Page 258 of Bitter’s Sweet

Trixie’s jaw tightens. “No. I didn’t.”

“So nobody in this room gets to look at you like you helped me do it.”

The club girl beside her straightens.

Trixie watches me.

I keep going.

“You knew casual. You agreed to casual. You did not agree to become a weapon in somebody else’s relationship. That was me.”

Boogie has suddenly become fascinated by the end of a pool cue. Ghoul is studying a wall. Sweeney is not even pretending.

“You deserved better than being dragged into my bullshit,” I say.

“Also aware.”

“I won't do it again.”

Trixie looks around the room, then back at me.

“Good.”

I nod.

She takes another sip. “For what it's worth, that girl looked at you like you hung the moon before you decided to moon her back.”

A laugh nearly escapes me.

Nearly.

“Trix.”

“I’m done.”

“Thank Christ.”

“She may not be.”

That kills the almost-laugh.

Trixie shrugs. “Up to her.”

Exactly.

I start toward the door.

Nevermore blocks it.

“Hyde wants you downstairs.”

I look at him. “Razor?”

“Yeah.”

The part of me that has spent the morning trying not to control anything goes very still.

“Talking?”