Page 117 of Smooth Moves
“Look, I’m sorry.” Cash sighed. “There. We good now?”
The thugs holding him froze and looked back at Gold Tooth, apparently not having expected him to cooperate.
Gold Tooth blinked. “What? Oh, ah, yeah. That’s right, you’re sorry. Fucker.”
Cash was really tired of all this. His mother’s revelation, worries about Jordan, Rafi, now this? He’d had too much to handle all day. And he needed the fight. “You know what? Iamsorry. Sorry Jim here smells he like blew a zombie and swallowed some bad jizz. Sorry that gold tooth in your watermelon-sized head is fucking with the tiny signals trying to get to your brain. Sorry that Blue Shirt can’t hit worth a damn. No doubt he can’t swing more than that tiny dick—”
Cash lunged out of their holds before a metal pipe made contact with his head.Jesus.He didn’t think his brain could take another bashing so soon. Gold Tooth swung again and managed to hit Jim in the back.
It would have been comical if he’d seen Blue Shirt’s punch to his ribs. Or if he could have avoided that kick to his knee…
* * *
After his visit to the bar Sunday evening, Cash realized his arm had to be broken, the pain super intense and not getting any better. So Monday he’d spent several hours at the hospital getting his arm taken care of—the splint and sling were such a bitch—then hung out at Ritter’s place after debriefing the guy.
By noon Tuesday, Cash knew he’d put it off as long as he could. He’d already texted an apology to Jordan, explaining he’d gotten some bad news at his mom’s and was trying to deal with it. He’d also texted Reid because his little brother could be such a pain in the ass with all the worrying.
And then he’d texted Evan because with Cash’s injuries, he’d be out a few weeks and wouldn’t be able to help anyone move anything—according to the doctor. But Cash figured after a few days managing the pain and finally getting a damn cast, he’d get back to packing and moving small boxes at least.
He’d intended to avoid work, but Reid had threatened to sic Naomi, Aunt Jane, and Evan on him if Cash didn’t show his face sooner than later. That little fink Rafi had told Reid a few things he should have kept to himself.
Cash knew the crew would be mostly out on the job, but he still did his best to scout around before parking his car and entering the Vets on the Go! building. It probably hadn’t been too smart to arrive at noon, during lunch, but most of the gang ate when working, so he figured lunch to be as safe as it could get. With any luck, Reid would be out too and Cash could leave a message with Dan, face to face. Then Dan could tell Reid that Cash had nothing more than a busted arm, softening the news before Cash delivered it in person.
At the top of the stairs, he took a moment, as his bruised ribs protested. He held his left arm closer to his body, hating the necessary immobility, and walked quietly down the hallway.
Unfortunately, one of the geeky computer repair guys standing outside his repair shop saw Cash and gasped. “Hell, man. What truck ran you over?”
“Yeah, right? Can you believe it was a fight over an apology? Some women don’t like it unless you’re on your knees then unconscious.”
The guy’s eyes widened. “Awomandid that to you?”
“You know the short, pretty one with the dark hair who works with us?”
The guy nodded, still gaping at Cash’s cast and black eye.
“Well, I still love her, but I won’t ever piss her off again. All I’m saying.”
The guy nodded. “Good idea.” He swallowed loudly then darted back into his shop.
His mood restored, Cash continued to the end of the hallway. Inside the office, he found it empty except for Dan working the front desk. Fortunately, Cash wouldn’t be upsetting any customers with his injuries.
“Damn, son. What the hell ran you over?” Gunny Dan Thompson, their octogenarian admin expert, who they couldn’t do without, shook his head. “Marines, always in the thick of things. Don’t suppose we’ll be seeing more calls because of this, will we?”
The last time Cash had been in a violent altercation, he’d been filmed saving a kid from a burglary. The business had gotten substantial PR from it, and they’d been busy ever since. Although, come to think of it, Cash had beaten a few assholes since then. Namely, a few guys at Jameson’s Gym, right before he’d gone at it with Reid. And then, sure, Elliot’s assholes. Hmm. Maybe he did have a tendency to fight a lot…
“And a head wound? You’re not answering me.” Dan sighed. “Your brother’s gonna have a field day with you.”
Cash grinned. “I’m sure.”
“You want something to eat, kid? I just ordered some sandwiches for us. I can add one for you.”
“Could you? Some meat would be good.”
“I have you covered.”
“Thanks, Gunny.”
Dan smiled. He loved when the guys called him Gunny. Like Cash and Reid, he’d cherished his time in the service and missed it since he retired. But around everyone at Vets on the Go!, it felt like a special branch of the military still existed. A bunch of veterans who loved their country and their respective services. It felt like…home.
