Here Comes Trouble (Nothing Special 3)

“I wouldn’t call that a date.”

“Whatever. Yeah, so she wasn’t the one, but I’m sure you will find her. And I don’t want to be that irritating third wheel like you made me be the other night.” Green tilted his head and Ruxs turned his attention from him and saw JJ walking towards them. Green got out of the truck, but Ruxs was stunned. This couldn’t be fucking happening to him. Just when he’d practically worked up the nerve. There was no doubt this girl would fall for Green. What’s not to like?

Ruxs looked up and saw that JJ and Green were both staring at him. He huffed a deep breath, trying to loosen the vise grip strangling him. His throat felt like it was closing up.

“So what’s the deal?” JJ looked nervously at Ruxs. He saw the dark circles under the man’s eyes, knew he was sleeping with one eye open these days.

Ruxs pulled out the large envelope that contained money and a new identification, along with a one-way plane ticket, and slapped in JJ’s palm. “Don’t be late. There will be a couple undercover officers watching you, just to be sure you get to your location safely. They’ll see you, but you won’t see them.”

JJ looked relieved for probably the first time in months. “Holy fuck. I’m going home, man. For real? Oh my god. This is unbelievable. I can’t believe you got God to agree to this.”

“He never thought you were one of the fucked up ones. He knew you didn’t like being under Chainz’s control.” Green shook JJ’s hand. “Go be with your family. Stay straight man. Don’t get caught up over there either. Drug kings are every fuckin’ where.”

“Aww, man. I’m serious, man. Y’all ain’t got to worry about me —” JJ’s eyes focused on something behind them and both he and Ruxs turned to look. “Oh shit! That’s Aaron!”

“Shit! Shit! Go, Ruxs!” Green yelled, but Ruxs had already taken off in the direction Aaron had turned to flee. Aaron was Chainz’s little brother, but also his closest companion. If he got away, their bust was as good as tanked. Chainz would get word that JJ was talking with them and he’d know JJ had ratted him out. He’d no doubt try to kill him and then change everything regarding the drug deal.

Ruxs was already rounding the corner and he saw Aaron dart in between the cars, running across the parking lot. He was fast but Ruxs was definitely faster. He was closing the distance and hoping the whole time that Aaron was alone. He heard the squealing of tires and the rumble of a diesel engine, knowing Green was coming in fast.

“Stop, Aaron and I won’t put a bullet in your back!” Ruxs yelled, hoping his lie would make Aaron nervous enough to stop or make a mistake.

Green skidded just as Aaron cleared the parking lot but the man ran around the truck into the large supermarket at the end of the mall. He kept up his pursuit and could hear Green’s quick footsteps on his heels. They barreled through the doors and people were already screaming and yelling, since Aaron had just now knocked over a huge display case of canned goods. Oh great, more damage.

“If Syn grounds us, I’m going to kill you,” Green said huffing as they ran up the condiments aisle, trying desperately not to run anyone over. People were scrambling and yelling as he and Green shouted, “Police! Get out of the way!”

As soon as he turned the corner, Ruxs had to jump a woman’s cart to keep from knocking her over and ended up slamming into some shelves that were full of cereal boxes. The display went flying across the floor along with Ruxs. “Fuck!” Green was coming up the aisle to take the corner when Ruxs saw Aaron pull his weapon. “Gun!”

Green hurled himself at the stunned woman Ruxs had dived to avoid and crashed his huge body to hers taking her down to the unforgiving floor. Gunshots rang out in quick succession, and Ruxs pulled his weapon, hesitating to return the fire, not wanting an innocent hit by his bullet. He heard shots from Green’s Glock, and prayed he had clear shots.

“Up!” Green yelled.

Ruxs didn’t hesitate; he was on his feet and running along with his partner. They skidded to a halt at the end of the meat aisle and quickly peeked around the corner at the sound of the commotion. Aaron had run into a stocker that was unloading some large canned goods.

“Get that bastard, Ruxs,” Green yelled at him.

Why the fuck was he always responsible for catching the bad guys? Shit. Green could run too. Aaron was almost back to the front of the store. It looked like he’d lost his gun but the cell phone in his hand was very visible. If he gets through to Chainz, it’s a wrap. Ruxs picked up one of the large cans of green beans and hurled at the back of Aaron’s head, unfortunately it sailed over his head and into the store’s front window, shattering it to pieces. The sound was loud and had store patrons and register clerks taking cover. Aaron was just in front of him, too much activity at the front of the store for him to get out the doors. Ruxs jumped on his back, taking him down to the ground with an angry thud.