“Trust me, I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much.” It’s impossible to miss the irritation this time.
“Something tells me you can handle yourself just fine but call me old fashioned, I’d still like to walk you home. My gran taught me manners and I like to use them.” I meant what I said, she may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, but she’s obviously tough as nails and more than capable of handling herself.
“Don’t waste your manners on me, Cash, I can handle myself just fine.” Her tone softens slightly so I take off behind her.
“Well, regardless of whether or not you’re capable, which I can tell you are, I still wouldn’t be able to sleep well if I didn’t make sure you made it safe. So, I’ll follow you. You don’t have to talk to me, but it would be a more enjoyable walk if you just let me use my manners.” She stops and looks back at me. Her eyes scan my whole body. Her gray eyes squint slightly, contemplating what I can only imagine is if I’m a serial killer or not or just some douche bag trying to pick up on her. I am trying to pick up on her, but hopefully she doesn’t think I’m a douche. I’m sure a girl as fine as her gets hit on all the time.
“So you’re really going to follow me?” she questions, and I nod my response.
“Fuck, whatever. Come on.” She turns to walk away, giving in, and I take the moment to grab her laundry basket swiftly, not giving her a chance to say no. She glares at me and all I can do is shrug and smile until she starts walking again.
“So, Jewel, tell me about yourself.” I try in an attempt to break the ice.
“Why?” she questions.
“Because I’d like to get to know you.” I decide honesty is the best policy in this case. She already thinks I’m a creep, no need to woo her with lies. My normal pick up lines would be lost on her, no point in sounding like an asshole. Honesty. Sincerity. That’s my tactic.
“Again, why?” The words aren’t spoken with irritation, rather disbelief. The fact that she doesn’t know she’s stunning is lost on me. The fact that it seems she’s never been asked about herself tells me she’s been surrounded by fucked up people. Why else would she be so shocked that someone is interested in her.
“I don’t know honestly. You’re beautiful but it’s more than that. I’ve watched you before when I come with Gran.” The admission was more than I intended to say, but it’s too late. The words are floating between us.
Somewhat surprised and very concerned she questions, “What? I’ve never seen you here with her.”
“I sit in the car or outside waiting for her. It’s got big windows, you’re not hard to spot.” Hopefully the words didn’t come across to her as creepy as they sounded when I said them. I wouldn’t be surprised if she turns and runs the other way. I’m not very good at this shit.
“Look, Cash, I’m sure you’re a great guy and honestly I’m flattered but you know nothing about me,” she says firmly. She didn’t run though. I take that as a good sign. She’s walking with me, so I press a little more.
“Fill me in.”
“You don’t want to know about me. I’m not your type of girl.” She shrugs knowingly.
Curiously I ask, “Hmm, well what do you think my type of girl is?” This girl clearly has no idea how special she is. How has she lived this long and not been told she’s amazing? I look at her, waiting for her answer.
“Well, an educated one I’m sure. A successful business woman maybe. A woman that gets her hair and nails done and wears nice clothes. One that can go to the martini bar and laugh with you.” She glances up at me, waiting for me to confirm her description.
“You have an interesting view of me. A little judgmental and stereotypical but interesting.” In that moment, I almost hate that she’s right. Up until I saw her, those women were my type.
“I’m not judging or sterotyping but there are your kind of people and my kind of people and we generally don’t mix.”
“Well, what is your kind of people, Jewel. You’ve done a great job assessing me, why don’t you tell me about your kind and let me make my own decisions?”
“You really want to know about me?” She turns and questions me, stopping at the corner.
“Yes. Please.”
“Okay then,” she begins, crossing her arms over her chest, taking a defensive stance.
“I don’t have a car or a place of my own. I work in a fast food restaurant flipping burgers because I have no skills other than finding a vein to inject heroin in to. I’m a recovering drug addict. I almost died from an overdose a few months back and have been in treatment and clean since. I live in a recovery house with Sheila and she has rules. One is no boys so this is the end of the road for you, sir. Thank you for carrying my laundry although it wasn’t necessary. I’m from the streets, Cash, so when I say I can take care of myself I mean it. I’m not a fucking damsel in distress, and I’m not looking for a knight in shining armor.” Venom drips from her words but somewhere behind the defensive anger I sense a woman that wants to be cared for. Loved even. She doesn’t think she deserves it. She’s so wrong. I just stand there, holding her laundry, and watching her look at me through very intense eyes.
“Well, Jewel, lucky for you I’m far from a knight in shining armor, and I can’t stand damsels in distress nor can I stand uptight snooty bitches. I don’t want to save you, Jewel. I just want to get to know you a little better. That’s all.” Finally handing over her laundry basket, I take a step back. I’ve never met anyone like her before. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met and fucked my fair share of socialite coke whores that don’t give a shit about anything other than fucking, getting high, and money, but Jewel is different. She’s strong yet fragile. Like a rose– beautiful and delicate yet will fuck you up if they feel threatened.
“Fine, if you want to get to know me then meet me at the laundromat every Saturday night. That’s the only place I go outside of work. Maybe I’ll let you walk me home again,” she finally says after our intense stare down. I wish I knew what was going on inside her head. What changed her mind? Guess it doesn’t really matter. What matters is I have a date every Saturday night now until she trusts me enough to take her to dinner.
“Really?” I ask cautiously, careful not to appear too excited.
“I guess. What harm comes from making a friend right?” She offers me a weak smile.
“Yeah, right. Friends are good.” Friends. Lovers. Both.
“Night, Cash.” The shyness creeps back into her cheeks.
“Night, Jewel. Wait one more question.” I’ve wondered this all night and know it might be too forward to ask yet, but fuck it.
“What’s that?” She turns around slightly, waiting for me to ask.
“Is Jewel your real name?”
“As far as you need to know, yes. See you next week.” She turns and leaves me standing on the corner. I watch her until she’s out of sight before hustling back to the laundromat to get Gran.
I find her leaning against my car, her cane in her hand, the laundry basket on the ground beside her. The smile that’s stretched across her aged but lovely face tells me she approves.
“Ready?” I ask trying to catch my breath as I approach her. She nods, her smile not moving. Quickly I grab her clothes before unlocking the car and helping her in.
The moment I slide behind the wheel and shut the door she asks, “She’s the one isn’t she?” Her words are so confident. Deep down inside I know she’s right. Jewel is the one, but it’s far too soon to admit something like that to Gran. Hell even to myself.
“I just walked her to the end of the block, Gran. I didn’t propose marriage.” Starting the car, I back out and head back towards home.
“I didn’t ask you if you proposed marriage. As a matter of fact, I didn’t ask anything. It was more a statement of fact. The question is do you realize it?”
“I barely know her.”
“Doesn’t matter. Once you feel the connection, that’s it. There’s no going back.”
&nbs
p; “Seriously, Gran, she’s just a girl whom I happen to find attractive and would like to get to know a little better. For all I know I might find her incredibly irritating once I get to know her.” I chuckled at myself because even I know I’m lying out of my ass.
“Cash Green, you know darn good and well that when love happens you just know it. You were raised that way. It was that way for your grandfather and me and it was that way when your father met your mother. It’s fate dear. Stop fighting it.” She pats my leg, as if the gesture will get me to admit what she’s saying is true.
“Well, you’re definitely rooting for this to go somewhere aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course I am. I want you to be happy, and I know that nothing makes a person happier than being in love.”
“What makes you so sure she’s the one? You only talked to her a few hours at most. Tonight is the first time I’ve talked to her ever. This is crazy. These things don’t just happen.”
“She’s smart. She’s tough. She can put up with you, I’m sure of that. Maybe put you in your place when you need it.” She offered a sideways glance and a giggle. “Besides those rich bitches you like to sleep with are only after one thing, your money.”
“Gran, did you just call them rich bitches?” I mock, sounding offended.
“I did and you know it’s true.” She crosses her arms, defensive of her statement.
“What makes you so sure this girl isn’t after my money? After all, those rich bitches as you like to call them already have money. Jewel isn’t from our world.”
“Thank God for that. Our world is full of corrupt, uptight assholes and rich bitches.” She smiles, pleased with her choice of words. “But you’re right. Jewel isn’t from money and a lot of girls in her position might be drawn to you for the security, but she’s not most girls. She’s looking for her own stability, not that of a man.”
“It’s amazing to me how you can sum up an entire person from one conversation.” I shake my head, amazed by the old woman.
“Oh, people are easy to read, Cash. You just have to know what to look for.” She’s had years of practice, and I’ve never seen her be wrong when it comes to people.
I can’t argue her logic. Jewel definitely didn’t fall at my feet like most women do. It wasn’t because she was playing hard to get either. My money truly didn’t impress her. Actually, I get the feeling me having money turned her off. Made her more wary of me. Gaining her trust is going to be a challenge, and it is one I’m more than ready to take. For the first time in my life, I want to get to know her. All of her.
***
Over the next few weeks, my routine stays the same. Work during the week and head to Grans Friday night for the weekend. Saturdays I drive Gran to the same laundromat and spend time talking to Jewel as well as a few others that Gran has decided she wants to call friends. The group is a good group of people. Hap and Lena are young and having a baby. I envy Hap. Seven years older than him and I can’t imagine having a baby, much less without the help of my family. He works hard for Lena and the baby. I respect him for that. Jase is a little harder to get to know. He always has a guard up but he’s cool. I’ve never had friends outside of the business circle, and while I wouldn’t say we’re best buds yet or even close friends, these two men are men I’d actually like to hang out with. Maybe grab a beer, pizza, and watch a game. That’s not a life I’ve imagined for myself, but being around them, that world seems more and more inviting every Saturday.
“Did you guys catch the Blazer’s game last night?” Jase asks sucking down a gulp of soda.
“Nah, I was driving in from the city. Missed it,” I reply, wishing I’d seen it so I had something more to offer the conversation. I doubt they’d want to hear about merger deals and marketing strategies. Hell, I don’t want to hear about it. “How about you, Hap? You catch the game?” I throw the question to him.
“Nope, had to work. Heard about it though, they got their asses handed to them.”
“That they did,” Jase replied, the three of us chuckling.
“You play sports, Cash?” Hap asks. Their effort to try to get to know me isn’t overlooked. It’s appreciated.
“I played football in high school.” I shrug.
“Yeah, so did I. What position?” Hap asked excitedly.
“Quarterback. I wasn’t very good at it in all honesty. I played to get chicks.” The two both laughed a good laugh.
“I don’t think you had to play football to get chicks, bro,” Jase offered, still laughing.
“You’d be surprised. I haven’t always been the handsome fucker that I am now. I was scrawny, had fucked up teeth, and glasses that were thicker than Kim Kardashian’s ass. Thankfully some years of braces, contacts, and hormones kicked in. High school was rough, dude. How about you, Hap? What position? Were you any good or is that how you got Lena?”
“I was quarterback too and yeah, I don’t mean to brag but we were All State champions every year I played. I was offered scholarships to some pretty big universities.” The words made him uncomfortable, causing him to shift in his seat.
“That’s awesome, man. You should be proud.” Jase reaches his fist out for a fist bump. Hap, one of the most modest men I’ve ever met, shyly bumps the fist. The question is hanging between the three of us, why isn’t he away at college? We all know the answer yet it still lingers there like an elephant in the room.
“It’s not because of Lena or the baby that I’m here and not at some fancy college,” he offers, his voice quiet. “I could take them with me if that’s what I wanted. Lena would never hold me back. Truth is, I’m just not a school guy. I work with my hands. I always have. School work, tests, studying, college life, that’s not me. The only reason I graduated was because I kept my grades just high enough to play ball.”
“I get that, school was not my thing either. Shit, I didn’t even graduate. I got my first job laying brick at seventeen and have been doing it ever since. I make decent money and get to create things so it’s a win for me. What are you thinking of doing career wise?” Jase leans back, ready to listen to Hap’s answer. I sit quietly, not wanting to offer up the fact that I work in a cushy office and tell people what to do. I graduated valedictorian and by my senior year, I had fucked half the girls in my school. Puberty and money was kind to me. I feel like the worlds biggest asshole with these two guys. Both hard as fuck workers, the kind that people in my world scoff at, and stand up dudes that get shit done without handouts.
“I don’t know yet. I really dig working in a restaurant. I think I’d like to learn to cook, maybe own my own place some day,” Hap adds.
“Very cool, man. What do you do for a living, Cash?” Jase directs the question to me. They both look at me, curiosity in their eyes but not judgment. I hope to hell not judgment. This is the first time our conversation has ventured from regular guy talk, like sports and cars. It’s my turn to shift uncomfortably. Able to see the question makes me uneasy Jase offers, “You don’t have to tell us, bro, if it makes you uncomfortable. Regardless of what it is, no judgment here.” His hands raise up, showing me that he’s being honest. The question is genuine curiosity, no intention of calling me out on being the asshole I feel like right now.
“None here either. You could be a pimp and we’d be chill.” Hap laughs. “You’re not a pimp are you?” he asks, and I can’t tell if he’s worried or curious.
With a chuckle, I respond, “No, I’m not a pimp. I’m actually a CEO of my family’s marketing firm. 3 Green.” I almost feel ashamed admitting it, which is an odd feeling. I have a successful career, and though it may have been handed down to me, I’m fucking good at what I do. The company has tripled profits since I took over and is growing more every year. I should be proud of what I do and for the most part, I am. In any other circle of men, I’d brag my ass off, showing them my Rolex or impressing them with my collection of exotic cars. Not with Hap and Jase though. For the first time in my life I feel small. Insignificant.
“That’s fucking awesome!” Hap announces and Jase nods in agreement.
“You know what’s even cooler than your job though?” Jase inquires.
“What’s that?”
“That you’re not a dick. You make all this money and you still bring your grandmother to the laundromat every Saturday night, and you walk Jewel home when you could be out at some fancy restaurant picking up girls left and right.” Jase leans forward as he speaks. “Don’t be ashamed of being successful, Cash, and don’t feel like we’re envious of that success. We all got our own things to be proud of.” His hand rests on my shoulder and gives it a hard squeeze before he leans back in his chair. The look on Hap’s face echos Jase’s words and in that moment, I realize I finally have real friends. It’s not very manly to admit that it feels damn good, but it does.
Lena’s voice cuts through our casual conversation. Luckily we’re past the heavy, get to know each other shit, at least for now, and we’re all laughing at some corny joke Hap just told us. “I’m all done and I’m beat. Ready?” Her gentle voice asks through the laughter.
“Yep,” he answers, standing. “It’s been real guys. Time to get my girl home. See ya next week?” he asks, extending a hand to each of us.
“Same place, same time,” Jase replies. “Yep, see you next week. Have a good night you two.”
“Will do.”
I watch as they say their goodbyes to the women, catching Jewel out of the corner of my eye gathering up her things. “That’s my cue to exit,” I say turning to say goodbye to Jase, who’s busy watching Amanda. Those two have something going on, and the ring on her left hand tells me it’s not something they want anyone to know about. Not my business to judge. Lord knows I’ve screwed my fair share of married women. I’m not proud of that, it’s just a fact. They wouldn’t do it if their husbands took care of them with more than just their money.
“Catch ya later, time for my weekly walk.” I wink at Jase before heading over to Jewel, who surprisingly is waiting for me.
“Ready?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Night, Ruby.” She bends down to hug Gran.
Millionaire (The Laundromat Chronicles Book 1) Page 4