Part 193 (2/2)

about to be scolded. ”I'll see you in a day or two, Stevie.”

”Right.” He said nothing else, but his eyes begged as Brian left the

room.

”I bought you this.” Emma laid the board game over Stevie's bony knees.

”I figured you could practice up so you could try to beat me.”

”I always beat you.”

”When I was a kid, and because you cheated.” She lowered the bedguard to

sit beside him. ”I'm not a kid anymore.”

He couldn't keep his hands still. His fingers played a nervous tatoo on

the box. ”I guess not.”

”So you want some drugs.” She said it so matter-of-factly, it took a

moment for it to register. His fingers picked up the rhythm against the

box as he looked at her.

”What was the name of it again? I'll write it down. I imagine I can

get my hands on some in a few hours.”

”No.”

”You said you wanted it. What was the name?” She'd taken out a pad and

held a pencil poised over it.

There was hope, and a desperate greed, before shame flushed his

skin. For a moment, he looked almost healthy. ”I don't want you

involved.”

She laughed at that, a low, amused sound that made the sweat break out

on the back of his neck. ”Don't be soft, Stevie. I've been involved

since I was three. Do you really believe I had no idea what went on at

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