I shoot her a wink and open my bag of peanuts as I walk out the door. I take a few drinks of my Coke and drop a few peanuts in the bottle. It’s something I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid. Learned the habit from my grandfather. God rest his soul. If he were to see the mistakes I’ve made, he’d die all over again of shame.
I’ve smoked two cigarettes and finished my pop by the time the woman working the register in the gas station finishes with her shift.
I climb in the passenger side of her car noting the two car seats in the back. Jesus.
“Are you in a hurry or want to come home with me for a little fun? I’ll cook you a nice warm meal. Nobody beats my fried chicken.” She starts backing out of the parking lot.
“Nah, sweetheart. Need to get to Yellowjacket Springs soon as I can.”
“You got a woman waiting on you?”
“Something like that.”
“We could still have some fun.” She offers me a sweet smile, staring at me like she wants nothing more than to suck my damn cock dry.
“Only need a lift.”
“Suit yourself.” She deflates but doesn’t push it.
I’m not looking to be her next baby daddy. I turn up the radio. Some country shit croons from the speakers. I can’t stand that shit. I lower the volume, hoping she doesn’t want to know my life story or to share more of her own.
“What was you in for anyway?”
“Petty bullshit.”
“I don’t judge. Just know when you boys get out, you’re usually looking for a woman to take care of your needs. I get mine and you get yours.”
“That how you got two kids?”
She snorts. “No kids.”
“Then what’s with the car seats?” I hook a thumb toward the items in question that take up the backseat.
“Keeps the truckers who come in from hitting on me.”
“But men fresh out of the pen are okay?”
“Truckers have VD. I protect my kitty.”
“So, you like to fuck. That it?”
“I’m not looking to get married. I’ve already got a husband. He’s doing twenty years for vehicular manslaughter. Taking you boys home with me makes me feel like I’m closer to him.”
And I thought I was fucked up. This bitch is crazy and a bit sad.
I borrow her cell phone and put in a call to my friend, Shake. Thankfully his number is one I have memorized.
“Shit. Look what the fucking cat drug in. How’s freedom taste, boy?” Jackal slaps me on the back and welcomes me with a hug. His salt n’ pepper hair is more silver than last time I laid eyes on him.
“Taste a lot sweeter when I get home to Freya.”
“No doubt, brother. No doubt. Thought Shake was fucking with me when he said you were out and in the neighborhood.” He thumps me on the back harder. “Someone get this asshole a drink and a whore.”
I shake my head. Last thing I want is some of his used-up pussy. On the flipside though, I need to build up my stamina for Freya. One look at my woman and I’ll nut on the spot. Sometimes a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Coulda fucked that fat cunt who gave me a ride but at least here at the clubhouse I know Jackal’s bitches are clean. Brother runs a brothel. It isn’t good for business if the ass he’s selling rots dicks off. His club receives a lot of business from the asshole guards at the prison. Being privy to that information worked to my favor on the inside. Bought my ass protection.
Wasn’t having to look over my shoulder constantly waiting for someone to shank my ass when the guys in Jackals’ pocket were on duty.
Jackal shoves me toward the bar where a big titted blonde has a shot of dark liquor waiting for me.