Page 40 of Smooth Moves
Rafael swallowed, hating that he felt so much fear. From this guy, from his life, from his inability to understand so many things. Fury overwhelmed him, and he struck out as hard as he could.
He made contact with Cash’s flat belly. Either the guy had expected the hit and tensed to brace himself or, worse, he always felt like concrete. Rafael didn’t know, and now his hand hurt. He didn’t plan to hang around for the repercussions.
He tried to run and found himself jacked against the wall, Cash’s mighty forearm against his chest, the big guy not even winded. Rafael flailed a little more and got nowhere.
“Not bad. You done?”
He felt a second wind coming. “Don’t you touch me,” he shouted and tried to break free.
Cash sighed. “Kid, if I ‘touched’ you, you’d know it. I don’t hit teenagers. And I sure the hell don’t let anyone talk bad about Jordan.”
Rafael’s heart rate started to settle.
“That’swhy you’re up against this wall, and you know you deserve it.”
Rafael started to sag, embarrassed it took someone not family to defend the only person who genuinely cared about him. His eyes burned.
Cash slowly eased back and stuck his hands in his pockets, no doubt seeing the tears Rafael didn’t want to shed. “Look, Rafael. Jordan loves you. If I’d had a sister that great when I was your age, someone who took care of me and wanted the best for me no matter what, I might have turned out a better guy. You’ve got that. Don’t blow it. I don’t know what your shit is. I do know you have it in you to be a better person. And that’s not about grades or school or joining theArmy.” He sneered the word, and Rafael wanted to both laugh and cry. “But don’t get your ass arrested because it’ll fuck up your life before you can get started.”
He paused, still watching Rafael so carefully. “You’re not the only one dealing with crap in your life. Everyone has it. It’s what you do about it that counts. So you suck at school. So what? I can’t spell worth a damn, and I don’t care. I’m amazing. Just look at this.” Cash flexed his biceps and grinned. “I focus on the things I can do right. I’m big. Might be dumb as a rock, but I know how to protect the people I care about. And, yeah, I move shit for a living, something anyone can do. But when I’m doing it, I’m the best damn mover you’ve ever seen.”
Rafael wanted to say something mean, but what could he say? Cash laid it out, called himself stupid and awesome in the same breath. “I…I hate school.”
Cash said nothing.
“My life is my business. Not yours.”
Still nothing.
“But I won’t drag Jordan down.”
Now the big guy nodded.
“I didn’t mean to before. It’s just that I get so frustrated. School sucks so much. It’s summertime, and I’m having to deal with learning stuff.”
Cash sighed. “I feel for you. I hated classrooms. And it doesn’t stop after high school. There’s always something you gotta learn. But stripping an M-16 was fun. So was learning offensive tactics and blowing crap up. So maybe you find something you like, and you can focus on that.” He paused. “I’m not gonna Big Brother you. I know you’re a man and can handle yourself. But a man takes care of his family first.” Cash frowned. “Just between you and me, your folks are sorry-ass people.”
On that Rafael agreed. Though he loved his parents, he didn’t understand why they wanted to throw him away.
“I mean, why aren’t they helping you? Why does your sister, who just got out of the service and is still adjusting to civilian life, have to deal with your problems? Not saying she shouldn’t because she’s that kind of person. She’s got heart. But, man, your parents have money and time Jordan doesn’t have.”
And that made Rafael feel even worse about everything. He was so stupid, always making mistakes because his brain didn’t work right. Bad enough he’d sunk himself. Now he’d brought Jordan down into his mess.
Cash kept talking about life choices, that new tutor Jordan wanted him to use, and how high school didn’t really matter in the end so long as he got through it. Rafael heard the words but couldn’t make sense of them, too trapped in misery. He wanted space to think, time to figure out what he needed to do to make things right.
Jordan came through the door carrying a container of ice cream, and her obvious concern tore him up. Handling all his shit on top of her own issues. Because, yeah, he’d seen her looking at different college applications for herself, at trade schools, other jobs she might want. Stuff she couldn’t do while helping him deal.
“Everything okay—Rafi!” She was fast and grabbed him by the tail of his shirt before he could bolt.
Afraid to cry in front of her and Cash, he tugged away and waved over his shoulder as he rushed past her. “I’m good. Just going to grab something and give you two lovebirds some space. I’ll be at Daniel’s, I swear. I’ll text you.” Then he hurried to freedom…well, as much as he could get on his limited bus fare budget.
* * *
Cash didn’t know what the hell had gone through Rafael’s head, but he’d thought the kid had heard him on all the finer points. He seemed a decent enough boy, if a little sarcastic. But didn’t everything merit rebellion at that age?
“What did you do?”
Uh oh. Jordan looked angry, a momma bear protecting her young. He held up his hands. “Whoa. Don’t look at me. I tried the heart-to-heart with the kid. He hates school, is frustrated with life, and doesn’t understand what the hell I’m here for.”
