The beauty of this mix of women standing around me is that they will all do that, but in different ways. Elouise is my gentle motherly advice and the softness that helps when I need to wipe away the tears. Tori is my kind of crazy, so she gets me when I’m heading off on a tangent in a crisis, because she has already been on the same cliff. Cherie has become my confidante and will push me through the hard things, even if I don’t want to go there. She never takes no for an answer. But Felisha has always been my ride-or-die for most of my life and still is. She will protect me with everything she has, but she also won’t take any shit from me. All these pieces are what have me standing here feeling like my life is almost perfect.

I never thought I would get this, but as I look over at Forrest who winks at me and then turns back to the guys’ conversation, I know it’s all because of him. He brought me happiness and the feeling of being safe to be myself. He gave me love and taught me to accept it in return.

And that’s all I need. Not any of the glitz and glamour around me. Just love and friendships.

The night race started, and this place is off the charts. The volume of the cars, the lights, the atmosphere, and I can see why it’s addictive to the supporters. I mean, it helps that we are in the corporate area for the winning team. Nic is jumping for joy, as the lead driver for the team is Australian and has just taken the win. We are all swept up in the euphoria when Flynn, who is now Team McLaren all the way and apparently loves the color orange now, suggests we head back to The Bellagio Hotel where we are staying to get changed and hit the town to continue the party, but I have another idea.

As we all disperse out of the elevator heading back to our rooms, it’s agreed we’ll meet back at the elevator in thirty minutes.

Forrest unlocks the door, and holding it open for me as usual, I walk straight into the room which isn’t the highest-grade room like we would usually stay in, because by the time we booked, of course most of Las Vegas was full. Luckily, we all know a few people in the industry who were able to pull some strings and get us these rooms. The room is still beautiful and all we need for a few nights.

“I’m just going to have a quick shower to wash off the dirt from the racetrack, care to join me?” Forrest asks, wiggling his eyebrows up and down at me.