“Oh yeah, I’m good,” he said, giving her an embarrassed laugh. “I got a hard head. I’m a New Yorker; we’re all hardheaded and thick-skinned.”
“Good to know.” She laughed before she turned to go back and get more food.
Even with Melody’s attempt at goodwill and Clay being generally ambivalent toward his rival sitting behind them, breakfast wrapped up quicker than it would if it weren’t for Romeo listening to everything they were talking about. They didn’t have any obligations for the rest of the day, and it was strange for all of them. They walked across the hotel, passing the casino on their way back to the elevator. Aside from sitting in their rooms doing nothing, no one could come up with a good plan of action. Though Clay seemed on board with camping out in the suite, Melody felt like they needed to get out and see something on their last day in Las Vegas.
“We could go Christmas shopping,” Melody suggested, feeling excited at the prospect. She had a small stash of money that she’d brought with her. She had been going to use it to set herself up in a new town, but now that she’d decided to stay, Christmas shopping sounded like a much better idea. “Could be fun.”
“Who the heck are we gonna shop for?” Wyatt snorted, pulling a face of bemusement at Melody.
Melody stopped, considering that. “Your deputies?”
“I gave ’em gift cards already.” Wyatt shrugged. “They count on ’em to do their own Christmas shopping.”
“Your employees at the Cellar.”
Clay winced, draping his arm over Melody’s shoulder. “We give ’em cash.”
“Oh.” Melody glanced up at Clay and then turned to Jules and Wyatt. They appeared genuinely lost at the idea of Christmas shopping. “Don’t y’all buy things for each other at least?”
Jules gave her a look. “Why would we?”
“’Cause it’s Christmas.” Melody laughed, having never encountered three bigger Scrooges in her entire life. “And ya love each other.”
“That’s exactly why we ain’t gotta buy each other anything,” Jules said dismissively. “We could go to a show.”
“Pass,” Clay said quickly.
“Yeah, I think I’d rather go Christmas shopping for friends and family I ain’t got,” Wyatt agreed. “Shopping’s better than those flashy shows.”
“I like ’em,” Jules said indignantly. “Maybe Melody’d like one too.”
Wyatt huffed and started walking again. “Then you two go.”
“If Melody want’s to go, then I guess I could go,” Clay offered, giving Melody a smile. “I’m spending today with her.”
“Then what the heck am I supposed to do while y’all are gone?” Wyatt complained. “Sit in my room jerking off for five hours?”
Jules reached up, smacking the back of Wyatt’s head. “Can you pretend you’re not a pig?”
“No, I can’t,” Wyatt said blandly. “I got a headache. I feel like hell.”
“I told ya Conners shouldn’t drink.” Clay grinned, pulling Melody closer and squeezing her arm. “Why don’t we try Christmas shopping? It can’t be too bad. Maybe I’ll buy you two something.”
“Maybe,” Jules said, casting a sideways glance at her brother. “Maybe I’ll buy y’all something too.”
“I ain’t buying neither of you shit,” Wyatt announced, though a smile quirked his lips. “You’ll get nothing and like it.”
“Well, fuck you, then.” Clay laughed.
Wyatt started laughing too. “Fuck you too, you cheesy bastard. I liked ya better ornery.”
“Yeah, this is my life,” Jules said sadly before a laugh burst out of her. “I’ve been dealing with this on a daily basis since I was in middle school. Take pity on me.”
“I do.” Melody laughed with them. “I’m definitely buying you something.”
“I’m buying you something just for taking one of ’em off my hands.” Jules grinned. “I just gotta change, and we’ll take off.”
“That works,” Clay agreed and then kicked at Wyatt’s shin, getting him to make a sound that seemed like a reluctant agreement.
Melody couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this lighthearted. She looked down at herself to study another new dress, this one black with vibrantly colored paisleys running up the side of it. It was lower cut than she usually wore, but she was feeling a bit wild today and decided it was more than acceptable, especially with—