Smooth Moves

by Marie Harte

  Cash paused before going through the door to Reid’s office, hoping he wouldn’t soon be homeless.

  Taking a breath, but not too deep to cause more pain, he opened the door and went inside. And froze when he saw Jordan, Naomi, Reid, and Evan in deep discussion.

  * * *

  Jordan stared at Cash in shock. She’d been ready to read him the riot act since Rafi had confessed everything to her last night.

  Talk about not having one of her better days. Between busting his teacher’s balls, getting the guy suspended, having a last-minute panic attack because she’d committed herself to moving in with her boyfriend, and then learning Rafi had been involved with drugs, she was entitled to be a little nutty.

  And Cash—nowhere to be found.

  So she’d been ready to chew him up and spit him out, only to have Reid sit her down and explain a few things.

  Now, though still angry, she also wanted to protect and offer comfort to the man she loved, who had to be hurting. Hurting a lot, she saw, staring in shock.

  “What the fuck happened to you?” she barked.

  Evan blinked. “Ah, now I understand about filling in. Cash, sit down.” Evan left his seat and gently guided Cash to it.

  Cash did his best not to complain, but Jordan saw his wince and felt the rage bubble up. She’d crush whoever did this to Cash. Then she’d tear into him… Oh screw it. She’d hit Cash first.

  Verbally. “This came from the drugs, didn’t it?”

  She should have thought that through first because after the room silenced to a funereal hush, everyone started talking at the same time.

  “Cash, not again.” Reid scowled. “What did we say about being smart? What all did you break?”

  “Oh my God!” That was Naomi. “You poor thing. Who did that to you? Do you need some ice?”

  “That’s gotta hurt.” Evan leaned against the wall. “I’m so glad I’m not you.”

  Jordan glared at her lover. Her boyfriend. The asshole who’d stolen her heart. “You lied to me, and we promised to be honest with each other.” That got everyone quiet.

  “It’s not my fault.” Cash refused to meet her gaze, with his good eye at least. The other was still swollen and purple.

  “It’s never your fault,” she snapped. “I’ve been talking to Reid. I know all about you, buddy.”

  That must have been the wrong thing to say because he whipped his head up and glared back at her with his good eye. “Oh yeah? What do you know?”

  “Jordan, maybe—” Naomi tried.

  But Jordan cut her off, too worried and mad to be cautious. “I trusted you. And then you went behind my back and got involved with my brother?”

  “I was helping him. Just like you asked me to.”

  Jordan hated that Cash had been hurt, as much as she hated that he hadn’t trusted her to handle her brother’s mess on her own. “How are you helping him? By nearly getting killed?”

  “No, damn it.” He tried to stand and sank back down, his expression agitated.

  “What if you’d taken Rafi with you? He’d be looking like you right now.”

  “Seriously? You think I’d take a kid into a dangerous situation?” As soon as he said it, he looked around at everyone staring at him. “I mean—”

  Everyone talked at once again, this time yelling at Cash.

  He motioned for Evan, who helped him up while chastising him.

  “Shut up!” Cash yelled.

  But Jordan refused to be cowed. “You could have been killed!”

  “You have no idea what happened, so don’t tell me shit.”

  She didn’t like his attitude. “Well, genius, tell us. Did you walk into a door or what?”

  He snarled at her. “I went in place of Rafi because I thought it might get rough. And I was right!” Then he pointed at Reid. “And you, don’t even think of blaming me for this. I didn’t try to get my ass handed to me because I wanted to play mind games with you. I got jumped by three guys in an alley, okay?”

  Reid held up his hands. “Hey, I’m concerned about you. Don’t blame me for being worried.”

  Jordan poked him in the chest, and he gasped at the pain. “I blame you! You should have come to me. Instead I had to hear this from my brother after the fact!” She couldn’t help the tears in her eyes. “You want us to live together and tell me you love me, and you do something like this. We’re either a team or we’re not!” She was so angry she feared poking him again, so she stormed out of Reid’s office. But before she could leave the Vets on the Go! space, Cash yanked her back into the lobby.

  Dimly aware of the others fanning into the space around them, she had to endure Cash’s death glare all on her own. “Trust you? Love you? Of course I do. I also know you. And the first thing you’d have done if you found out about Juan and Rafi and that baggie of drugs is go to the police. Then you’d be dealing with Rafi on charges of possession. And the kid’s got enough to worry about without a record.”

  “No, I—”

  “I told him I’d help him. I did.”

  “You should have trusted me to help!” It hurt so much he hadn’t.

  “Bullshit. If you by some stretch didn’t call the cops, you’d have wanted to go with me.”

  “Oh, and I can’t handle my little girlie self? Please. I can handle—”

  “You’d have distracted me and given them a target.” He scowled. “I disarmed Juan’s friend, and I disarmed Juan when the little shit tried to shoot me. But guess what, Jordan? The bar didn’t call in the cops. Because places like that don’t. Not everyone sees things in black and white, baby. Deal with it.”

  She drew in a breath and didn’t know what to say or do, she was so mad.

  “And then some assholes with ties to a gang wanted me outside. So I went, and I handed them their asses. The only reason I have this”—he motioned to his splinted arm—“is because one of them blindsided me with a lead pipe to the arm. I have this habit of not seeing the danger until it’s on top of me.” He loomed over her. “Like you. What? I made a mistake, and now you don’t want me anymore?”

  The anger and hurt in his voice shook her. Where had he gotten the notion she no longer wanted him?

  “Well, fuck you. I still love you, and it’s worse than this damn broken arm because it’s probably never gonna heal right!”

  He had the nerve to walk away from her and everyone with an “I’m on a break!” shouted over his shoulder.

  She followed him down the hall and dragged him to a stop. “No, uh-uh. You don’t get to just walk away. I’m not done.”

  “Whatever, say your piece.” He turned and watched her with a sneer that looked right at home on his face. Or on Smith’s.

  What Reid had confirmed still floored her. The question she’d been dying to ask, about Smith’s resemblance to Cash and his animosity being a little too off, might have some roots in the family drama Reid wasn’t ready to discuss yet, but he’d welcomed her to ask Cash about it.

  A tale of family secrets right up there with the best dramas on TV.

  “You know why you’re an asshole? Because you didn’t trust me enough to talk to me first.”

  “Rafi knew as well as I did that—”

  “Rafi is fifteen years old! What’s your excuse?”

  He didn’t like hearing that. She poked him again, not even sorry seeing his wince.

  “I would never jump into danger without talking to you. And I wouldn’t do something that involved your family without talking to you first.”

  “What family?”

  “Reid, you jackass.” She poked him again, lighter this time, but to make a point. “I know about your mom and dad. I know you had a shitty life. But don’t even try putting this on me.”

  “Please.” He snorted. “You’ve never even told me how you feel.”

  “
Are you serious?” She threw her hands up in the air and let out an angry laugh.

  Across the hall, the door opened. A computer repair guy, Tom, she thought, poked his head out, saw her, and quickly closed the door.

  “I never told you how I feel because any time I try, you stop me and tell me to think about it. To wait. Because you can’t hear the truth? Or because you don’t want it? Look, I’m sorry your mom was so crazy, that your dad isn’t your dad, that you have family drama coming out the ass.” She was pulling no punches. “I love you, you asshole. And for you to think I’d just walk away because you made a mistake? What the hell is that?”

  He blinked at her, his glare fading.

  “I trusted you with my fears. With my family. I love you, and you treat me like shit.”

  “What? I, no, I—”

  “I deserve to be a man’s equal partner. We’re lovers in every way that matters or we’re not at all. In case it’s escaped your notice, King of the Ass…” A lame insult but she was so angry she had a tough time coming up with words. “…I still love you. But I’m so mad at you now I need a break!”

  She left him standing there and was nearly to the stairwell when she heard a meek voice say, “Don’t worry, man. We called the cops. She can’t hurt you and get away with it. Not on our watch.”

  Men. They were all insane.

  Chapter 23

  Cash had royally fucked up. But he was so damn happy Jordan hadn’t broken things off he felt giddy. She loves me.

  “Easy, guy. Come on back with me.” Evan put a shoulder under his good arm and walked him back to Reid’s office.

  Naomi waited until he sat then pecked Cash on the cheek with a chaste kiss. “Get well, sweetie. Maybe your painkillers can help with all the male stupidity.” She waved at Reid and Evan then left.

  Cash sat staring at his brother and cousin. “Did Jordan say she loves me?”

  “Yep, he’s an idiot. Definitely your brother.” Evan shook his head and sighed. “Cash, what happened to you?”

  Cash slowly explained the whole of it, ending with, “So I wasn’t trying to be a superhero. One of the assholes nailed me with a pipe before Ritter and his cop buddy showed. I just wanted to save Rafi some hassle. The poor kid has been through a lot.”

  Reid nodded. “Jordan told us. But why didn’t you ask one of us to back you up?”

  Cash looked from Reid to Evan and laughed until he had to stop from rib pain. “Sorry. That’s like taking a virgin into dragon territory. They’d have roasted you alive. Besides, Evan looks like a cop.”

  Evan perked up. “I do?”

  “Evan.” Reid shook his head. “It’s like trouble just finds you, Cash.”

  “I know.” Cash eased into his seat. “Think she’ll forgive me?”

  “I don’t know if I forgive you for not having me there to help, but you can pay it out in trade.” He cleared his throat. “Naomi and I are going to live at her place starting in September. So I need your rent until the end of August.”

  “Wow. That’s only two more months.”

  “I know.” Reid groaned. “I have to tell Chris we’re moving out. I don’t know if I can do it yet. Moving in with Naomi… That’s a big step.”

  “One Cash already decided to make with Jordan, apparently,” Evan commented. “And then he questioned her commitment by not telling her about the situation her brother was in. Interesting way to show her how much you care, Cash.”

  Cash swore and asked the question a second time, “Think she’ll forgive me?”

  Evan nodded. “But it’ll involve a lot of groveling.”

  “I don’t know.” Reid looked pensive, and Cash tensed. “She was really mad. Worse, she was hurt. She thinks you didn’t trust her about something that involved her own family. And sometimes women don’t forgive stuff like that.”

  “Fuck. Really?” Cash had figured he’d try charming her out of her anger. Maybe let her pick out their new dining room table or something. That’s if she still wanted to move in together.

  “Look, the woman agreed to live with you,” Reid said. “She tolerates you on your worst days. You guys have worked well together from the first, and anytime anyone tries to talk bad about you, Jordan is there defending you.”

  Evan agreed. “You should have seen her handle Smith after he insulted you. It was awesome.”

  “Then you take her family problems and decide to handle them yourself because you don’t think she’ll handle them the right way.” Reid emphasized, “Her way.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “But nothing. It’s her brother, her family. How would you feel if she’d seen Mom’s journal, read it, then decided to make peace between you and Smith because that’s how she thinks you should handle it?”

  Cash’s gaze darted to Evan.

  “Cash, I’ve suspected the whole ‘other dad’ thing for a long time. I don’t care either way.” Evan grinned. “But, man, can you not see how alike you and Smith are? It’s weird.”

  Reid shrugged. “I see it, but it could also be a big coincidence.”

  “Take off the blinders, Reid.” Evan shook his head.

  Cash dreaded the idea of Smith as a brother. He didn’t like the guy. “Damn. You think he knows?” Even worse. “Does Jordan know?”

  Reid answered, “When I told her you’d had some unsettling information over the weekend concerning our mom, she asked me about Smith. I think she sensed a connection there. But she never said anything because she knew it bothered you.” Reid paused then twisted the knife. “Apparently she thinks you should handle your personal business. She stayed out of it.”

  Cash groaned. “Hell. I know I fucked up.”

  “Yep.” Evan crossed his arms over his chest. “So fix it. That woman is amazing. You know it; we know it. She puts Mariah to shame, and she’s nice. We like her.”

  “Huh?”

  “Yeah.” Reid smiled. “Evan and I like her. We’re cool with her becoming family.”

  “Wait. Family?” Cash glanced at Evan again, a pang of depression that Evan no longer belonged to him.

  “Oh stop.” Evan sighed. “Cash, you’re so obvious. I’ve always considered you more like a brother than a cousin. I still do. And when Mom hears about this, she’ll be thrilled. She never liked Uncle Charles. And to be honest, neither did Dad, and Charles was his brother.”

  “Ha. I wondered.” Reid grinned. “Good old Aunt Jane.”

  “She used to talk about trying to adopt you guys all the time. She mentioned it to your mom once. That was the only time your mom put her foot down. Aunt Angela said you were her kids and for my mom to butt out of your lives.”

  “She did?” Reid frowned. “That’s surprising.”

  “Yeah.” Evan paused and said to Cash, “You know, I can ask my mom if you want. But I don’t think she ever knew for sure you weren’t Uncle Charles’s. Like I said, she and I don’t care either way. You’re family. As pathetic as you and Reid are—”

  “Hey.” Reid frowned.

  “You’re family.” Evan turned to Reid. “So him being broken moves up my timeline. I’ll give my notice immediately, do some work from home, and I can help fill in for the hardhead for a while.”

  Reid looked relieved. “I have a few standbys we can use until Cash is back too. But with you filling in, we shouldn’t be hurting. I can pull some time as well to cover moves. My wrist is just about healed up.” From a break not too long ago. Reid’s cast had come off just last week.

  Evan shook his head. “Sure it is, hard head. I’ll do it. You save your hands for typing and answering phones.”

  Cash realized what his cousin had said. “Wait. So you’re seriously quitting your job? For me?”

  “Well, quitting earlier for you. But I’m actually quitting for me. I’m done with the accounting firm. I want to be my own boss for a while.” Evan s
miled, looking pleased. “Just saying that makes me happy.”

  “Just remember to pay yourself for your time. It’s not much, but you’ll earn it,” Reid insisted.

  “Seeing as I’m our bookkeeper, I know exactly how much we can afford,” Evan reminded him then laughed. “I’m giving myself a raise.”

  “Ha ha.” Cash’s mind was on Jordan and how to make things right. “Ah, since I’m no use here, I think I should go home, think, and rest.”

  “Or just rest. Thinking doesn’t seem to be your strong suit lately,” Evan not-so-helpfully pointed out.

  Cash shot him the finger. “How’s that for thinking?”

  Evan laughed.

  Dan knocked on the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a cop out here waiting to take a statement about some kind of domestic dispute? Something about a woman abusing one of ours?”

  Cash groaned. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I was kidding.”

  “Huh?” Dan pushed back his ball cap to scratch his head. “Oh, and you owe me twenty bucks for the sandwiches. And three for the Tums. You guys are giving me ulcers.”

  * * *

  Once Cash had dealt with the officer, who took his “misinterpreted” story about an “abusive” Jordan in good humor and left, Cash went home. With Reid for real moving in with Naomi soon, Cash needed to get the mess of his life together. And first on that list was talking to Jordan… Just as soon as he took a nap because he could barely hold two thoughts together.

  He woke to feel someone watching him. Praying it was Jordan, he slowly opened his eyes, thinking carefully about what to say.

  Except when he opened his eyes, he saw Rafi standing in the corner of his room.

  Cash focused. Light streamed through the window, so it couldn’t have been too late. He tried to rise too quickly, forgetting how much his ribs ached, and groaned.

  Rafi looked upset. “Need help?”

  Cash shook his head. “Nah. I need to get used to this.” Slowly, he rolled to his good side, sat up to put the sling back on, and somehow managed to land on his feet after pushing off the bed. Once standing, it took him a minute to get his bearings. After fighting off dizziness, he took a few steps toward the doorway.