Zane pegged the other man with a hard look, then gave a nod to his other friend. “You remember Nick?”
“Right, the newspaper guy. I remember.” He was nice and had kind eyes.
Zane introduced his other friends. “This is Clay and Rylen.”
“Oh, which one of you lives here?” I hoped the mouthy one wasn’t the rich man, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
“I’m from here,” said Nick. “But you’re probably thinking of Grady. He’s supposed to be on his way.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you all, and if you need anything else, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Tara. It’s good to meet you too.”
As I followed Zane to the buffet, he stepped up beside me. “I’m sorry about that. Clay is reverting to childhood. I guess I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, for sure. I’ll be here.” I didn’t want to be anywhere else but with him, and feeling that way had me worried.
Was I about to get a broken heart?
Chapter 19
Zane
After our meal, we went to the casinos for more gambling, and I was on cloud nine the whole time, anticipating the night to come.
Tara still amazed me, and I hadn’t felt that wild and adventurous in ages. It reminded me of the time before I’d become a father and my entire life had become about my daughter and fighting her mother’s demons.
I slipped off to have a video call with my parents. Since they were still out of town too and having such a wonderful time, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell them about Heather. So far, the house was safe, and as far as I knew, she hadn’t tried to show up there.
“Did you like the safari drive?” I asked Mila when my mother put her on the phone.
“Yeah, it was fun,” she said. “I liked the giraffes. They came right up to the car, and so did the ostriches. They are big birds, and Pop-pop said they bury their heads in the sand, but I didn’t see them do that. Nana said he was just being silly.”
“Yeah, they don’t really do that, but some people think they do. I’m sure Pop-pop was just messing with you.”
“We’re going to go back to the amusement park again. It’s my favorite. I drove a car, and Pop-pop ran into me.”
“Bumper cars?”
“Yeah, Nana sat with me, but she let me steer.”
It was good to hear how much she was getting to experience with my parents. I knew they all needed that time, a bit of a break in their day-to-day. And now that I’d met Tara, I was glad I’d come to Las Vegas, even if I was ready to see my daughter again.
Heather’s threats had hit me hard. The only reason I wasn’t on a plane back home already was because I knew my parents and daughter weren’t there.
“Did you get any souvenirs?” I couldn’t wait to see what she had to bring home. My parents had a long-standing habit of buying crazy knick-knacks and ridiculous things that they treasured as priceless memories.
“Nana bought me some dinosaur poop. It looks like a rock, but that’s what the man said it was.”
“Cool, I can’t wait to see what that’s like.” I gave a little laugh, but Mila wasn’t excited.
“It looks like a rock. You see one, and you’ve seen them all.”
“That sounds like something you heard from Pop-pop.”
“Yeah, he said it. He said we’re still looking for the real prize, but I didn’t know what that meant.”
“You’ll see.” I’m sure he would find something to wow her with.
“Nana wants the phone, Daddy. I guess that means I have to go.”
“I love you, Noodle.” I missed my little Mila so much, and I felt a sting in my heart when she said it back.
“I love you, Daddy.”
As she handed my mother the phone, I rubbed the tender spot on my chest and felt the ache in my soul. That little girl was my entire universe. She was what made it go round, my sun.
I didn’t need anything else.
But I immediately thought about Tara. She could be my moon. If she would be?
Tara had made it all too clear that we shouldn’t make a big deal out of whatever it was we were doing. And I guessed even though she hated her life in Vegas, she didn’t feel like she had much more to offer.
My mother finally got on the phone. “Honey?”
“Yeah, I’m here, Mom.”
“I was wondering how you’re doing. Is the trip going well?”
“Yeah, it’s good.”
“Well, your father and I just want you to have a good time. But be safe, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How is Clay?”
“Acting like an asshole,” I said, even though I rarely cursed in front of my mother.
“Hmm, that bad? Well, he’s probably hurting, honey. He’s fighting himself, so he’s acting out. He did the same thing when he was a kid and his parents got divorced. He’s going to be okay. He just needs a friend.”
“I’m there for him if I don’t kill him first.”
She laughed. “Oh no. Don’t do that. One parent locked up is enough.”
I felt a sting in my chest. I hated to keep things from my mother, but I knew it was for the best—for now.
“Well, honey, you go and have fun. We’re about to go and get something to eat.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.” She ended the call, and I closed my eyes, hoping that I was making the right decision.
“There you are,” said a voice from behind me. “I thought you slipped off to bang a waitress.”
I turned around to see Clay, who had a dumb grin on his face.
“Really? You’re going to go there?” And after my mother had said I couldn’t kill him.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I don’t know what’s happening with me. I guess I came here looking for fun like we had in the old days.”
“We’re not boys anymore. We’re men, fathers. We have responsibilities. We just want to chill, and you’re a bit much.”
“Sorry. I’m just trying to have fun before I have to go back to it.”
“It? You mean your kid?” I was already pissed at him, and this wasn’t helping.
“No, my life. I love my son. Believe it or not, okay? I do. But what kind of father am I going to be? My old man bailed, and I’ve hated him since. I just want to be better, but I’m scared I don’t know how or that I’ll have all of these needs built up inside that are going to come out when he’s old enough to resent me for wanting them.”
“You’re not your father. And you’re not getting anything out of your system. You’re just putting more garbage into it. Do you love Beth?” There was a time I didn’t have to ask him that.
“Yeah, I mean, she’s the mother of my son. I’ll always love her, even if she doesn’t want me.”
“And why would she want you when you’re not a good partner or father? You have to make yourself desirable. You’re just a burden, and you can do better for her and your son.”
“Like sneaking off to diddle waitresses? How come you get to have all the fun?”
“I’m not attached.”
“I’m not attached either.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. You are. Your heart is. And I think that’s what your fucking problem is.”
“Fuck it.”
“Yeah, keep saying that. And eventually, fuck it will become fuck it up. And then you won’t have your son. She will. You’ll be the crazy ex in the scenario, calling and hoping to see him.”
“I’m not your shitbag, ex.”
“No, you just act like her. Maybe that’s why it’s making it hard to like you.”
Clay’s face fell, and I could tell that I’d hit a nerve. “Fuck you,” he said.
At about that time, Nick came over. “Hey, I’ve been looking for you.” He glanced at Clay, who looked like he wanted to put his fist through me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” said Clay. “It’s just fucking perfect. Where to? I’m ready to party
.”
“We’re going to a private lounge. It’s a friend of Grady’s.”
Without another word, we followed Nick back to the others and left in Grady’s limo.
On the way, I got stared down by Clay, who was still licking his wounds from my harsh words. I knew the truth hurt, but he needed to hear it.
When we got to the lounge, which looked like it was at one time a speakeasy, we walked in and found our table.
Grady’s friend, the owner, walked over to greet us. “Hello, gentlemen,” he said in an effeminate voice. “Make yourself at home. Your first round is on me.”
“These are my dearest friends,” he said. “Zane, Nick, Rylen, and Clay.”
“He saved the best for last,” said Clay with a cocky tone.
“Oh, sugar, I’m sure he did.”
“Everyone, this is Lex. Lex is a good friend of mine, and he’ll treat us right.”
“I hope you enjoy my little establishment. You all be sure and enjoy the entertainment.” He stepped away.
Clay leaned into the table. “Did that man just call me sugar?” asked Clay.
“Well, you are the prettiest,” said Nick.
Grady chuckled. “Yeah, you’re his type. He’s a good guy, though. He’s been a good friend and is an old friend of my mother’s.”
Before I was even comfortable in my chair, a woman came over and took our drink order. She smiled, giving me a little wink, and while I was polite, I wasn’t interested.
All I could think about was Tara and what had happened in that storage closet.
We chatted with a few other patrons, and Lex came back to check on us. Things were fine until Clay slapped one of the waitresses on the ass.
“Watch your hand, honey, before I break it.”
“You don’t want to do that,” he said. “These things are gifted.” He raised his hands and wiggled his fingers. “They can do magic.”
The woman rolled her eyes.
“Want me to show you?” He jumped up from the table and ran over to the piano across the room, where the last act had just performed.
I was sure he was about to get us thrown out when the waitress told him to get down.
“No,” he said, his fingers already gliding across the keys. “This one is for you, sweetheart.” He broke out into song, playing and singing so that he had the attention of everyone in the room.
Before long, the waitress, who must have been won over by his talent, was smiling as he sang a song about Lydia, the tattooed lady.
“She’s got eyes that folks adore so, and a torso even more so…” Clay wagged his brows and kept on playing, singing at the top of his lungs.
The crowd loved it, and I had to admit that for someone who had really grated on my nerves the past several days, it was hard to stay mad at him.
When he finished that song, Lex walked up to the table. “I had no idea you had such talented friends.” He put his hand on his hip. “I should offer him a job. Is he from around here?”
“He’s got a family back home,” I said. The last thing Clay needed was an excuse to leave town. And life in Las Vegas would finish him off.
“That’s too bad,” said Lex. “He sure knows how to work a crowd.”
When Clay was done, the waitress walked over, gave him another drink, and whispered something in his ear.
After that, he played another, and by the time he was done, the entire room was enthralled with him.
I sipped drinks and listened until it was time for me to go and get cleaned up to meet Tara. Then I slipped out while the others weren’t paying attention.
Chapter 20
Tara
After my shift, I went home to shower away the smell of the kitchen and dressed in my new clothes. I wasn’t sure where we were going to end up, but I was going to look good doing it.
I slipped on the jeans, still thankful they fit like a glove, and I put on the blouse I’d gotten to match and dug out the heels I already had in my closet.
I put them on, and they were a bit much, but I was going to take a risk. Besides, nothing else I had matched my top the way they did.
I went to the bathroom, where I stood and put on my makeup, and as I swiped on some lipstick, I glanced at myself and realized I might have overdone it.
“No, no, no,” I said.
I blotted the lipstick, taking it down a tone, and found another one to put over it so it became more muted.
“That’s much better.” I took a deep breath and felt the butterflies in my stomach. “I’m ready.”
There was nothing else to do but go. I grabbed my phone and put it in my handbag with my keys and wallet. I still had the fifty dollars from Zane’s table, where they had all chipped in to leave me a nice tip, even though I’d neglected them while servicing their friend in private.
My face burned just remembering what I’d done. I had never been that bold, and I was lucky I didn’t get caught. My body heated just thinking about it. I was practically vibrating with excitement by the time I got to my car.
I drove across town to the hotel and parked on the opposite of where I usually did for work. I still didn’t want anyone to see me coming and going, especially management. If Ben knew I was sleeping with customers, he would tell me I was acting like Karen, and even though Ben was a pain in the ass, I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea about me or to think that he had a chance. The man was bad enough.
I went into the hotel lobby on the opposite side of the dining hall, and I spotted Zane across the room, looking so handsome in casual jeans and a button-down shirt that wasn’t tucked in.
I might have overdressed with the heels, but I didn’t care. I felt good and pretty, and that was all that mattered.
He spotted me and grinned big. “You look gorgeous,” he said as he leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I am running out of clothes on this trip. I hope I’m not underdressed, but I figured whatever we did, you’d just end up taking my clothes off anyway.”
I giggled. “Oh? You’re that sure of yourself?” I gave him a pointed look, and he pulled his lips in a tight line.
“Well, I mean, maybe. I guess I shouldn’t take you for granted.”
“That’s right. You shouldn’t.” I had a pretty good idea where we’d end up too, but I thought it would be nice to at least try and play coy about it.
“So, where do you want to go?”
I took a deep breath and tried to rest my mind enough to think it over. I wanted to show him another side of Las Vegas, the lesser-seen side. “I have an idea, but it’s a secret. If you’re up for it.”
He looked as if he was thinking it over and then nodded. “I like your ideas so far. Count me in. But do I get a clue?”
“We’re going to take my car. And that’s the only clue you get.”
“Hmm, I’m intrigued.” He offered me his hand. “Take me. I’m yours.”
His? I liked the sound of it. In fact, I found myself liking it a lot more than I should. And I knew at that point, it was safe to say I was falling for him.
So much it made me second-guess my idea, but I decided to roll with it anyway.
I walked him to my car, and I laughed when he got in, his head nearly touching the ceiling. “I guess my car wasn’t made for men as tall as you.”
“It’s fine. It’s actually got a good amount of legroom.” He had put the seat all the way back, and his knees were still bent.
“You’re just being nice.”
“It’s fine really. I’m just enjoying the company.”
I drove us out of town, away from the Strip and the neon that polluted the night sky.
“We’re here,” I said when I turned down a desert road.
“Did you bring me all the way out here to murder me?” he asked with a chuckle in his voice. “Should I be worried?”
“You’re funny, but no, I just love it out here.”
“I thought you wanted to be somewhere greener.”
“It’s not a place I come in the day.”
/> “I’d hope you don’t ever come out here by yourself.”
“I’m a big girl, and I usually just sit in the car, but we can get out. I have a blanket in the back.”
“Okay, sure.”
The stars were out, and they looked like diamonds on black velvet, sparkling and twinkling above us. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yeah,” he said. But he wasn’t looking at the sky. He was looking at me.
I nudged him. “I mean the stars. Look up.”
He looked up at the sky, and I watched as he reacted. “Wow, there are so many of them. I haven’t seen a clear night like this in a long time.”
“They are always there when it’s clear. You just have to get away from all the light pollution. I love to take photos out here.”
“You are a photographer?” He seemed surprised to hear it.
“I dabble. It’s a hobby, but I don’t get to do it often with work, especially how I’d like to. I paint mostly.”
“What kind of paintings?”
“Landscapes,” I said with a chuckle. “I use a lot of green. I give them a mystical flair, with little fairy rings and magic. I guess it’s kind of girly.”
“Well, you are a girl, and there’s nothing wrong with being girly. I’d love to see some of them sometime.”
“Do you want to spread the blanket and talk a while?”
“Yeah, I’d love to. It’s very intimate here, as long as you don’t think a coyote is going to drag us off for dinner.”
“You could handle a coyote,” I said. “It’s the snakes you need to worry about.”
“On second thought…” He chuckled.
“We don’t have to if you think this is too romantic or something. I mean, I just thought you’d like to see something besides neon and poker chips.”
“It’s amazing, thanks. And no, I don’t mind being out here with you. Even if it is a little on the romantic side of things. I mean, stargazing and all.”
“It’s not exciting, is it?”
“I’m very excited,” he said with a chuckle. “Just being here with you is exciting.”
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