He was at the bar, sitting there having a drink and listening to the band play. I’m surprised no one even walked over to grab an autograph from him. I was also surprised that he wasn’t smoking. Concert was over, but I’m sure he knew that. Little teenagers and children ran around the casino with their parents going on a “Britney-search.” Hope they don’t check the Luxor. Midnight swimming, her fave after a concert.
I walked up to him, slowly and cautiously. But he was pulled into the music that he couldn’t even tell who was around him. I sat beside him and ordered a drink. I love Vegas bartenders. Some of them never ask for ID. The chorus of the song hit… a remake of a hit song for a local lounge band. I sang along with it, loud enough to make JC hear me. He turned around and saw me. I toasted him with my shot of rum.
He seemed nervous. I leaned in towards him. He spoke softly, trying to be drowned out by the music, “I just wanted to be alone tonight.”
“I have something to get off my chest. I need to talk to you.” I got off the bar stool and motioned towards the exit. He finished his drink, grabbing his jacket and leading me out towards the parking garage.
He rubbed his hands as if he was cold. I stopped after we got out of the casino, but he walked towards the stairs and to the sixth floor. “I don’t want to be seen. What do you want?”
“Why did I have to find out that you were in town from one of Brit’s dancers?” He wasn’t buying my bullshit. I knew he was in town and he knew it. He shrugged and walked towards the ledge, looking over the edge. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
“That’s not what you wanted to talk about.”
“You’re right.” I held my breath. Smiling to myself for a second, “Nevermind, it’s not important.” I headed back towards the stairs.
“Wade!” I stopped and faced him, “If it’s not important than you wouldn’t have walked through a crowd of teens without a bodyguard. You’re still wearing your ID. People do know who you are.”
I walked back towards him, looking at the ground. I forced myself to not look at his face. “You know how I feel about you, right?” Disgusted, animosity.
“Yes.”
“I want to know how you feel about me.”
He sucked on his cigarette for while, “I hate you. But that’s not what this is about.”
I finally stared at him. Blunt… I have to be blunt. “Gennie’s dead.”
The cigarette fell out of his fingers. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. It was like a corny dramatic scene cut from a movie. JC didn’t move… “When? How? I… oh shit.” His knees gave out beneath him and he fell to the ground.
I stood over him. Watching him. He wanted me to comfort him, but I knew I never would. “I killed her. Slit her neck. Did what you couldn’t finish.”
He looked up at me with so much scorn. So much hatred. His eyes searched around for answers… He slowly rose from the ground, balancing himself on a nearby car bumper. He took in a few deep breaths… his eyes never left me the whole time. He walked up to me, face to face.
“Fucker.”
It started to rain.