Page 36 of Moon's Promise

He moved further in and closed the door behind him. “I checked the logs; do you remember guarding the door the night I walked home?”

Nickel grimaced. “How could I forget? I damn near shot your ass—appearing out of the dark like that. Why?”

Moon nodded to the headset. “You have anyone listening?”

Nickel turned the computer game off. “No.” Rotating more fully toward him in his computer chair, he gave him a curious look.

“I’m in a predicament, and I need your help.”

Nickel frowned at him. “How?”

“Will you keep it just between us?”

“No.” He turned back to his game.

Moon swung his chair back to face him. “Brah, it doesn’t involve club business.”

Nickel folded his arms over his chest. “Go ahead, but I’m not making any promises.”

“Cool. Just hear me out.” Moon raked his hand through his hair. He needed to get the shit cut; it was driving him crazy. “Do you remember who was in the club when I came inside? The only person I remember is Winter, because she was standing outside the bathroom. The rest is a motherfuckin’ blur to me.”

“Why does it matter?”

“That’s all you’re getting unless you promise not to repeat what I tell you.”

Nickel shrugged. “I don’t need to know that badly.” His face turned thoughtful. “Lily, Beth, and Killyama were there.” Nickel stopped, as if he were still thinking. “Ginny was there …”

“Anyone else?” Moon prodded.

“Hmm … I think that’s it, but I remember thinking they were louder than normal. Winter was bugging the piss out of me that night. Had me searching for Aisha’s cat a couple of times.”

“Anything else?”

“Nope, that’s it.”

“If you remember anything else, let me know.”

“Sure thing.” Nickel turned back to his game. “Later.”

Moon left Nickel’s room, shutting the door after him.

“Fuck, fuck,” he muttered. “Fuck, fuck …”

“Ah … no, thanks.”

Moon spun around to find Nickel behind him.

Nickel looked at him like he had a screw loose. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, just deciding if I want to eat now or later.”

His expression cleared. “I’d eat now. Beth made chicken, gravy, and biscuits. They aren’t going to last long.”

Walking downstairs with Nickel, Moon saw Lily and Beth serving behind the counter. He took a plate and got in line.

“How you doing tonight, Lily?” Giving Lily a friendly smile, he held his plate out to her.

“I’m doing good.” She smiled back at him.

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