“Surgery requires money,” he said tightly.
He’d had emergency surgery, followed by weeks of recovery and months of physical therapy, paid for by Outlaw. He’d offered to pay all of Stretch’s medical expenses, but Outlaw shouldn’t bear the responsibility of Stretch’s stupidity.
Besides, he deserved the pain for surviving.
Additional surgery, testing, and physical therapy cost thousands. Saving that type of money would take four or five years.
“I wear the brace sometimes,” he said, deciding not to get into particulars. He never did. “You know that—”
“Do I? All I know is you’re chasing a fucking ghost. Hanson’s dead, Stretch, and he isn’t coming back. He had fucking free will to tell you to go and fuck yourself, instead of accepting the invitation to fuck at the club. It isn’t your fault.”
“You choose to believe that. I disagree.”
“It’s easier, right? To feel fucking sorry for yourself? That way, you don’t have to face life anymore. Live behind fear and pain.”
He couldn’t deny that accusation, however, Cash couldn’t talk. “Then we’re even. You hide behind fucking, drinking, and riding.”
A dark scowl clouded Cash’s face, indicating the nerve Stretch touched. “I enjoy riding. Same with fucking and drinking.”
“This argument is getting us nowhere. I wanted to talk to you about meeting with Outlaw tomorrow. He’s angry, Cash.”
“If he is, he’ll get over it. It was all harmless fun. Fuck, he looked at her tits. I refuse to believe he didn’t consider fucking her.”
“He’s a fucking man and she’s a pretty woman.” But she couldn’t touch Fee. Daphne was sex personified. Fee was nothing but sweetness. Daphne scared Stretch, living on the edge. Fee fascinated him, having just enough sass to keep him on his toes. “That doesn’t mean Outlaw would fuck Daphne. Nor does it mean he wants her around. If it gets back to Meggie—”
Cash waved away Stretch’s concern. “She’ll get over it.”
“Call him tonight and apologize to him.”
“Fuck no.” He finished off the second beer and started a third. “I know him better than you, so stop worrying.”
Stretch searched for the right words to get through to Cash, but came up empty. “Your arrogance is going to get you fucking killed.”
“You love me because of my arrogance.”
“More like in spite of.”
Cash shrugged, forever conceited.
Hiding how much that turned him on, Stretch tried another argument. “Well, even if it doesn’t get back to Meggie, there’s always the matter of Fee.”
“He can’t beat my ass based on speculation. Daphne will swear I was in bed with her, only stopping to get to your room and lead Fee to her car. See? I’ve thought of everything. All my bases are covered.”
Fine. Stretch had nothing more to say. Cash knew it all and wouldn’t be swayed any other way. Stretch did worry about everything. In this instant, he thought he was justified.
Tomorrow, by this time, they’d know who’d been right.
The next morning, Cash drew in a deep breath as he raised his hand to knock on Outlaw’s office door, thinking of Stretch’s warning. He had nothing to worry about.
Cash would reason shit out with his president, receive a punch or two, and be on his way.
The door flew open, while Cash still held his hand up to knock. Now that Outlaw stood in front of him, he lowered his hand and grinned. “Couldn’t wait to see me?”
Outlaw’s fist connected to Cash’s chin and jaw, before he punched him in the gut. Doubling over, Cash staggered back.
“Get the fuck in here.”
Nausea rising in him, he crept forward, staying on his feet by sheer willpower. Outlaw had knocked away Cash’s smugness with the hard blows. He’d come in expecting the man to scream and holler first, believing he’d see his ass whipping coming. The fact that the fist could’ve been a bullet woke him up.
This time, he saw the hit coming. Even worse. He fucking flinched before impact. Whacked off his feet, he coughed and gasped, noticing Outlaw’s steel-toed boots, the ones he wore to beat the fuck out of people.
His head was quite close to that boot, so he quieted himself, fearing Outlaw would kick his brains out.
“What the fuck wrong with you, motherfucker?” He prowled around Cash, then kicked him in the thigh.
Shit.
“You know the first goddamn thing my kid told his ma?”
Fuck, he was fucking dead. Stretch had been right. If Meggie had gotten upset over Daphne’s presence, Outlaw would show no mercy.