And Back Again

Chapter 8

"Hey, it's me, obviously. I wanted to come by before you left but I crashed hard last night and woke up super late. I'm sorry. I know we have to talk and all but I just wanted to say I'm sorry for snooping, that was wrong, and I love you so much. Please, be careful, and when you get home we binge season three of Stranger Things. I love you, Angel. I'll see you tomorrow."

The voicemail ended and Angel looked at Coco with a small smile. "We're good."

"Thanks for the update, carnal, I was really concerned," he said sharply.

"Should be," Gilly cracked. "They break up again and we all gotta suffer."

Angel pulled a face, unamused by their joking, and turned his attention to the elevator light as the numbers flicked higher and higher. "What floor?" He asked the bellhop.

"The Penthouse suites are on the 12th floor, sir."

"How much a night?" Angel asked.

Coco laughed. "You gonna bring her here?"

"Shut up," he said defensively.

"The suites vary, day of the week, season, and holidays are all factors. Generally, they range from 1,500 a night to 3,500."

Gilly laughed quietly at Angel, Coco snickering behind him, and neither stopped until the elevator doors opened.

"Fuck you guys," Angel grumbled.

"You're so easy," Gilly giggled.

"Gentlemen, this is your room," the bellhop announced. "The Presidential suite is reserved for the party, surrounding suites are also blocked off for other guests. Here are the room keys," he handed one to each man, "And a key for the Presidential suite."

"Thanks, Jeeves," Angel joked, slipping the man a fifty dollar bill.

The bellhop cleared his throat and nodded, swiftly exiting the room and closing the door behind him.

"This is shit crazy," Coco said, looking around the room. "He booked the whole floor?"

Angel nodded. "Where's Creep?"

"Stopped at his sister's," Gilly told them.

"Alright," Angel clapped his hands once. "Mini Bar?"

"No minibar," Gabe announced loudly as he strolled into the room. "No alcohol until after the job," he elaborated. "You're welcomed to order room service, take a nap maybe, but no alcohol and no drugs."

It made sense and it was a valid request but they didn't like how Gabe went about telling them. Swallowing their annoyance though, the Mayans agreed and immediately started flipping through the menu.

"What's up?" Gabe asked Angel, seeing he was the only one not pouring over his options.

"Nothing," Angel shrugged.

"Sorry about that cookie shit," Gabe said.

"Alright," he nodded.

"No, really," he insisted. "I move that close to the goddamn border and the only assholes I talk to have goddamn accents," Gabe huffed.

"So you wanna meet Americans?" Angel asked, unsure of what he was trying to say.

"No," he chuckled. "That came out wrong. I'm with Lucky Charms all the time and most of Bastian's staff are from South Africa," he explained. "I want to know where to get a good goddamn meal, a real meal."

Angel laughed, offering the man his hand for a shake, and nodded. "I got you."

"Thank you," he sighed. "My old man, a real fucking prick, I'd kill him my goddamn self for one of my mom's pozole."