Zenon's Game Chapter 9

He continued the story, "I started betting against this one guy, until he lost big. Things got out of control and that's why we're here today. We're settling this. A small down payment and then we're done for good. I'll play basketball the right way from now on."

Two wrongs don't make a right. In his twisted way, Zenon was trying to straighten himself out. But I could tell he seeks out trouble. I couldn't tell if that made him hotter.

It probably definitely did.

"That brings you in," Axel took over, wrapping the story up, "Apart from us, no one knows about this. Zenon has a lot riding on this year, with college apps and all that. A lot of guys are jealous of him and, if they found out, they'd use it against him. You're the perfect person to help. You're nowhere near our social scene."

"You're like a piranha to our social scene," Zenon said.

"I get the picture," I snapped back.

Axel laughed. "You two should get a... Basically Candace, you're in the getaway car. When we come out running, you're driving."

I sat there.

"Do you want out?" Axel offered kindly, "Because you're under no obligation-"

"Actually, she is."

"Zenon, she doesn't need to be in your mess if she doesn't want to," Axel turned to me with his beautiful eyes, "What do you say?"

They stared at me. It was a lot to soak in. A big responsibility.

"If I'm the getaway car driver..." I slowly repeated, "That means you think I'm a good driver."

Zenon gave up, wishing he was anywhere but dealing with me.

I didn't let him go that easy, smiling from ear to ear, "What convinced you? Was it the raccoon story?"

"Don't you have a milkshake to drink?"

"You like the sound of that, don't you?"

Axel banged his head on the table.

**

So, the plan was in place. I sat in Zenon's jeep, ready to drive us out of there. Axel and Zenon were meeting with the other gamblers in the Surfside Shack.

Honestly, I was nervous. Being the getaway car driver was a big deal. This favor was worth way more than $50. They were in such deep isssh and I wanted no part of it.

What is Zenon's life?

I put the AC on high since it was so hot outside. Condensed water droplets were starting to roll down the side of my milkshake cup.

"Drat, I forgot napkins!"

Yeah, failure to put things in perspective –I know. I forgot all about my role as the getaway car driver and returned to the Shack.

"Hey," I waved at the bartender, squished between two girls in bikinis, "Excuse me. Hello! Over here."

The bartender finally gave me some attention. "What do you want?"

"Napkins please. I'm in my friend's car and I don't want to get this drink all over the seats. It's so hot outside and if I spill it the car will start to smell, and I have to buy an air freshener-"

"Save your life story," the bartender said, throwing me a large stack of napkins, since she didn't want me coming back.

The bikini girls were laughing at me. I didn't let it bother me, since I was used to it.

I was about to head back to the car when a man swung round on the bar stool and grabbed my wrist. "Were you with those boys over there?"

I looked him up and down. He was in a black bomber jacket, which was weird considering it was like 80 degrees outside. It totally didn't fit in with the laid back, surfer style that everyone else was rocking.

"What's it to you?" I asked, getting even more nervous and jittery.

My palms were beginning to sweat or maybe that was the heat. Did I mention it was 80 degrees in here?

"Listen kid, I asked you about your situation."

Oh my god, he was talking like a guy out of a mafia movie. I couldn't handle this. I do not get involved in action. That's more Zenon's domain. I watch action flicks on my couch with a tub of ice cream. Sugar gives my blood pressure enough stress.

"My... my situation?"

He stared me down. It was terrifying. It was also a tactic to get me to talk. And oh boy did that work.

I stuttered, which led to uncontrollable rambling. I should probably get that checked out.

"Are you trying to sell me an illegal air freshener because I can get that over the counter, like this milkshake. I don't buy my milkshakes on the black market. And you can replace the word milkshake for anything I ever buy because I always buy my products the legal way."

"You got a sense of humor on you. Working my job, we don't get that much often."

Ok. He just complimented me. I don't hear compliments very often. "I'm touched you say that, because I feel most people don't appreciate my humor. I mean, I don't think I'm funny, but people always laugh at me. It hurts my feelings."

"You got issues, kid. Comedy is a good way to funnel that sh*it. Pull up a chair." He literally knocked a guy off the stool next to him to give me space to sit. "I go to this comedy club downtown once in a while. I give a little standup, do my thing."

"Really? That's so cool. I watch Kat Williams videos online."

"Do you have a pen?" he looked at the bartender, "PEN." The bartender immediately served it without any of the attitude she'd given me. Then, leather jacket guy pulled out an old receipt and scribbled something on the back, "I'll write down the address and next time you're in that corne-"

Suddenly there was a bang and a crash. Chairs flew across the wall and tables were overturned.