Page 60 of The Freshman

“Well, if he does killhimself, I think we’ll all sleep better at night,” Henrymuttered.

Alfie’s shirt felt tight and a coldsweat started in his armpits. He dropped his gaze to the floor andforced a swallow. He couldn’t think of anything worse than Natedying. The thought made his blood cool and congeal in his veins,and his throat constrict until he consciously had to breathe. Hejolted to attention when Ryan clapped.

“That’s it then. Have agood night.” Ryan strolled out the office with the rest of dayshiftfollowing in his wake.

Henry collapsed in his chair as soonas they had faded from view, and the twins tugged out their phones.Marie fluttered her eyelashes at Glen, but Glen’s attention lockedon Alfie.

“You okay? You look a bitpale.”

Alfie rolled his shoulders and blinkedhimself from his thoughts. “I didn’t sleep that well.”

“Coffee?” heasked.

Alfie nodded numbly, then slumped intothe closest chair. He stared at the dark corner of the prison,picturing Nate unresponsive in the bed. His stomach dropped to histoes, and his skin prickled.

Much to Alfie’s annoyance, Henryvolunteered to check on Nate first. He tapped his foot to the flooras he waited for Henry to return. His whole body felt jittery andon edge.

“Think that coffee’sgotten to you,” Marie mumbled.

Alfie flashed a look at her. “Just notfeeling it.”

Marie pressed her lips together in asympathetic smile.

Henry staggered into the office,spluttering into his tissue, and sank back in his chair with asigh.

Alfie flicked his chin out.“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Did herespond?”

Henry retrieved his glasses from hispocket and slid them up his nose. “He grunted.”

“You heard him grunt.You?”

“I’m not deaf. He’s fine.”Henry shuffled back into his chair and tilted his headback.

Alfie’s chest heaved with anger, andhe averted his gaze. He didn’t trust Henry. He needed to make sureNate was all right himself.

Ten minutes later, Henry was snoringsoftly, the twins had twitchy fingers, and Marie sat on the deskopening and closing her legs seductively. Alfie needed to get ridof them.

“What’s your favoritebrand of cigarettes?”

Ben and Dan’s attention snapped tohim.

“Camel,” Dan said. “It’ssmooth and rich.”

Ben shook his head. “I prefer Dunhill,hint of sweetness.”

Dan scrunched his face, then nodded.“It’s good as a treat, but if you want a long-lasting hit oftobacco, then Camel.”

“Not sure about that.Camel can be a bit dry,” Ben muttered.

Dan scoffed, and shook his head.“Dry?”

“Yeah, dry…”

Dan frowned, shuffled in his seat,then coughed. “Just gonna head out for a smoke.”

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