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‘Is this making you uncomfortable?’ I ask. It feels nice to be straightforward and not have to dance around hearing people’s polite social requirements and tender feelings.

He shrugs. ‘No, not really. Is your brother Deaf too?’

‘No. I’m the only one in the family,’ I tell him.

He grimaces, and it’s not the best feeling in the world. As much as I hate when hearing people feel sorry for me when they find out I’m Deaf, it gives me the same twitch when Deaf people act like my upbringing wasn’t as good as theirs because I stand alone.

I have a good family. My dad was the first one to become fluent after Dante, and while sometimes they forget to sign, they’re better than most. They’re the reason that, as much as I’d love to live closer to a bigger Deaf population, I also never want to be too far from them.

‘My brothers all are, but my parents are hearing,’ he says. ‘Recessive gene or something. My mom got kind of obsessed with figuring it out.’

I’m tempted to ask if they all got CIs too, but as much as he’s probably used to invasive questions, I just can’t be fucked. Mostly because I’d rather be fucked.

I think I need to shoot my shot. I watch him pick up one of the butt plugs—Dante designed it for people with limited arm and hand mobility. When Asher looks back up at me, he sets the toy down and plucks one of the free condoms we have on the table.

‘You gay?’ I ask, and he shakes his head, his cheeks turning redder.

‘You?’

I shrug and then fingerspell pansexual. Listen, why discriminate when there are so many options out there?

Hell, I’d even go for a Vyastil if one was interested in me. I’ve seen the way Cielo looks at my brother. I wouldn’t mind a big dick to ride and a long Vyastil tongue to wrap around my cock and suck.

The guy’s lips smack. ‘Are you looking to hook up? I could be your wingman.’

I grin at him. ‘If I fail tonight, maybe I’ll text you. Got a number?’

He pulls a card out of his wallet and pushes it toward me, and I grab one off the table to do the same. ‘My older brother’s bisexual, so I’ve done this before.’

It feels a little patronizing, but considering I’m on a months-long dry spell, I might actually need the help. ‘Thanks. I’ll let you know.’

The moment gets still and awkward, but only for a second. Asher pulls the bowl of condoms toward him. ‘Have?’

‘As many as you want,’ I tell him, so he shoves a handful of them into his pockets. Someone to the left, a tall woman with very dark hair, starts waving at him, and he bites his lip.

I tap him on the shoulder. ‘Go.’

He leans in for a hug, and I give one right back—a tight, one-armed squeeze. ‘Wish me luck,’ he whisper-signs between us.

‘Good luck,’ I offer back.

As I watch him go, I feel only the slightest tinge of jealousy because damn it, that’s what I want. Maybe not her. I’m not about to step on his toes, but damn it, I wouldn’t mind a little something.

A little someone.

But I’m starting to think this trip to Vegas is going to be as dry as I spent my entire summer.

I take a sip of water from my bottle, the one that says I Like It Wet. It’s warmer out here than it is in Michigan. It’s still cold, but it’s hella dry, which I’m not used to at all.

My throat has been so fucking parched, and I’ve gone through a full tube of lip balm and am working through my second.

Swallowing all the water, I scan the busy scene, people meandering around, hands flying, captions on screens flashing. I wonder if it’s loud here. I think it has to be. My interpreter friend, Seth, came last year and said it was a cacophony of hearing-aid whistles, Deaf mouth smacks, loud coin noises from all the slot machines in the main casino, music blaring from speakers, and the overwhelming chatter from the Vegas tourists.

I don’t envy him having to deal with all of that.

I inhale deeply as I peer over at the table listing all the food options that are in the back parking bay. There’s a Deaf taco truck I’ve had my eye on for a while.

My stomach rumbles as I debate closing down my stall for a minute to go over there and grab something to eat. It’s not like I’ve had a flood of customers, so why not?