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16
Austin and Haydenbarely gave Eli time to get his footing before they launched into him, asking question after question as we waited for our luggage. They didn’t slow down their attack the entire way to the hotel where we dropped Eli off for the night. It wasn’t until the elevator doors closed and he disappeared from view that they turned their attention to me.
Eli wasn’t mentioned once the remainder of the night. Well, not directly.
We got caught up on each other’s lives.
Hayden’s outshining all three of us right now, making a name for herself in Vegas. When she first told us she wanted to move there and entertain the big spenders, we were shocked. Sure, she’s the people pleaser of the three of us, but to put herself at the beck and call of people with more money than any of us will see in a lifetime felt like a bad move for her.
Her personality is feisty, and her temper can get red hot, her fuse shorter than most. She doesn’t like being pushed around. Commands respect in the way she carries herself.
Which is hilarious considering she’s barely five foot tall and weighs maybe one hundred ten pounds soaking wet.
And she was walking into the wolf’s den.
I gave her a month before she came back home, giving up on what she thought was her dream. That was four years ago.
Her profession was male dominant. Still is. She’s one of only two female casino hosts that work on the strip and she’s damn good at it. High rollers seek her out, ask for her by name. They stay at her casino because of her. They know she’ll take care of them, and she’ll do it with a smile on her face. She attends to their every need or desire.
And gets paid handsomely for her efforts.
Austin’s job is sort of similar to Hayden’s. She’s required to be a people pleaser but on a less personal level. As the general manager of a corporate hotel chain that spans the entire West Coast, she’s in charge of residential, executive, and long-term housing. Which is why she hops from place to place so often.
It’s her job to find housing for new clients and to make sure they are comfortable. To ensure their stay is exceptional whether they are there for a week, month, or year. Being the most serious of our little trio, she approaches everything with a professional attitude. It’s conveyed in not only the words she speaks but in the perfectly pressed suits she is always wearing. The heels chosen to match her outfits. The way her blonde hair is pinned back in a bun at the base of her neck, every strand in place.
Her presence says as much about her as Hayden’s does. Where you can tell Hayden is fun and outgoing, Austin is all business. Standing at five-foot-nine without her heels, she’s eye-to-eye with most of her clients. Her perfect, hourglass figure is hidden beneath her suit jackets, but she can’t hide her breasts. They’re as big as Celia’s, only Austin’s are real.
Then there’s me.
Plain Jane. It makes me wonder if that’s why my mother gave me my middle name. Did she know I was going to turn out average? Did I not look enough like her when I was born?
My mother’s natural beauty is striking. Bright blue eyes. Her brown locks are so dark they’re almost black.
I have boring, chocolate brown hair that lightens naturally when I spend a lot of time outside. I’ve added blonde highlights to give my long, thick waves some depth. Sandy brown eyes that only stand out because my hair is darker, making them look lighter when I wear my hair down, framing my face. I’m two inches taller than Hayden but my boobs are just as small.
I’m not thick or thin but I keep my body fit. Of the three of us I’m the most average looking and I’m okay with that. It helps keep attention away from me and I’m able to hide behind the cameras.
“So how has work been since …” Austin’s voice trails off, the room falling silent until Hayden pulls the cork from the wine bottle with a pop.
“Fine. We’re not discussing anything until the project is complete. For now, I’m just a lowly assistant who’s trying not to fuck up on a daily basis.” That’s not exactly true. It feels more like I’m swimming in pudding, attempting to reach the shore that’s always just out of reach. This project can’t wrap up soon enough. Maybe then I’ll be able to find solid ground again.
“And he’s just what? Treating you like everyone else?” Hayden interjects, handing me a wine glass that’s filled to the brim. No restaurant pours in this trio. We fill it all the way up, drink it down, and repeat.
“Yes, because if he didn’t people would start to question what was going on,” I explain, taking a sip of my wine before carefully navigating my way to the living room, avoiding tripping on one of the many boxes scattered around Austin’s new place. “Are you planning on unpacking any time soon?”
“Why bother? You and I both know I’ll be moving again soon. This place is too gorgeous to sit here empty. Someone is going to buy it before I even have time to settle in. Hell, I haven’t even hung anything in my closet. I’ve been living out of one of those wardrobe boxes and my suitcase.”
She has a point. It’s the penthouse suite. The view itself is worth a million dollars. I’ve been staring at the Space Needle through the floor-to-ceiling windows since we arrived. It’s a beautiful sight at night when it’s all lit up.
“You could at least shove all the boxes in one room,” Hayden says, attempting to push a stack against the wall with her hip, a full glass of wine in each hand.
“Stop changing the subject. I’ve known you my entire life, Tay. This is a big deal, as much as you don’t want to admit it. If I’m being honest, it’s even bigger than I imagined it would be. Of all the details she kept from you, the people she forced out of her life, your life, I never would have imagined he was one of them.”
Hayden and Austin only know the big details of my mother’s reveal. I haven’t had time to fill them in on everything. When I cringe at Austin’s words, she narrows her eyes at me and demands the full story.
Settling in on one end of the couch, I’m halfway through filling in the details I’ve left out when Hayden stops me, disappearing into the kitchen and returning with two unopened bottles of wine.
“I have a feeling we’re going to need these.”
