“Yeah. This way.”
We retraced our steps. I was glad when we finally ended up at our hotel, because in truth I wasn’t exactly sure how to get back, either. The Strip wasn’t hard to navigate, but there were a lot of distractions along the way, and Shepley was definitely in vacation mode.
I searched the poker tables for Abby, knowing that’s where she would be. I caught a glimpse of her caramel hair; she sat upright and confident at a table full of old men, and America; the girls were a stark contrast from the rest of those camped out in the poker area.
Shepley waved me over to a blackjack table, and we played a while to pass the time.
Half an hour later, Shepley nudged my arm. Abby was standing, talking to a guy with olive skin and dark hair, in a suit and tie. He had her by the arm, and I immediately stood.
Shepley grabbed my shirt. “Hold up, Travis. He works here. Just give it a minute. You might get us all kicked out if you don’t keep your head.”
I watched them. He was smiling, but Abby was all business. He acknowledged America, then.
“They know him,” I said, trying to read their lips to figure out the distant conversation. The only thing I could make out was have dinner with me from the douche in the suit, and Abby saying I’m here with someone.
Shepley couldn’t hold me back this time, but I stopped a few feet away when I saw the suit kiss Abby’s cheek.
“It was good to see you again. See you tomorrow . . . five o’clock all right? I’m on the floor at eight,” he said.
My stomach sank, and my face felt like it was on fire. America tugged on Abby’s arm, noting my presence.
“Who was that?” I asked.
Abby nodded in the suit’s direction. “That is Jesse Viveros. I’ve known him a long time.”
“How long?”
She glanced back at her empty chair at the poker table. “Travis, I don’t have time for this.”
“I guess he chucked the youth minister idea,” America said, sending a flirtatious grin in Jesse’s direction.
“That’s your ex-boyfriend?” I asked, instantly angry. “I thought you said he was from Kansas?”
Abby shot America an impatient glare, and then took my chin in her hand. “He knows I’m not old enough to be in here, Trav. He gave me until midnight. I will explain everything later, but for now I have to get back to the game, all right?”
My teeth clenched, and I closed my eyes. My girlfriend had just agreed to go out with her ex-boyfriend. Everything inside me wanted to throw a typical Maddox tantrum, but Abby needed me to man up for the moment. Acting against my instincts, I decided to let it go, and leaned down to kiss her. “All right. I’ll see you at midnight. Good luck.”
I turned, pushing my way through the crowd, hearing Abby’s voice surge at least two octaves. “Gentlemen?”
It reminded me of those girls who would talk like children when they tried to get my attention, hoping to come across as innocent.
“I don’t understand why she had to make any deals with that Jesse guy,” I growled.
“So she could stay, I guess?” Shepley asked, staring up at the ceiling again.
“There are other casinos. We can just go to another one.”
“She knows people here, Travis. She probably came here because she knew if she got caught, they wouldn’t rat her out to the cops. She has a fake ID, but I bet it wouldn’t take long for security to recognize her. These casinos pay high dollar for people to point out the hustlers, right?”
“I guess,” I said, frowning.
We met Abby and America at the table, watching as America gathered Abby’s winnings.
Abby looked at her watch. “I need more time.”
“Wanna try the blackjack tables?”
“I can’t lose money, Trav.”
I smiled. “You can’t lose, Pidge.”
America shook her head. “Blackjack’s not her game.”
“I won a little,” I said, digging in my pockets. “I’m up six hundred. You can have it.”
Shepley handed Abby his chips. “I only made three. It’s yours.”
Abby sighed. “Thanks, guys, but I’m still short five grand.” She looked at her watch again and then looked up to see Jesse approaching.
“How did you do?” he asked, smiling.
“I’m five K short, Jess. I need more time.”
“I’ve done all I can, Abby.”
“Thanks for letting me stay.”
Jesse offered an uncomfortable smile. He was obviously just as scared of these people as Abby. “Maybe I can get my dad to talk to Benny for you?”
“It’s Mick’s mess. I’m going to ask him for an extension.”
Jesse shook his head. “You know that’s not going to happen, Cookie, no matter how much you come up with. If it’s less than what he owes, Benny’s going to send someone. You stay as far away from him as you can.”
“I have to try,” Abby said, her voice broken.
Jesse took a step forward, leaning in to keep his voice low. “Get on a plane, Abby. You hear me?”