Hooking Up with The Beta

A Bouquet of Favors

A male werewolf I've just met has invited me to extend my trip to Vegas! How cool and unexpected is that?! The excitement is too great to ignore! As the rest of the girls approach me, I quickly put the note in my pajama pocket! I don't want Kate the snitch running her mouth to her husband back home! Being friends with a Delta family has its cons. Everything they see you do spreads like crazy really fast! And Kate is a covert snitch! I know it, Veronica knows it, we all know that about her!

So I have to come up with a creative reason to stay behind. Pulling out my phone, I've started texting my cousin River back home. He has always been my go-to back up and mastermind every time I run out of ideas.

River

What's up cousin?

Me

Hello River! Thinking about you!

River

You're in Las Vegas, and I'm the person you're thinking about right now? Come on. Spill.

Me

What makes you think something is going on?

River

I know you like the back of my hand Eva! What's the deal?

Me

So there's this guy...

River

Yes?

Me

And he invited me to stay and spend extra time with him... without the girls...

River

And?

Me

I want to, but I need a good excuse to stay behind without raising Kate's curiosity...

River

Stop right there. I got something. Also, why would you invite the town snitch? You girls are asking for trouble to follow you back home... I'm just saying... 🤷‍♂️ Anyways, I have a business trip planned there in the next 2 weeks... I have an idea...

Me

What is it?

River

I'll pass on my idea via Kate!

Me

Can't you just tell me now?

River

Trust me! You'll enjoy it delivered to you via Kate the snitch! And Eva?

Me

Yes?

River

You owe me big time!

Me

Love you boo-boo

River

Remember that when I call in for a favor

I try to look cool and collected when I make my way back to my private room. I wonder what River has in mind to keep me in Vegas for a few additional days. Thirty minutes later, Kate barges into my room. "Eva, I've just got off the phone with River..." I try to act dumb. "River whom?" She looks at me weird, and I wonder if she bought it. "My husband's business associate and your cousin, River Rice!"

Let me try again. I pretend to have some sort of an epiphany... "Oh! Right! What's up with him?" Kate politely smiles and sighs deeply. "You might not be too happy with what I'm about to say..." Wait. What exactly did he tell her?

"Come on Kate, spit it out! How bad is it? Something happened back home?"

"No no no! It's nothing like that! He wants... well he asked me to run to errands for him... but given it might take a bit of time to finish the task... my husband was wondering if you could cover for me... I mean if that's alright with you! He's even more than happy to cover 2 extra nights in this penthouse if you do accept... I promise I'll make it up to you!"

I look at Kate wondering what kind of kinky off the grid excuse or errands my twisted cousin asked of her. "What am I supposed to do exactly?" I ask.

"Well... basically, something confidential is being made and will be delivered to you in a package in 2 days... your job is to run around town and pick up some stuff. River will text you about later and wait for the package to be passed to you. Once everything is done and you're ready, a car will pick you up and you will be on your way home before you even know it."

"Hmm... I don't know Kate... it all sounds so complicated...."

"Please, Eva! It would mean the world to me if you do this for me! Please!"

Ha! Hehehe. I love seeing the panic on her face. Let me mess with her some more... "Well, why can't you ask Veronica?"

The panic on Kate's face grows. "You know how she can be! Besides, River and John specifically insisted that I ask you because of your professional background... something about having to converse with a French and Arabic group during some of the errands and Veronica can't speak Arabic! Who else could I ask?"

I think I should take it easy on her now, shouldn't I? I groan and admit defeat. "Fine! I'll do it! You owe me big time! Don't get used to asking me to do your job... Next time you'll have to pay me premium fees."

Seven hours later, I wave the girls goodbye. The excitement of the next few hours runs through my mind as I watch their respective cars drive away. I can't believe that River not only skillfully managed to extend my trip but he did so with pompous luxury! I have an entire penthouse suite all to myself for an extra 3 days and 2 nights! What more can I ask for?

Just as the question flashes through my head, one of the concierges approaches me and hands me a sealed ivory color envelope with the letter K on the front.