“How is she … still scamming brothers out of their money?”
“How do you think we got the tickets,” I joked. What about you?”
“I’m here with my Ramblers buddy.”
My head jerked back. “Your what?”
“The organization assigns new players an accountability buddy to help with the transition.”
“No kidding? Who did you get?”
“Deion McCabe.”
I grimaced.
Aldridge scratched at his beard. “Yeah, he’s been a bit of an asshole. Letting me know he is not my babysitter. And if I kill someone under no circumstances should I call him.”
“He’s not willing to help you bury a body?”
“I know right. We’re teammates.”
“Sounds like he’s trying to avoid being your bunkmate in jail.”
“If we got caught, I’d take the fall.”
“The fact that you’ve thought this out is actually disturbing.”
“You should always have someone on reserve in case you need help digging a hole.”
He was right. I knew exactly who to call if I were ever in that situation. “Anika is my first call, hands down.”
“Shit, Anika would be pissed she missed out on the kill.”
We shared a laugh at my sister’s homicidal tendencies.
“Runner up, my mom.”
“Why is your family all good with a shovel?”
“Never cross an Irwin woman, few live to tell the tale.”
“I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.”
I found my straw and took a long sip. “How are you liking Vegas?”
“This is my second day, and I’ve seen a snooty neighborhood, the CTE-inducing Sphere, and you.” That didn’t sound like a compliment. Was he including me in his underwhelming experience thus far? “But you’re my realtor so hopefully you can change my mind about the city.”
“I’ll do my best. You know Vegas is so much more than just the Strip. We have pockets of communities that are just as eclectic and interesting as anything you’d find in Philadelphia or New York. And the people are really friendly and welcoming. I think because most of them were transplants themselves at one point in time.”
Aldridge’s phone dinged and he checked the screen. “That’s my accountability bud asking where I’m at.”
“Wow, he’s taking his role very seriously.”
“He can probably sense I’m in danger.”
“Am I dangerous?”
“Being this close to you is hazardous to my mental health.”
