Chapter 8 — Kayla
The drive ended up being a bonding experience. Well, that was what Kayla thought. Kayla tried not to talk about the only thing on her mind; Tyrone while Maurice talked about his childhood.
"Reno, 25 miles," Maurice said half asleep. They'd been driving for about four hours now. Every time he dozed off, Kayla would slap him in the chest. "Wake up!"
"I'm good."
Kayla rubbed one of hers, not caring she smeared her mascara. She just wanted to get to Tyrone playing some scenarios in her head, but none of them ever ended too well.
When they arrived at the Hooter's at Golden Sands, Maurice was sound asleep and Kayla didn't feel like waking him. He had gone through enough hearing her babbling and singing.
It was close to one in the morning and Kayla had to park between a Hummer and Mercedes. She barely had enough room to open her door. She then took off her coat and put it over Maurice. "I'll be right back."
Kayla went to the front entrance and as soon as she went inside, cigarette smoke smacked her dead in the face causing her to cough. "Jeez," Kayla said. "Where the fuck is he?"
"Hello, pretty lady, wanna go grab a drink and…you know?" An old man said sitting at a slot machine. He tried to grab Kayla and she pulled away.
"Get the fuck off me, Grandpa!"
Kayla was still wandering, trying to find Mr. Sloane and hoped he hadn't left. "Shit, there he goes right there! Tyrone was at a Lord of the Rings slot machine nearly slumped over. Kayla smiled but stopped and thought how she was going to approach? Just go up to him and act as nothing happened. Smile, laugh, hug it out. She felt like screaming at him for being an idiot.
Kayla took a deep breath and walked up; waiting for Tyrone to take his eyes off of the machine. She hoped he'd get right up and kiss her. But instead, he looked up and said nothing. He went back to playing.
"Tyrone!"
"What, Kayla?" Tyrone said putting down his cup of quarters. "Why are you even here? I'm not who you want."
"I hate you right now! But I really need you to know something!"
"What is it? You came all the way here to tell something."
"I—" Kayla slurred. "I--love you, or something like that."
"What did you say?" Tyrone said as people were yelling and screaming.
"I said—I think I love you."
"I still have no idea what you're saying!"
"I love you, you freaking ass! Now come with me." Kayla folded her arms.
"Kayla—"
There was a long silence. Well, not so much since the casino was busy around them. But for Kayla, everything stopped. Everything besides her heart had slowed down. Why wasn't Tyrone saying 'he loves her' back? Did he not feel the same? Or was Kayla just being an ass? This is all just a waste of time Kayla thought.
Kayla walked away, fighting back her tears. She felt like an idiot and rushed out the doors.
"Wait, Kayla!" Tyrone jumped up leaving behind the cup full of quarters. An old lady got up and grabbed them.
Out in the garage, Kayla was near Terrance's car before Tyrone finally caught up.
"Kayla, baby—I'm sorry. I'm not sure what to say," huffed Tyrone, scratching the back of his head.
"Well, maybe you can tell me you love me back. Or at least say you like me. You have no idea how much you mean to me, Mr. Sloane. I want something more than DeAndre and it's you." She said looking down. "You made me fall for you and I don't want to lose you. I thought about it, and yeah, I'm freaking head-over-heels for you. I don't know how, but I am."
"I'm sorry for being an ass; leaving you there at the gas station. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. I came to terms with my love for you long ago. You should be with your fancy chef who's back in Atlanta. Look at me."
"That doesn't matter! I could care less who you are. I care about you. Whether we get married or you just knock me up and leave me when we're 40, it doesn't matter! I need you now." Kayla held back her tears.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Tyrone embraced her and they started kissing almost to the point that they were making out.
* * *
A pickup truck was trying to pass but Tyrone and Kayla were in the middle of the garage still kissing. "Move out of the fucking way! Get a fucking room for God's sake. It's Vegas!" yelled the driver. The two moved and the man went past, flipping them the bird. "People are really going in their bag out here. Maybe because he lost all his hoe money tonight," Kayla said.
"What now?"
Kayla glanced over towards the car and Maurice was still out cold.
"Well, we can go to the hotel to the motel to the Holiday Inn—" Tyrone sang but was interrupted.
"Young man! You left your coins!" It was the old lady, catching up to Tyrone and holding out his coins.
"Oh, wow! Thanks," Tyrone said.
"Well, I was watching the two of you lovebirds arguing and then almost making out. You look like such a lovely couple."
"Thank you so much. Keep them if you'd like."
"Oh, no dear. I really need to stop gambling. But thank you! I hope you two have a lovely evening." The woman walked away and Kayla said, "Why is that old lady up at in Hooters at 1 am?"
"Who knows?" Tyrone said laughing.
* * *
With the cup of quarters, they drove to a McDonalds and had some Chicken McNuggets and fries. Kayla told Tyrone all about the long drive, and how she had kidnapped Maurice, who was still sleep in the car. They had debated whether or not to drive back that night to LA. The two lovebirds from Atlanta even talked about going back East. In the meantime, Tyrone and Kayla hung out until the manager asked them to leave because they were cleaning for the morning shift.
Kayla and Tyrone went to the car and got in the back seat. They kissed and made out like they were in high school until Maurice woke up.
"What the fuck y'all doing back there?"
"Ha-ha. Shut up and go back to sleep."
Before heading back, Kayla looked at her phone to see what time it was and found 76 text messages, 60 missed calls, and 43 voice mails from Terrance.
"Oh, no, I forgot," Kayla said.
"What?"
"This is Terrance's car. I took it to come get your raggedy ass."
"Shit!"
Kayla rested her head on Tyrone's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"I love you."
"I love you too, babe."