Tyler drops his eyes. “Why didn’t you call your dad and get him to help you out?”
The lie rolls easily off Oscar’s tongue. “He’s out of town. But his brothers aren’t and I don’t want them involved in this, but that won’t stop them from retaliating if you mistreat us.”
He counts out half the money and shoves it at Tyler. “Let’s go.”
At this time of night, it only takes us 45 minutes to get to Reno because Tyler’s heavy on the gas pedal. None of us talk during the trip. My throat hurts from staying quiet so long, but I distract myself by thinking of Oscar. I always thought he was this rule follower who was easy to push around. But he isn’t. He just bummed a smoke, stole some money and threatened Tyler, who’s a pretty big guy. And not once did Oscar seem afraid.
I don’t like admitting it, but what he did was the coolest thing I ever saw. It makes me feel like an immature brat. All I do is talk and argue and play pranks on him. I think of my mom and realize I’m just like her. Then tears spurt into my eyes as I think how much trouble she might be in. What if she gets killed? What will I do then? Spend the rest of my life pretending to be gramma’s niece? I shudder at the thought.
What would Oscar do if his dad died? Probably raise himself. Hang with Hell’s Jury, eventually become one of them. Maybe even the president one day. I imagine what it would be like be part of a motorcycle gang. Mom says they’re misogynist because they don’t let girls be members. But that wouldn’t happen with me. I’d get to be a member because Oscar is in charge and I’d make him let me.
My thoughts help me feel better and I’m back to my old self when we get to the Grand Sierra. Oscar hands the rest of the cash to Tyler.
“Don’t tell Gramma,” I say to him as I hop out of the truck. “I mean Auntie Elle.”
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me? She’d eat my balls for dinner if she found out I gave you two a ride to Reno.”
That doesn’t really sound like gramma, but who knows. Maybe she’s a cannibal.
“Okay,” Oscar says to me as we stand outside the casino. “We need a plan.”
“I got one,” I say quickly before he can shoot me down. “We walk straight through the lobby to the elevator. I know the floor.”
“What if someone stops us?” Oscar asks, for once letting me take the lead.
“We tell them mom and dad just dropped us off so they could go to another party. We’re tired and wanna go to bed.”
No one pays the least bit of attention to us as we head to the elevators. It’s weird that no one has challenged us on being out on our own at this hour. Maybe we look more grown up than I think. I look shyly at Oscar. Maybe they think we’re girlfriend and boyfriend.
Which would be horrible, Henri. He’d be giving me hell for everything I did.
When we reach the elevator, a maintenance man walks out of it. Oscar trips into him.
“Watch it, kid,” the guy says grouchily.
“Sorry,” Oscar mutters as we step into the elevator.
I push the button to the floor below the penthouse suite.
“What are you doing?” Oscar says with irritation. “I thought the guy was in the penthouse.
I huff. “He is, but the elevator beeps when it gets to the floor. We don’t want to wake anyone up.”
Oscar glares at me but keeps his mouth shut for the rest of the ride.
“Follow me,” I say as I step out of the elevator and enter the staircase.
“Duh,” Oscar sneers as he shoves his way in front of me. “You follow me. I’m used to this stuff.”
I almost trip backward, but he catches me in time.
“God. I thought we were gonna call a truce!” I say.
“Sorry,” he mutters as he lets go of my arm. He still doesn’t stop leading though.
When we get to the top of the stairs, Oscar cracks the door and peeks out. “This is a weird floor.”
Whatever. The main thing is we’re at the place where mom is. And maybe Oscar’s dad. My stomach is churning and my heart is beating way faster than usual. “Is anyone there?” I whisper. Talking always calms me. My mom calls it my valium.
