Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Dev seemed to understand his reservations and reached for his hand. Holding hands was a regular thing for them when they slept but not like this. His knuckles were drawn to Dev’s lips, kissing him. “You make my life better. Thank you. Now start from the beginnin’.”
Chapter 26
“I was born…” Cash started with a smile.
Dev immediately interrupted him, pretending a long yawn in sudden boredom. “Hit the high points until it gets interestin’.”
“Let’s see. My parents are missionaries, have I told you that?”
He chuckled until the laugh turned into a full belly deal. “Of course they are. Everything’s slidin’ into place now. That’s why you’re such a good guy.”
“I don’t know about that, but it’s how I got on this side of the law. My parents started a traveling ministry when I was young. They’re very good people. Hippies to their core. Their ministry never really took off no matter how hard they tried. They preach about love and non-judgment and back it up with the bible. They’re pretty heavy pot smokers.”
“I’ll like ’em then,” Dev said with a spreading grin, trying to understand how religion and weed went together.
He suspected talking about Cash’s life might ease some of his tension, but he had no idea that less than twenty words into the explanation, the stress and anxiety of the day eased away.
“They’d like you. Maybe have a problem with your language,” Cash said, mimicking Dev by adjusting the pillow, pushing a hand underneath. “My mom and dad taught me to strive to be my best. They wanted me to be a good man. My mom was my best friend for most of my life. I didn’t hang around other children after I left Dallas. Lame, huh?”
“No, it’s sweet. I love my mom too. No brothers and sisters?” Dev asked. He knew the answer; he just didn’t know why Cash was an only child.
“No. They tried to have more kids, but my mom had many miscarriages. It broke her heart. They imagined a big family.” Cash’s pretty green stare held the hints of the sorrow his parents must have faced.
“As a kid, how’d y’all wind up in badass South Dallas?” Dev asked, leaving out how fucked up it was of his parents to let him go to such a hard-core inner-city school. “You were too innocent to be in my neck of the woods.”
“Yeah, they learned that lesson the hard way,” Cash answered, bringing their joined hands up for a kiss. Cash gripped Dev’s hand a little tighter, keeping it close. The direct stare didn’t falter, but Cash seemed more reflective than present as he took a spin down memory lane. “When they started the ministry, they bought a travel trailer that became our home as well as their church. Their fundamental belief is that people are inherently good. They only need a helping hand to find their way. When I say it out loud, it feels more utopian. I never realized that before.” Cash grinned broadly and rolled his eyes. “Dysfunctional, for sure.”
“No, I lived a dysfunctional life. Where did you get your build? Your mom or dad’s side of the family,” Dev asked, drawn to Cash’s smile. He was shit to do more than lift a finger from the hand hold to trace along Cash’s lower lip until it was time to answer.
“My parents are both tallish. My father can’t stand upright inside the trailer. His family’s from Scotland, the Fort William area, the Highlands. He was brought to the States as a baby. His side of the family are all tall and have auburn hair. Big men with deep accents. I’ve been told that the accident stunted my growth or I’d be as tall as my father,” Cash explained.
“What’re you, six-two or three?”
“Yeah, six-three,” Cash answered. “My dad’s six-six or six-seven. He’s tall and the shortest in his family. He pulls out the kilt regularly. I have one too. My first name comes from his family lineage. They’re proud people.”
“Huh. I’m six foot one.” Dev stated proudly. His accompanying nod made Cash chuckle and shake his head.
“Right. You’re six feet exactly per your file,” Cash countered, easily tossing Dev’s lie back in his face.
“You know it pisses me off when you do that.” He tried to release Cash’s hand to pout, but Cash held firm.
“You’ll get over it.”
Dev narrowed his eyes at the authority Cash used in saying those words. Pretty sure he never got over anything. Not ever. Not once.
“It’s a good thing I like you,” he finally relented. “So what’s this ministry they have? If they travel around, they’ve got to have some success.”
Cash shook his head again. “I’ve been their biggest donor since I went to college. I was seventeen. I got grants and scholarships to pay my way. I took out loans to give them money because things really fell apart for them. They don’t know I took out loans. Now, a part of my check automatically goes to them every month. After I paid off my school debt, I don’t really need money. The government covers me. I don’t buy a lot.”