SNAP (The SNAP Trilogy Book 1) (22 page)

I pin her to the wall with my upper body and bring my hand around to her clit. My balls feel as if they are going to bust and I want to hear her scream when they do. Swirling her clit under my thumb, I angle myself just right and slam into her as hard as I can. Her head thuds back against the wall and she lets out the most beautiful scream moan I have ever heard as I spurt inside of her. Her breaths are shaky and tears well in her eyes making them look like molten silver pools. I lean my forehead to hers and search her eyes in fear. If I hurt her I won't be able to forgive myself. She smiles and kisses me removing my doubts.

"I'm good," she croaks out then laughs and clears her throat. "More than good. That was…intense."

"That was
amazing."
I slip out of her body and she gasps. I smile and kiss her softly. Putting her leg down, I make sure she has her balance before letting go of her.

As we wash, I broach the subject of me leaving today.

"I have to go out of town tonight," I tell her and wait for her reaction.

Her face gives away nothing. "Cash, I understand that you have to work."

"I know, but I don't want you to be alone right now."

She thinks for a minute while rinsing her hair then says, "Maybe I don't have to be."

My brows pull together wondering what she means.

"I wanted to offer Bobby a place to stay other than Dustin's. They aren't getting along well and he doesn't need to be there mixed up in all that shit." It rushes from her mouth quickly and she pauses looking at me.

I'm trying to mask my emotions, but I'm pissed. The thought of Bobby staying here sets me on fire. Will he make sure she's safe? I don't doubt it for a second. I saw the way he looked at her. That's the part I don't like. He'll have ample opportunity to show Hazel how he feels.

"With Bobby here, he stays out of trouble and can help me if I need it." She sighs and adds, "I would feel safer with him here while you're gone."

And that's the most important thing. Her being safe. Maybe getting out of here is the best thing. I'm getting over involved with Hazel and losing my mind at the thought of someone else keeping her safe. I focus and get my head back in the game. I'm not here to protect Hazel. I'm here to discover what Phil is up to and stop him. Dale saw this shit coming from a mile away, why couldn't I? Bobby will keep her safe. Hazel has no interest in him anyway, and if she did there's nothing I would do about it.

"That's an excellent idea." I smile at her and she returns it.

I step from the shower and towel off then wrap it around my waist. "I'm going to get dressed."

"Okay. I'll be out in a minute."

I grab my jeans and walk to her room. Tossing them on the bed, I spot the unused condom on the comforter. A condom that should have been worn several different times. Stupid. I know I'm clean. I've never gone without a rubber before and I get tested regularly. I'm pretty sure if Hazel had something, she'd tell me. She's not the kind of person to keep that shit to herself and hurt someone. But I don't know if she's on birth control. I shake my head and snatch my boxers off the floor, flinging my sock under the bed with the jerky movement. I slip my boxers on then get dressed.

Kneeling down on the floor, I peer under her bed and find my sock. As I pull it back, a folded up piece of paper behind it catches my attention. Guilt has me looking behind me, but Hazel is still in the shower. I grab the paper and open it.

I lean back against the bed as I read it over and over again in confusion and shock.

Was I wrong about Hazel? Has she been part of this mess all along? Or did Phil lose this and he's trying to get it back?

I sigh and run a hand through my hair while a million questions ping through my mind. But the one that keeps repeating is, why is the formula for Snap under Hazel's bed?

Hazel

From the time I stepped foot into work, I've been running my ass off. With school starting soon, families are out in droves getting all their back-to-school shopping done. We're so busy, even Roger is out on the floor working. It was time for us to get a laugh when Roger complained about not having enough help around here. He now understands what we've been bitching about for almost a year.

I'm in the kitchen getting prep done for the evening rush wishing I had a cigarette two hours ago and thinking about Cash. I was pleasantly surprised to see him cooking breakfast for me. I wasn't sure how he would react after last night, but this morning he seemed happy and more relaxed around me. That is until after my shower. The walls were back in place closing him off to me once again. What could possibly have occurred in that short period of time to shut me out completely? Could it have been talk of Bobby?

Cash decided to stay at my place and get more sleep before he has to leave tonight. I got a little excited because he didn't want to go and I'd be able to say goodbye before he takes off. What took place between us is a lot for me to process. It has to be a lot for him too. When he told me he couldn't give me what I'm looking for, I honestly didn't think I was looking for anything. After last night, I realized I was wrong. I am looking for something. Cash let me know it was okay to be broken. There is no need to be fixed as long as I have someone who accepts me as I am and loves me, ugly past and all. That's what I need and Cash gave that to me. Obviously he was hurt long ago to be able to hide his emotions as well as he does. I can't fathom that kind of existence or what he's been through all these years. It must be lonely as hell.

When I left for work, I gave Erick a call and talked to him about Bobby staying at my place. Erick was all for it and said he would talk to Bobby at work tonight and let me know. He's just as worried about Bobby. Erick said after we left Dustin's that they were shitty with one another the rest of the night. I feel bad for Bobby. He has to be in denial if he thinks Dustin is going to change. Erick said he would try his best to talk to some sense into him, but Bobby has a mind of his own. I can only pray he makes the right choice.

As I'm wrapping up pans to put in the fridge, I notice Jimmy's trainee working with someone else on the grill. Jimmy is nowhere in sight and was supposed to take over prep to teach the trainee our procedures.

"Where is Jimmy?" I ask the newbie. They went on break together, he should be back by now.

"I don't know. He said he was waiting for a friend and would be back in a minute." He looks worried. "I didn't want to be late and get in trouble, so I clocked back in."

"You're fine. Keep doing what you're doing. I'm going to find Jimmy."

I look in the diner, the bar, and out front, but he's nowhere to be found. I walk to the back door where we take out trash and hear voices. Opening the door, I catch Jimmy and Dustin in the middle of a drug deal. Jimmy's eyes get as big as saucers as he tries to pocket the evidence as fast as he can. I'm so disappointed in him and livid with Dustin. How dare he deal that shit where I work? I keep my mouth shut when I'm at his house because it's not my place to tell him what to do, but this is
my
place and he's not doing business here.

"It'll be okay, Hazel's cool." Dustin pats Jimmy's shoulder and slips the money in his pocket.

My nostrils flare in anger and my head begins thumping as my blood pressure rises. Jimmy glances at me unsure of Dustin's comment and takes a worried step back. He should be concerned, because I'm about to unleash on that motherfucker.

"The fuck I am!" I point my finger at Dustin and sneer. His brows pull together and his jaw tightens. "I am
not
"cool" with that shit, at all. You wanna do your thing at your house, by all means, destroy your fucking life. But you
will not
bring that shit here."

Dustin glares daggers at me as Jimmy looks between us. Over Dustin's shoulder I watch as Phil steps out of Dustin's car. He rounds the hood and leans against it, crossing his arms and legs. If he thinks that shit is going to make me back down he is wrong. Intimidation is not going to work with me anymore. I will fight him to the end. He will not rule me with fear any longer.

I shoot him the same pissed off look and turn back to Dustin.

"If I catch either of you," I point to him then Phil, "dealing here again, I will call the fucking cops. Believe that I'm "cool" with that." I look at Jimmy and he is scared. "Jimmy, get inside. Now!"

Jimmy walks past me as Dustin and Phil stare me down. I grab the doorknob and slam the door closed in his face. Dustin yells fuck loud enough for Jimmy and I to hear it clear as day through the door. My hand shakes as I grip the knob for dear life trying to control my heart beating wildly.

"Hazel, I–"

"Shut up, Jimmy," I snap and he cowers. I hold my hand out not able to look at him. "Give it to me."

"What?" Panic laces his voice.

"You heard me."

"I…I can't," he responds.

"Jimmy, listen to me. That shit is making people sick. People are fucking dying. You think I haven't noticed how strung out you've been?"

Jimmy's head bowed in shame snaps up in shock. Did he think people wouldn't notice he was on drugs, walking around with dilated eyes and moody as hell? Oh, they've noticed. The sweet and kind Jimmy is being replaced with this strung out mess standing before me.

"Does Mariah know? Does she know that you're spending your hard earned money on drugs and taking care of your child high as kite?"

He turns his head before admitting, "She does it with me."

My heart is breaking. I can't believe they are doing this to themselves, and to their child. Tears blur my vision knowing I can't do anything about it. Once again someone I care about is using this shit without thinking of the consequences.

"Please give it to me." My voice croaks and he turns at the sound.

"No." He puts his head down and turns his back to me going to the time clock to punch back in.

As he steps toward the doorway to go back into the kitchen I call out to him.

"Jimmy."

He stops, back stiffening, but doesn't face me.

"The same goes for you. If I catch you buying or using at work, I'll fire you and call the cops."

He doesn't acknowledge me, just walks into the kitchen and gets back to work. I hope and pray that he thinks about what I said and what he and Mariah are doing to themselves and their little family. If Roger discovers he's on drugs, he's gone. I'm trying to help him here, but I'm too late. They've gotten a taste of Snap and they like it. And it's hooking them. I mentally berate myself for not saying something to him sooner. If I had, maybe I could have prevented him from using.

Pretending like nothing happened, I get back to work. I keep my distance from Jimmy and he keeps his from me. We only speak if we have to and it's short and to the point when we do. This is how our relationship will be from now on. Everything has changed and I hate it. I love Jimmy, but this is not the Jimmy I love. I'd say that Jimmy would never do anything like this, but he did.

Cady strolls through the door a little later in her uniform and I look at her questioningly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Roger called and asked me to come in and help with the dinner shift. He thought y'all could use the help and I could use the money." She smiles and looks around at the full dining room.

"Wow. That's a shocker."

"I know. Oh! Erick said Bobby agreed to stay at your place. I'll pick them up from work when I get off and we'll be over after that."

A weight lifts from my shoulders hearing her words. After telling Dustin and Phil off, I worried I'd get paid a visit tonight and have no one there with me. I reacted in anger without thinking. Hell yes it felt good, and no I will not let him intimidate me anymore, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried about what will come from that encounter.

"That's a huge relief." I lean toward her and whisper, "Dustin and Phil were here today. They weren't here to eat, either."

"You okay? He didn't try anything, did he?" she asks, concerned.

"I'm fine. I'm pissed off, but I'm fine. I'll tell you guys about it tonight."

She nods her head then goes to put her stuff up and clock in.

I planned to tell Cash about the drug deal, but now that Bobby is staying, there is no need to. He won't be able to do anything while he's out of town. Telling him will only upset him and I don't want my muddled life to get in the way of his job. After all, that's the whole reason he's here.

Phil

After the little incident this afternoon, I drove a paranoid Dustin back to his house and left him there even though we had a lot to get done. I made my way out to our makeshift lab in the middle of bum fuck Egypt. Finding this place was a nice surprise. It's a little bunker beneath ground on an old oil mining property my grandfather owns. The almost hour drive to it is boring as fuck, but the location is perfect. Being private property, and way the hell out there, no one ever drives these roads. Well, if they can even be called roads. More like dirt paths now. It's been a good twenty years since these oil drills were active.

When I get to the point I can no longer drive, I park the car in the turnaround spot. Getting out, I walk into a wooded area where Dustin and I hid some ATV's under a tarp. I uncover one and climb on. The rumble of the engine when I switch it on puts a smile on face. The day may have started as shit, but I'll fix it soon enough.

The short trek to the underground entrance only takes a few minutes. I pull the keys from my pocket and unlock the rusted door once white. Remnants of the paint flake off as I open the door. Walking down the steep steps, I push aside the curtain to step foot inside the concrete room. The mix of chemicals in the air have my nose burning instantly. I have no idea what this was once used for, but I'm glad it's here. The set-up fits perfectly with extra space to store stuff and sleep here if needed. One side of the room is set up with our own personal chemistry set, the other side set up as a makeshift bedroom. The thick sheets hanging between help us get shut eye when we're working into the night.

It took some time to get this place cleaned up enough to work in. Bugs and rodents had claimed it for a long time, but somehow we managed to do it and get the inside sealed so moisture couldn't leak through anymore. The ventilation system is shit down here. Maybe it would work better if we weren't running off a generator. Snap is selling like nothing I've ever seen. Pretty soon we can get the hell out of this shit hole and upgrade.

Punching in the numbers, I open the door to my safe under my cot. My handgun, bullets, stacks of money, and a black toiletry bag sit inside. The gun stares at me for a moment making me itch to pick it up and feel the cool weight of it in my hand. It won't be long before carrying it on the daily will be a necessity, but not today. No, today all I need is my bare hands. A smile spreads across my face as I grab the bag from the safe and shut the door.

***

"I need your help again," I say into the phone as I watch Hazel walk through the parking lot of Maggie's toward her car. She's looking around and over her shoulder as if she expects someone to jump her out in the open.

"That was a one-time deal, man. I don't know what else I can do for you," the annoyed man says down the phone line.

"I need it again." The snarl that leaves me has me even pausing. Desperate, I plead with him. "I'll pay you double what I did last time."

"It isn't possible. What you want is on lock down now. We don't have access to it and each of us are responsible for just our part. Sorry, man."

He doesn't sound fucking sorry. I can make him sound sorry when I cut his fucking fingers off one by one. My hand grips the phone to the point of crushing it. Hazel climbs into her car quickly and starts the engine. I pop my car in drive and wait for her to pull out.

"I gotta go," the man says.

"Wait," I almost shout at him. "Can you get me inside? I'll do it myself, just get me inside." I don't know where this thought came from, but it's the best idea I've come up with yet.

"I don't know." The man sighs then it's quiet while he thinks about it.

Her car pulls out of the lot and I wait until a couple of cars pass me to follow behind her.