Page 5 of High Side
“Who does the hot tub?”
“Joe? He worked for a hotel one year doing the pool and the spa there. He knows all the pH stuff.”
“Nice. I’m pretty good at cleaning jets, so I can help.” She would pull her weight for a chance to stay here all summer. This place was choice.
“Excellent. Joe will welcome it. You’ll be back here in 8B. Jilly is the only one in here right now, but these places fill up, as you can imagine. I stayed in 4C for a long time.”
“I like it.” The next room had an open door, so she looked in. Someone clearly liked music. There was a guitar and a couple of posters of alt-country types strewn around. Brit could live with that. “This works great.” Seriously, the beds were even on the floor, not up and down.
“Perfect. You have somewhere to sleep tonight? I can give you a key today, if you need it. I know how it sucks before the first paycheck.”
“I—” She pondered that. She could sleep in her truck, but… “Yeah. I would appreciate it. I can sign a form or something, if you need me to.”
“Nah. You pretty much already did. I can recommend a few places to eat where you can get a discount, too, or if you have food, the pots and pans are common use. Just wash up.”
“Cool. Is there a place to get a beer and a burger?”
“There is. Cherry’s Pies has both, and so does Leo’s. Either one will have a ton of the summer workers around.”
“Cool. Thanks. That sounds great.”
Kylie led her down the hall to the door with an eight on it. She knocked and a tiny hottie with eyes like black buttons and dreads to her waist answered the door.
“Kylie! You bringing me a victim?”
“You know it, babe. Jilly, this is Brittany. She’s a newbie, and she’s all yours.” Kylie gave Jilly a hug that seemed a few seconds too long, then let her go.
“Hey.” Brittany wasn’t sure whether to shake hands or just wave or what.
Jilly held out a hand, giving her a firm shake. “Come on in. Any bunk but mine.”
Jilly’s little corner was a riot of color, pillows piled on the bed, an oar standing in the corner.
“I’ll let y’all get to know each other. Come up front for the keys. I’m working the desk this morning.”
“Will do. Thanks.” Brittany watched Kylie go with real disappointment. That was one fine-looking woman. She turned back to Jilly. “You don’t mind a roomie?”
“I was going a little stir-crazy on my own.” Jilly moved to flop down on her bed. “So you’re going to go full on here?”
“I’m pretty sure, yeah. You like it here, right?”
“Love it. Mama Lupe is the best, and Liz runs a tight ship. Everyone is totally into the river.”
“Cool. I like to hear it from someone who’s not a manager, you know?” She wanted to be sure she wasn’t getting a line of BS.
“Oh, Ky? She’s a bit of a rules stickler, but she’s totally cool. The senior guides run together, but they have to, right?”
“Yeah, sure. That makes sense.” She kinda hoped they had the guides’ backs too. Sometimes the whole customer is always right thing got out of hand, especially when there was competition for tips. But she would get a feel for the culture on the trip tomorrow.
“Yeah. So—important stuff. What’s your position on green and music?”
“I am a fan of both.” She grinned. “And since I don’t intend to become a ranger for a couple of years, unless they test here, I can indulge in both as well.”
“Good deal. It’s totally legal, and we have a little cabin they prefer we smoke in. We stock it with cereal and Doritos.”
“I’ll save part of my pay for discretionary Doritos.”
“Then you are totally in. Music?”
