Page 171 of Bitter’s Sweet

Then I look away first because I did not come here for him.

I came for Mama.

I head toward the steel door leading upstairs.

Bitter steps away from his bike. “Sweet.”

I keep walking.

“Sweet.”

His boots sound once on concrete.

Mercy turns her head. “Careful.”

He stops.

Good.

Apparently everyone remembers my boundaries now.

Convenient.

I reach the bottom of the stairs.

“Going up?” Hyde asks.

I look at him. “To get my things.”

His gaze flicks toward Bitter, then back to me.

“Door’s open.”

“Thank you.”

I put one foot on the first stair.

Behind me, Boogie says, much too loudly, “Somebody should help Bitter’s girl with her bag.”

Silence drops so fast it feels physical.

I close my eyes.

Of course.

Of course this is how it happens.

Boogie makes a strangled sound. “I meant Sweet. Not like girl-girl. Just... person girl.”

“Stop talking,” Nevermore tells him.

“Strong advice.”

I turn slowly.

Bitter is staring at Boogie.

Then his eyes move to me.