Chapter 8

 Cash may had never met his new partner, Ray before, other than a few short phone calls but he was never so thankful to see him pull in the drive now. Being around a fellow brother would bring back a sense of normalcy to him that apparently he was losing grips of. Seeing Ray’s headlights pulling in the drive from his living room window, he got up to meet him at the door to leave him no opportunity to knock. “This kicks some serious ass, Howlett!” Ray called out loving from what he could see in the dark. To Ray it was everything a man’s man loved; a cabin out on the middle of nowhere. “Thanks. It’s a bit rough but I just pulled in last night.” Cash called back as Ray approached the steps. “Don’t apologize. This place is fucking awesome!… Ray Walker.” He introduced extending his hand as he jogged up the porch steps. “Cash Howlett.” Cash smiled meeting Ray’s grasp in a firm handshake. “Good to meet you, Howlett and with your credentials, I’m stoked because we’ve got plenty to do and FINALLY a partner who will be able to sort shit from shit.” He laughed. “That’s what I’ve been hearing. It’s been a day.” Cash said slanting his eyes. “Of course it has. Welcome to Canton.” Ray laughed sarcastically. “Come on in.” Cash offered nodding his head back in towards the house. So far so good Cash thought welcoming Ray in. “Oh, now I’m REAL fucking jealous.” Ray chuckled looking around the cabin layout. “Oh, you mean my vintage, nasty ass living room set?” Cash laughed closing the door having become self conscious of it since Negan had paid a visit. “Hell yes I am.” Ray chimed turning to face Cash. “Right.” Cash chuckled. He liked Ray’s pep and the energy he gave off. “Can I get you a beer?” He offered. “I’d be offended if you didn’t.” Ray beamed. “Yeah, this is a killer place you got here, Howlett. I’d kill for this rustic shit. I wouldn’t change a damn thing. This is THEE place.” Ray added pulling out the bar stool that Negan had claimed to have a seat swiping Negan’s bottles from his own elbow room and pushed the rose along with it without a second thought. Cash however wanted it left just how it was for a bit and kind of wished that Ray hadn’t chosen that particular stool but where else was he to sit? Ray didn’t know and maybe it was a good thing that Ray had pushed everything aside he thought as he rounded the counter for his fridge. “Being fresh from a divorce, this is the perfect place for you. I’d have done the same damn thing But…” he paused taking the long neck from Cash and immediately took a swig before finishing his thought “I had one waiting in the wings, hence the reason for the divorce.” Ray laughed off. Cash just smiled. It wasn’t uncommon at all for any police officer of any sort to hold down a marriage for any length of time. “Shitty as fuck though that the chief aired out your dirty laundry like that in The Canton Cleaver.” He pointed out. “Yeah, doesn’t sit real well with me.” Cash agreed. “He wants everyone to know that you’re an eligible bachelor.” Ray mimicked sarcastically waving his bottle. “Built like a shit brick house the way that you’re are, from the big city, oh yeah, you’re his new prized pig. Con-grat-u-fucking-lations! He’s got them lined up and waiting.” He added taking a swig. “Well I make up my own fucking mind and besides, I’m not fucking interested.” Cash flattened. “Oh, fuck, sure you are. You’re just still sucking on sour grapes is all. You lick your wounds for a month or two but then a brother needs to get himself laid but…” he paused again taking another drink, “The new girl that I’m currently seeing has a super cutie pie of a single, and available girlfriend. You’d love her too. She’s the outdoorsy type. Her tight little caboose didn’t come from no spinning class, she got it from hiking. Super cute, Jesus… and funny too. I’d keep her for myself BUT…. Bitches don’t quite care for sharing.” He roared. Cash shook his head chuckling under his breath as he drank. “And my girl now? Oh she’s all aces.” Ray smiled. “She’s a kindergarten teacher but you wouldn’t know it by the way that she fucks.” He overly shared raising his brows wide above the rim of his glasses. All Cash could do was laugh. “So she’s not the girl that you left your wife for?” Cash questioned. “Naw.” Ray brushed off. “That’s my SECOND wife. Haley is two girlfriends AFTER.” He explained hopping his finger like leap frog threw his dating time line. “So, you see, I’d have a place like this too but after two divorces…. Let’s just say I’m lucky to have an apartment and a milk crate for a night stand.” He cracked. Cash now split at the sides and Ray was immensely  amused with himself for having done so. “But really,” Ray relaxed “whatever the chief wants to introduce you to is bad fucking news. I’ll introduce you to to Shelby. You’ll like her. She’s a cutie.” Ray said with a nod. Cash shook his head no. “Thanks, but No. I’m going to pass.” Cash confidently declined. “What? No. Trust me. Shelby is a sure thing. I mean have you seen yourself in the mirror lately? Not the one your ex wife used to hold up in front of your face telling you what a worthless piece of dog shit that you were. No. A real fucking mirror. Trust me, you ain’t got shit to worry about. You got your pick of the single and the married.” Ray pressed figuring Cash was still in that stage of post divorce feeling no self worth. “I’m sure she’s cute as a button but I’m going to pass. I’m interested in someone else and kinda of want to see where it goes.” Cash declined and he couldn’t believe that he had just said that aloud because it was no excuse. He looked forward to seeing Negan again for whatever the reason was. “Oh! Well, fuck all I said then.” He brushed off. “She’s gonna hate that living room set though and you have to get rid of it if you’re planning on bending her over it anytime soon because she’s not gonna go for that.” He laughed and knocked his bottle on the counter that he was ready for another. Cash nearly sprayed his beer and caught the cough in his fist. “That couldn’t be more true.” Cash spoke threw his gagging of his beer going down the wrong pipe. “So she’s seen it and hates it.” Ray confirmed. “Oh yeah.” Cash coughed with watery eyes regaining himself. “Too bad though because it really is bad ass but there’s no way that you are getting lucky on that thing. Not even a handy. You minus well burn the sumbitch. Here, I’ll give you hand. We’ll drag that thing out right now.” Ray decided for Cash taking matters in his own hands and stood up. Cash figured that an extra set of hands getting the comber some sofa out the door would be helpful. “Thanks. I appreciate it. Did you eat yet?” Cash questioned swinging out the sofa from the wall. “No. You caught me just walking in after my shift.” Ray answered following Cash to grab the other end of the sofa. “Feel like grabbing a pizza? Canton has a great place. Family owned.” Ray suggested on his squat to lift. “I could go for pizza” Cash answered as they stood together. “It will give me a chance to show you around town and give you the run down” Ray offered as he walked backwards toward the front door. “Perfect.” Cash agreed.