“That’s more like it.” But what did I want to do next? When you weren’t here to gamble or take in a show, the Vegas Strip was just a long walk from one end to the other. We hadn’t even made it to the iconic sign yet. We had a lot more walking to do if we wanted to get pictures of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign in them.
“So what do we plan to see next?” Chance asked as he started back down the strip.
I didn’t mention the sign because Chance would definitely suggest we walk right then. I’d rather save it for another day and a taxi ride.
“Let’s just stroll back to the hotel and watch the fountains again.”
He kept me close between the crowds of people. “Now I’m going to search for all the fancy fountains around the world and make you visit them.”
“I just like these fountains.” Something was soothing about them. I could have pitched a chair in front of them and watched for an hour or all afternoon.
Chance made it one song before he wanted to move on whenever we stopped to watch. He didn’t get the appeal.
“I’ll watch you waste more of your money this time,” I said.
I didn’t care what we did as long as I got to spend time with Chance. Our other friends were in DC looking at old statues, but I was hanging out with my best friend and drinking booze from fancy cups. I’d definitely won.
We passed the Venetian across the road, and Chance promised me a ride in a gondola.
“Don’t you get seasick?” I asked.
He smacked his lips, letting me know he didn’t find my continuous joke funny. “I highly doubt I’ll get sick on a short gondola ride.”
“You would if I rocked the boat.”
Chance laughed. “You would, too.”
I would.
We walked further down the strip and stopped to watch the volcano explode in front of The Mirage. “We’ve seen the Eiffel Tower, a pirate show, and now a volcano. What more in life is there to do?”
He grinned. “I’m sure we can find something to keep us occupied.”
The volcano calmed, and we started on our way again. A few hotels later, with masses of crowds on the streets, we reached the large basin of water in front of the Bellagio. They were already in the middle of a song, but we stopped to watch and listen.
Chance rested his chin on my shoulder as we swayed with the music. Something about him seemed different. He didn’t normally act so quiet.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Ignoring the fountains, Chance turned around so he was facing me. “I have to tell you something.”
His eyes were squinty, and he looked so focused, but this was Vegas. Nothing was serious about the place. “You agree that you’ll get seasick if we do a gondola ride?”
Chance laughed and shook his head. “Are you drunk?”
Did I look drunk?
I didn’t seem drunk.
“No.”
Chance stared at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I held up the now empty souvenir glass. “Because you wouldn’t let me get a fourth refill. Are you drunk?”
“No, I can hold my liquor unlike some light weights,” he said, referencing the time I puked in his toilet after too many shots one night when we turned twenty-one.
I then had to do his laundry for a month so he wouldn’t tattle on me to my brothers.
