Page 117 of Hollywood

I cracked the top and guzzled it down. It wasn’t my favorite brand, but I’d take anything that was cold and wet about now. Even though it was October, and the weather was crisp enough Ruby wore a puffy coat, I’d worked up a sweat.

“So, tell me what’s going on,” Ghost said.

“Huh?”

“Why do you need money?” he asked bluntly.

I blinked, caught off guard. I wasn’t used to talking one-on-one with Ghost. I wasn’t sure any of the guys were. He was close-lipped most of the time.

“It’s fine.”

“Bullsh—” He cut himself short, cutting a glancetoward Ruby. “Be straight with me. If you’re in trouble, we need to know it.”

“No!” My stomach dropped. He really thought I’d get involved in crime? That hurt. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m not saying it’s your fault,” Ghost said, eyes serious. “Knight had trouble too. He didn’t ask for it.”

I shook my head. “No, this isn’t…that. It’s just that I loaned my dad some money. Rent is coming due, and I haven’t heard from him.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. “He’s not going to pay it back?”

“No, I’m sure he will,” I said quickly. “He doesn’t know there’s a timeline to it. I should call and explain, but there never seems to be a good time. I’m always busy with Ruby or…”

Or Hollywood would overhear.

I didn’t have to say it. Ghost understood.

“Go on and call, then.” He stood up. “Ruby, how about we go inside and I show you my fish?”

Ghost had fish? That was news to me. He hadn’t moved in any with him. But I supposed fish seemed more fitting for him than something cuddly. Ghost needed a pet that would force him to accept love, though.

Sometimes, we needed a kick in the ass to get out of our own way.

“Call your dad,” Ghost said. “I’ll keep Ruby busy for a few minutes.”

Well, shit. I guess I was getting the kick in the ass now.

I pulled up the contact list and hit Call. Dad answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Tex. I was just thinking about you.”

“Oh,yeah?”

“Yeah. Been busy over here. I could have used you. Todd does okay, but he doesn’t use his damn brain half the time.”

Of course that’s what he meant. Whenever Dad thought about me, it always seemed to be in the context of labor I could provide him. I worked my jaw, trying to tamp down the flare of irritation.

“Well, hey, I was calling because you haven’t texted me back about when you can pay me. You said when the job was finished, you’d have the cash, so…”

“Well, shoot, son. I wish you’d called sooner.”

I grinned, my chest loosening. He’d been waiting for me to ask. That was all.

“Oh, my bad. I thought you’d call when you had the money. But if you could just get it to me now?—”

“I can’t,” he said. “That’s why I said I wish you’d called sooner. I invested it into my next job. It’s a big one. In fact, I’m a little short, so maybe I could make another trip out there, huh? You could help me out again.”

“Wait. Hold up. Youdon’thave the money you owe me?”