stay focused.

What could be an intense, magic moment between the two of them is interrupted by Leigheanna's phone ringing once again. Rowan shakes his head, wondering when she is ever going to switch it off.

Leigheanna: Sorry. Now I'm wondering who it is. Let's just hope it's not any of my parents.

Phone call between Leigheanna and Taylor

Leigheanna: Hello?

Taylor: Leighy, it's just me.

Leigheanna: Oh, hi, Taylor. Where are you?

Taylor: In front of the Caesar's Palace.

Leigheanna: Where?

Taylor: It's just one of the most upscale places in the area. Come on, reach us as soon as possible. See you!

Leigheanna: See you! Wow, he could've given me directions, anyway. Never mind. Let's open Google Maps.

Leigheanna immediately opens Google Maps, but, as she searches for the place she's supposed to go, she notices that Rowan is somehow spying on her.

Rowan: Oh... why didn't you tell me that you want to go to Caesar's Palace? I've been there once. Come on, let's go.

Leigheanna: Weren't you supposed to just focus on driving?

Rowan: Hehe... I couldn't help taking a quick look. Now, come on. I guess your friends are waiting for you. By the way, who was it this time?

Leigheanna: Just my brother, Taylor. He's a nice guy, trust me.

Rowan: Good. Now, let's go. I know a way to weasel out of traffic.

Leigheanna: A sort of safe route, I guess...

Rowan: Correct.

He blinks and grins while saying that last word, making Leigheanna shiver and blush. Honestly, she's reacted that way multiple times since meeting Rowan in person. He already sounded attractive on the phone, but the chance of having physical contact with him is making her giggle.

So, she places her left hand on his lap, hoping that he won't notice since he's so focused on his driving and reaching the destination before it's too late. However, he does and can't help looking at her eyes.

Leigheanna has always said that what makes guys feel somehow interested in her is her eyes. Those shades of greyish green remind exactly of her mother's, but they're not as soft and glossy. Instead, they're a little paler.

Nevertheless, Rowan is not just attracted by her peculiar eye and hair color. Another feature of hers that's mostly underrated is her lips. The way she bites them is distracting, but in a good way. The fact that she uses little to no make-up gives her face a brightly natural aspect, to the point that it looks to him like the full moon.

As the two of them are about to reach their destination, it's finally time for Bridie and the Travers sisters to leave Arlington, maybe forever. Bridie had a hard time convincing her parents to let her go, yet they accepted that they had to do so, in order to avoid Kaitlin's fury.

At the same time, Lenna is worried that she'll never find Elyce. She's standing by the window of her living room, watching the sun shining bright in the sky. However, she suddenly pulls the curtains and sits on the red couch in front of the window.

Apart from Elyce, she has two sons, Bret and Willis, who are very young and don't even know they have a sister. As they join her in the living room, she tells them to sit down next to her. The two kids obey; in particular, Bret glances at his mother, noticing that she's looking sad.

Bret: Mom, what's the problem? Is there something you need to tell us?

Lenna just nods, leaving her sons even more confused.

Willis: What happened to Dad? Has he got in a fight once again?

Lenna: No, no, nothing like that. It's... that...

Lenna is visibly stuttering, much to the kids' growing fear. She lowers her head, covering her face with her hands, and starts crying.