Like I'm Right Beside You (BEING EDITED SLOWLY)

Chapter 56

I sighed as I was already bored inside the hotel room. Brian had left awhile ago to work on new music and their single. Well at least I could enjoy Las Vegas, but I wish I could enjoy it with Brian.

Before heading out to the main casinos I fixed my appearance. I looked like a wreck even though I wasn't even tired.

Brian had given me the card key because he knew I would use it in case I wanted to go out. I went over to my suitcase and took out my small over the shoulder purse I had.

I put my important essentials and headed out the door. I saw Mitch standing by the door. I closed the door and put the key card inside my bag.

"Let's get out of here," I said to Mitch as he began to follow me. This was new to me, a guy watching over me because I belonged to someone important. I don't think I'd ever get used to it.

We walked out of the rooms and into a small hallway that led to the casinos. The blue neon light came into view and the machines were sounding all over the place.

As I walked into the casino it reeked of smoke that burned my nose. I pinched my nose trying to adjust to the smell.

I walked around trying to look for a machine to play at. I was new to this so I didn't know how it worked. Maybe Mitch could help me.

I felt like I had circled the whole casino looking for a machine to sit at. Finally I found one that was decent. Plus there wasn't anyone there to see me begin a beginner.

I sat at the small stool and stared at the machine. It showed certain fruits, maybe you had to match them?

Just as I was going to ask Mitch to help me a casino worker came up to me, "I.D.?"

"I.D.?" I asked back her repeated question.  She popped her bubble gum, "I need to see your I.D. to know that you're of age to be here."

"Ohh right," I said as I looked through my purse. I found it and showed it to her. She stared at it and then at me, "Thank you. Enjoy."

She handed me back the I.D. and left. Mitch just stood there softly laughing at me.

I returned my attention back to the machine slot. I think Mitch saw me struggling because he said, "Ma'am you have to put how much money you want to bet on and pull the lever. If the fruits match up then you win the amount of money you put in. If they don't match then you keep losing money until you have nothing."

"That sounds complicated," I fixed myself on the stool.

"If I were you I put a dollar in. It's safer for beginners," he explained.

I looked up at him, "Thanks Mitch and please call me Annie not ma'am. You make me feel old."

I took Mitch's advice and put a dollar in the machine. I pulled the lever and the fruits would land on different fruits. I couldn't get any matches.

I had no idea how long I sat there that my bottom began to hurt. Even though I was new at this it was addicting. But the smoke still burned my eyes.

I wondered what time Brian would come back to the hotel room.

I finally got up and stretched my body. I had forgotten Mitch was there and I felt embarrassed when my shirt came up.

I was going to look around some more when a familiar voice called me, "Annie?"

I looked around for the face that matched the voice. "Annie! Over here," said the voice that had that Irish accent.

I found his face as Nathan was walking up to me. "Annie I can't believe you're here. Why are you here?" Mitch put an arm put toward me, shielding me from Nathan.

"Mitch it's ok. He's my..friend," I said gently pushing his arm away.

"Who's this?" Nathan nodded to Mitch.

I crossed my arms, "He's my bodyguard. You know I am dating a backstreet boy."

He put his hands up as if I was too good for him, "So what you're boyfriend doesn't trust you?"

I scoffed, "What? No, he doesn't trust the people."

Nathan smirked a bit, "Whatever you say. So that's why you here? Because of your top chart boyfriend?"

Why was Nathan acting so cold toward me? Not that I didn't care, but he didn't even say goodbye to me when he left the school.

"So what if I am?" I said sarcastically trying to play his game.

He put a hand on his temple, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like that. Where he is?" He looked around to see if he could find him.

"He isn't here. Well he's here, but not with me. He's at work," I fixed my bag strap.

Nathan put a hand in his pocket, "oh I see. That's why you have..this guy huh? He's a smart guy to not let anything happen to you."

"Yeah, well at least I'm safe. What are you doing here?" I changed the subject.

"Oh! Well I'm singing this week at the Axis theater. In case you didn't I'm also a singer," his smug face said it all.

"I know. I found out in Venice what you do. Why didn't you tell me?" I leaned in closer to him so Mitch wouldn't hear me.

"I was going to tell you, but you also had a secret Annie. You used to and still do date a backstreet boy. So I guess we are even," he smoothed out his fancy cardigan.

I sighed, "I guess so."

"Are you staying at this hotel or a different one?"

"Why? So you can stalk me?" I blurted out.

He chuckled. "What? No so you can come to my show this week. If you want of course.

"Maybe. I better go. I'll see you around," I said as I was going to walk past him.

"Annie, we should catch up. Please I want to explain some things. I'll text you," he said stopping me from moving.

I looked up at his familiar blue eyes. I could feel what we once shared, our first kiss. No! Why was I thinking about that?

I nodded as that infatuation feeling started creeping back.