by A. R. Case
“No comment.”
“Wise and lucky! I see Duane, he owes me money for the Knicks game last week. I need to catch him before he ducks me again.” He turned his attention to Alexis. “My dear, forgive me, but I do hope to see you more often, and if you ever get tired of this guy, give me a call, I can buy you a Bugatti that would match your hair.” With another kiss of her hand, he cut through the crowd to his target.
“What’s a Bugatti?” Alexis whispered to Chris.
“A really expensive car.”
“Huh. Just my luck, something I can’t use.”
“That’s good, let me get you the useful stuff.” He winked at her.
The group at the bar broke up, and Vi spotted Chris. With one eye on him, she practically French-kissed the man she’d been pawing. He detached her with a pat on the small of her back, but it was just a smidge too low. The gold band on his left hand glinted under the dim lighting. Her father pulled her arm to get her by his side.
“You ready for damage control?” Chris asked.
Alexis followed his line of sight to the group at the bar. “Let me guess, the girl in lavender is Vi?”
He nodded.
She assessed the contrast. Vi’s hair was a perfect blend of blonde. Somewhere between honey and platinum. She was also tall, almost model tall. The tiny sandals on her feet added another four inches. Alexis cast a quick glance at Chris to see if he was the same height, or possibly shorter than Vi in those heels.
Her own 5’ 2” was not quite 5’ 5” thanks to the shoes she was wearing. They were as comfortable as they could be for stage shows. Comfortable wasn’t a word she’d use for Vi’s shoes. Then there was the rest of the contrast. Alexis was thin because of her lifestyle, but she was certain Vi was thinner. The woman was a clothes rack, except for her boobs. There too, the contrast was striking. “Tell me something before we go over there, would you ever date someone like me for real?”
Chris sent her a startled stare. Slowly, a smile crept up his face, deepening to a full, mischievous grin, dimple included. “Better yet, I’ll tell you a secret.” He got close to her ear. His breath sent a shiver through her. “I told Vi my favorite color was blue. I think it was on our first or second date. I’m certain she hasn’t forgotten.” One eyebrow flicked up briefly, daring her. He extended his arm for her to slip her hand in the crook of it.
She hesitated. “You truly are a bad man, Chris DeSantos.” Then she kissed the side of his cheek, right over the dimple. It left a small smudge of tinted gloss. “Don’t wipe it off.”
He laughed. “Ready, evil one?”
“Absolutely.”
They crossed the room. “Mr. Hammond.” Chris held out his hand.
“DeSantos.” Vi’s father hesitated for a moment before shaking it.
“My date, Alexis Canens. Alexis, David Hammond, and his daughter, Vianne.”
“A pleasure.” Alexis shook hands with Mr. Hammond and held her hand out for Vi, who ignored it.
“Why haven’t you called me?” Vianne said to Chris instead.
“You made it quite clear I wasn’t supposed to.” There was no emotion in the statement. He turned to Mr. Hammond. “I ran into Ellis. Have you approached him about the waterfront project yet?”
“Not today. He’s a cagey one, wants me to build a community center in exchange.”
“I don’t see what’s wrong with that. It’s a solid idea.”
Mr. Hammond made a non-committal grunt.
“You’re supposed to see through what I said and call me anyways.” Vi rolled her eyes.
“As one sister to another, that’s not how it works.” Alexis made certain her voice was soft, but not condescending.
“I’m not your sister, slut.”
“Whoa. Mr. Hammond, I’ll call you on Tuesday. Vi, you’re causing a scene.” Chris extended an arm to Alexis, who took it.
Hammond looked at his daughter who was turning red. “Don’t say it, Vianne. You’re drunk.” To Chris, “Tuesday. Check-in. I need a full update. There are additional expenses I want to cross-check against the budget.”
Chris didn’t flinch, but he tightened his grip on Alexis slightly. “Perfect. I have an idea how we can save a few thousand.”
The old man laughed. “I was thinking a few hundred, maybe four, but now that you mention it, I’d love a few extra thousand back in my pocket.” Then he winked at Chris.
“Daddy, I’m not drunk.” Vi started, but Chris led Alexis away before she could catch the rest.
“Damage control done?” She dropped her hand from his arm as they stopped to get canapés from a waiter.
“Yep, he’s not mad, except for having to buy an extra ticket for Vianne.” Chris popped the small bite of seafood into his mouth.
“Let me guess, the tickets were four hundred dollars?”
He nodded.
The band in the other room started up.
“You want to dance?” he asked.
Alexis was listening to the music. “Huh?”
“Dance?”
She blinked twice, then a smile crept over her face. “I’m not working.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Wow.” Her face glowed. Her smile lit her from the inside.
Chris let her absorb reality for a moment. Then he held out a hand. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
“Dancing. Uh, I don’t have to do anything fancy, right?”
“I promise, no foxtrots,” he joked.
“You’re so weird. What’s a foxtrot?”
He shrugged. “Hell if I know. I do know how to waltz. Can you follow a lead?”
“Is it bad that I don’t know?” Alexis moved to put her hand in his but hesitated just before touching. Her fingertips were so close to his skin the warmth was palpable.
“Let’s try.” He closed the distance and held her hand.
The ballroom motif continued the abstract decor but looked more festive against the two-story marble pillars which ringed the space. The band was placed at the center of the widest wall.
“I know these guys.” Alexis murmured to Chris as he led her around the floor.
“They any good?”
“The keyboardist went to Juilliard.”
“So, better than good.”
She nodded. “I got to sit in with the keyboardist and the drummer for a recording session as backup vocals once. They liked what I did.” Her face moved from a smile to a frown. “I wasn’t called back because...”
Her steps faltered.
“Sorry. Bad dancer. But you’re really good.” She tried to cover for her lack of attention.
“Thanks, want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
He let the silence span a few seconds. “Tragedy of epic proportions. The studio burned down and everyone barely escaped with their lives, right?”
“Oh my God!” she laughed. “That is a good one. Let’s see…” Her face twisted as she dreamt up the worst possible story. “The drummer used to work with a band called Spinal Tap. I believe they ruled it spontaneous combustion. But miraculously, he survived with no visible scars,” she paused for effect, “that you can see, except,” she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “I hear he’s getting a new penis constructed.”
It was Chris’s turn to falter as he almost doubled over laughing.
Between dances, the waitstaff wove through the crowd with food and drinks. Chris noticed she was drinking more than usual.
“You okay?”
“Fine, why?”
“That’s your fourth, usually you don’t drink.”
“I drink.”
His eyebrows came together. “Yeah, but you turned down the vodka,” he trailed off, remembering her sneaking sips of his drink.
“You figure it out yet?”<
br />
He shook his head.
“I don’t drink anything offered to me unless it comes from a closed bottle, or on a tray with a multitude of other identical drinks. That way I can’t be mickeyed.”
He was quiet but nodded. “Good idea.” Memories from his past reformed with a bit more clarity. The parties he’d attended as a prospect, the women, the problems.
The band announced a short break.
“You’re thinking awful hard over there,” Alexis said.
Chris shook himself. “This world sucks sometimes.”
“Even worse if you’re a woman.”
He glanced at her. There was no animosity in her tone, and she was smiling. He searched her face for a hint of pain, or the glint in her eye when she was lying for effect. None of that was present. “Noted.”
“That’s an odd reply.”
“No, it’s not. I’ll be watching out for you from now on.”
“Spare me.” She rolled her eyes.
“Alexis.” He warned.
They were interrupted by one of the band members.
“Alexis? I thought that was you. Remember me?” He stuck out his hand. Alexis took it and pulled him in for a hug.
“Jeremy! Of course. How’s the kid? He’s got to be about five now?”
“Six, and I have two. My girl was born in July.”
“Aw. I hope she looks like her mother,” she joked.
Jeremy laughed.
“Jeremy, this is Chris. Chris, this is the drummer I told you about.”
“No fair, Alexis.” Chris’s face was clamped down in a tight smile as he tried not to laugh. But he shook Jeremy’s hand. “I will not tell you the story she just made up about you. But before that, all good things.”
“Oh God, what disease did she give me?”
Chris laughed. “I see you know her humor.”
“Deadly, man. How do you cope?”
They were joined by the keyboardist and more introductions commenced. The keyboardist pulled Alexis aside to ask her some questions.
“Seriously, what did she give me? Typhus, black plague, syphilis?”
“Worse.”
Jeremy groaned. “Not certain I want to know, but I hope it is funny.”
“Tragic fire burned your dick off.”
The drink he’d been sipping sprayed out. A few passing society members frowned at the two men. “Damn. Lucky that surgery worked then. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have my girl.”
They were still laughing when the keyboardist and Alexis came back.
“You mind if we steal her for a few songs?” he asked.
Alexis was practically bouncing in her shoes.
“Not at all. Knock ‘em dead, sweetheart.”
Her eyebrow climbed up at his pet word, but her smile remained intact. “Always, snookums.”
Jeremy elbowed him. “See ya, snookums.”
Chris moved closer to the band, so he could see. A waiter offered the last glass of champagne on the tray. He took it but stopped before sipping it. “Gotta drive anyways.” He set it on the nearest high top. There were pitchers of water and glasses at a nearby buffet table, so he grabbed a glass, then returned to a position to watch. The first song wasn’t familiar, and Alexis didn’t sing. Instead, she stayed off to one side. After the song ended, the lead singer introduced her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat for you tonight. AC’s very own Alexis Canens is here with her golden pipes. Please welcome her.” He clapped, encouraging the audience to join in. She thanked the crowd and the band launched into the song, and she talked until the opening line, blending her banter with the crowd right into the song. The band leader sang along with her during the chorus.
Two songs later, they sang a duet, then they slowed things down.
“This goes out to a special guy. If you find him, let me know where he is, I’ll steal him.” Alexis laughed, but then winked at Chris.
The dance floor filled up with couples. Many of the couples were smiling at either the band or each other. He thought he was the only one spellbound by her, but it seemed the audience was just as enthralled.
“She’s got excellent range.” Ellis was at his side, startling Chris.
“Hey, Ellis. Yes. Usually, she’s singing rock, not jazz.” Chris turned his attention from the band. Ellis had his business face on. Chris could practically see the columns of numbers running through the man’s head.
“Does she write her own songs, too?”
“I’m fairly certain of that. She’s turned my condo into a recording studio most days when I get home.”
“You’re living together?” Ellis’s face showed his shock.
Chris flinched. He was certain that up until tonight most of the circle of society in Atlantic City still thought of him and Vi as a couple, despite the inescapable gossip. “A little fast, I know.” For some reason, he didn’t tack on the “just friends” and “no strings” aspect of the arrangement. Perhaps it was a small degree of protectiveness. If Ellis found out Alexis was single, he’d make a move. There was no way Chris would be able to compete with his friend.
“Interesting. I never knew you had an impulsive side.”
Chris’s impulsive side bled out on the pavement of Tennessee Avenue. Because of this, and the noise, he declined to answer.
Both men turned their attention to the band. The next song was sung by the lead singer, with Alexis on back up, then they switched places again, and the tempo increased.
“Hammond is dying to have you listen to his latest proposal.”
“Do you know how expensive waterfront property is?”
“So you’ve heard about it.”
“Current climate, it wouldn’t turn a profit for ten years. Look at what’s happening at the line. The city needs infrastructure and businesses that work through the winter and help the community, not more debt debacles.”
“I think that’s mostly owner issues.”
“True. One thing I’ve learned about casinos, it’s not about the illusion, it’s the talent making things work. That’s why you’re where you are tonight.” Ellis paused. “Although there’s something to be said about good bait. Trouble is, Hammond doesn’t have enough room for parking, let alone something besides another casino to pull in revenue. The city has too many casinos and not enough other reasons to stay. Like entertainment. There’s money there.” He watched Alexis for a minute more, then handed Chris a card. “For Alexis. You call Monday. See to it that your beautiful roommate calls me by Wednesday. I know a guy who’s in from LA who can get her a contract. I’ll make the introduction and we’ll talk shop on that when things get rolling. By the way, you didn’t make a mistake moving quickly. Sometimes hasty decisions are the best ones. Tell Hammond I’ll listen, but no promises. Incoming.” He motioned his head behind Chris and retreated.
Sure enough, Vi was stomping his way, followed by her father.
She sidled up to Chris, whispering in his ear. “I found an empty bathroom. I’ll be very good. You remember how it is? Wanna see how fast I can suck you off?” Then she leaned back and puckered her lips into a circle and released them with a pop.
Her father caught up. “Vi, I’ve called for the car, go get your wrap.”
“Daddy, I’m staying. Chris will drive me home.”
“No, I’m not.” He said immediately. In the background, he heard clapping for the band, and the singer thanking the crowd and Alexis, for a great set.
“Of course he isn’t, peanut. You broke up, remember?”
“I thought we were back on, Daddy. You shouldn’t let him work for you if he wants to be difficult.” Her eyes shifted to Chris, but she didn’t turn her head. The effect was disconcerting. “He should be punished for breaking up with me.” Her smile turned creepy.
Chris looked at her father.
“She broke up with me, sir.” He stepped away, disentangling her from him.
“Only because you slept with that skank.” She pouted. Then her mood shifted. “But I’ll forgive you if you leave her here and take me home.”
“Vi, get your coat. We’re going home.”
“Daddy, fire him.”
“Honey, I’m not firing him. It’s business.”
“It’s silly.”
“Peanut, get your coat.”
She was almost on the verge of tears. “But if you fire him, you can hire him back once he breaks up with that bitch. Speaking of…”
“There you are.” Alexis’s hair wasn’t as sleek as it had been, but her eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness.
“Hey. You sounded good.” He pulled one hand in and tucked it in the crook of his elbow.
“Thanks. I didn’t want to steal their whole night. Sorry for ditching you like that.” She eyed the two people standing with Chris. “Hi, again. Mr. Hammond.”
Vi turned purple. “This is what you slept with? The help?”
Her father shushed her, but it didn’t work.
“Her fucking hair is blue.”
“His favorite color,” Alexis said to Vianne, who took two steps toward Alexis before getting captured by her father.
Chris held up one finger. “Before we go, Mr. Hammond, I’ll be talking to Ellis on Monday. We’ll set up a time for you to meet with him when I call on Tuesday.” Then he turned on his heel and motioned to Alexis they were leaving.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hammond. Bye, Vi,” Alexis managed to get out before moving to catch up with Chris.
“Bitch,” Vi spat at her back. Chris stopped in his tracks. He took a long breath in and then turned back on Vi, who was still restrained by her father.
“Chris, it’s okay.” Alexis put her hand on his chest. She’d maneuvered in front of him.
He covered it with his own. Then he did something totally unexpected. He leaned in and kissed Alexis on the lips.
Not one to disappoint a captive audience, Alexis committed to the kiss once the initial shock passed.
“Daddy!”