eyes to me. “Yeah, a twelve hundred horsepower engine is kind of wimpy, but it’s all I could afford.”
“Shame.”
“Yeah.”
“They really should pay you guys more.”
“It’s a real injustice.”
“Ha! I’d say. Do you know what teachers make in Texas?”
The muscle in his jaw jumps. “No idea.”
“Let’s just say that they get paid less than you pay in taxes. That’s the real crime.”
He smooths his hand over the steering wheel. “I’m not sure you understand how this whole friend thing works. Usually insults aren’t part of the deal.” There’s a lightness to his tone, but that muscle is still spasming in his jaw.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. You can’t help that we live in a society that values the wrong things.” Good Lord, I can’t seem to stop.
“With all these compliments, you’re going to make me blush.”
I pull one leg underneath me and turn in my seat. “I’m pretty sure your ego can take it.”
“You’re probably right.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Kitty Cat. You’re not wrong. It is a screwed-up system.”
“Why do you insist on calling me that?” He’s been doing it since we were in high school, and if I’m honest, I loved it until all that crap went down at the homecoming dance. After that, it slid from his lips like poison, and I hated it. Funny how a name can mean one thing or something completely different depending on the intent of the speaker.
He shrugs. “I always liked calling you something that no one else did.” Then he seems to remember that time after homecoming. “I’m sorry it turned into something bad.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. You didn’t deserve that from me.”
I don’t want to rehash the past. In the grand scheme of things, it hardly matters. “Thank you.” I point to an empty spot on the street. “There’s a parking space.”
He parallel parks like a pro, of course he does, and eyes the beat-up Jeep in front of us and the giant truck behind us.
“Come on, football player. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“She’ll.”
“What?”
“She’s a she … Lola.”
“You named your car after a stripper?”
“Lola’s a perfectly respectable name.”
The indignation in his voice makes me laugh. “Please forgive me for the insult.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Lola.”
I laugh again and one dark eyebrow slides up his brow.
“You’re serious?”
Still he says nothing.
“Fine.” I rub my hand over the dashboard of the car. “I’m very sorry, Lola. Happy?”
“I’m satisfied. Now quit stalling, and let’s go.”
We exit the car and walk up the street to City Hall. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, but there’s a cool breeze to ward off the heat.
“Yoohoo! Tiger, dear.” Marjorie Stemp, our high school guidance counselor, is waving her hand and making her way to us.
“Mrs. Stemp, how are you today?”
“I’m well, Tiger. How are you?”
“I’m fine.” I motion to Cash. “You remember Cash?”
“Yes.” She nods, and the thin line of her lips barely moves as she speaks.
What is wrong with her? She’s one of the sweetest women in town. It hits me when I see her throwing Cash the side-eye. “Mrs. Stemp, Cash has explained to me that he didn’t turn down the grant. That sort of thing goes through his foundation, and he isn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the organization.”
“Oh.” Her faded green eyes shift from me to Cash. “Still, this is your hometown, Cash King. Seems to me, whoever runs that operation of yours should know that.”
“Yes, ma’am, he should.” Cash’s response is as tight as the gray curls coming out of Ms. Stemp’s head.
I feel obliged to defend him, even though I accused him of the same thing just a few hours ago. “Mrs. Stemp, there was a problem with the application.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I want to yank them back, but it’s too late for that.
“Oh.” The older woman looks from me to Cash. “Well, it appears I owe you an apology, Cash. I’m very sorry.”
“No problem.”
Mrs. Stemp takes my hand in hers. “And, Tiger, you don’t need to feel one bit bad about that application. Those forms can be difficult. I’m sure everyone will understand.” She pats my cheek and gives Cash a cheeky grin. “With a face like that, she doesn’t need to know how to fill out a silly ol’ application. Right? And our Tiger did come up with that cute little tagline for the center—family, community, unity. That’s very clever of her, isn’t it?” The compliment is so condescending that I wish she’d just kept it to herself.