“I suppose your right,” I hesitated thinking about the dresses we planning to wear.
“Should I wait until after the wedding?” The dresses would be strapless summer cocktail dresses in a chiffon fabric.
“No, I think the angel wings are cool. If you like them go for it.”
And that was how I agreed to get not one but two very cool tattoos this weekend.
19
Damien
“So are we hitting up the strip club first or the steakhouse?” I asked. The plane had landed on time and we walked into the air conditioned airport the four of us juggling carryon bags.
“Not that anything got lost in translation buddy, but you realize we’re all in relationships except you?” Whit cuffed me on the shoulder and I shrugged him off. What they didn’t know didn’t hurt them, or me since Chase didn’t know about Kristen and me.
“Live a little man. Besides, isn’t your girl like 12?” His face clouded over and earned me a chuckle from Hunter who shook his head refusing to get involved.
“Alright, gentleman, cool it.” Chase looked around before using his phone to call us a ride with one of the local taxis services.
Hunter looked up and down the street from the curb. “No limo?”
Another thumb in my direction followed by a snarky comment. “You can thank this cheap ass.” Whit joked.
These guys were really ganging up on me. “Hey, come on now. I did spring for the suite.”
Chase muttered. “Only because I’m not sharing a bed with you, asshole.”
“That’s not what you said in Canada?” I snickered remembering a younger, less serious Chase.
He looked at me over his sunglasses he was sporting in the sun. “Yeah, and I’m still paying those charges off because you dragged a mattress in from a room across the hall when the cleaning lady left the door open scratching up the wall.”
“Nothing wrong with man love.” I shrugged letting it go. “Besides, the big guy here threatened to sleep on the floor and it was first leave back home.” I pointed at Hunter who grunted.
“I slept in worse spots, don’t blame me. The Army was rather accommodating.” Hunter clarified.
“You can keep your drunk hands to yourself.” Chase said.
The driver pulled up to the curb picking us up and then dropped us off in front of the hotel so we could get rid of our carryon bags. All four of us raised our heads to the imposing hotel tower.
“Nice job, cousin.” Hunter clapped me on the back appreciatively, and we walked inside the Bellagio’s marble and glass entryway. Gold lined everything with bright pops of color.
A group of girls walked by us dressed for a night out on the town, a little early given the hour but I was sure my eyes were the only ones that wandered to take a gander at their scantily clad outfits. They smiled and one waved, but I was too focused on how her hair wasn’t as long as Pebbles and how her smile wasn’t as genuine. I smirked letting them continue their stroll by as the guys savored the glam of our accommodations a second longer. This place was the stuff of teenage wet dreams and movies. I almost regretted agreeing to Taylor’s furtive promise to behave in this den of sin, but the knowledge that the girls would be landing shortly as I looked at my watch made me breathe with relief. I didn’t know all the details and I didn’t know when they were showing up. This was still a separate trip as far as Kristen was concerned.
Separate my ass.
“I’ll forgive the transportation if there are four beds in this room.” Hunter spits out walking inside with his bag slung over shoulder. I lagged behind with Chase to pick up the driver’s tab cursing Whit for insulting my cheap ass.
“I’m calling shot gun!” Whit snagged his keycard and raced to the elevator as we fell in line.
Hunter wrapped his beefy arm around my head messing up my hair. “I gotta say cousin, sometimes you pleasantly surprise me.”
“I’m all about family, Hunt. Now, let’s go see some ladies about some dances. This is your last chance to make a break for it.” I joked into groaning faces that followed me out into the night.
*****
We ended up at a club on the outskirts of town. Something called the Stone Pony. As soon as we walk into the fog lights and haze of violet lights I knew this place was a shithole, but perfect. Girls walked around in barely there outfits and the guys hung around the bar getting drinks leering at the company around them working for tips. Chase was nursing his vodka and Gatorade like a champ and I wondered if the guy was going to ask us to start throwing a
football next in the Bellagio Gardens. Whit stuck with the craftiest beer on tap, but I didn’t expect anything less. Hunter and I manned up to drink some aged whisky.