“Ah, if something happens to you, do you have, like, an emergency contact person?” Cash asked. “You had to have fill that out on your application form.”
“I don’t remember.” No. He had no one.
“Well, I mean, something like this happens to you, you might need to put someone down.”
“I should add Erin’s name then, I guess.” Would she mind? Would that be presumptuous on his part?
“Sure, sure.” Cash tapped is fingers on the table, jumpy.
Smith frowned. “You okay? You seem kind of wired.”
Cash scowled. “I’m fine. I was just going to say you could put my number or Reid’s down, you know, in case you needed to let someone know you needed help.”
Smith froze. “Why?”
“Why else, asswipe? For an emergency contact. You know, you’re dying or some shit, and you need to let someone know.” Cash’s eyes glittered. “It’s not a big deal. Something happens, you need someone to water your plants or pick up your car or mail or some crap like that, you have someone to help.”
“You have Reid.”
Cash nodded. “And Jordan. Evan and Aunt Jane too.” His eyes narrowed. “Did you call her back yet? Aunt Jane thinks you don’t like her.”
“What?” Smith blinked. “That’s not true.”
“So, go have breakfast with her. Don’t be a douche. She’s old and has feelings.”
“I’m old and have feelings,” Smith muttered. “Why can’t I just keep to myself?”
Cash sighed. Loudly. “Look, dickbag, you have family now. You need to learn you have emergency contacts, people to hang out with, dinners to go to. You know, responsibilities.”
Smith cracked a smile. “Seriously? You’re giving me a speech about being responsible and family oriented? Okay, Dad. What’s next on our afterschool special?”
“You are such a fuckhead.” Cash called on his patience—Smith could see him trying to be nice and had to laugh at the guy’s effort. “I can’t help that you grew up without anyone. I had Reid; he had me. And though we never really thought about it, we could have had Evan and Aunt Jane too. Sucks that you had nobody, that Meg fucked you over. But man, now you have people. Looks like Tilly’s special, and for damn sure you have Erin. Dude, she was clinging to you like a burr.”
“So what? I like her.”
“Exactly. And she likes you. You want to be pathetic and all needy with her? Or do you want to show her you have friends and can be social? Because most chicks seem to like social guys.”
“Must be hell for you, eh?”
Cash groaned. “You have no idea. Reid and Evan are great with people. I think people suck.”
“They do.”
“Yeah. But the Vets on the Go! gang are okay. I mean, I love Jordan, and Naomi’s cool. She liked Erin a lot.”
“That’s a no-brainer. Erin’s easy to like.”
“I can see that.”
Smith frowned. “You look pretty damn smug about something. What?”
Cash watched him for a moment, then said, “I wasn’t kidding about Aunt Jane. She’s really nice, and for some reason she likes you a lot. It could just as easily have been her in here, breaking a hip. Life is short, bro. Don’t waste the time you have.” Cash stood and stretched. “I have to get back. I’m thinking you can get a ride home with Erin.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay then.” Cash took a step and stopped. “In case it’s not obvious to you yet, brainless, ask Erin to go with you to Aunt Jane’s. Take your girl to your aunt’s house and make everyone happy. Aunt Jane gets to see you, Erin feels special since you invited her to meet family, and I don’t get nagged anymore to talk to you about how much you’re hurting one of the kindest, gentlest women on the planet.” He glared.
Smith rolled his eyes. “You are so dramatic. Fine. I’ll call her and set something up. Okay?”
