Page 62 of Spindrift

“Thekind I can’t afford. Go with the store brand.”

“She’llkill you.”

“She’llget over it.”

“SometimesI think, ‘Stevie, is being a vet tech really what you want to do with yourlife?’ Then I go shopping with you and I feel better.”

“Veryfunny.”

“Yourstudent loans are terrifying. Do you see me laughing? Ooh, check out thissauce.” Stevie held a can of livid red sauce in front of Morgan’s face.

“Whywould you ruin pasta sauce for me like that?”

“BecauseI know how much you love chili peppers.”

“Moderation,”said Morgan. “That’s all I ask.”

“Thatmotherfucker.” Stevie froze with her hand clenched around the can. Morganfollowed Stevie’s gaze to where Lana stood with a slender brunette who wasdefinitely not Angie. She waved lazily at them with the hand not buried in theother woman’s back pocket. Morgan’s hackles rose.

“She’snot Angie’s girlfriend,” she reminded Stevie, even as she inventoried thebruises on the brunette’s neck.

“Shewas with Angie last night,” said Stevie, before raising her voice to Lana. “Who’syour friend?”

“Stevie—”Morgan took her arm.

“Yougot a problem?” Lana’s eyes glittered. Morgan recognized the look. Dogs got itwhen they wanted to pick a fight.

Lana’sfriend looked nervously between Lana and Stevie. She had a sweet, open face,and Morgan pitied her. Lana would eat her alive.Lana Piranha.

“Ido.”

Morgansnapped her attention back to Stevie. Several other shoppers had paused towatch, some of them with looks more dangerous than Lana’s. Maine might be ablue state in theory, but this was Trump’s America, and dyke drama drewdeadlier things than heartbreak.

“Let’sget out of here.” She positioned herself between Stevie and Lana. Maneuveringwith crutches slowed her down.

“Fuckoff,” said Lana.

Morgandropped her crutches and caught a lunging Stevie across the chest. “She’s notworth it.”

Lanalaughed as she walked away.

“She’sa piece of shit,” Stevie spat.

“Iknow.”

“Wecould slash her tires.”

“Youhave probable cause written all over your face. And the store cameras,” Morganwarned.

“Idon’t care—”

“Ido. I need my tech, and as we established I can’t afford to bail you out.” Shereleased Stevie cautiously. “You good?”

“Yeah.”

“Yousure?”

“We’renot on call tonight, right?”

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