Chapter 2 #2
As the show started, I had a hard time figuring out where to look.
The screen was one hundred and sixty square feet and wrapped around the venue.
Our seats vibrated from the bass in the music, causing my breasts to jiggle.
Then there was the screaming. The Anjeni fandom was hardcore and when the queen graced the stage descending from the rafters, she was celebrated.
I thought the grown ass man next to me was going to pop a capillary the way he was carrying on.
After thirty minutes I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“I’m going to go get another drink. Do you want one? ”
“Girl, we’re not in the nosebleed section, we can use the app to order more drinks.” Anika shook her phone.
“I also need to pee. Is that in the app?”
My sister shooed me away, turning her attention back to the stage.
In the lobby, I hit up the restroom followed by the concession.
The space was packed with people running about, taking pictures, or purchasing tour merch.
My last concert was Usher, and I secretly wished I was the one he was feeding the cherry to.
For Mr. Raymond, I was prepared to act a plum fool.
In line it was clear I wasn’t the only one who was in need of something to distract me.
When I made it to the front, I ordered a Paloma, one of the overpriced specialty drinks.
“Thirty dollars for some liquor is obscene,” a deep voice called from behind me.
Turning, I was confronted with my reason to drink, Aldridge in a black knit top—that if you squinted was borderline see-through—and black pants to complete the look.
He was wearing sunglasses indoors, which was pretentious.
And he was clutching a T-shirt with Anjeni’s face on it.
She was so famous even actual famous people stanned her.
“What are you doing here?”
He removed his sunglasses, slipping them into the open collar of his shirt. “Not so nice when people show up to your spot unexpectedly.”
“The Sphere is not my spot any more than that house this afternoon was yours.”
“Well since I’m a Vegas resident now I thought I’d see what the city was hitting for.”
“And you managed to score yourself tickets to this exclusive concert?” Being wealthy must be amazing.
The ability to go anywhere, with damn near anyone, fuck the price.
I wasn’t struggling for money, but I still cringed when I checked the price tag on a Ferragamo purse.
Don’t get me wrong, I swiped the card anyway, but not without a moment of silence for my bank account.
“I’m Aldridge Mosley, all I have to do is ask. Shit sometimes not even that.”
“Looks like some things never change.”
“Ma’am, that will be $37.50,” the bartender called.”
“I got it.” Aldridge stepped up to pay.
“No, I can buy my own drink.”
“I know you can. But I’m not going to let you.”
“How do you intend to stop me?” I searched my small purse for my bank card but stopped when the distinctive chime of payment being rendered sounded. “Send me your Cash App and I’ll repay you.”
“Don’t insult me.”
I pushed out a resigned sigh. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Moving off to the side, I took a sip. It was worth the thirty-seven dollars. “Are you enjoying the show?”
“Uhm, I think I was experiencing vertigo.”
“Oh my God, I thought I was the only one. It’s ginormous.”
“When they said it was immersive, they weren’t kidding. If I sat in there for any longer my ears and nose were going to start bleeding.” Aldridge looked around. “Did you come alone?”
“No, I’m here with my sister.”
“Anika?” His face brightened. He thought my sister was a hoot.
“Yeah.”
“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.”
The AC in this place was on full blast but, somehow, I was overheating. “God, I hope that’s not true.”
He shrugged. “You know what they say, high risk can often equal high reward.”
Did he consider interacting with me a risk? And if that were the case, why would he continue to do it? Where was the reward in that?
“I gotta run. Remember if your nose starts to bleed during the second half of the show, pinch the soft part of your nose.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“Have a good night, Danessa.” He took a few steps backward as if sneaking one last look before turning and walking away.
A chill coasted down my spine. Aldridge was right, we were in danger.