“Anything else I can get for you?”
“All good. Thank you.” I waved the waitstaff off, probably coming off like an asshole in the process because my son’s mistake had a way of creeping into my bloodstream in a matter of seconds.
I turned back to Jackson, nodding my head for him to continue.
“Clearly, he had money. When I sat down at that table, I started by betting the minimum. When he sat down, he bet the max every single hand. Unfortunately, for him, luck was on myside and not his. We had a few drinks together after we played, and he offered to give me a huge pay day I couldn’t refuse. All I had to do was turn his fucking water into wine.” He took a breath and rolled his hands through his hair.
“I was on a roll, Dad; I didn’t think it could go that bad. I never thought it would take that far of a turn when he gave me so much money to work with. Luck had to have been on my side,” he tried convincing himself.
Neither of us had touched our food. Instead, silence surrounded us, and the clicking of silverware scraping against plates and light conversation around the restaurant was the only thing to be heard.
I wish I could say what he just told me was no big deal, but the dollar amount, and the situation was nothing short of dangerous. People in Las Vegas were not ones to fuck with, especially when it came to their money.
“How long do you have to pay him back?” I didn’t need time on my side for the money. The money wasn’t the issue at all. Of course, I would help my own flesh and blood get out of this mess, but he needed to learn. He needed to prove to me that something like this wouldn’t happen again.
“One month.”
To be honest, one month was a considerable amount of time. Men like the ones he was dealing with, they usually didn’t give a shit. They were ruthless and wanted their money back in a snap. I could work with one month, but I wasn’t going to be happy about it.
“Get me the info to wire the funds and we’ll be in contact.” At this point, it felt less like a familial bond and more like a business transaction.
Without touching my breakfast, I grabbed four of the bills I’d thrown on the table earlier, leaving one behind to cover the tab, and headed for the elevator.
I’d make the calls necessary to move my money around, but more importantly, I needed to hash out a plan for Jackson to learn his lesson.
“Avery,you’ll be in charge of the cabanas with Marissa today. We are fully booked, so plan for it to be a busy shift. The entertainment goes on around noon. Be prepared to have the cabanas filling up at open.” I must have done something right for my manager to assign me the cabanas—the biggest money maker—on such a busy day.
A big-name artist having a set at the most popular day club in Las Vegas was what brought in all the high rollers. Men and women who had no issue spending thousands of dollars on overpriced liquor and chicken fingers. But I wasn’t going to be one to complain; I needed the money. The month was coming to an end and payments were due.
While I waited for the day club to fill, I scanned the cabanas, making each one sparkle, only to be destroyed in a few hours’ time. I fluffed the pillows, laid out menus, stocked the mini fridges, and shined the TV screens, passing the time before guests were allowed in.
The music was bumping, and my energy was high, matching those around me.
Time flew by for the first couple of hours. Drinks continued to flow for the people who were starting their party early. And with all the cabanas booked, naturally a couple of them trickled in later than their reservation time. If they weren’t starting their day early with drinks, it was likely because the night before had them hungover.
“Cabana six is requesting you,” Marissa said as she filled a bucket with ice and a half dozen bottles of water.
Snagging the bucket from her, I made my way over to cabana six to see who exactly could be requesting me. Most people who came in and out of the day club were tourists, so it wasn’t often that someone requested my service by name.
“Hi there, my name’s Avery. I’ll be taking care of you guys today!” I spoke in my most energetic voice.
“Ah, we know who you are! I’m Jayson. We haven’t met yet, but this guy over here told us we weren’t allowed to ask for anyone else around here. That you’re the best.” The man who looked to be in his thirties nodded toward a familiar face resting on one of the loungers.
Standing up and headed my way, Spencer took charge, taking his friend’s place.
“Avery.” His eyes lowered to my cleavage.
“Spencer.” My teeth dug into my lower lip.
“Looks like fate had us meeting again.”
“Some would say fate. Others would say you knew where I worked and made it happen yourself.” My attempt was to be flirty, but I’m afraid my execution came off a tad bitchy.
“I have a feeling when we’re done for the day, you won’t be mad about it.” He wasn’t wrong. It didn’t take a conversation with him to know he was made of money. It was obvious from one glance across the bar.
I assumed he was talking about the tip I’d receive, but then he tore off his shirt, ripping it from his back in one fell swoop.Still standing directly in front of me, a tall, tanned, and tattooed man looked back at me in nothing but a pair of board shorts that hugged his thighs.
The money would be nice, but staring at him all day in this condition, a far cry from the man in a suit the other night, made me dizzy thinking about both versions of him.
