CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CASH
The drive had been quiet for the last fifteen minutes.
But not the kind of quiet that was peaceful, as much as it was careful.
Max had knocked out almost as soon as they pulled off.
The day had clearly caught up with him, and somehow the little nigga was covered in leaves like he had been rolling around on the ground.
Every so often he let out a soft snore, causing his chest to rise and fall.
The heat hummed low through the vents, fogging the corners of the windows.
An old Meek track played beneath it all, the volume turned down so low it barely counted as music.
Cash knew the song by heart, but tonight it was less about listening and more about keeping the silence from swallowing the car whole.
Jackie hadn’t said a word since they left the field.
She angled her body toward the passenger window, arms folded tight across her chest, like she wanted to be anywhere but next to him.
She hadn’t looked his way once, and low key, it was fucking with him.
She kept her attention pinned to the glass like she would rather stare into the pitch black than risk looking at him.
Cash kept his eyes on the road, trying his best to match her energy.
But it was useless. Because every so often, without even meaning to, his gaze slid her way—quick and involuntary. Almost like his eyes belonged to her.
The apology he tried to give her earlier still hung in the air heavier than ever.
Now it sat between them like another passenger, quiet but impossible to ignore.
Part of him wanted to pick it back up, say something that might close the distance she was creating.
But instinct told him to leave it alone.
So, he kept it P and spoke to her in the only other language he had access to right now.
Music. Meek Mill’s Crash Out (Remix) hummed low through the car as they finally hit Broad Street.
He thought about bringing up the car, but he knew better.
It wasn’t a secret that Jackie’s Altima had been on borrowed time since before the school year started.
He should have offered to get it looked at months ago.
But pride had him in his feelings. Still tight about the Marcus shit.
And between that, street shit, family politics, and Zambia’s annoying ass always hovering around his life, Cash had been stretched thin.
It also didn’t help that Jackie was proud as hell.
Independent to a fault. She would’ve rather push that damn car down the block herself before accepting help from him.
Especially right now. Just as that thought crossed his mind, Jackie shifted in her seat and finally broke the silence.
“You could’ve just called a tow truck.”
“I did,” Cash said, eyes still on the road.
“But what I look like letting you and Max ride home in the back of a fucking tow truck?” Jackie didn’t respond.
She looked out the window instead, irritation practically radiating off her.
Cash glanced over, and he could see the exhaustion sitting heavy on her face.
Her jaw was tight, and her shoulders were pulled in, like the day refused to take its foot off her neck.
Still, exhausted or not…Jackie Brown was beautiful.
A little worn, maybe. But beautiful, nonetheless.
“You good?” he asked. She didn’t answer right away.
She stared ahead for a few seconds before giving the smallest nod.
“Always.” Cash didn’t challenge it. He knew a lie when he heard one.
But he let her have it. Because if he were being honest, Jackie didn’t owe him the truth. At least not anymore.
The quiet remained, broken only by the steady hum of the engine and the bass drifting through the speakers. They were almost past Girard when Max stirred in the back seat. He blinked slowly, disoriented, then sat up. A sleepy groan came first, followed by the rustle of blankets.
“Mmm… Mommy?” Jackie turned slightly. “Yes, son?”
“Can we still get ramen? Like you promised?” Her shoulders stiffened almost immediately.
“Baby, we’ll get some when we get home.” Max blinked, still half asleep.
“No… not noodles, Mommy. Real ramen. Like with the egg and veggies.” Jackie paused, rubbing her forehead like she needed a second.
“Baby, it’s been a very long day,” she said quietly.
“And I know I promised you ramen. But it’s late, and Mommy’s tired.
I promise when we get home, I’ll make you the best ramen you ever had.
I’ll even let you use Mommy’s special hot sauce.
Deal?” Max sat there for a moment, clearly disappointed.
Then he let out a small, defeated sigh. “Okay.” Cash spoke from the driver’s seat, voice low.
“Terakawa.” Jackie frowned. “Tera-what?”
“The ramen spot,” he said. “Its a couple blocks up.”
She turned slowly, ready to shut it down, but he kept going.
“I know somebody in there. I can probably get us a table.” Max perked up immediately.
“For real, Coach?” Cash gave a small shrug. “For real.” Max started kicking his feet until Jackie shot him a look and he straightened up fast. “Mommy, please.” Max begged. “I look a mess,” Jackie said quietly, finally meeting Cash’s eyes. “Then we’ll do takeout,” Cash reassured her.
She hesitated, then nodded. “Ooooh, can we get sushi too?” Max added quickly. “Me and MJ always get shrimp tempuras, right, Mommy?” Jackie paused, then exhaled. “Yes, baby.”
Cash pulled up along the curb outside Terakawa.
It was packed, like always. He didn’t just know a guy.
He knew the owner. Personally. They had catered a few of his mother’s bougie dinner parties, so he shot him a quick text to move things along.
He didn’t bother with the menu. Just ordered his usual and told him to make it three of everything so they could build their own bowls.
He added sushi, fried rice, chicken, fish, and a few Japanese sodas.
From the back seat, Max suddenly pointed out the window. “Oh, Mom, look. Target. Can we go in there? I still got my gift card from the 100-book challenge.”
“Max, you have eleven dollars on that gift card,” Jackie said tiredly.
“Yes, but that’s enough for something.”
“Not tonight, baby.”
“I’ll take him,” Cash said. Jackie turned toward him immediately. “Only if it’s alright with you,” he added. “I gotta run in there anyway. Need to grab some stuff for the house.” That part was a lie.
Cash didn’t need shit from Target. But he could see the weight sitting in Jackie’s shoulders, and if twenty minutes inside a quiet car gave her a chance to breathe, he was willing to play along.
Jackie looked like she was about to argue, but the words died before they made it out.
Instead, she reached into her bag, pulled out the gift card, and counted a few ones from her wallet.
“It’s only eleven dollars on it,” she said.
“He just wants another Captain Underpants book, and those are usually—”
“I got it,” Cash said quietly. Her eyes lifted to his. Something unreadable flickered there. She slipped the card and cash back into her wallet. Cash opened the door and nodded toward Max.
“Come on, young bull.” Max hopped out like it was Christmas. He slipped his small hand into Cash’s without thinking, and together they crossed the street.
Cash came back twenty minutes later, with Max bouncing beside him, as three Target bags hung heavy on his wrist. Jackie’s eyes narrowed immediately.
“You said a book.” Max climbed into the back seat first, already digging through the bags like he couldn’t wait another second.
“I did get a book,” he said quickly. He pulled out a bright Captain Underpants paperback and waved it around like proof.
But then he reached back into the bag and pulled out the matching Captain Underpants pajamas.
Jackie blinked slowly before turning her head toward Cash, who was conveniently looking down at his phone, pretending to text in an obvious effort to avoid her eyes. “Pajamas. Really Cassius?”
Max kept going, pulling things out one by one like it was show-and-tell.
“And toys.” Max continued as he sat two small action figures in the seat beside him like little passengers. “And I got—” Jackie held up a hand. “Maximus.” He froze. Then immediately pointed toward Cash. “Mommy, Coach Cash also made me get socks, undershirts, and big boy draws.”
Jackie didn’t say anything right away. She just kept her eyes fixed on the side of Cash’s face.
Cash could feel the heat radiating off her stare.
Did he let Max get pretty much everything he wanted in the cart?
Yeah. But he also made him grab a few essentials.
Most kids would’ve gone dumb if he handed them a blank check like he had Max.
But Max only wanted a book, some new pajamas, and a pack of peanut M&M’s.
Cash had to practically beg him to grab a few toys.
“I got deodorants and soaps too,” Max added proudly.
“Like the kind you get me.” Jackie was silent, but Cash could feel her eyes burning straight into the side of his head.
He didn’t turn toward her, just started the car and prayed the food would be out soon.
“Oh! And I got you something too, Mommy.” Jackie frowned slightly.
“I really wish you wouldn’t have,” she said quietly, her eyes still locked on Cash.
Max reached back into the bag and pulled out a pack of peanut M&M’s.
The corner of Jackie’s mouth lifted before she could stop it.
“Thank you, baby.” Max beamed like he had just done something heroic.
“You’re welcome, Mommy. I know you like the yellow pack.
” Cash finally glanced over, their eyes met for just one second.
Neither of them said anything. Then Jackie spoke softly.
“Thank you.” Before Cash could answer, two runners from the restaurant suddenly appeared beside the car pushing a cart stacked with catering containers.
Jackie blinked. “How much food did you order?” Cash popped the trunk and stepped out.
“Enough.” The cold night air hit him as he moved around the back of the car.
The runners worked quickly, passing him container after container while the smell of broth, fried rice, and grilled chicken drifted out of the bags.
Cash tipped both before loading everything into the trunk.
By the time he slid back into the driver’s seat, Jackie was digging through her purse like a madwoman.
The leather bag was practically upside down in her lap.
“What you looking for?” he asked. She didn’t answer right away.
Instead, she kept rummaging, fingers flying through the inside pockets before dumping the entire contents onto the floor between her legs.
“My fucking house keys,” she said, her voice tight with panic as she checked her hoody pockets next.
Cash watched her from the corner of his eye.
The movement was frantic now, not just searching, but scrambling. Then she froze.
“Fuck,” she muttered under her breath. “They’re in the middle console… of my car.” The words came out hollow, as Jackie leaned back in the seat and let out a long, defeated sigh. Her hands fell into her lap, fingers still curled like they didn’t know what to do now that the search was over.
Cash felt the shift in her immediately. The exhaustion that had been riding her all night had finally caught up.
“You don’t keep a spare nowhere?” Cash asked.
“Like outside your crib, under a flowerpot or something?” Jackie let out a tired breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
“Have you seen my block?” she said, turning her head toward him. “Would you keep a spare key out there?”
Cash nodded slowly. “Nah… you right.”
For a second, he just watched her. He could practically see her mind running a mile a minute, trying to solve ten different problems at once. Her eyes had that glazed overlook people got when they were trying real hard not to lose their shit in front of somebody. Cash knew that look.
Finally, he spoke. “My condo’s not far from here.” Jackie turned her head slowly. Her eyes were glossy now. Not crying, but close enough that he could see the moisture gathering there. “We can go there,” he continued calmly. “Eat and figure out the key situation later.”
He kept his voice steady, giving her something simple to grab onto.
“I already had your car towed to my folks’ repair yard, so tracking it down ain’t a problem.
Only thing is it’s after eight, so they might be closed by now.
” He paused before adding, “If that’s the case, we’ll just call a locksmith.
” Jackie stared straight ahead for a moment, her chest rising slowly as she tried to settle herself.
“Kormia has a spare,” she said quietly. “I could call her.”
“That’s an option too.” Cash said, as they sat there in silence.
Jackie studied his profile from the passenger seat, her eyes lingering on him longer than they had all night.
Then the tension slowly drained out of her shoulders.
The fight that had been holding her upright all evening finally started to dissolve.
She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.
Cash didn’t say anything. He simply shifted the car into drive, pulled back into traffic, and headed toward his place.