Althena Book 2

52. Ut Oh

At the girls' club meeting we plan out our camping trip for the weekend. We're going to cook on a fire. Go fishing. Make necklaces. Paint our nails. They have a cabin rented in the woods for us. It's going to be so fun.

Thursday, I go back to the casino with everyone. Amber comes with us. She ignores Josh for the most part. But I don't think she's bothered by him anyway. The flooring is done. They are working on the walls for the shops now. So it's still horribly disorganized. The bank actually looks like a bank. It has bullet-proof glass and bars around it. Monte is really taking security seriously. He always does, though.

Akmae stands up when we're done eating. We're sitting at the tables that are still in the center of the main level floor. "I have some more questions before I can finish. I printed some ideas on black t-shirts. They are plain cotton t-shirts. Don't judge the shirt. Judge the logo and how it looks on the black. I know she wants black uniforms. Lila and I will be the models."

Lila runs over and waves. We clap and whistle. "Thank you. I should do this for a living."

Amber and I lose it.

Akmae tosses t-shirts at her. She puts it on over her tank top. Akmae takes his shirt off. Amber and I "WOOOO."

"GIRLS."

"SCENERY, CONNER. WE LIKE"

Amber finishes for me. "CHANDELIERS."

"Sure. I should have known."

Akmae laughs. "White or blue?"

Everyone. "Blue."

"K" He kicks a box out of the way. Then he puts on a different logo design than Lila. "The Pit on two lines with the drink beside it, or The Pit in a straight line with the drink in the middle?"

I smile. Both of them have a circle around them that looks like a poker chip.

"2 lines." Clayton takes a drink. "That's a hard one though."

Lila looks at herself. "It really is. Either is perfect."

Conner nods. "I like the 2 lines too. It's easier to read."

Slowly, everyone agrees.

Akmae turns around, and the logo is on the back. "Turn around Lila." She has no logo. "Logo on the back or no?"

"No." Mike shakes his head. "People wear stuff on the back of t-shirts. I'm not so sure if we'll be able to put the bar people in t-shirts."

Drogon nods. "They need to be dressed up a little more than that. At the very least, polos and black pants. A T-shirt would be too casual. Hell, the bank tellers are going to need to be in button downs."

"I agree. No logo on the back of the pit shirts. I love the logo, but not there."

"Perfect." Akmae kicks another box out of the way. Then he gives Lila a Coffino shirt. "Blue or white?"

"Blue."

He has 2 blue Coffino logo shirts made. His is perfect. I jump up and run to him. "MINE."

"WOMAN."

"MINE, MIKE."

"SIT THE HELL DOWN." He stands up and rubs his stomach. "1 word and that woman can give me indigestion."

"BUT..."

"Knock it off. You're going to make Mike sick." Drogon carries me to my spot. "You can't run at a man screaming 'mine' woman."

Lila, Clayton, Josh, Akmae, and Amber crack up laughing. Nobody else thinks it's funny.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize that. I didn't mean it. I meant the logo is mine. It's perfect. The logo is mine."

Cyrus tosses Mike some pills of some kind. "You can have the logo. Just sit down."

Mike sits down and rubs his eyes. "You're not going to top that reaction from her. That's the one Coffino is going with."

"Great. Logo on the back?" He spins around.

"Yes."

Mike side eyes me. "You going to put them in t-shirts, woman?"

"I ran the last coffee shop in a bikini. I'm pretty sure they can figure it out in t-shirts."

"You didn't r..."

Cyrus jumps up and cuts him off. "Knock it off. Your stomach is still upset. And honestly, t-shirts are fine in a coffee shop. To make them dress up would be too much."

"You're right." Mike winks at me. "T-shirts will be fine. They look good."

I smile and wiggle. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Akmae scratches his head. "Next is the Midnight Mirage Casino logo. The votes were all over with this one. I need Amber and Josh too. First blue or white?" All 4 of them put t-shirts on.

"Blue."

"Figured. I added some color to these spots. I can take the color out if you want."

We pick one easily. It's a token that has Midnight Mirage curved around the top. Casino is curved at the bottom. Then, in the middle, is a dice. It looks amazing.

Then Monte stands up. "I'm taking off. My stomach isn't right either. I've been working too damn much and eating takeout constantly. I'm staying home tomorrow."

Mike nods. "We could all use a day away. The kids have got their game tomorrow anyway."

Lila smiles. "We have our camping trip this weekend too."

"That'll be good for you. Let's call it a night. Akmae, you can work in the coffee shop on the weekends. Just don't tell anyone you're not 18. We're not doing that for everyone. And do not touch the slot machines or try to gamble in any way. If someone gives you a token for a tip, you take it to the bank and switch it out. You can't even play that 1 token."

"Ok and thank you."

Lila puts her hand up. "Can I work here too?"

"Would you come to work?"

"Probably not."

We crack up laughing at her.

I sneak off with Monte before he leaves. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"What are the options?"

I hug myself. "We don't buy tickets in his name, and we'll figure it out later. This is not a life or death situation, and I am scared to death about what you're going to find there."

"Me too. That's why I'm going to go now. If something is there, it's only a matter of time before someone else finds it. If there are more pictures or videos, drugs. I will destroy them. It'll be over and done. We can't let something like that get out. We know this."

"This is giving me indigestion."

"Don't worry. It's probably like the boat. I may find a box of stupid s**t, but it was spotless other than that. That's what I'm anticipating walking into. It's going to be fine. I'll have my phone. Call me if you start to worry."

"I hate that you're going alone."

"This is Edwardo's house. We don't know what's there. We can't tell anyone. There would be way too many questions. You got the address, now it's my turn. I know how to take care of myself."

I nod and he kisses my head. Then I throw my arms around him. "Please be careful."

He tilts my chin up and looks in my eyes. "I will." Then he gives me the sweetest kiss. I don't try to stop him. I pull him closer. He feels perfect in my arms. I enjoy every second I get to hold him. I love this. He gives me another little kiss after it stops. "I'll see you after your camping trip. Have fun."

I nod. I forget how words work. He smirks and walks out.

I turn around and Mike is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. I glance between Mike and the door Monte walked out a bunch of times.

Mike comes over and puts his arm around me.

I look up at him. "Ut oh."

"Yea, Monte and Cyrus both like you. I was wondering how long it would take Monte to tell you." He wiggles me. "But something tells me it shocked you."

"He never liked me before."

He bursts out laughing. "Yes. He did."

"What do I do?"

"I have no idea. We'll figure it out. Take your time. Enjoy your trip this weekend and talk about boys with a bunch of teenage girls. That should help. You need some time to sort out your feelings."

"Talking to the girls will help?"

He makes a funny face and an "Ehhh" noise.

I lean on him and try to understand. "That's why you never pushed to get Cyrus and I tested for the soulmate bond. You think Monte is my mate."

He smiles. "It doesn't matter what I think, woman. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. The only thing that matters is how you feel. Take some time to sort out your feelings."

"I love you."

"I love you, babygirl."