Shit!This is not what was set up. Where in the hell is Cricket? Okay, think. It’s not your fault that Cricket didn’t show. Just make the deal and get the hell out of here.
I shuffle from foot to foot as I feel sweat bead on my forehead. I’ve never felt like more of a pussy than I do right now. I shouldn’t even be allowed to have a set of balls.
“Got the cash?” he asks.
“Oh, yes.” I start to dig into my pocket for the hundred-dollar bill.
I reach my shaking hand out and place the bill in his.
He looks down at my hands and then back up at me. “Nervous?” That one word has me on high alert. I take a quick look around. Now, I’m hoping that we’re not alone. If someone is watching, they’ll see me get shot and call for help, right?
“Uh, no. Not at all,” I ramble. He cocks a dark eyebrow in question.
I wrap my arms around myself. “I just … uh, it’s been so long …” I say. “I need it real bad,” I add quickly.What the fuck?I think I’m about to have a heart attack, my heart is pounding so hard in my chest.
After a few long seconds, he places a clear baggie in my hand. I quickly count five pills. “That won’t last you long,” he informs me, and I shove it into my pocket.Fuck!Just breathe.
“You know how to get in touch with me if you need more.” And with that, they turn around and walk back off into the darkness.
I run to my vehicle, get in my car, and lock the doors. I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial a number, not wanting to wait another second. I need to get rid of this shit as instructed. I pull away from the curb as it starts to ring.
“Did you get it?” Case demands, not even bothering with a hello.
“Yes,” I respond as I look into my rearview mirror. There’s a reason people come over here in order to pick up their drugs, and it’s because the cops stay away. But that doesn’t make me any less worried about being caught with drugs on me.
As I wait for my directions, I listen to the music coming from the other side of the phone in the background. Case and his best friend, Brecken, own the biggest nightclub here in Chicago. It’s known for illegal activity. But that’s to be expected when the owners arethedrug dealers of Chicago.
“How soon can you be here?” he asks after a long second.
“You give me a time and I’ll be there.” I check my rearview mirror again. Still clear.
“An hour.” And with that, he hangs up. I toss my phone over into the passenger seat and let out a long breath.
I loosen my shoulders and stretch my tense neck as I tilt it from side to side. Then I lift one hand to unbutton the top two buttons of my shirt because I need to breathe. I actually let out a laugh as I shake my head. I can’t believe I just did that and actually survived. Now that I’m in the clear, I start to feel the rush, the adrenaline running through my veins, and it feels good. I laugh at how nervous I was over nothing. There was nothing to it.
I get out of the car still laughing and smiling when I walk into the house I share with the girls.
Savannah jumps up from the couch with a frown on her face as I walk into the living room. “I texted you earlier.”
I smile down at her as I pull her into me, enjoying her scent. It’s fresh and relaxes me even more. “Sorry, my phoned died,” I lie.
She runs her hands up my back. “Where have you been?”
“I had to work late.” Another lie.
“Well, you’re home now.” She leans up on her tiptoes to kiss me, but I pull away. I don’t have time to give her what she wants right now. I need a shower. For some reason, meeting with those two guys makes me feel dirty. And then I gotta get to the club.
“I gotta get ready,” I say pulling away from her.
“For what? You just got home,” she huffs.
“I’m meeting Dillon out tonight,” I say lying once again. God, is this gonna be my life from now on?Nothing but lies?
“Oh, I’ll start getting ready too,” she says sounding happy about a night out.
I spin around in the hallway and look down at her. “He wants to have a guys’ night.”
Her big green eyes narrow on me, and she tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. “I know you don’t expect me to stay at home while you go out with Dillon? He is the biggest whore of a friend you have,” she declares, and I hate that I have to agree with her. Why didn’t I pick a different friend? Hell, I could have just made one up.
