Page 140 of Tar City
Bear jogs toward one of the trucks. “We got room!” Whistle slaps the side of his bike. “Becky, you with me!” She whoops and jumps on behind him like she’s done this a hundred times. Gina gets shoved into the back seat of a car missing a bumper.
Dean yells, “Yo, Jax! You two riding with us?”
I glance at Sisk. “Let’s go.”
We pile into the back with Lou. Dean’s driving, one hand on the wheel, the other slapping the dash. Fiona’s shotgun, knees to her chest, half her body hanging out the window. In the back, it’s me, Sisk, and Lou, a tangle of legs and arms, pressed close.
Fiona twists around in her seat, dangling two pops.I’ve been seeing these black teardrop lollipops everywhere lately.The new high. Pretty sure they’re laced with ash.
“Anyone want one?” she asks.
Nobody takes it.
“Relax,” she adds quickly. “It’s just candy. A girl was giving them out like party favors.”
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
Lou snorts, digging a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “Suit yourself. Mr. Raw Night. Aren’t you supposed to be trouble?”
He flicks his lighter and holds the pack out to Sisk. She takes it.
“Dancers,” Fiona says with a grin, glancing at Lou. “Always the worst influence.”
Lou winks. “Occupational hazard.”
Sisk rolls her eyes, brings it to her lips, inhales—and coughs immediately, laughing like that was the plan all along. I watch her the whole time. The way she stares out the window like she’s daring herself not to look scared. The way she’s trying on this version of herself—reckless, careless, untouched by consequences.Bad girl vibes, loud as hell.I’m so into it, it almost pisses me off, because I see through it. I know she’s nervous.I know this is armor. She’s doing this because standing still would mean thinking.
She exhales smoke toward the cracked window. “What?” she asks, catching me watching.
I smirk. “Nothing.”
Lou grins like he just did me a favor. I ignore him and slide my hand over her knee instead, grounding her, keeping her close. She leans into me.
The city changes as we drive—streets getting rougher. Tar City starts showing its teeth.
I stretch my legs like I’m bored instead of wired tight. “Would this be the right time to tell you guys something?” I ask.
Dean glances at me in the rearview. “If it’s gonna make this ride less boring, sure.”
“If it’s about you fighting someone, I’m listening,” Lou says.
Fiona twists around, lollipop between her fingers. “This already feels like a good story.”
Sisk turns toward me.
I keep my voice easy as if I’m about to tell a joke. “I overheard Detective Rourke and Mr. Halpern tonight,” I say.
That gets a couple looks.
“They were arguing,” I continue. “About Cynthia.”
Sisk’s hand tightens in mine.
Lou frowns. “Who the fuck is Cynthia?”
“The Knotted-Hair-Girl,” I say.
The vibe in the car changes. Dean’s grip tightens on the wheel. Fiona’s smile falters.
