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“Well, if it isn’t my favorite little princess and best friend.”
“Hey, what about me?” Cash asks, completely offended that Landon left him out of his greeting. Of course, my best friend doesn’t show any remorse at all.
“Don’t worry, stud. There’s no way I could forget the grumpy growly Daddy bear.”
“Ugh, you’re never going to let me live that name down, are you?”
“No chance in hell.”
Landon and I both end up laughing and Penny can’t help but join in. Thankfully, Cash is a good sport and takes the teasing pretty well. We settle in a spot on the bleachers and wait for the game to start. Cash’s mom and dad join us before the game starts and we all just chit chat until the game begins.
Reid of course is the star of the show, and his team starts off the game with a bang and a few runs. It doesn’t hurt that he has his own personal cheering section rooting him on. Landon hits it off with Cash’s parents and we all spend the game chatting away while we watch Reid dominate.
“So, my love, what kind of offer did that hospital across the state make you to try and steal you away from us?” Landon asks over his shoulder while a squirming Penny is wiggling in his lap and making up her own unique cheers for Reid’s team.
“Which one?”
“Wait, you have more than one hospital trying to recruit you away?” Cash drops my hand as his brows furrow and his back turns ramrod straight.
“Oh yeah, she does. Since Chayse became the head nurse for the ER, she’s had at least one hospital reach out to her offering her a job.” The whole time Landon is talking, he’s busy watching Reid and doesn’t see the way Cash is tensing and pulling away. I want to smack my best friend to get him to shut the hell up, but I don’t want to make the situation even more uncomfortable. Before I can say anything else, Cash stands up.
“Anyone want something from the concession stands? I could use a drink.”
“I’ll go with you.” I make an attempt to stand, but Cash is already heading down the bleachers without me.
“I got it. Stay and let me know what I miss.” He gives me a half-ass smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, and my contentment slowly turns into anxiety. I smack Landon in the back of the head.
“Ow, what the hell was that for?” I didn’t hit him hard, but by the way he’s carrying on, you’d think I was a world famous boxer using him as a punching bag.
“Do you really think now is the best time to bring up jobs that are 6 hours across the state?” I give him a glare and trail my eyes to Cash who is waiting in line and looking all sorts of irritated.
“I’m sorry, Penny. I didn’t think about it stirring any feathers. I’m just so used to you getting offers and us dissecting whether the new position would be a good fit.”
With a sigh, I know I’m taking my frustrations from Cash being upset out on Landon and that’s not fair.
“No, I’m sorry. You’re right and it is something I always like talking out with you. I just haven’t really had to consider how my decision to possibly move would really affect anyone else. Before you get started, I know you and my family would miss me, but you would all get by just fine if I didn’t see you every week.”
“Honey, if I may say something real quick, don’t let Cash deter your dreams or cloud your decision making about this job or any job. I love my boy, but Penny’s mom leaving really did a number on him. You’re the first woman we’ve met since Ashley was in the picture. He’s stubborn and doesn’t trust his instincts anymore when it comes to women. But, your relationship is new, and from what he’s told me, you’re a very ambitious woman who is very career oriented. This is probably going to stir up some of his insecurities and he’ll probably try to take a step back, but don’t let him make decisions for the both of you without talking them out. There’s always a solution and it’s much easier to come to if you can communicate and be honest with each other.” She gives my hand a squeeze and then returns her attention back to the game.
Cash comes back with a drink and some nachos for Penny even though we ate not even an hour ago. She squeals and starts inhaling them. I swear she has a hollow leg with how much food she can put away.
Unfortunately, Cash’s still tense and withdrawn as we sit and watch the rest of the game. He’s still cheering on Reid’s team and adding to the conversation, but you can tell that he’s in his own head with some deep thoughts swirling around. I hate that I’m the one who put him in this funk, especially after he was my safe space to land just hours ago, but there’s not much I can do other than call him out in front of everyone at the moment.
The game ends with a win for Reid’s team, but instead of going out to celebrate, Cash mumbles something about having a headache and wanting to get Penny home for the night. With hugs all around, we say our goodbyes and make our way back to Cash’s truck. Penny keeps a stream of conversation going with barely any input from either of us. Thankfully she hasn’t picked up on the tension that’s ripping between the two of us.
We all get loaded in the truck and Penny’s passed out before we even make it a few miles. Cash is still quiet and withdrawn and I don’t know what to do to get the ease back in our relationship.
“Cash, what’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Nothing going on. Just tired and I’ve got a headache.”
“Oh, really? Sure, it seems like that came on quick. You seemed fine until Landon mentioned a job offer. Can we please talk about that?”
“What’s to talk about? You got a job offer from a hospital across the state and apparently, it’s not your first. You’re a damn good nurse so it doesn’t surprise me at all that someone’s trying to steal you away to whip their ER into shape.”
“Trying is the keyword in that statement, Cash. Do I get job offers from other hospitals? Sure, but just because I get an offer doesn’t mean I’m going to take the job. Do you take on every client that you meet with?”
“No, not everyone. Reid and I don’t take anyone on if they won’t fit in with our style of building or ethics and morals.”
