Page 86 of Cash

“That’s got to be the child we talked to the social worker about,” Pippa says to Tammy.

“She spoke with us but decided to give it more time with his current home. When we didn’t hear back, I just assumed it was going well,” Tammy says with a frown.

“I’ll call her tonight, Livi. If it’s not working out for him there, then he should be moved. Tammy, Ava and I are all certified foster homes now. We were told he was deaf but not all the rest of his story. How horrible for him to be left alone with his mother!” Pippa states with compassion.

“If there’s anything James and I can do to help, please let us know. We’ve got somewhat of a bond with him, and he trusts us. We really want him safe and happy,” Livi says.

“I’ll let you know what I find out,” Pippa answers.

*~*~*~*

Livi: I’m off-duty in an hour. What do you want for dinner?

Me: I’ll grill

Livi: Chicken, salad, corn?

Me: Perfect. Come to the gym. We’ll go to the store together. Dad has Liam until later tonight so we can relax by the pool while grilling.

Livi: See you then

Needing cleaning supplies for the gym, Axel follows Livi and me to the store. I’m currently pretending I don’t know who he is even though we’re both wearing the same cut. Livi’s more busy laughing at Axel than gathering groceries. I continue pushing my grocery cart, grabbing what we need, and refusing to look Axel’s direction. He’s already gotten himself, Pooh and Vex banned from a toy store and obviously didn’t learn from that incident.

No large, bald biker should be trying to stand on the back of a grocery cart and glide up and down the aisle, but he is. He’s riding that thing like a scooter. Leaning over it, holding onto the sides, pushing with one foot, Axel’s gaining a lot of attention.

Eventually, Axel’s balance shifts wrong and the grocery cart flips over backward, knocking him on his ass. Cleaning supplies roll everywhere, and Livi bends over laughing at him. Axel reaches for the paper towel rolls laying nearby and starts heaving them at us while sitting in the middle of the aisle.

“Is your friend okay?” asks a female voice from behind me.

I turn to assure the lady that he is and recognize the EMT that came to my house the night Liam came to live with me.

“Yeah, he’s fine,” I say while attempting to keep my face turned away.

“Hey! I know you!” she says loud enough to gain Livi and Axel’s attention.

The woman pulls on my arm, and I turn back to her smiling face. Damn it all to hell.

“Yeah. Hey, nice to see you again. He’s fine. Thank you for asking. Have a nice day,” I say hurriedly before turning and trying to make my escape before she mentions how she knows me.

My plan goes to hell when Axel stands and walks up to us.

“Hello, nice lady. Thank you for your concern. Would you be kind enough to tell us how you know my dear friend Cash?” Axel asks in a syrupy sweet voice.

“Cash? That’s a cool name. Yeah, no problem. I’m an EMT and had a call-out to his house a few months ago,” she says to Axel before turning back to me.

“How’s your head? Did it heal up okay? You really should have gotten stitches. How’s that adorable little baby doing? If you need help with anything, you know you can call me, right? I gave you my number just in case,” the little chatterbox rattles off quickly while still holding onto my arm.

Jesus, how do I shut her up without being rude? Aren’t there laws about medical and privacy stuff? I’m sure there are but she doesn’t seem to mind spilling her guts. I glance to see Livi staring at the hand on my arm and not smiling. I sidestep enough that the EMT’s hand drops away, and I quickly slide my arm around Livi’s stiff shoulders.

“Oh shit, I forgot about that head injury, Cash. How did that happen again? I forget,” Axel asks in a fake concerned voice.

I may have to kill him. Slowly. With lots of blood and pain.

“You never did tell me how you injured yourself. The call-out just said there was a baby in distress. My partner and I laughed later about new parents and how they always panic. You’re not the only new parent to have called 911 over a crying baby. Last time I saw you, you weren’t wearing this much clothing, though,” the lady says with a laugh while not catching on that I’m not happy with this conversation.

“Well, thank you again for your help. Have a nice day,” I mumble before turning Livi and myself, grabbing my cart and stalking off.

Once making it to the next aisle, I chance a look at Livi and see a smirk. I ignore it and hustle us down the rows, indiscriminately tossing shit into my cart. We’re nearing the checkout lanes when I hear Axel’s voice.

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