Two Can Play (26 page)

“
I know all too well what you mean. The thing is, in close circles, everyone knows you, don't they? And any friends of friends soon know you as well. It's difficult to trust anyone,” I agree.

“
Tell me about it. That's why I'm such a bitch; it's self-preservation. I deliberately don't have many friends.” She laughs.

“
Anyway, my mom's got her own money. Dad gave her a big cash payment when she had me. I'm talking a lot of money. She's got most of it left because she works and doesn't really go for conspicuous consumption. Apart from a couple of cars, I don't think she's bought a thing,” I explain.

“
I guess they're suited. He's happy with her. That's good enough for me.”

“
She's more than happy with him. And I love your dad.”

“
Yeah, he's neat. Love him completely.”

Now I'm even more wary. She's being sooo friendly. Perhaps I've misjudged her and she's actually nice?

The garage contains five cars. The Mercedes, three BMWs, one belonging to my mom, and a large SUV. Kelsey drives us to town in her white BMW convertible. Harry has provided them both with their own cars.

“Got a boyfriend back in Austin?” I ask.

“
I was seeing Jason until a month ago. I kinda lost interest. No one at the moment.”

“
What do you do, at home, your job I mean?”

“
I'm a receptionist at a hotel. It's kinda dull, but Dad insists I do it.”

“
It gives a routine to life, I suppose.”

“
What about you?”

“
I don't work, no. I write stuff when I'm in the mood and there are other things I'm involved in. Charities. They take up a fair bit of my time.”

“
You've got your own funds, though?”

“
Yeah, when I was twenty-one, my dad set me up with a trust fund. I manage that myself.”

“
We don't have a that, a fund I mean, Bren and I. We get an allowance. It's pretty generous, but we only get it if we work.”

“
Your dad's obviously more hands on than mine, more involved with you.”

“
You don't get on with him?”

“
Oh, we get on okay, but he doesn't speak English and lives in Russia.”

“
Go visit, learn some Russian, enough to get by. I would.”

“
I know a little already and I should learn some more, but he's kinda cool with me, Kels.”

“
That's probably the Russian dad way. Cool and aloof. Very distant vit ze daughter,” she jokes.

“
I guess.” I smile. That's exactly what my dad is.

She pulls into the underground lot and parks.

We get out and I stand at the side of the car, waiting for her lead.

“
Let's do your cell phone first, get that out the way, and then we'll have lunch and a mooch around. You know, it's kinda fun having a little sis’.”

“
I'm only six months younger than you, and I'm hardly little.” I laugh.

“
Six months is six months.” She chuckles.

My cell is swapped for an upgraded package. I keep my number and the SIM is successfully installed. Unfortunately I have to wait for a whole day for my new iPhone to become active. Very annoying. Not that I have anything urgent to do. I suppose I'm overreacting. I'm gonna chill.

We sit in a sushi bar eating lunch and having iced green tea. She seems to be a healthy eater.

She looks like she's actually very pretty, under the masses of makeup and false stuff. If I ever get friendly enough with her, I might tell her to tone it down. Less is more.

We shop for shoes and some jewelry. Kelsey buys herself a dress, and I treat myself to another pair of very tight, faded Graffiti skinny jeans, which I love.

“
Want to get your nails done and have a makeup session?”

I laugh at her.

“Not really.”

“
You could do with some sprucing up, babe.”

“
I like the natural look, it's low maintenance.”

“
Aww come on, lets have some fun together. My treat?”

I weaken. Why the hell not?

“All right. You're on, Kels, but I'll pay.”

“
If you insist rich li'l sis’.” She laughs.

I've never had such a hilarious time. I can barely stop laughing as I'm smothered in makeup. We are completely done up to the nines. I've never seen myself looking so glam. My finger and toenails are done and I'm finally all tarted up and ready for the ball. If I was going to one. Which I'm not. We leave the beauty salon with some little samples to top up the look later.

I admire my long false eyelashes and gorgeous, dramatic eye makeup in my little mirror.

“I think we should hit the town,” Kelsey says, with a grin, reading my mind. “Let's get you an outfit, I've already got mine. We can do champagne cocktails at Flam and then do a club. Find somewhere really buzzing. I'll call the gang, let them know we're out.”

“
Can you let my mom know?”

“
Okay, I'll text Dad first.” She taps out a message and then a few others.

“
Kels, you can't drink and then drive home. What about the car?”

“
I'll leave the car, get it tomorrow in the morning. Let's get you done then dump our stuff in the car and catch a movie for a couple of hours. We can't go out till eight or nine, earliest.”

“
Okay, lead on big sis’,” I joke. “Find me a sexy dress.”

We change in the car, after the movie. I'm looking forward to this. Brendan's on the way, bringing a friend he knows, and two of Kelsey's friends are meeting us later at nine. Being the elected party leader, wherever she decides is worth hanging out. My knowledge of the latest LV hotspots is non-existent. It's been years since I lived here and I was never into the LV party scene when I did. I don't have any friends left here either, as they've all moved away, one in New Orleans with her boyfriend, one married and in Philadelphia, and the other working in Canada.

I emerge from the car in my sexy little black dress that skims my thighs and hugs me tightly everywhere, and contrasts with my pale skin perfectly. I have long swooshy silver earrings, a silver and black clutch, and black high-heeled peep toes, which I hope I can walk more than a step or two in.

“You're looking hot, girlie,” she says.

Not as hot as her by a long shot, though. But I don't think I want to look like a glamor model. And that's the look she's gone for.

“I love my dress. It's a really cute look, and yours is beautiful.”

Hers is a white, almost non-existent, low-cut, stretchy little thing that accentuates her deep tan and her overloaded top half.

We really are complete opposites,
I think as we walk through the car lot together, arm in arm. But despite that we appear to be getting on. I won't expect too much yet, but she's actually kinda sweet. I'd love to have a sister. Someone I can get close to.

HIM

I wake up with a start and look around. I was having a really bad dream about my dad. He was trying to tell me something important but I couldn't hear and he was getting farther away and shouting at me. Probably something meaningful in there, or maybe it's because I really miss the old guy.

I could talk to him. Properly. Man to man. I've got my friends to talk to, but that's not the same as having your dad around.

I check my iPhone for texts, emails, and Facebook. Nothing to report on the Kate front. I try not to get despondent.

After I shower and dress, I head off for something to eat in one of the many restaurants downstairs. I have the best fucking steak, fries and salad I've ever eaten, and an enormous slice of strawberry cheesecake covered in thick cream. As I close my eyes in creamy ecstasy, I remind myself I need to get back into my workout routine; I'll be piling the pounds on soon. It's been two weeks since I hit the gym. It always throws me out when I go to Venice. It feels like I'm on vacation, so I overindulge. And now I'm comfort eating, I guess. The waiter passes by and I stop him and ask for the check. After paying, I leave for the casino. I'm hoping someone will take pity on me when I weave my tale.

I buy in, and with my $500 worth of chips, I go to the Black Jack table first.

There's a young girl dealing the cards. I sit and wait to be dealt in.

She approaches me.

“Wanna play, mister?”

“
Yeah, please.” She deals my cards. “Can I ask you something?”

“
Sure, go ahead,”

“
D'you know a Miss Denton?”

“
Yeah, everyone knows Bambi. She taught me all I know.”

“
D'you have her cell number?”

“
I can't give you her number.” She laughs.

“
No, I know that. Of course you can't. Look, I'm seeing her daughter. But, due to a misunderstanding we split up a few days ago, and I don't have her new cell number. Can you text Bambi and tell her to pass on the message to Kate that Aaron is at Caesars Palace until tomorrow night. In the Octavian Tower, 6th floor, room, 611.”

“
I shouldn't text while I'm working, but okay, you seem like a nice guy,” she says with a smile. “Gimme a minute though.”

She deals the round and then quickly whips her iPhone out of her pocket and taps out a message.

Please tell Kate that Aaron is staying at CP, 6th floor, Octavian, rm 611. Till tomrw night.

She shows me the message. “Okay?”

“Yep that's just great. Can you add my number, just in case she's lost it?”

I call it out and she taps it in and presses send.

“There. All done, honey.”

“
Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“
You're welcome.”

I sit and play Black Jack for an hour. I bust four times, break twice, and have one small success and beat the dealer. I never win much if anything when I'm gambling. I move off to Roulette when I'm down to my last $100. If I'm honest, I'm not really enjoying this much on my own. I might as well throw it all away on the wheel as anywhere.

In the event, it doesn't take long. In ten minutes I'm broke.

Fucking typical.

It would have been nice to have one good thing happen. I didn't expect the jackpot but a small win would have been a boost to my mood. I'm sensing things are not gonna go my way.

I go through reception and leave a message at the desk that Miss Denton may be visiting, possibly. I'm now at a loose end. Feeling fed up and more than a touch frustrated. I traipse back upstairs to my room.

I'm not tired, but don't want to hang out on my own getting trashed in a bar. I can do that in my room, if I really want to, which I don't. Not after last night's bender.

I crash on my bed and choose a movie on the pay channels, settling down to watch it. I've seen it countless times but for some strange reason I love watching Avatar. It inspires me. The disabled hero finding a new life. I'm right there with him as he flies his dragon above the beautiful Pandora landscape alongside his blue alien lover. It's a very long movie as well. It'll pass the time away. I have a beer half way through and keep looking at my iPhone far too often for my own good.