Chapter 79

Stacy shifted from one foot to the next, as if Ange was in the kitchen with him, staring him down. He leaned over the breakfast bar, Ange’s steady breath even in his ear, and checked the bedroom door again. Still closed. Keeping an eye on it, Stacy lowered his voice until it almost disappeared. “You remember I told you about that guy? The one at school?” Ange prompted him to continue with a noncommittal grunt. “He owns a woodshop, remember? Making cabinets and shit—”

Ange interrupted. “That’s where you saw his girl and it pissed you off.”

Stacy felt his anger rising—why did Ange have to put it like that? “She’s not his girl.”

“Oh?” His friend sounded surprised. “You asked him? Who is she?”

A movement from the corner of his vision caught his eye, and Stacy glanced at the bedroom door again. Had it opened a bit? Was Lamar up? “Look Ange,” Stacy started. “I don’t really have time for this—”

“Why not?” Ange pressed. “Don’t tell me you have to go to work.”