Page 67 of Cash

"What happened?"

"I was out with the new girl I'm dating after spending the day fucking golfing with her family and ex fucking boyfriend."

"Yikes, why would you do that?"

"Because it's for some wedding bullshit next weekend. We were out at the bar, and he fucking showed up again, but I decided to trust her. But we ran into some women there..."

Ethan nodded seeing where this was going. "And they hit on you?"

Cash nodded. "I told them I was with someone, and I thought we were good, but somehow it all went sideways. She asked how many women in the bar I slept with. I answered honestly. She got in an Uber, and here I am." He grumbled as he drew his finger through the condensation on his glass.

"That's fucked up. You either answer honestly and piss her off, or you lie and piss her off."

Cash nodded.

"And I just tried to text her but she fucking blocked me again. I haven't slept with anyone besides her since April. April, Ethan. I haven't gone that long since I started having sex, but it was easy because even as pissed as I am, I still don't see anyone but her. She's all I want...but I think she might be out of my league."

"That's some bullshit. She’s not out of your league. Your Cash fucking Hawthorn. You’re someone I always want on my side, you’re one of the best dudes I know."

Cash just sighed; his eyes still buried in his whiskey.

"I mean it. You're one of the best."

They finished their drinks and fries and Ethan drove him home. He went in and River was laid on the couch with a horror movie on.

"Hey Cash," River sat up and looked at him.

"I'm going to bed," he grumbled as he headed up the stairs.

"Rough night?" he asked behind him.

"Yeah, see you in the morning."

He got in his room and closed the door. He managed to get his shirt and pants off and fell into bed in his boxers, happy to let today be a bad fucking memory.

26

CASH

Cash sat up in bed, his head pounding, loud music blaring from the Music room. Drums. Guitars. Female vocals. It sounded sick, but it was also fucking loud. He picked up his phone, it was already after ten. Groaning, he pulled his pillow over his head because not only was he hung over, but his phone also told him Evie never texted him back.

He pulled on some shorts and went into the kitchen and chugged a glass of water. If his head didn't hurt, he might enjoy the music coming from the room down the hall, but he needed to clear his head. He was still busy trying to figure out what happened last night.

Poking his head in the music room, he said, “are you guys playing Bikini Kill? Sounds amazing."

"Thanks," River said.

"I'm heading out for a run."

Without another word the music started back up. He really was impressed with River and the band he seemed to be forming. The roller coaster of the past few weeks was catching up with him. This teenager and the goddess that currently had him blocked had blown up his life so much that he didn't even recognize it anymore. He’d never had his life depend on anyone but himself before. He had no one to answer to. But that was all different now. He had to consider other people and their needs. That should bother him. He liked his life before Evie and River, but now he loved it.

He sat on his steps and laced up his running shoes and took off. He needed a clear head. Running was not as good as getting on the ice, but he would make do. As he was finishing up his run, he saw a familiar red head of hair running a few houses ahead of him. He quickened his pace to catch up.

"Hey man," Cash said as he caught up.

"Hey, how'd golf go?"

"The whole day was a shitshow," he grumbled.

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