Page 6 of Fake Coral and Keys

“This is the third time I’ve handed you money,” I say. Granted, I’ve never handed him so much. “Has yourwife found it yet?”

“Not yet,” he says, “but she knows I’m doing something.”

“Probably because you stamped ‘guilty bribe taker’ on your forehead before your morning coffee.”

The woman from earlier jogs back by. She shoots a sour look our way.

“Great,” he says, watching her pace slow for a few steps, then speed up. “She probably thinks I’m buying drugs.”

I study his name brand jeans, button-down shirt, sweater vest, and loafers, then back up to his dark brown eyes framed in square glasses.

“TJ,” I say his name as patiently as possible. “In what galaxy does a man in a sweater vest and loafers buy drugs?”

He shakes his head, looking nervously around again. “It’s drugs. Everyone always thinks it’s drugs, or some other shady shit, when two men meet in a park.”

With an exaggerated sigh, I glance at his shoes again, then back up to the twisted locks falling around his face. “You look like a professor.”

“A professor that buys drugs.”

Damn, this man is paranoid. “Maybe they think I’m bribing you, so I get an A on my exam so I can stayin lacrosse.”

“Fuck you,” he growls, and looks down at his loafers. “My wife says I look distinguished.”

“I would reconsider taking fashion advice from a new mom of triplets. I don’t think she’s had a decent night’s sleep in months.” Actually, I know she hasn’t. TJ mentioned this last when we met for our weekly court-ordered check-in.

He pats the pocket of his pants absently. I resist the urge to pull his hand away and remind myself in the many months I’ve gotten to know TJ, he’s the worst liar, and an even worse criminal. I’d never have considered offering him money and risk his neck to cover for me, if it wasn’t important.

“Are we good?” I ask, again checking my watch. If I’m late, or worse, miss the flight…

I can’t even think about that. It felt like I waited an eternity for Daisy to show up and tell me it was time for another horrendous Gathering. As much as I disliked her entire family, and discovered I’m a little terrified of her yoga instructor mother, I’d do anything to spend more time with her, including handing my parole officer thousands of dollars.

TJ looks over at me, then around the park again. “We’re good.”

I nod and pat his arm. “I’ll call you in a few days.”

He nods again and walks away, but then turns around. “Is she worth it?”

My eyes widen a little. I guess it’s pretty obvious I’m doing all this for a woman. “She’s worth it.”

He nods, then turns. “Her pussy must be gold.”

“Platinum,” I call after him.

He waves and then shoves his hands in his pockets before he heads back the way he came.

I glance at my watch, then break into a run to retrieve my duffle. If I can get a cab now, I’ll be able to make it. At the gates to the park, three cabs line the curb. Perfect. Opening the door to the first cab in line, I plop my bag on the seat.

The driver looks up from his phone and puts the car in gear. “Where to?”

I climb in and slam the door. “Silver Air Charters.”

The driver lets out a long whistle. “That’s going to take a minute with morning traffic.”

I grab two bills from my pocket and shove them towards the driver. “Can you make it in thirty?”

He eyes the hundreds, then me over the back seat. Plucking the bills from my hand, he shoves them in the pocket of his jeans. “I’ll do it in twenty if you got another one of those.”

***

---