“Yeah, sometimes. This asshole and I eat a lot, so cooking is a life skill that we put to use quite often.”
I cock my head at them.
“But you don’t eat for free at the Corinthian?”
They shrug.
“Yes, we do, but we like to mix it up sometimes. Besides, not all the food at the hotel is healthy, so we prefer to make it ourselves sometimes. You know we’re aspiring professional athletes, right?”
I nod slowly.
“I’d heard that. I think Sean mentioned something about it. You’re aspiring marathoners, I think he said.”
Brent grins.
“Not really, although we both run. I do triathlons and Hunter’s an ultra-marathoner, meaning he does fifty mile races or longer. But yeah, working at the hotel is just a way to make money on the road to achieving our dreams. At the moment, we’re earning cash from sponsorships and whatnot, but it’s not quite at the level where we can sustain ourselves.”
I nod.
“I can imagine. And working for the Corinthian must be perfect because as blackjack dealers, you work during the night, right? So during the days you can train.”
Hunter nods.
“Exactly. It’s a lifestyle we’re used to actually because once upon a time, we were ski bums in Tahoe.”
I giggle.
“Really?”
The handsome men nod, flashing Crest-white smiles.
“Yeah, it was a long time ago. But we’d ski during the day and play the casinos at night. Soon, we found steady work as blackjack dealers, and it’s been with us ever since.”
I nod.
“So the itinerant life suits you.”
Brent and Hunter shrug.
“It’s not really itinerant. I mean, yeah, we travel for races but otherwise we pretty much train year-round here in Vegas. Plus, we’re simple guys and have always had enough to live. The route to becoming a professional athlete is a bumpy one, but it’s a dream that we’re not willing to give up on quite yet.”
I nod.
“Dreams are priceless,” I say quietly. “I envy you.”
Hunter nods, suddenly serious.
“Dreamsarepriceless, honey, you’re right. But onto less serious things. So how was the party? Was Sean surprised?”
I giggle.
“Well, no because they could hear us the entire time,” I say in a droll tone. “Evidently, we were so loud that when they were lying in wait for Sean to arrive, they could hear us moaning and panting.”
Brent lifts a black eyebrow at me.
“Are you embarrassed? I’d totally understand if you were.”
I think for a moment.