Page 20 of Slice

Faith turned toward Winnie, then realized Candace was Phoebe’s teacher this year. Faith despised having to send her kids on to first grade with Candace because she wasn’t a niceteacher at all. Faith had wondered a couple of times how she kept her job. Surely parents complained.

Faith nodded.

“Oh, Mama doesn’t like my teacher. She’s not nice at all. She always asks me questions about the MC,” Phoebe said, then took a roll off her brother’s plate and licked it.

“Phoebe, why did you do that?” Bear asked.

“Because he licked my cookie I had saved in the kitchen,” Phoebe said, then stuck her tongue out at David.

“Okay, I think you’re even,” Bear said, handing David another roll for his plate.

“Back to Candace. Phoebe, what kind of questions does she ask you about the MC?” Beth asked. Faith thought she was the youngest Franks sister who did surveillance for the company.

“Friday she asked me what businesses were ours and if I knew if the daycare needed workers. I told her I didn’t know. I know which businesses are ours, but she’s not nice. She was acting like she was my friend and trying to be sweet, but she’s not. It was gross. She’s like that fish we learned about that looks all nice and then it puffs up and is toxic. I wish there was someone else to teach my class,” Phoebe said.

Faith felt a chill in the room. A lot of the people were looking at each other but not saying anything. Candace had never shown any interest in her students at all. She taught because it was a job, not because she loved kids.

“Slice, let’s meet after lunch and get some more information regarding Faith’s issue at work. Meg, would you be able to watch the kids along with Stella?” War asked.

“I think it sounds like a good idea, don’t you, Faith?” Slice asked.

Faith wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was curious and was willing to hear what they had to say. She nodded.

“Count us in,” Stella said, indicating her and Meg.

Chapter Fourteen

Slice sat down beside Faith. They’d finished lunch, but everyone was on edge. Phoebe’s words had meant something, though Slice wasn’t sure what.

“Okay, let’s chat about what Phoebe brought up and also what Faith dealt with. Faith, do you mind telling us what Candace and Prim said?” War asked.

Slice was positive Faith did mind because she’d pulled him aside before they walked in. She’d let him have it that it was her problem to deal with, and next time, he needed to let her decide if she wanted to bring it up.

“So I might have been a little hasty in saying something about what happened to Faith. It wasn’t my place, and she might not want to share,” Slice said before Faith could reply to War. He hoped this got him out of the doghouse with her.

“Oh, I didn’t realize she didn’t want us to know. I’m concerned, Faith, that your interaction might be connected to them quizzing Phoebe,” War said.

“I’ll share. It’s just embarrassing. I was in the stall putting my shoes on after changing clothes. Prim and Candace came in. Prim asked Candace if she’d seen the hot, tattooed biker dropping off clothing for Fatty. It’s what they call me…”

Before Faith could continue, Dex interrupted.

“I hope you realize they are just jealous of your curves. If Slice hadn’t asked you out first and I had seen you, I would have asked you out,” Dex said.

Slice appreciated Dex’s words for Faith’s confidence, but he slid his arm around Faith and mouthedmineto him.

“Do you want to piss a circle around her too, brother?” Dex asked.

Faith turned to look at him. “I just told them you’re mine. He missed his chance.”

Slice loved the smile Faith gave him because she’d been so embarrassed to share what those girls said.

“Did they say anything else?” Remi asked.

“Candace said she was going out with Dex, and I think she said something about she’d been waiting to catch the eyes of one of them.”

Slice waited to see what everyone thought.

“Anybody else feel like there is more going on here than we thought?” Sarah said.

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