Page 14 of Cold Hard Cash

“Jimmy.” Augustus took another step forward. “Please. If you just answer a few questions, I can help you out.”

“Oh!” Jimmy practically shouted, laughing bitterly. “There it is. There, that’s why you came here. You don’t want to help me. You wanna use me!”

Augustus’ nostrils flared in anger. “That’s not true. But whatever shit you’ve stepped in, you’re gonna need to give a little if you want the police to protect your ass.”

“Protect me from what?”

“From Boss Cold when he finds out you’ve been talking to the cops,” Augustus said with a little shrug.

“But I haven’t been,” Jimmy argued, eyes wide in shock. “I’m just talking to you…” Realization ran over him like a bucket of ice water, and he shivered as he bit the blood out of his lip to hold back a sob. “Oh my God.”

“Fuck you, Augustus,” Maury raged, slamming his fist down so hard the plate rattled. “You wouldn’t fuckin’ dare put that on the streets, you fuckin’ pig. What the fuck is wrong with you? Jimmy ain’t no fuckin’ snitch!”

“Augustus.” Jimmy’s heart shattered as he deflated against the counter.

“I will do whatever I have to if it means keeping you safe,” Augustus said softly. “Please. Just think about it, okay? I don’t want to force you—”

“But, oh, if you think it’s what’s best for me, you’ll just go on and do it.” Jimmy stared at the floor, hugging his arms around himself. “Get the fuck out.”

“Jimmy, I have no idea what you were doing in that hotel with Legrand, and frankly, I don’t wanna know,” Augustus tried again, pleading, “but you’ve got no idea what you’re getting yourself into, son. Now, please—”

“I’m not your fucking son! I’m not your fucking anything!” Jimmy shouted, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Just, just get the fuck out!”

Augustus relented and took a deep breath. Jimmy’s words clearly hurt him, but he said nothing for a few moments as he tried to gather his thoughts. He nodded, as if deciding on something, and said, “If you change your mind, and I really hope you do, you know my number.”

“Yeah, well…” Jimmy fumbled for a big finish as Augustus walked away. “The joke’s on you ’cause I don’t even have a phone! Ha!”

Maury cringed as the front door slammed. “Nice, kid. Not really, but you know, good try.”

Jimmy, shaking all over, turned around to grab Maury from over the counter and hugged him tight. “Oh fuck.”

Maury patted Jimmy’s back. “Hey, it’s all right, kid. Forget about that prick.”

“Do you really think he would do that?” Jimmy asked nervously. “Do you think he’d tell people I was a snitch? There’s nothing to even snitch! It’s not like Cold is telling me all his nefarious, evil plans while we bang! Jesus, Maury. Cold is gonna have Jules Price set me on fire. Jules will do it, he’s crazy. He really likes burning things!”

“Calm down.” Maury cupped Jimmy’s cheek. “That stupid pig is all fucking talk. He’s a piece of shit, but even he ain’t that much of a piece of shit, okay? Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Gonna give you wrinkles.”

Jimmy nodded weakly, trying to let Maury reassure him. He really didn’t feel that much better, but he smiled anyway. “Wrinkles, huh?”

“Yeah.” Maury chuckled. “And we gotta keep you pretty lookin’ for Boss Cold. Can’t have you looking all scruffy and shit.” He gave Jimmy one last squeeze before letting him go. “Go home. Wash your ass. Handle your shit, kid.”

Jimmy ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. “Got it. Home. Wash ass. Will do.”

“And you know, just sayin’?” Maury offered with a tiny smirk. “Maybe it really wouldn’t be such a bad idea for you to get a phone?”

“Let’s see how broke I am after I buy food and pay my rent.” Jimmy laughed. “If I do, trust me, you’ll be the first one I call!”

“I fuckin’ better be. Get the fuck outta here. Big night tonight, right? Have fun, kid.”

“Fun, yup,” Jimmy said with a bashful smile, giving Maury one last hug before departing. He hurried home with the pilfered dish from the hotel, anxiously bouncing in the back seat of the cab the whole way.

Even though Augustus had soured his morning, he refused to let it bother him. He was still going to see Boss Cold and do whatever he had to do to erase his debt. He knew in his heart that Augustus probably did mean well, but it hurt all the same that his intentions were not entirely pure.

They hadn’t seen one another since their last fight when Augustus had tried to get Jimmy to come home again. It had ended just as all the others had, with Jimmy screaming and in tears. It had been at least two or three years, he figured, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall the exact date.

Whatever. It wasn’t important.

Tonight was important. He had to get himself ready for another thrilling evening with Boss Cold, and he had officially run out of nice things to wear. He chuckled to himself, blushing as he realized that if tonight was anything like last night, then it really didn’t matter what he wore.