Part 15 (1/2)

When Cory and I finish off Jack's dwindling booze stash, scoring more won't be a problem. Vinnie will happily buy. At least as long as I keep bringing bud to the Friday night games.

I've become a regular, and I've learned to play poker, not that I always win. Not even. I've dropped a dime or two. But the rush that comes when I do win is worth every penny down the drain. Gambling is like snorting cocaine. Up. Down. Up.

And, despite knowing you have to crash sometime, all you can think about when you're doing it is the high.

I've dropped two hun in a single night.

That sucked. But once I won almost six.

Oh, yeah! Put me clear through the roof.

A New Rush I've just tapped into is online gaming. Roulette. Blackjack.

Poker. More. I've learned how to play games I never even knew existed. It's fun. Really fun. In fact, it's a total, amazing rush, and you don't even have to leave home to get it. All you need is a computer and a way to deposit some cash in your own Internet casino account. And hey, I've got a bank card. Not a whole lot in my personal checking, but that's about to change. All I need is one big win.

And what's really insane is the casino gives you a cash bonus to sign up. I put in five hundred; they threw in three.

I'm ahead already. Well, was ahead.

I've gone through the bonus and a little more. But that's the nature of gambling.

Win some. Lose some. Just have to stay on top of things. Walk if it isn't your night. Tonight I'm almost even.

All I need is one hand, the right hand. ...

s.h.i.+t!

Okay, that wasn't the right hand.

At least I only had twenty riding.

Maybe I should switch to roulette.

My brain isn't working so well right now. Not sharp enough for poker.

Roll the ball, watch it go round and round. Come on, twenty-seven!

Just as the traitorous ball drops into thirty-four, my cell phone rings.

My face flushes hot, like a little kid caught dipping his fingers in the frosting.

But it's just Ronnie. Hey. What's up?

”Uh ... not much. What's up with you?” She wants me to come get her, and as she waits for my response, I can picture her face, all pouty with impatience. Pretty face. Better body, all sleek and tan and ...

Ah, what the h.e.l.l? I'm not making much progress here tonight. ”Sure, babe. Give me a few.” Why not?

Would be good to get out of the house, and boning Ronnie is the one thing that can take my mind off everything else.

First Things First Just one more spin of the ball.

Come on, twenty-seven, come on, twenty-seven. Sixteen? s.h.i.+t!

Stop. Ronnie's waiting, something she's not real d.a.m.n good at.

Besides, Lady Luck doesn't seem to have joined me tonight. b.i.t.c.h.

One more. Ten on twenty-seven.

Odds are better if you play the same number. Yeah, I know I could play columns or colors, but what's the fun of winning even money or two to one when thirty-five to one puts you over the top? Come on ... Twenty-seven!

f.u.c.k yeah! There it is! Maybe you just gotta call ol' Lady Luck names.

Three-fifty in the bank and I'm going after the finest little piece of pie in Vegas. In a minute. I'm playing on casino bucks now, and I'm on a roll. Think I'll try a hand or two of blackjack. Another swallow of gin to keep the courage flowing.

Oh yeah, it's definitely this boy's night.

d.a.m.n Lucky Dealer So much for three of the three-fifty I won earlier. Blackjack isn't my game tonight, that's for sure. I need to learn the finer points, like when to double down. Ah, h.e.l.l.

The phone again. What time is it?

Almost ten? Where did the last two hours go, and what does this do to my odds of getting laid?

Ronnie's p.i.s.sed, I'm guessing.

She is. I thought you were coming over. I've got school tomorrow.

Quick! Make something up. ”Sorry.

I ... uh ... Cory came in all messed up. I had to help Mom get him to bed.”

I'll probably burn for lies like that, but I think it worked, so I sign off, delete all incriminating history.

The extra-long pause means she thinks I might be bulls.h.i.+tting her. But finally she gives in. What else can she do?

She so wants me! Come over anyway.

My parents are in bed. I'll sneak you in through the window.

Her House Is fairly close to mine. Good thing. Hanging out in my room, I didn't notice how buzzed I was.

I'm definitely feeling it now, though. It's hard to drive a straight line. Thank G.o.d I can take side streets. If I actually had to talk to a cop, he'd haul my a.s.s in, no doubt. Gonna be hard enough trying to say a few coherent words to Ronnie. Even this late at night, it's really warm-probably pus.h.i.+ng eighty. I drive with the windows down, letting air movement fight brain blur. Every street in Vegas is well lit, and everywhere you look at night, bursts of neon color the obnoxious skyline.

I cruise slowly, tripping on a tall turquoise tower, how it seems to weave in and out of the breeze-ruffled palm trees lining the street.

Suddenly, something-someone?- dashes into the road right in front of me. I punch the brakes, honk the horn, barely manage to miss the dimwad, who skids to a halt on the far side of the street.