Then came the next,But I sense that isn’t it.Word is,you’ve known this girl over a decade.
Not exactly.
But still…
I don’t know what’s happening with you.The nextbegan.And went on with,What I hope you know is the path is always clearto me.
He was about to text back,I knowand then somewords about how she could chill (even though he knew she’d never chill, atleast he could try) when he got a text from Archie.
Shit is real, baby.Mal came in and he’s being a littledick.Something has gone down.He won’t talk.I think I need you.
He had no idea why she would need him.
He just saw that she needed him.
So to that, he texted back.
Be there in twenty.
Then he got on his bike.
Jag parked at the back of S.I.L., hoofed it aroundthe side of the building and went in, almost immediately hearing a whistle.
He looked right, saw Joany up behind the cash register,ringing someone up.
She jerked her head toward the bookshelves.
Jag nodded, even though he didn’t know if she was directinghim to Archie or Mal, and scanning for either, he moved that way.
He didn’t have to find Archie, she found him, coming quicklyout of the homewares section with Fabe at her side.
Jag had met Fabe.A very tall, skinny Black dude with a fadeat the sides of his head, twists at the top, a bent toward electronic music anda vibe that Jag couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Björk was playing, and Jag wouldn’t put it past Archie tothrow that on.Joany, no way in fuck.Fabe, definitely.
Fabe seemed like a pretty laidback guy, usually.
Now he looked pissed.
Shit.
“Hey, honey,” Jag greeted Archie.Then to Fabe, “Yo, dude.”
“Yo,” Fabe bit off.
Archie gave Fabe anI’m sorrylook then turned toJag.
“Okay, well, we’ve had a bit of a name-calling incident.”Archie explained Fabe’s attitude and theI’m sorrylook.
“I’m getting smoothies.Do you want a smoothie?”Fabe askedArchie a question Jag didn’t understand since they had a soda fountain stockedwith ice cream, so who in their right mind would go and get a smoothie whenthey could be sucking back a malt?
She shook her head.
Fabe looked to Jag and arched a brow.
Jag shook his head.
Fabe stormed off.
