Lit Literature: Cash Flow

A Fictional Story by Toni Carter, Rated Mature, 18+

“The suspect is giving chase, he’s turning onto I-95 from Atlantic Blvd, heading South,” the officer yelled over the radio. All Cash could see in his rear view mirror were the lights, colored like the American flag. He was free now, but if they caught him he wouldn’t be. He’d be shackled up and thrown in a jail cell for some charge they hadn’t even made up yet.
Cash was on a mission, like always, but there was more at stake now. His black Hell Cat was roaring down the highway. He was so glad he didn’t get the flashy red one, he would have been a straight target.
Thirty minutes ago, he had just hit for $20,000 at Nordstrom’s in Boca. The numbers were right, but the nosy ass cashier got suspicious and called the police. What a handsome black man can’t get a little Gucci? Racial profiling, but he was still guilty.
Now he was going 120 mph to Slime’s place in North Miami to make a drop, hide out, and talk business. Sure, the police were suspicious, but truth is they didn’t have any proof. All Cash needed to do was keep them away from the Hell Cat. For his sake, and for his girl’s sake. It was their first date.
How did a night of steak and lobster get so complicated? They had reservations at New York Prime earlier that evening. She wore a red dress that squeezed her like a boa constrictor. While racing down the highway, he looked at her and flashbacked to a few hours ago when they first met in person at the restaurant. He’d been following her IG stories for a while, but he felt like he knew her deeper than that. It’s crazy, but he felt like he loved @Koynz954 already. Her name was Tae, but the streets knew her as Koynz. See her flawless skin was the color of copper and she was all about her bag.

Over blue-cheese crusted filet mignon, Cash convinced Koynz to go on a second date. The only catch, he got to pick her outfit. So they headed to Nordstrom’s so he could drop a few bands. He picked a silky blue deep V-neck for their next encounter, paid with a credit card and left. When they we’re in the parking lot, the police followed them to the car and started asking questions. Not with the bullshit, Cash hopped in the Cat and took off.
They were passing Broward Blvd. “Cash!” Koynz yelled. He snapped back to reality. The sirens had gotten farther away, and it seemed like they were in the clear.
“What the hell is going on?” Koynz asked. “I did not sign up for this fuckin’ craziness! I just wanted to chill. I should of never responded to that message… I’m too pretty for a mugshot. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON.”
He heard her, but stayed silent. His phone rang. One thing about Cash, when business called, he was always going to answer the phone.
“Where you at bro?” Slime said on the other end of the phone. “It’s late as fuck and you got a drop to make. I don’t play that late shit nigga.”
Cash looked at the phone and then looked over at Koynz, “Send me the address and I’m on the way. Got caught up in some shit.”
He hung up and leaned over and whispered in Koynz’ ear, “Trust me, bae.”
Slime DM’d Cash and told him to meet him at the park at 10:30 p.m. for the drop. He caressed Koynz’ knee and then went out into the night.
Slime didn’t waste words. He got right to the drop. It’s crazy how cold they were to each other now. They used to be brothers, now, no dap, no handshake. Cash gave the $5,000 to Slime and walked to the car. Sirens everywhere. Fuck! He had just told Koynz to trust him. How is she going to do that if they’re on the run twice in one night? Beyonce and Jay-Z had nothing on them, he thought. Then again, Cash thought he might be too gangsta for this love shit. But then thoughts of Koynz in that red dress and how sexy she would look in the blue dress on the next date, made him ready to risk it all.
“Shit!” Cash snapped himself back to reality. Who were the cops after him or Slime? He didn’t have time to figure it out. He ran back to the car, how the fuck was Cash going to get out of this? 150 mph is how. He had too, he had his girl by his side. She made him feel invincible. He reversed, sped out, and hit a few corners and blocks. He kept riding until the police lights faded to black. He hadn’t been out this way before and it was so dark he couldn’t see anything. He was going so fast that he didn’t feel the concrete underneath the wheels turn to wooden planks. Koynz yelled “Stop!”
Cash slammed on the brakes. The car gave a loud screech.
They were on a pier — millimeters away from plunging into a lake. He looked over at Koynz’ frightened face. Their hearts were beating fast. He could see it through her chest. He took her by the hair and kissed her as if it was the last thing he would ever do. She kissed him back. The air inside the car was thick. You could see the passion bulging. Quickly, the two became one.

If you’d like to submit a short story, email it to help@apluseditor.com