Page 182 of Bitter’s Sweet

I breathe.

“I don't want you carrying her to me.”

That hurts him.

I can tell.

I hate that part of me notices.

“She was one of the things I trusted you with,” I say. “You can leave her where she is until Mercy gets her.”

His eyes darken.

“Sweet.”

“No.” I hold his gaze. “You don't get to fix this one.”

Silence.

Mercy’s fingers brush mine.

I turn away from the stairs.

I do not go up.

I leave Mama there.

That hurts almost as much as everything else, but walking into his apartment would hurt more.

We start toward the open garage door.

Boogie stands. “Sweet.”

I glance at him.

His face is unusually serious.

“I’m sorry.”

My throat tightens. “You didn’t do anything.”

“I called you his girl.”

A tiny, broken laugh escapes me. “Yes. Apparently that was reckless.”

Boogie looks at Bitter.

His expression changes.

For the first time since I met him, there is nothing funny there.

“Yeah.”

I look away.

Trixie catches me near the door.

“Sweet.”