Page 120 of Sapphire Sunset

“Your record with other people is pretty wobbly right nowtoo,” Connor said.

“Oh, so you’re going back to being a smart ass now, I see.”

“And you’re going back to calling me names like you didyesterday.”

“Yeah, well, you made out all right. You got Murdoch wrappedaround your finger, that’s clear.Shouldafired thatguy last year. That’s what Buddy wanted. Funny part is we’d just startedputting pressure on him. We were even writing him up for the first time. Heprobably would have been out of here in another month.”

“Why did you wait?” Connor asked.

Rodney shrugged, and his hooded eyes showed how drunk hewas. “He had actual skills.”

“Besides blackmail, you mean?”

“Whatever,” Rodney said. “He gave you your little moment onthe news and now I’m the villain. All that matters, right?”

“You showed up drunk with a camera crew,” Connor said.

“And you had plenty to say about it. Like at the pressconference.”

“The press conference was about trying to get Sylvia Miltonoff our backs. And I was as polite as I could have been. I gave you a chance toleave and you called me a faggot and told me shit about my dad.”

“Yeah, well, that’s also why I’m here.”

When Rodney turned to the door, Connor thought he might leadthem into the bedroom. A stupid move, but one a drunk man might make, and agood development for Connor because it would bring him closer to a possible escape.Instead, Rodney pushed the bathroom door closed and leaned against it. When thelock clicked into place, Connor’s heart resumed its race toward panic.

“I’m listening,” Connor said.

“None of that shit was true.”

“None of what shit?” Connor asked.

“Your dad, he didn’t say those things. About you being gay.About wanting a daughter instead.”

I will not cry in front of Rodney.Under nocircumstances will I cry in front of my shitbag uncle.

“Why did you say them then?” Connor asked.

“I was pissed. About the press conference. I swear, wheredid you get your mouth? It’s got to be your mom,’causeyour dad always took twenty minutes to answer a question. So busy looking atall the options. Figuring out what was safe.”

“Is that why you hate me so much?” Connor asked. “Because mydad didn’t answer your questions fast enough?”

Rodney licked his lips and cleared his throat, probablybecause they were dry as bones. “Do you know what it’s like to feel differentfrom everyone around you?” he finally asked.

“You’re not serious, are you? Are you actually asking theonly gay member of your family if he’s ever felt different?”

Rodney waved his hands through the air. “You being gay neverhad a damn thing to do with a damn thing, is what I’m saying.”

“Well, that’s news. What was it then?”

“You were like them. You thought you weregood. Youwere all about process and not results. You would take every step and show offwhile you were doing it. You were about things that sounded good but didn’tmake any damn money. I didn’t give a shit if you sucked dick or zucchinis. Icouldn’t have you at the hotel. Watching over my every move, reporting back tothem. I was using what I had to try to get some space.”

“You didn’t use what you had,” Connor said quietly. “Youused what I am.”

Rodney’s glare reminded Connor that, weapon or no weapon,his uncle was still twice his size.

“So were you so eager to keep me out because even five yearsago you knew you’d eventually blackmail the guests here?”

“Oh, come on. They weren’t angels. That Milton, before hegot cancer, he used to talk to the staff here like they were lower than dirt.Then he has the nerve to turn one of our villas into a private cancer ward? Youwant to know how we found out? One of our housekeepers almost got stuck with ahypodermic needle so I called him myself to try to figure things out, figuringit might be a drug thing we should keep on the down low. He lied through histeeth about it and told me no general manager worth his salt should bebothering himself with a guest’s trash, then he lectured me for twenty minuteson how I didn’t measure up against the GMs at the supposedly much fancierplaces he stayed with his wife. What the fuck ever. But that’s the hotelbusiness. Trying not to drown in everyone’s entitlement. Keeping a smile onyour face twenty-four seven even though all you’re seeing is the worst side ofeverybody.”

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