Bad to Be Worthy (Bad to Be Good #2) - Andrew Grey Page 0,9

and give you a key. Bring in your things, but leave the tents out here.” He seemed like the kind of guy who liked telling people what to do.

Cheryl got out slowly and lifted Joshie into her arms. He woke up, and she put him on his feet and held his hand as they went inside. The apartment was furnished with boring, serviceable furniture, but it was clean and nice. It smelled dry but was a bit cold. Gerome kicked on the furnace, and it began warming up.

“The futon turns into a bed, and there’s a single bedroom down here.” He motioned, and Cheryl followed him. “Go ahead and bring in the rest of your stuff. There are a few things in the refrigerator. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’ll stop by in the morning to make sure you’re okay.” He let the words hang in the air. “There’s bedding for the futon in the closet. I live right across the hall.” He left and closed the door behind him.

“OH MY God,” Cheryl breathed. “What have we done to deserve this?” She took Joshie down the hall and returned wide-eyed. “There’s a really nice bathroom with shampoo and soap. Joshie, come on.” She disappeared, and Tucker heard water running in the tub. “Let’s get you a bath before I put you back to bed.” Tucker figured once Joshie was asleep, Cheryl would take her chance to avail herself of the tub as well.

“I’m still wondering what he wants,” Tucker said.

“Okay, yeah… but I haven’t been clean in so long, I don’t know what it feels like.” She looked about to cry.

“Use the bathroom. I’ll take a turn after you.” He just wanted to get clean and then sleep forever. The apartment was warm now, and there was no wind to keep out.

Cheryl took Joshie into the bathroom and closed the door. After a little while, a very tired Joshie came out in a pair of pajamas that were just a little too short and very faded. He gave Tucker a hug good night, and then Cheryl took him into the bedroom. While Cheryl took her turn in the bath, Tucker made up his bed. Then he got in the bathroom once Cheryl was done and had closed the bedroom door.

Tucker set down his clean clothes and stripped down, turned on the water, and stepped under the shower. God, it felt good to be warm, and as he soaped up, the water went from gray to clear. He hadn’t realized how dirty he was until he began getting clean. Tucker sighed and closed his eyes, water sluicing over him as he washed his hair. It had been a long time since he’d had a haircut, but it felt so much better clean. When he stepped out, he dried and combed it before pulling on a threadbare T-shirt and shorts.

He cleaned up the bathroom and hung up all the towels before turning out the lights and slipping under the covers. He couldn’t suppress a sigh as his skin met fresh sheets, with everything smelling clean. He inhaled deeply just to remind himself what that was like before closing his eyes.

Tucker knew he should be worried about what was to come. No one did something for nothing. But whatever the price was, he could figure out if it was too high. At least for tonight, he was safe, warm, and comfortable, and so were Cheryl and Joshie. That would have to be enough for now.

Chapter 3

“WHAT IN the fuck did you do?” Terrance asked the following morning as he barged into Gerome’s apartment. Gerome wasn’t even out of bed and he was already being assaulted by one of his best friends. “You put strangers up in Richard’s old place? What were you thinking?”

Gerome pushed back the covers and stood naked in front of Terrance, who turned around and left the room.

Gerome threw on a robe, joined Terrance out in his small kitchen, and put the coffee on. “Now, what are you going on about?” He passed Terrance a mug. “You do realize that our friend from the restaurant last night was pressuring people, and it seems Tucker was acting as an unwitting mule.”

“So what?”

Gerome smacked him. “Just listen and drink your coffee. I was the one who stopped him from completing his job. It’s the brick of money in my closet that’s causing him trouble. And the guy, along with his friend and her son, have been living in tents. They’re staying