“ I-I just got off work and….” I choked back a sob. “All my tires are slashed. The back window is busted. I forgot to renew my AAA, and I’m stuck.”
“Where you at?”
“Peachtree Memorial—on the second floor of the parking garage.
“I’m on my way.”
* * *
I sat in the driver’s seat with the door cracked, too tired to move. My scrubs clung to me, damp with sweat, and my eyes still burned from all the crying. Maybe all of this was confirmation that Atlanta was a chop, and I needed to cut my losses and go home to New York. This contract was draining the life out of me, whatever was—or wasn’t—happening between me and Cash seemed dead, and now this mess with my car?
Could the Universe be any louder?
Heavy bass filled the quiet garage, headlights sweeping over my car as a black Maserati SUV slid into the space next to me.
Marcus hopped out and slammed the door behind him. He looked like he’d been pretty comfortable wherever he was coming from, based on the basketball shorts and white tank he had on.
“Damn,” he muttered, eyeing the damage. “They really fucked your shit up.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, wrapping my arms around myself. “I don’t even know why. I don’t bother anybody.”
He studied me for a long second. “You been crying, Juicy?”
“Stop calling me that,” I grumbled, looking away.
He pulled me into his arms before I could move. I tensed at first, but let him hold me. I felt myself unravel just a bit, taking in his scent—soap, sandalwood, and a faint trace of weed. He still smelled just like I remembered. I was surprised that it settled something in me.
His laugh rumbled in his chest. “My fault, mama. Old habit.”
He let me go and tipped his head toward the trunk. “Pop it and go sit in my car. I’ll call a tow.”
I hesitated.
“Jas,” he said gently. “You called me for a reason. Let me handle it.”
I pressed the button and passed him my keys.
He got right to work, his phone cradled between his shoulder and ear, as he used the mini vacuum from my trunk to clean up the broken glass from the backseat.
Thirty minutes later, the tow truck had pulled off. I wouldn’t know how much the repairs would be until morning.
Marcus climbed into the driver’s seat, started the car, and turned down the music that blasted through the speakers.
“I’ll pay you back once I get this situated,” I said quietly.
He looked over, frowning. “Pay me back for what? That wasn’t shit.”
“I’m serious, Marcus. You don’t have to?—”
“I know I don’t,” he cut me off. “I wanted to. And anyway, my boy owns the tow company. It’s not costing me or you anything.”
I sucked my teeth and looked out the window. I hated owing people, and I especially didn’t want to be indebted to him. Something told me that this wasn’t going to come without some kind of string attached.
“Thereissomething you could do.”
I turned my head. “What?”
He grinned. “Let me take you out.”
