Chapter 3 Kieran #2
By the time we land and weave our way through the airport with the others, Jace’s excitement has somehow multiplied, and I love it.
He gasps at the slot machines by the gates.
He insists on taking a photo in front of the giant Las Vegas sign to send to Joey and Patrick.
He even narrates everything he sees as we drive downtown, commenting on the different buildings and how interesting it must have been to build them when so many are uniquely shaped.
I already knew I needed to take him somewhere incredible for our honeymoon, but how excited he is confirms it. There’s so much he can experience in this world, and I want to be the one to show him.
When the SUV finally pulls up to the hotel, Jace’s jaw drops. “Is this where we’re staying?”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Ash assures him, and he raises a brow in Ash’s direction as if that’s not possible.
“This hotel is incredible! Just look at the architecture! And I thought the buildings in New York were cool.” Jace starts talking about different techniques they must’ve used to accomplish the design.
I don’t bother telling him there’s a New York–New York hotel in Vegas with a rollercoaster and a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
I’d rather show him in person so I can see his face.
Chad and Blake manage to check us in while we wait around in the lobby, and a moment later, a woman comes out from behind the desk and tells us to follow her.
“This will be your private elevator; it only goes to the penthouse floor, and to use it, you need to swipe your key. Each of you should have one, so make sure you don’t lose it.”
There’s a chorus of “Cool,” and “Okay, thanks,” and “Sounds good” as we fill the larger-than-usual elevator, which then shoots up to the penthouse.
When we get off, there’s another door for us to unlock, and when we open it, she smiles at us. “The penthouse is all yours for the weekend. Would you like a tour or are you all set?”
“I think we can manage, thank you,” Chad replies with his signature bubbly tone.
“Great,” she says, mirroring his smile. “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call or text our concierge. We’re here for you twenty-four seven.”
“Holy shit,” Jace whispers into my ear from his place behind me.
Blake steps up beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Go big or go home, right?”
“I can’t believe this place,” Liam agrees, echoing Jace’s thoughts.
“Only the best for my man,” Blake says, giving Liam a quick kiss. “Now whisk me away to our bedroom, fiancé! We call the nicest one!”
Blake jogs down the hall, pulling Liam after him. Once they’re out of earshot, Ash mutters, “This weekend is going to be painful.”
“Don’t worry, Ash. We can find you a nice man or woman to get down and dirty with.” Chad waggles his eyebrows in suggestion.
Ash blushes as he eyes him suspiciously.
“What’s your plan?” Ash asks, narrowing his gaze.
Chad shrugs. “It’s Vegas! You’re cute, and if you’re lonely, I’ll help you find someone. Then we can find me someone! It’ll be amazing. What about you, John, are you looking for love this weekend?”
John, who looks mildly horrified at the thought, grumbles something incoherent to himself.
Chad gasps, seemingly offended. “Excuse me, I don’t know what you just mumbled there, but I can be a wingman. I’m a great wingman.”
“Okay, listen up!” Blake claps his hands interrupting whatever’s happening here as he re-emerges from the hallway. “There are four bedrooms. Liam and I have already claimed the best one. First come, first serve for the rest! May the odds be ever in your favor.”
He darts back down the hall toward their claimed bedroom, and I grab Jace’s hand, wanting him to get us a good bedroom too. Though I don’t know how any bedroom in this place could be bad; the penthouse is incredible.
Ash walks through the open doorway across from the room we walked into. “Oh, wow, look at that view. If I’m going to be listening to Chad ask about gay sex all weekend, at least I can look at the scenery.”
So maybe he did hear him on the plane.
Chad bumps his shoulder as he strolls past. “You’re welcome, babe.”
“I’m not your babe,” Ash says with a laugh.
“Not with that attitude.” Chad winks.
“No, Chad, never. We need to find someone who actually wants to sleep with me to call me that. Not you trying to prove you’re an ally by flirting with us all, or whatever it is you think you’re doing.”
John stops in the doorway beside them. “Where’s my room?”
“Oh, are you talking to me again? You were so quiet on the flight,” Chad says excitedly to John.
“No,” John deadpans.
“You say no,” Chad says, flashing his huge smile at John as he steps closer, “but you’re also stuck sleeping with me, so we’ll see how long that lasts.”
John blinks slowly. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Chad, seemingly oblivious to the panic in John’s tone, simply looks between John and Ash. “Well, I’m sleeping with one of you, so who’s it gonna be?”
I feel like I’m watching a slow-motion video of a train wreck as Chad stands between John and Ash, who are both completely frozen in place as they stare at him.
“You think I’m sharing a room with you?” Ash asks, tone full of disbelief as he shakes his head. “Didn’t you just promise me that you were going to find me a hookup? Guess that means I’m out. Sorry, have fun, John.”
John’s jaw is clenched and his nostrils are flared as he looks between Ash and Chad. I really should go in my room and enjoy how excited Jace is, but honestly, I can’t look away.
“Chad. Didn’t you book this trip? Why would you only book four bedrooms when you know we need five?” John nearly growls.
“Because we don’t need five,” Chad explains like that should be obvious.
“Yes. We do,” John says through gritted teeth.
Ash gestures between the three of them. “Blake and Liam share a room, Kieran and Jace share a room, and then there’s us. The three single friends who each need their own space.”
“Right,” Chad agrees. “Three singles. Which is why I assumed one of you would be sleeping with me.”
“Why would you assume that?” John asks, sounding horrified.
Chad only laughs. “Why are you both acting like this is a big deal? Everyone else is sharing. The beds are all kings so there’s plenty of space. God, and you all think I’m dramatic?”
“This is hilarious,” Jace whispers over my shoulder, joining me in watching this unfold. “I’m just glad no one expected to share a room with us.”
“That’d never happen,” I whisper, leaning back into Jace, careful not to disrupt the tension happening in front of us.
“You didn’t even think to ask if we’d be okay with it? You expected one of us to just share a bed with you?” Ash asks, looking far more amused by the situation than John does.
“Well, yeah. This was the largest suite, and I didn’t want us to split up.
We’re here to spend the weekend together.
” Chad shrugs, looking genuinely confused.
“Blake and I have always shared a room on our trips before. Being alone sounds depressing. Besides, Ash, you’re always talking about how much you hate being alone. ”
John blinks at him. “So let me get this straight—”
“Impossible,” Ash mutters.
“You booked the accommodations,” John continues. “You knew there’re three single guys, and instead of finding a different hotel that said ‘five bedrooms,’ your brain just went, ‘Eh. Someone will want me’?”
Chad throws his hands up. “Yes! Thank you! Exactly! Finally, someone understands how my mind works.”
“No one understands how your mind works,” John clarifies.
“Whatever. You guys are no fun. I’ll just leave my stuff in the living room, and then we can see where the night leads us!” Chad says with an undeterred smile. “It’s time for us to get ready to go out! Let me get the candy dick necklaces! I can’t wait to see what you’re all wearing.”