Unwilling to go back inside the restaurant, where he could possibly relive the same, painful moment, Bruce chose to get in his car and drive back to his hotel. Minutes later, Matt joined him. Melissa had informed him of his friend’s decision. He reluctantly agreed to leave Las Vegas, but he didn’t want to cut their vacation short. Instead of riding back to Boston, Matt insisted on going to Los Angeles, maintaining that the sandy beaches of Malibu would help his friend take his mind off things. After all, that was exactly why they had decided to go on vacation in the first place. Still emotionally charged by his breakup with Melissa, Bruce did not say “no” to him.

Predictably, the two friends’ departure from the gambling capital of the world was nothing like their arrival. They packed their bags in haste, in an attempt to leave Las Vegas as quickly as possible. At some moment, Matt went to the bathroom. Bruce spotted the stolen money in his open suitcase. His initial thought was to return it to Howard. He even came up with a simple plan: Take it to “Java Jimmy’s”, the bar where he had met Melissa and leave a note:

“Just tell your father you found it in the dumpster”

However, Bruce quickly rejected it. Her explanation would sound too suspicious and the last thing that he wanted was to put her in trouble. Howard could force his daughter to tell him who had stolen it and eventually tie him and Matt to the theft. More than that, his friend would most likely complain about losing the $200,000 and they would end up having a big fight over it. An argument with his best friend for money would only add to his misery. Therefore, Bruce preferred to leave the money in Matt’s suitcase. Before they left their hotel though, he asked Matt for a favor: To see “Java Jimmy’s” one last time. His friend patted him on the back and agreed.

A few yards before they reached it, Bruce turned his head to the right. Sunday night returned to his mind, as the neon sign of the bar came into sight. The memories flashed before his eyes: Melissa’s angry reaction, their short talk, his leave and finally the moment that he saw her on the street, riding her Harley. A bitter smile spread across his face. Bruce slowed down, but just when he was about to step on the brakes, he did not. Instead, he rolled on the accelerator and averted his gaze from the bar. His ears were filled with the loud, unique sound of his motorcycle, as he looked at the road ahead. Bruce had regretted his decision to go to “Java Jimmy’s”. His pain was too fresh and visiting it on the night of his breakup with Melissa would make him feel even worse.

“So long, Jimmy. Thanks for being my Melissa’s friend. My Melissa… I wish you were mine baby, but you’re not. And by the looks of it, you never will be. I wish I could wake up with you every day, look into your eyes and kiss you good morning. God, I’m such a dreamer. You were a dream, Melissa. A wonderful dream that I’m still trying to wake up from. An illusion; an oasis in the middle of the burning desert. How can someone care about me so much in just a few days? That’s a stupid question, Bruce. You saw how good she was. Even on Sunday night, when you guys talked. Gorgeous, funny, smart… And ballsy. Hell, she did the most incredible thing after I left.

Yeah, that night was pretty weird. But, now that I think about it, every night with you was special, Melissa. Every moment we spent together was just out of this world. I’ve never had so much fun in my whole life. The talks, the laughs, the sex… The way you looked at me tonight… God, I’ll never forget that look. So sad, so full of pain. Your eyes were like blazing fire. Maybe someday you can tell me about mine. Look at me; I’m still dreaming that I’ll see you again. I don’t know about that, baby. I don’t even know if I ever hear your voice on the phone. All I know is that that you will always have a place in my heart.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I stayed. What would you do if I helped Sanders rob those trucks? Who am I kidding? I’d lose you forever. You already have a father that you’re ashamed of. You wouldn’t want to be with an outlaw like me. I wouldn’t want to be with you, either. Not because I would steal or shoot people, but because I’d eventually get myself killed. That’s the fate of an outlaw. It’s either jail or death.

Thank you, Melissa. For trusting me, for making me feel loved, for looking out for me. Whatever it is that you’re feeling right now, know this: I’m not giving up on you. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I will come back for you someday…