Page 120 of Thick & Thin

He was nowhere to be found. I did one more quick check around the police station, trying to find him. He definitely wasn’t there.

Maybe he went to wait in the truck?

I walked out and checked the parking lot. Dad’s truck was nowhere in sight, which meant that he was so pissed off that he left me there.

I was about to start walking toward home when I noticed the cougar lady from the bank lobby standing across the parking lot. She was perched against a long, black limo as she motioned for me to come to her with a finger.

Today had officially become the most fucked-up day ever, and it didn’t look like it was going to get any better. First, I get eye raped by an old broad in the bank. Then, I beat the hell out of the bank manager, which got me a swollen hand and jail time. Finally, I get mysteriously bailed out only to find the female eye rapist waiting on me outside the police station.

I made my way over to the limo.

“It’s about time. I was beginning to think they took my money and left you there,” she said in a husky voice.

“You bailed me out?” I asked, confused.

“Well, how else was I going to talk to you?”

“I’m sorry… do I know you?” I continued to question.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Ordinarily, I’d never be caught dead socializing with someone like you.”

Fire cut across my chest as my anger started to spike. “Then what the hell are you doing socializing withsomeone like me?” I asked in a mocking tone.

One more stuck-up bastard in my face tonight and I was going to snap.

“Let’s cut the small talk. I heard you pitching a fit at the bank today. You need money, and I have plenty, so let’s talk business,” she said.

“Look, lady, I don’t know how y’all do things in your world, but in mine, selling yourself will get you at least thirty days. Being that I just stepped out of the jailhouse, I’d prefer…”

She cut me off with a burst of laughter. “Iknowyou don’t think I’m suggesting I pay you for sex, do you?” She laughed out loud one more time. “Don’t get me wrong, kid, you’re nice to look at, but I’m into men, not boys.”

“Then what the hell do you want?” I asked rudely.

“I have a business proposition for you.” She pulled open the limo door and climbed in. “Care to join me?” she asked.

“I already said I’m not a…”

“Don’t flatter yourself!” She cut me off again. “Trust me… I’m far too much woman for a boy like you. Now, are you getting in the damn limo or not?” she growled.

I stood there, debating what to do. Finally, I stepped toward the limo and jumped in, shutting the door behind me.

“Where to?” she asked

“Walterboro… off Clements Road.”

“My God, youarea country bumpkin,” she huffed.

I sat there while she called orders to the driver and then pushed a little button, causing a barrier to rise between him and us.

“Now, let’s get back to business,” she said. “I need you to do something for me, and since you need money so badly, I’m prepared to pay you nicely, as long as you don’t screw it up.”

“Is this something illegal? Because I’m no criminal.”

“No, it’s not illegal.”

“Okay, shoot me with it.”

She grinned and then slid farther back into her seat. “I’d like to pay you to date my daughter.” She smirked as she poured a brown liquid out of a crystal container into a crystal glass. It smelled like liquor, which was fitting since I was almost positive this bitch was drunk.

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