Down to You(46)

I pinch the skin between my eyes, wishing I could stop the dull throb that’s building across the front of my head. I bite back the dozen or so sharp comments that are trembling on the tip of my tongue.

“How far out are you?”

“About ten minutes.”

“I’m still at school. You’ll have to pick me up here.”

“That’s fine. Just give me directions.”

I sigh. Loudly. Trying to give Ginger directions and then expecting her to actually show up at the correct location is a lot like throwing a knife into the air. It’s dangerous, stupid and somebody could end up getting hurt. She has landed us in questionable parts of town more than once, places I would never dream of getting out of the car. Unless, of course, I was accompanied by two ninjas and a sumo wrestler.

But, in this case, what choice do I have? I wouldn’t feel comfortable imposing on either Cash or Nash. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if I could use Magic Vagina powers, but those only work on people a girl has slept with. And since I still have no clue which brother dove head first into my panties last night, there can be no wielding of the Magic Vagina.

I give Ginger directions to the student center. At least I can get something to drink while I wait for her.

After we hang up, I call Cash to tell him I won’t be able to work the weekend shift.

“I’m so sorry, but it’s a family emergency.”

“I understand. Do you want me to come get you now?”

“No, my friend Ginger is on her way.”

There’s a long pause. “I would’ve taken you wherever you needed to go.”

“I appreciate that, but she was already on her way when she called.”

“Hmmm,” is his only response.

“Well, thank you so much for… everything. I promise I’ll take care of stuff with my car when I get back. And I’ll pick up as many extra shifts as you need me to in order to make this up.”

I hate the thought of losing my new job and having to go crawling back to my old one, but it’s my dad…

“Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure something out. You’re not going to be out of a job when you get back, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

I close my eyes in relief. The thought had very much crossed my mind.

“I really appreciate your understanding,” I say, injecting into my voice all the sincerity I can muster.

“I’m sure I can think of some way for you to pay me back.”

The comment is wildly inappropriate, of course, but I can hear the smile in Cash’s voice. He’s teasing me.

“I’m sure you can. The question is: can you think of something that does not involve me taking off my clothes?”

I’m playing with fire and I know it.

“Of course! Wear a skirt and only one item will need to come off. I’d just hate for you to miss out on…everything else.”

A little shiver works its way down my spine and lands in the pit of my stomach like a bolt of lightning. I laugh uncomfortably. I can’t tease like he can.

He must know I’m at a loss. He chuckles. “Take care of what you need to. Take your time. Call if you need anything.”

“I will. And thanks, Cash.”

After we hang up, I get a drink from the taco joint inside the student center and then walk back outside to sit on one of the benches and await Ginger. I wonder if I should call Nash. Just to let him know I won’t be in town all weekend. He might want to keep an eye on things.

Or at least that’s what I tell myself. The excuse I use.

“Nash, it’s Olivia,” I say when he answers.

I hear his soft laugh. “I know who you are, Olivia.”

I feel the blush sting my cheeks. I’m glad he can’t see it. “Oh, right. Sorry.” I clear my throat nervously. “So, I’ll be out of town for the weekend. I just wanted you to know in case…well, just in case anybody needed anything.”

Ohmigod, could you sound any more lame?

“Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Need some time away from my overbearing brother already?”

I know he’s teasing, but I don’t like that he puts Cash down. “He’s not overbearing. And no, it’s nothing like that. I need to go home for the weekend. That’s all.”

The lightness evaporates from his tone, replaced by concern. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah. My father broke his leg. He’s fine, it’s just that he was expecting some lambs and he can’t get out with a broken leg to find and check them in, so…”

“Is that something you can do by yourself? Do you need some help?”

“Nah, I grew up on that farm, helping him until I was old enough to do things by myself. I’ll be fine. But thank you for asking.”