Lost in Las Vegas (16 page)

Taylor held up her glass for a toast, reverting back to French now, and they all dinged glasses. DJ took a cautious sip — just to be congenial. But that was all. The truth was, besides not wanting to break the law, she didn’t like the taste of alcohol. So why bother?

Eliza ordered for everyone in perfect French, and the food seemed to keep coming all evening. DJ sampled an
escargot
, a snail, but decided it wasn’t her favorite. Everything else was very good. Plus the view of the Bellagio fountains lit up in the night was gorgeous. They even ordered coffee and desserts, which they shared.

DJ had to admit this was really quite fun. Okay, it was expensive fun, but it was Eliza’s money. DJ knew that this day could’ve gone a lot worse. She also knew that this day was not over. Not by a long shot.

15

IT WAS NINE BY THE TIME
they got back to their suite. They were barely comfortable before both Taylor and Eliza started getting antsy. DJ knew they wanted to go clubbing. They’d already made comments about who was playing where, and what clubs were the best, and it was pretty obvious that it wouldn’t be easy to keep these girls home.

“Remember your promise,” DJ said as Taylor flipped through the TV channels and stopped at the one that advertised the Vegas hot spots. “We agreed to have fun all day long, just girls having fun.”

“But this isn’t fun,” complained Taylor. “And I want a drink.”

“Order room service,” suggested Eliza.

Taylor frowned. “My mom doesn’t want me ordering alcohol.”

DJ was pleasantly surprised.

“I know! I’ll order it from my room.” And before DJ could protest, Eliza jumped up and ran out. DJ had to think this might be preferable than going to the nightclubs. It might keep Taylor out of trouble for one more night. Eliza too. DJ would not normally have cared, but Eliza had sort of grown on her today. While they waited for Eliza to return, DJ talked Taylor into playing gin rummy. As soon as Eliza showed up with a loaded room service cart in tow — complete with an assortment of drinks and snacks — Taylor was done with cards.

“Come on, DJ,” urged Eliza as she held a glass of wine in front of her, “even Jesus drank wine.”

“That’s right,” said Taylor as she refilled her own glass with something that looked a lot stronger than wine. “And he hung with his sinner friends too.”

“Just like me,” teased DJ.

“Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water into wine,” pointed out Taylor.

“Yeah, yeah . . .” DJ rolled her eyes. “So you’ve said.”

“I know what we can do,” said Taylor. “Let’s play a game.”

“Gin rummy?” asked DJ.

“No . . .” Taylor got that sly look. “Truth or dare.”

Soon they were immersed in the silly game, starting slowly with the predictable questions about boys and sex and, naturally, DJ’s answers were usually disappointing. DJ stayed with “truth” because she was too afraid to take a dare from either of these two girls.

But then it got a little deeper, and Eliza, probably under the influence, actually admitted that she had an insatiable need to be best and first and prettiest in everything. She sniffed. “And you Carter House girls make it very difficult.” She refilled her glass. “But I refuse to give up.” She gave Taylor and DJ a slightly wicked smile. “Oh, yes, we may be friends, but be forewarned, I will fight both of you to the bitter end.” Then she threw back her head and laughed like she was joking. But DJ was pretty sure it was the truth.

Now it was Taylor’s turn. “Okay.” Eliza rubbed her hands together with a sly look. “Let me do this one, DJ. I’ve got a really good question for the wild child. Truth or dare, Taylor?”

Taylor narrowed her eyes like she was weighing her options, then finally said, “Dare.”

Eliza was clearly disappointed, and DJ was curious about what her question would’ve been.

“Are you sure?” Eliza asked Taylor.

But Taylor just nodded and took another long swig. “Go for it.”

“Okay,” said Eliza in a devious tone, “but you may want to change your mind when you hear the dare.”

“I doubt it.”

“All right. I dare you to strip down to your underwear and walk all the way through the casino and back.”

“No way,” said DJ. “She’ll get arrested.”

“This is Vegas,” pointed out Eliza. “Besides, she can decline and do truth instead.”

But Taylor did not decline. A few minutes later, Eliza wheeled the room service cart out into the hallway and left it by someone else’s door. Then, Taylor, despite DJ’s pleading, strutted through the crowded casino in her underwear and three-inch heels.

Okay, it was very pretty underwear — hot pink and lacy, and at least she had on panties and not a thong — but it was
still
underwear. DJ watched from the sidelines in horror. Meanwhile, Eliza, keeping a distance of about fifteen feet, appeared to be stalking her. Some people barely seemed to notice the gorgeous scantily clad girl. But they were in Vegas after all — they’d probably seen it all. And other onlookers, mostly guys, hooted and clapped and asked for phone numbers and dates. But even the security guards seemed blasé. DJ wondered what they’d do if Taylor was naked.

Finally, it was over, and DJ wished she’d thought to bring down a bathrobe or something. But she felt it took all she had to keep up with these two. Really, Taylor and Eliza were like gasoline and matches — a dangerous and potentially explosive combination. If only DJ could be the fire extinguisher to put their fires out — or just keep them at a safe distance.

Then, just when DJ was about to let out a sigh of relief, two thirty-something couples got into the elevator with them. They all took one shocked look at Taylor and looked away. Except that the men looked back, and the women looked like they wanted to hit somebody — either their men or Taylor. DJ wasn’t sure.

But when the elevator stopped on the twenty-third floor so the two couples could get off, Taylor, in her most seductive voice said, “What happens in Vegas . . . stays in Vegas.” One of the women turned around and gave Taylor a discrete but intense middle-finger salute. Then, as the doors closed, Eliza burst into giggles, Taylor sighed as if bored, and DJ just shook her head. Really, it was hopeless.

It was nearly eleven by the time they were back in their room and Taylor had put her clothes back on. But that little escapade must have reenergized the crazy pair, because it seemed that Eliza and Taylor were just warming up. They begged DJ to go down with them, but she told them, “No way,” and reminded them that they had promised a girls’ day of fun.

“But it’s nighttime now,” said Taylor as she reached for her new Kate Spade bag.

“And soon it will be tomorrow,” said Eliza as she stood by the mirror near the door and touched up her mascara. “And this is Vegas, dahling, the town that never sleeps.”

DJ knew there was no stopping them, besides she was too tired to even try. At least Taylor wouldn’t be alone tonight. Not that Eliza was a great comfort.

“Hurry,” said Taylor. “My mom will be back any minute.”

And just like that they were gone. DJ went to bed. Before she went to sleep, she prayed, asking God to keep the two foolish girls safe. Then she asked God to help her make it through tomorrow and Christmas. She finally said a weary, “amen,” and then just before drifting to sleep she added on a P.S. as if she’d been writing a letter. “And, if you’re not too busy, God, maybe you can find me a quicker way to get back home. Thanks.”

The next morning, DJ was shocked to discover that Taylor wasn’t in her bed. Plus her bed hadn’t been slept in. But then she remembered Eliza and figured Taylor must’ve stayed in her room. At least she hoped so. Just the same, DJ didn’t want to run into Eva this morning. She didn’t want to have to play Miss Congeniality. Or to explain her missing daughter. She didn’t want to lie either. So, without even showering, DJ pulled on yesterday’s sweats and grabbed her bag and slipped out of the quiet suite.

Once again, she went to Starbucks. She ordered a mocha and a blueberry muffin, then found a soft leather chair in a corner and made herself comfortable. She wished she could hide out there all day and pretend Taylor and Eliza didn’t exist. However, she left her cell phone on just in case.

By noon no one had called. DJ was tempted to call Casey just to complain. But she could imagine how Casey would lay into her for being such a fool. To meet Taylor in Vegas
and
have Eliza pop in? No, that was too humiliating. Finally, DJ decided to go check on her friends. Hopefully they hadn’t been abducted by nasty old men or aliens last night. As soon as she went into the suite, she realized her mistake.

“Oh, there you are,” said Eva a bit too eagerly.

“Good morning.” DJ forced a smile.

“Where is Taylor?”

DJ glanced over to the bedroom she and Taylor shared. The door was open and DJ had left it closed.

“I can see she’s been out all night.”

“Yes.” DJ nodded. “But I think she’s with Eliza.”

“Eliza?”

So DJ quickly explained, and Eva seemed notably relieved. “Tell Taylor that I’d like to meet Eliza.”

“I will. Although she leaves on a red-eye flight for Paris tonight. That’s where her family is spending Christmas. They have an estate there.”

“Oh.”

“But I’ll tell her.” Then DJ went into the room, put on her swimsuit, and got her pool things. Before she headed down to the pool, she knocked on Eliza’s door. No answer. She knocked louder. “Eliza!” she called, “Open up!”

A housekeeper paused, looking at DJ. “Did you forget your key?”

“Yes,” said DJ. “I was heading to the pool and — ”

“Let me help.” And just like that, the maid waved her magic card through the door and DJ walked in. Although she felt guilty for lying, she also felt desperate. She thanked the maid, entered the suite, and closed the door. It was similar to Eva’s suite, but with only one bedroom. She tiptoed toward the bedroom, preparing herself for anything.

But to her relief, Taylor and Eliza, still fully clothed, were on top of the queen beds. Probably passed out. DJ paused long enough to be sure they were still breathing, and she considered tossing a blanket over them, but thought why bother? It’s not like they took their health seriously. Then, without saying a word, she slipped back out.

“Everything okay?” asked the maid.

“Just fine. Thanks.” She considered putting a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, but if anyone deserved to be disturbed, it seemed like those two had it coming. For the next few hours, DJ swam laps, sunned, read her book, got a nice late lunch, which she ate poolside in the cabana, and took a nice little nap. She enjoyed herself. Really, she wondered, what was wrong with that? Once again she had to question what was it about drinking, flirting, and clubbing that was so enticing to some girls? Was it worth the risks? And what about the hangovers? Really, it seemed totally crazy.

By the time DJ returned from the pool, it seemed that her friends were in agreement. Somehow Eliza and Taylor managed to make it back to Eva’s suite, but they both still looked a little green around the gills.

“I’m not going to do that again,” Eliza assured DJ as she held a cold washcloth to her forehead.

“At least not real soon?” DJ couldn’t help but be skeptical. But Eliza didn’t respond. Taylor was in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed with a blank look on her face. “Are we having fun yet?” teased DJ.

Taylor threw a flip-flop at her. Then DJ went out to discover that Eliza was heading for the door. “Tell Taylor I’ll be in my suite,” she muttered as she shuffled out. “I thought I felt better, but now I’m not so sure . . .”

At around six that evening, both Taylor and Eliza rallied. “Let’s get something to eat,” suggested Taylor.

“Maybe some soup,” said Eliza tentatively.

“Or a big thick steak,” said DJ dramatically, “bloody rare.”

Eliza made a face and turned away, but DJ just laughed. She wasn’t being very nice, but she was only trying to remind Eliza of her stupidity. To drive the point home.

“I think I’ll have a steak too,” said Taylor as they rode down the elevator. “And maybe some fried eggs on top, real greasy and — ”

“Shut up!” Eliza leaned against the elevator wall. “Or I’ll hurl on both of you. I swear I will.”

Taylor just laughed. But neither of them made any more food jokes.

“You must have a cast-iron stomach,” said Eliza to Taylor as they walked through the casino toward the restaurant. No one ordered drinks with dinner, which DJ took as a good sign. After her soup, Eliza felt well enough to indulge in a salad too. Meanwhile, Taylor and DJ indulged in rib eye steaks.

“I really wanted to see your mom perform,” said Eliza as they were finishing.

“She’s on tonight at 7:30,” said Taylor. “Knock yourself out.”

“Really? Can we still get tickets?”

Taylor just rolled her eyes. “I’m not going. But I can get you a ticket if you really want to.”

“Please, come,” urged Eliza. “Both of you.”

“I’m happy to go.” DJ agreed for two reasons. For one thing, she really liked Eva’s voice. Besides that, it was a way to keep these girls out of the clubs. Although she suspected that Eliza wouldn’t be tempted tonight.