Jagged Edge

I rattle off the intersection, trailing off at the end because rhe room does that darkening thing again. Either I’m falling asleep or passing out, not sure which.

“You rent a room?”

I rub a hand over my eyes. It ain’t helping. “Nah, I got a sleeping bag. Unless Mayleen can put me up, you know. If she doesn’t have a customer.”

Keeping my eyes open takes up all my focus. The music soundtrack from the TV is like a fucking lullaby.

Hush… hush, little baby…

Raine makes a funny sound in his throat, and I blink. “Shun said you’re renting a room.”

Ah fuck. Forgot about that. “Not at the moment.” It comes out a bit slurred. And it strikes me as funny. “Jesus.”

“What?” He sort of catches me, and that’s when I realize I’d been sliding sideways.

“Nothing. No money left over, man.” I’m warm with his arm around me. His fingers slide through my hair. “I got nothing…”

“It’s okay,” he whispers, or I think he whispers, unless I’m dreaming already. “I’ve got you, Jase.”

Yeah, most definitely just a dream.

Figures.

Chapter Fifteen

Raine

This wasn’t the plan.

Bringing Jason home with me—again. Showering with him, getting off. Then sharing dinner with him and having him fall asleep on me.

He’s predictably gone when I wake up, my neck stiff, curled up on the too-short sofa, but the memory of his body against mine lingers. It was… fucking sweet to have him lean on me, look at me with something else than annoyance and defiance. To see him peaceful, his face relaxed, looking so damn young and handsome.

And too thin. He’s too fucking thin, like he keeps losing weight with every passing day, and knowing he sleeps on the street on top of everything, out in the cold… it’s really gotten me worried.

Shit.

The image of him at that goddamn corner, coughing and shivering, is playing on a loop in my mind as I finish up my work at Collateral, and grab a bite before heading on to my second job.

Has he eaten anything today? Is he wearing his jacket? Dammit, that jacket’s too thin for this weather. Does he own any thick sweaters?

Where does he sleep when it rains and snows? How will I know if he needs a place to stay? Why didn’t I ask for his phone number? Why didn’t I give him mine?

Shit, I’m going nuts. I want to talk to Ocean about this, but then I’d have to tell him that I’ve been paying Jason for sex.

Or whatever it is we’re doing.

And now that I recall, I didn’t pay him last night.

Fuck. No idea what I thought I was doing. Normally he gets me so fucking pissed, and okay, horny, too—but mainly angry, not that I really know why, and last night… Last night it wasn’t like that.

Last night puts a twist in my chest, and a spring in my step, and I just can’t fucking forget about it. Whatever that was.

Afternoons I work at a small movie theater. I’m behind the counter, selling tickets, popcorn, candy, and drinks. Then I clean a bit, check that everyone is sitting quietly inside, not making a mess, and then I wait while the movie is playing.

Gives me way too much time to think.

And worry.