Cash (Glendale Magic #2)

Chapter 26

CASH

Cash sat up in bed, his head pounding, loud music blaring from the Music room. Drums. Guitars. Female vocals. It sounded sick, but it was also fucking loud. He picked up his phone, it was already after ten. Groaning, he pulled his pillow over his head because not only was he hung over, but his phone also told him Evie never texted him back.

He pulled on some shorts and went into the kitchen and chugged a glass of water. If his head didn't hurt, he might enjoy the music coming from the room down the hall, but he needed to clear his head. He was still busy trying to figure out what happened last night.

Poking his head in the music room, he said, “are you guys playing Bikini Kill? Sounds amazing."

"Thanks," River said.

"I'm heading out for a run."

Without another word the music started back up. He really was impressed with River and the band he seemed to be forming. The roller coaster of the past few weeks was catching up with him. This teenager and the goddess that currently had him blocked had blown up his life so much that he didn't even recognize it anymore. He’d never had his life depend on anyone but himself before. He had no one to answer to. But that was all different now. He had to consider other people and their needs. That should bother him. He liked his life before Evie and River, but now he loved it.

He sat on his steps and laced up his running shoes and took off. He needed a clear head. Running was not as good as getting on the ice, but he would make do. As he was finishing up his run, he saw a familiar red head of hair running a few houses ahead of him. He quickened his pace to catch up.

"Hey man," Cash said as he caught up.

"Hey, how'd golf go?"

"The whole day was a shitshow," he grumbled.

"Seriously?"

Cash nodded as they jogged to Conner's place. It was nice having him close. Not only was it good to have a teammate nearby, but Conner had become one of his best friends. They slowed as they came to Conner's and started stretching.

"I heard some music coming from your house. How are things going with River?"

"Pretty decent. Loud, but we seem to have come to an understanding. Things with Evie got fucked last night though."

"Yeah, you’re looking a little rough."

"I'm hung over."

"Ya know, most people don't run when they are hung over," Conner said.

"We aren't most people. I just needed to clear my head."

"Any clarity?"

"Nope,” he said, popping the p hard.

"Wanna come in? Sasha was making some breakfast when I left."

Cash nodded and followed him in. It smelled good, bacon and coffee, and that was all Cash really needed. A pang of jealousy twisted in him as he watched Conner slide in behind Sasha and nuzzle her and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Ewww. You're so sweaty," she complained with a laugh as she turned around. "Cash. What are you doing here?"

"I ran into him on my jog. He fucked things up with Evie last night."

"I did not. Why do you automatically assume it was my fault?"

"What happened?" asked Sasha.

"Well for starters I spent the afternoon playing golf with her father, brother, soon to be brother-in-law AND her ex. That was painful, but I made it through," he said as he poured himself some coffee.

"That sounds awful," Sasha said, handing him a plate. "Help yourself."

He took the plate and loaded it up with eggs and bacon. He launched into it, telling them everything that happened, including her asking how many people I’d slept with in the club.

“Oh, no,” Conner groaned.

"Right? What am I supposed to do there?"

"How high was the number?" Sasha asked bracing for contact.

"It was only four...I think."

"That's actually not as bad as it could have been," Conner says trying to be comforting, but it wasn’t helping.

"Did you tell her that?" asked Sasha.

"Yeah. What was I supposed to do? Lie?" he shrugged.

Sasha nodded, sitting at the table with them. “That’s a tough situation.”

"Now she’s not talking to me and blocked me. I don't know what to do."

"You haven't talked to her at all?" Conner asked.

With a deep sigh, Cash shook his head. "After I left the club, I went to Westside and got wasted. Luckily Ethan was there and drove me home. That reminds me, can you take me to my truck?"

"Yeah, I can run you out after we finish up," Conner said, taking a drink of his water.

"What are you going to do?" Sasha asked.

Cash shrugged. "What is there to do? I mean, hopefully she'll stop being pissed soon and we can talk about it."

"That's a surprisingly mature way to think about it," said Conner.

"Fuck you, dude,” Cash said with little malice.

"No offense. I didn't know you were that serious about her."

"Dude. I fucking golfed with her family and her ex-boyfriend."

"Yeah, I'm surprised," said Conner.

" I'm just at a loss," Cash said with a sigh. "This is new territory for me."

Sasha kindly patted his shoulder before pulling her hand away in disgust. "A lot of girls dream about being surrounded by shirtless professional athletes, but no one tells you how sweaty and stinky it is."

They both laughed at that and finished their breakfast.

"Thanks for breakfast," Cash said standing to leave. "I'm gonna go shower then can you run me back to my car?"

"Yep."