Page 88 of Keep Vegas

I was escorted to a VIP lounge within a VIP lounge to check in. I know he has money, but I’ve never experienced it like this. I pull down my black t-shirt, which is my fanciest one, and accept a glass of champagne.

“Ms. Preston, we’ll take you to the room now. We’ve been expecting you.”

“Thank you so much.” I hitch up my bag, and a man basically wrestles it away from me. It’s all I brought because he said to bring a bathing suit and a dress. I thought he’d meet me in the lobby, but he’s not here yet. It makes me nervous and itchy to be around the money without him to help navigate.

Out a back door there’s a golf cart and a twenty-year-old in pool boy shorts waiting for me. I climb into the front seat and smile.

“You can sit in the back if you prefer.”

“Would you prefer that?”

He grins and says, “It would be nice to have some company. It’s not a long trip, but I do it all day long and no one ever really talks to me unless they’re wasted.”

There’s a bottle of champagne chilling in the front, and I pour myself another glass. “This is some rich people shit, isn’t it?” He laughs and I sip some more.

“You don’t even know. Hold on, I’ll drive you to your villa. Unless you’d rather go to the high rollers’ entrance and gamble a little.”

“Let me save you some time. I’m a local. I’m not gambling.”

“Fair enough. Are you hungry? Do you want to call for the chef?”

He swings around the back of the building and enters some kind of secret tunnel. “THE chef?”

“Your villa chef.”

“Dude, I’m so over my head here.”

“So, I’m guessing there’s no tip.”

I laugh. “Sorry. When the…” I don’t know what to call him. Soulmate? Boyfriend? Hot Lay? I don’t know. “When the other half of my party arrives, I’ll make sure he tips you well.” I turn toward him. “But first tell me how much you earn in a day to wear those tight whitey shorts and drive people in a golf cart?”

He grins. “It’s not polite to discuss money.” I know there’s cash to be made in the casinos, but I stayed away. My parents were so miserable, and it fucked them up for a long time. I started out fucked up and really didn’t need an excuse to be around all kinds of terrible behavior, so I never went through a cocktail waitress or hotel staff phase. But driving rich people to their rooms and wearing a little skirt, I might be into that if the cash is good.

“Here we are.” He pulls up to a door and hops out. We enter the hotel, and he takes me to an elevator and reaches for my key card. When the elevator doors open directly into the villa, he places my bag on the hall table.

“Or would you prefer your bag in one of the bedrooms.”

“One?”

“Yes. Mr. Ladd often entertains here. It can be attached to another suite to provide bedrooms for all his guests.”

“The Brothers?” He nods, and I’m lightened that it wasn’t for orgies.

“I’m good. Thank you so much, Rich. You’re the best.” I place down the bottle I carried in and try not to stare at the entrance too much. “I promise Tony will tip you.”

He nods and says, “You’re not out of your league. Most people aren’t quite as kind or interesting as you’ve been. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call. Seriously, anything you can think of, we can get.”

“Beef and bean burrito supreme, no lettuce, a Meximelt, and a Mexican pizza. And like forty mild sauce packets please.”

“Coming right up.” He gets on his walkie-talkie and gives someone my Taco Bell order. They answer, “Fifteen minutes. Is there a drink?”

“Hold on.” My eyes are wide, and I can’t believe no one even questioned it. The Border on demand, now that’s some rich people shit I can get behind.

MAK: Have you ever done Taco Bell?

T: Sexual position or fast food?

I laugh.