And Back Again

Chapter 9

"This the place?" Coco asked, taking his helmet off and running his fingers through his hair.

Angel nodded. "It's close. I'm always thinking someone is gonna see."

"Who?" Coco laughed. "Unless you got a tail."

Angel mumbled something smart before opening the door, two gold bells jingling above his head as he stepped into the jeweler's shop.

"Mr. Reyes," the owner said with a smile. "Good to see you."

"He's in here that much?" Coco teased.

The jeweler, Randy Mason, shook his head. "No offense, gentlemen but I don't get many customers like you in here."

"The pawn shop is closer," Coco joked again. 

"Here's the rest," Angel said confidently.

Randy took the money and turned to count it while Angel and Coco talked quietly.

"Why you nervous?" Coco asked, slapping Angel.

"I was so sure," he said hesitantly, "Now I don't know."

"About Zara?" Coco hissed. "Are you fucking playing me?"

"No," Angel said ardently. "The ring."

"Carnal, go big," Coco advised.

"Yo," Angel said toward Randy, "Hold up."

"Excuse me?" Randy was instantly on guard after hearing that phrase.

"It's not a hold up," Angel huffed. "Just hold on. I gotta call somebody."

"Prospect?" Coco asked to which Angel just nodded. Waiting as Angel talked briefly and quietly, Coco looked around relieved this was not something he had to even think about.

"He's at the shop, said he'll be here in a minute."

It was more than a minute but with angels level of uncertainty he'd need all the time in the world to decide.

"Hey," EZ said, looking around slightly surprised.

"He needs money, pay up," Coco laughed.

"Shut up," Angel grumbled. "Nothing but jokes, man."

"What's up?" EZ asked his brother.

"Randy, lemme see the ring," Angel said politely.

With the cash still in hand, Randy removed the ring from the case and placed the box on the counter.

"It's huge," EZ said.

"I know," he huffed. "I just wanted the biggest best thing, now I dunno. It's not her."

EZ frowned and shook his head. "It's not."

"Shit," he groaned. "Lemme see that other one," Angel said to Randy. "The white stone, or whatever."

"The white gold opal?" Randy asked. "With the matching band?"

"Yeah, yeah, that one," Angel said.

Randy strolled down the row of cases until he found it, locking up the diamond ring as well, and handed it to Angel.

"There's a men's band I have, the filigree almost matches the band, it would be a gorgeous set for you two."

EZ looked at the ring and nodded. "This your first choice?"

"Yeah," Angel sighed. "Then I thought, it wasn't big enough, wasn't expensive enough."

"Angel," EZ laughed, "You know Zara, go with the first choice."