Page 125 of Smooth Moves
“If you’re kicking ass with one arm, that’s probably how you’re losing your fights.”
Cash laughed until he groaned. “You aresolike your sister.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
* * *
Jordan hadn’t said so, but work Wednesday felt odd without Cash there. Rumor had it Evan would be stepping in for the next few weeks. Apparently the walking wounded needed time to recover.Yeah, time to put his brains back in and think before he speaks.
She wanted to sock him in the mouth then kiss the sting better. So many conflicting feelings about the Marine. She loved him; she wanted to kick him. She missed him; she wanted to keep her distance and figure out her feelings.
Next to her, Smith worked like an automaton. She couldn’t help herself and had cornered him earlier in the morning to ask if he was in fact related to Cash by blood. His blunt “Yes, and it’s none of your business,” uttered so quietly and with so much bottled-up pain, had made her drop the subject then and there.
Hours later, she still couldn’t help thinking about Cash’s strained family ties.
Now, knowing what she did about the relationship, she too clearly saw the similarities. Both big, brawny men. They had similar facial features and coloring, and those killer dark-green eyes under slashing brows. Also, despite Smith’s grumpy nature, he’d never done anything to make her feel unsafe. Even when he’d grabbed her in the bar, he hadn’t done more than annoy her. Just like Cash, making her feel protected.
“Quit staring at me,” he grumbled as he stacked another box. “It’s creepy.”
“Such a lovely manner you have. Did they teach you that in the Marine Corps?”
He bared his teeth in his semblance of a grin.
Next to her, Hector shook his head. “Something definitely crawled into his brain, ate the meat, and left a shit of an attitude.”
She cringed. “Terrific image for me to take to lunch, Hector. Thanks so much.”
He tapped her on the arm. “No problem, Little Army. Now quit flirting with Smith and get back to work.”
“This is why no one likes you, Hector.”
He smiled. “You know you love me.”
The rest of the afternoon passed in a weird lull, with sporadic humor by the team and occasional derision from Smith. But it was as if everyone missed something. Or someone. Without Cash, the party seemed less than it should be.
Her phone rang at the end of the day. “Hey, Rafi. How are you?”
“Good.” He lowered his voice. “Jordan, I think something’s really wrong with Cash. I called Reid, and he came over, but Cash pretends around his brother, and Reid doesn’t see it.”
“He’s a big boy. He can handle himself.” He needed her.
But does he really?Needed her to…what? To accept him running her life because she was too stupid to make her own decisions?
Anger flared.
“Jordan, please.” Rafi sounded desperate. “I’m afraid. And he’s hurt because of me. I think he might not be right in the head.”
She snorted with amusement.
“I’m serious,” Rafi snapped, unlike his recent pleasant self. “I know you’re having some problems with him. I get it. But, Jordan, what if he has some kind of head injury and dies? How are you going to feel about him then?”
* * *
Rafi disconnected and turned to the head case watching him. “She told me she’d be over in an hour.”
“How’d she take it? The head injury and dying part was a nice touch.”
