***
We lost ourselves in each other, and by the time we came up for air, it was time to check out. The only problem was, my manager was nowhere to be found.
I pounded on the door of his room across the hall and even called up a member of our staff to go and check for him downstairs to no avail.
“I can’t believe he just disappeared. The guy is getting out of control.” I was starting to sound like Sadie had the day before, and she could only agree with me.
“See if he will answer his phone again.” I was just about to do as she suggested when the door to our room shook with someones pounding fist.
I hurried over as fast as I could hobble, and Sadie stood up and started across until I motioned for her to stay put. “Who is it?”
“Open the fucking door, Darek.” Jack’s voice was slurred and yet squealy all at once.
I threw open the door, and he stood there, disheveled, his blonde hair sticking up like ruffled feathers as if he’d been out on the town all night. He smelled like he’d went swimming in a brewery, and his eyes were so bloodshot they looked like they were bleeding.
“It’s about time,” he slurred. “I was just up a floor getting my cock sucked, but thanks for the interruption. You’re lucky I was almost done, I paid good money for that blow.” It wasn’t the only blow he’d paid good money for in Vegas.
I didn’t have time to scold him for being a pervert; I had too many other offenses to go through first. “What the hell, man? It’s past time to check out.”
He waved his hand and staggered inside like he’d been the one to have knee surgery. “Lighten up, Dillon. It’s not like you can’t afford another fucking day. Besides, I haven’t been to bed yet. I lost my ass on that fucking blackjack table. That bitch gets me every time.” He was way too fucking twitchy, and his nose was blistering red around one nostril. He was coked out of his mind.
“Lighten up? We came here to work, not gamble all night and spend our fucking paychecks, which you’ve been crying about needing, at the fucking blackjack tables. You’re a fucking mess, and I’ve had enough. Now go and get your ass cleaned up. You can fly home on your own when you sober up.” I walked over to the door and opened it, hoping he’d leave without any argument.
“What’s going on with you two, you’re looking really chummy. I guess I wasn’t the only one getting blown this morning. When you nurse, you really nurse, don’t you?” He made an obscene gesture as if he was sucking cock, but Sadie didn’t dignify it with a response.
I wasn’t having any of that. “Watch your fucking mouth, and don’t talk to her. We’ll talk about this shit, but you better fucking leave before I do something I’ll regret.” I wanted to punch him square in the jaw, but I knew if I did, he could not only sue me, but he’d have more money to put up his nose.
Instead, he laughed until he nearly fell down. “Fuck you too, man. I’ll call you Monday.”
“Whatever.” I slammed the door behind him and turned to see Sadie who was clearly, by her curled-lip expression, pissed off. I hated that she had to see him that way and I felt like a real ass for taking up for the guy.
She paced the room. “You’re going to let that jerk talk to you that way? He clearly is more concerned about his fun than your career. And you promised I’d be home by Sunday dinner.” She stopped in front of me, and I leaned down to kiss her.
I pulled away and stroked her cheek. “He’s not going to get away with it this time. I’m going to give him an ultimatum once we’re back home and things are settled. I have to get my ducks in a row. I can’t just fire him on the spot.” I didn’t need more drama than I bargained for, and Jack certainly wasn’t worth it.
She let loose a deep breath. “Good, he’s pathetic. He was so messed up he couldn’t even arrange our flight home.” She was a tough cookie, and I had to wonder what her upbringing was like. She didn’t have nearly as much mercy as I did. But then again, he wasn’t her friend. Maybe I needed a healthy outside perspective.
I couldn’t just turn my back on a friend in need, even if he didn’t know it. “He needs help, and I’m going to see he gets it, but I hear you, okay. I just need to do things right.”
“He needs tough love, and he has to want to change. Maybe if he hits rock bottom, he’ll straighten up.” She shook her head as I pulled her into my arms. “If I’m late, you’re calling my mother. Missing Sunday dinner is a sin in her book.”
I grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes. “I’m going to get you home for Sunday dinner, I promise.” I kissed her nose. “It makes me kind of jealous that you get to do that, you know. My own mother used to make Sunday dinner, and it was one of the only peaceful times in our home.”
“Did your parents fight a lot?”
“You could say that. He was a bit abusive to us both. I can’t stand the memories, honestly. Mom was amazing, I always wished I was strong enough to help her, but my old man would knock me around like I was nothing.”
“I’m so sorry.” She held me tighter.
“I just never understood. If someone ever put their hands on you, I’d lose my fucking life, risk it all, career and everything to make them sorry. My old man, he was a useless piece of shit. And if he were alive today, I’d kill him. So yeah, I guess I’m jealous of anyone who has it better. You’re lucky.”
“Get me home on time, and you can come with me. I’m sure my mother would like that; meeting you. I mean, if you want to. I don’t want to make things awkward if it’s too much too soon.” She gave a little shrug and then kissed me quickly on the lips.
“I’d like that, and it’s a deal.” I grabbed my phone and dialed the pilot. Soon enough, we’d have a plane to catch.