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“She’s freaking out over the cost.” Boone grunted. “Maybe stores are cheaper in Georgia.”
I knew by Remy’s stare that he was questioning me and I knew that I wasn’t acting like a wealthy woman from family money. I was acting poor. I forced myself to breathe normally and shrugged. “It’s just a lot of money for clothes that I won’t fit into soon.”
“I can afford it.” Remy turned away from me again and I could hear him telling Nina where to have the packages delivered.
I felt gross as I walked out on the street and saw a man sitting in his wheelchair, catching his breath. He wore tattered clothing and looked dirty. His chair was weighed down with multiple bags and I knew they were his only possessions just with one look.
I didn’t have my purse with me, so I took a deep breath and looked up at Remy. “Do you have any cash on you?”
He frowned but reached into his jacket pocket to retrieve his wallet again. “Some. Why?”
“You can take this out of what I make.” I took his wallet and pulled out several bills before pushing it back into his chest and moving around him to the man in the chair. “Sir?”
The man was much younger than I’d thought at first, and when I got closer, I could smell that he was as dirty as he looked. He reminded me of my youngest brother and I knew that Jackson could easily be in his shoes.
He looked up at me and blinked a few times. “I’m moving. Sorry.”
I smiled and gently rested my hand on his, pushing the money into his palm. “You’re not in my way. How are you doing today? This hill is pretty intense. How about I help you up it? What do you say? Please don’t be one of those guys too proud to let a woman help them. I’ll push you back down the hill the other way, I swear.”
A beat passed before he smiled up at me and nodded. His hand clutching the money had moved into his lap and I could see him holding it protectively. “T-thank you.”
I got behind his chair and gripped the handles. “Sure. What’s your name, by the way? I’m Memphis. I know, I know. It’s…different. I promise I’ve heard anything you can say about it, though, so don’t waste your breath. Your name?”
“Tanner.”
I struggled up the hill and was about to take a break when Remy’s big hands replaced mine on the handles. Smiling up at him, I pressed my hand to his chest and slipped out from under him so I could walk next to Tanner. “Well, Tanner, it’s nice to meet you. You’re a talker, aren’t you?”
I watched as Tanner shifted to see who was pushing him and started to panic at the sight of Remy’s large body. He started to struggle and I worried he’d hurt himself.
Leaning down, I gently touched his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Tanner. That’s just my friend, Remy. Turns out I’m weak and he stepped in to help get you up this hill. You’re safe.”
After focusing on me for a long moment, Tanner swallowed and nodded. “Don’t like surprises.”
“Then you’re not going to like her, friend. She’s full of them.” Remy’s voice was quieter than usual and I could tell he was making himself smaller for Tanner’s comfort.
We got to the top of the hill and I bent down in front of Tanner. “Do you need anything else?”
The young man suddenly lurched forward and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tight. His voice was thick with emotion as he spoke. “Thank you.”
25.
***Remington***
Ifthekidinthe wheelchair noticed three large men lunging towards him when he reached for Memphis, he didn’t show it. Boone, Jake, and I had to pull up short when we noticed he was just hugging her, and she was hugging him back. My heart still thumped painfully when we were in the car, heading home. She was sitting across from me in that little white dress that was smeared with whatever dirt the kid had all over him. If she noticed, she didn’t seem to care. She had her chin in her hand and was staring out of the window as the city passed by.
“Do you know what the money you spent on my clothes could do for Tanner?” Her voice was quiet as she sat up and looked at me. “I think you should send those clothes back. That money could go to so many other things. Better things than dressing me.”
I blew out a slow breath, trying to find some sense of calm and control after thinking she was about to be attacked on the street. It wasn’t easy. “I’m not sending the clothes back.”
“Why not? I don’t need them. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, Remy, but I could wear clothes that cost so much less. The difference could go to people who need it to survive.” She looked at Boone, but he was on his phone, focused on something pertaining to his office.
“We donate money every year, Memphis. A lot more than what I just spent on your clothes.” I rubbed my temples. “Can we drop this? I’m not sending the clothes back and that’s the end of it.”
She studied my face as she thought about her next move. I could see the wheels turning in her mind and almost feared what would come out of her mouth. “Why did you dress dozens of women? Didn’t they have their own things?”
Boone swore and hit the intercom to the front of the car. “Jake, swing me by the office.”
“Please.” Memphis kept her gaze on me. “Were you their sugar daddy?”
