Dirty Talk

Five

Jackson hands off the milkshakes one by one. He tosses a half smile over to Dock. "Thanks, Dock."

Dock nods and tugs on a smile. "No bother. Y'all enjoy yourselves."

Clarence and the girls begin walking to the booth. But before Jackson leaves, he leans into the bar and lowers his voice.

"I owe you," Jackson whispers over to Dock.

Now, Dock's fake smile peels off. His eyes journey up from whatever he's focused on behind the bar, eyeing Jackson the way a teacher would. A strict but kind manner.

"I'm trustin' you. Don't be a Dennis."

"What? Don't you got any faith, old man? I'll pay you back as soon as I get the money, honest. I appreciate it."

Jackson heads towards the booth. Amanda is talking Clarence's ear off, and he's resting his head in his hand, listening with two gentle eyes and a small smile.

Jackson takes a seat opposite of Amanda and Clarence. Julie gets a satisfied grin as Jackson slides in next to her.

"But any-who, you'll love it. Dock makes the best milkshakes in town," says Amanda.

"Dock makes the only milkshakes in town, Amanda," Julie says with an invisible eye-roll.

"Oh." Amanda pauses with a blank, doe-eyed stare. She grows another smile and continues, "Well, whatever. I think they're just perfect." She looks at Clarence. "It's good, promise. We can switch if you don't like yours."

Clarence tugs on a curtesy smile. He pulls his milkshake to him, fingers tipping the straw in his direction. "That's kind of you, but I'm alright. Strawberry's my favorite." His thumb gathers droplets of condensation as he drags it down the glass.

They all begin sipping their shakes. Jackson's is chocolate. But he waits for everyone to have theirs, and once they're latched on, he hesitantly puts it to his lips.

Refreshing, ice-cold sweetness coats his tongue. It's so cold it stings the roof of his mouth, but it's heaven in its simplest form.

It's been too long since he's had one of Dock's shakes. Never had the money, hell, he didn't have it now. But here he is, spending money he doesn't have and it's worth every penny.

"So, what happened to your eye?"

Jackson glances up, then takes his mouth from the chilly treat, licking the chocolate from his lips.

Julie places a hand on Jackson's arm. Jackson stares at it, brows slightly twitching in disgust. "Oh, don't you mind that," Julie says with a smug smile. "Jackson's always got a few nicks and things. He's a real good fighter." Her eyes tighten to slits and she leans into the table, her smile growing devious. "You know, last year he sent Wilson to the nurse's office with a bloody nose."

Who the hell does this chick think she is?

I mean, yeah, he definitely did do that. Wilson was a bitch, but how is that any of her business?

"Oh my," whispers Amanda with a hand hovering her mouth. She looks at Jackson with the newfound knowledge, a mixture of fright and enthrallment in her wide-eyed gaze.

Julie turns her attention to Jackson. In that sharp blue stare, all the right and privilege in the world. "But I can't say I'm not curious. What was it this time?"

Shit, does she always have to stick her nose in everything?

Jackson toys with the rim of the glass, collecting water and studying the droplets as they quickly gather together like a ball of snow hurdling down a hill. They race down the curve of the glass and pool onto the table.