As expected, Drew passed out the moment I managed to lead him to his room. I watched him flop on the bed. Like a good friend, I pried off his shoes and lined them up beside his nightstand. Then I found my room, right next door. I knew there were doors in between. Last trip, Ty had been quick to open them so we could all have easy access to each other. This time, I sat on a chair and stared at the door for a few minutes before deciding against unlocking it. After a week with Drew, I needed a break. I also needed to talk to Ty. He would help me feel better about my choices.

I glanced at the time on my phone, which showed I had a solid hour and a half before the cocktail hour began. Desperate for some face time, I sent Ty a text.

Me: We’re here. Drew passed out. Can we meet somewhere and talk?

I hauled my toiletry bag into the bathroom and began to lay everything out on the vanity. Then I wandered back to the bedroom to organize my clothes. If they remained in the suitcase, I’d have to deal with wrinkles. For now, for Ty, my appearance mattered. When I moved to a different hotel and started treating this as a vacation, I’d restrain myself from taking the time to unpack. Yes, I was quite the rebel. My phone chimed almost as soon as I’d finished hanging the last of the items from my garment bag.

Ty: Looks like I have time before the big dinner. Want to grab a drink in the bar? Doesn’t even have to have alcohol.

I didn’t hesitate. After all, we’d been friends long enough that Ty probably could smell how desperate I felt from wherever he was at the moment.

Me: Thank God. See you in a few.

I threw a navy blue sports coat over my sensible white polo shirt and khakis. Then I made my way back to Drew’s room. The clerk had been kind enough to give me a key to his room…just in case. This seemed like such a situation. I entered the room and tiptoed to stand roughly five feet from his bed. “I’m going to meet up with Ty. Wanna come?” I whispered so quietly I doubted the CIA could’ve picked it up. “Okay then. See you at dinner. Eight o’clock. Don’t be late.”

Then I hustled out of the room, holding the door as it closed so there was barely a click when it shut. For the first time in a week, I felt nearly carefree. I danced to the elevator. I pressed the button and the doors opened, a sure sign my luck was changing. When I stepped off the elevator in the lobby, I found Ty a few feet away. He’d apparently just arrived too. I caught his eye and he stuffed his hands into his pockets then shrugged in an effort to appear all relaxed. “Good to see you.” I held out a hand and we did the bro hug.

“I barely recognized you!” His eyes widened. “What made you start growing out the facial hair? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a mustache and beard. You look very much like…that other Harry.” Ty grinned.

I sighed. “My mother would be so proud. She’d finally have her wish.”

“Yes, she was always a tad obsessed with the royal family.” He snickered. Then he frowned. “So, seriously. The face. Why?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Drew.”

Ty tilted his head. “What about Drew? Is this some bet?”

“I wish.” I scratched my chin. “See, Drew flew home with me. Then he came home with me. And he pretty much hasn’t left since.” I blew out a breath. “Help.”

“Let’s go grab a drink. That’s a lot to digest.” He shook his head and then directed me toward the bar.

We were quiet on the walk and I began to feel badly for overwhelming him with this after I hadn’t seen him for a week. I started thinking about how I could be a better friend, because he’d always been so good to me. “You know, I show up here after not hearing a word from you in a week. And I never even asked what you’ve been up to.”

Ty clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. This is more important.”

“Nah. It’s Drew. I’m coping.” I mumbled, “I’ve been coping, but I could use the support.”

“We’re friends and I know how challenging it can be to handle Drew alone.” He chuckled. We sat on stools at the bar. Within seconds, the bartender had made his way over to us.

“How are you today, Mr. George?” He set out two napkins. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll just have a Coke.” Ty turned to me. “What would you like, Harry?”

“Well, I’m not going to drink alone. Make that two Cokes.” I shrugged.

“Thank you, Stephen.” He nodded as the bartender backed away to fill our order.

I shook my head in wonder. “You’ve been here a little over a week and look at how everyone here treats you with such reverence. It’s crazy.” I sighed. Then I frowned. “Hey, where are you staying?”

Ty stiffened. “What do you mean?”

My brow furrowed. “I mean, are you in a different room in the hotel? Did you finally manage to get a penthouse suite? I thought it was strange we weren’t given rooms near you.”

He cleared his throat. “Actually, I moved out of the hotel. I’m in a house…”

A moment later Stephen returned with our drinks. “Here you are, sir.”

Ty pulled a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet, laid it on the bar, and pushed it toward him. “Thank you.”

After the bartender pocketed it and disappeared, Ty picked up his drink and motioned for me to follow him. Soon we were outside, sharing a poolside cabana. “I thought you might feel right in your element here,” he joked.

“Yeah, because this ginger can’t get enough sun.” I chuckled. “So now, about the accommodations.”

“How do you like yours?” He gazed out over the pool and I realized he was being intentionally evasive.

“What’s going on, Ty? You’re making me nervous. Why are we here?” I set my drink down hard on the cocktail table between us.

“Breathe, Harry. You’re even paler than normal. I didn’t think that was possible,” he teased.

“No. I think you’re about to tell me that you’re not coming back. I feel like you’re making Vegas your home and I have no idea why.” I rubbed my hands down my pants. Then I stared at him until he broke down and spoke to me.

“Is Drew making you that crazy?” Ty forced a smile then took a big swig from his drink.

I raked a hand through my hair. “I’m growing a beard and mustache because he has taken over my house. I can never get in my own bathroom. My maid is threatening to quit because she can’t walk past him without getting a smack on the ass. And despite being the richest one among us, he has drunk his way through my wine cellar and my most expensive liquors, eaten me out of house and home, yet he has not offered to share a dime.” I started to stand, but Ty raised his hand to halt my progress.

“It’s that bad?” He frowned.

I shook my head. “No. It’s worse. It’s so much worse, I don’t even have words.” I sucked down some Coke through my straw and began to rethink my stance on drinking alone. “This is your department. I was transportation. You were the handler. It takes a team to manage Drew.”

“Have you tried sending him home?” Ty said little, but his face spoke volumes. The man looked decidedly guilty.

My eyes narrowed. “Of course I did. I dropped him off. He took a taxi back. I sent him by Uber, he found a Lyft. I can’t win. There’s no escaping him.”

He chuckled. “Sorry. I can actually picture that. It’s funny.” He shrugged. “So, stay in Vegas a while. Drew hates Vegas.”

“Yeah. Well, Drew hates being alone more. The guy needs a purpose.” I drummed my fingers on the cocktail table. “And I need a drink. I’m too worked up. Look at me.” I gestured to my face.

“You certainly do.” He motioned and a cabana boy came running. “Crown and Coke. Light on the Coke.” He winked and pointed to me by way of explanation.

I covered my face with my hands. “I feel like I’m losing it. I’ve been the anti-ginger for years. I’ve controlled my temper. I’ve built a solid career.”

“You’ve built a company.” Ty shook his head. “Your father wanted you to come to work with his studio, but you refused and started your own. Hell, rumor has it you have several of the major studios looking at your work for joint releases.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Never discount your work. You’re amazing.”

“I don’t feel amazing. I feel like shit. I’m a shit friend, a shit employer. I’ve lost my backbone.” I slumped in my seat.

“You’re here. As a friend. I think you’re pretty awesome.” Ty smiled. “Forget about Drew for a moment. You’re here to support me.”

“Yeah, but how? Why? You’ve never been so secretive before. We’ve always shared everything.” My brow furrowed.

He shook his head. “I can’t share this. Not yet. Lean back and relax. Here comes your drink now.”

A moment later, the drink was set on the cocktail table. I lifted it to take a sip and grimaced. “I think the fumes burned my corneas.” Then I felt the warmth spreading through me and sighed. “Totally worth it.”

“I thought so.” Ty watched me for a few minutes before speaking again. I was so focused on the drink, I didn’t even care. “Why don’t you stick around for a while? Send Drew home. Relax. We’ll go sight-seeing.”

“Who are you? We gamble. We bet. We play hard. We don’t do the tourist thing.” I set the half-empty glass on the cocktail table and studied him. “Hell, you used to be the biggest player of us all.”

“I know, but people change.” His lips twitched as he tried not to smile.

I sighed. “If you truly believe that, then help me change Drew.”