Page 8 of Honey Trapped

I snort and take a long pull off my beer. “Wouldn't have you.”

She physically jerks as she shrieks, “What?”

“Been done with you for two years.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Not a big fan of repeating myself so cut to it. Why are you here?”

“I miss you.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s her, isn’t it?”

“Her who?”

“The whore you’re fucking behind my back.”

“The fuck is wrong with you? You high, drunk, or just fucking ignorant?” Behind her back? The fuck is she smoking?

“Heard you got you a new piece. Had her over at your sister’s house for dinner.”

“You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Who fed you that shit? Your whore butt buddy. What's her name...Sandy?” I chuckle. “Best thing for you to do is to take your ass home and not worryabout who I may or may not be sticking my dick in. It’s not been your business for some time.”

“Hey...Um, Ace. Sorry.” Norah shoves past Eileen.

“Excuse you, bitch, who the fuck are you?”

“I don't mean to interrupt, but you guys mind keeping it down? Lennon is asleep and if she wakes up that’s it. She won’t go back down, and I’m on a deadline.”

“Is this her?” Eileen looks between Norah and me.

“This conversation is done. Won't happen again, Norah. Eileen, best you take your ass off my porch.”

Norah moves to go home, but I grab her hand, using her to drive a point home to Eileen. She needs to move on.

“That’s cute, Ace. Sweet even, but when you get old, and something better comes along she’ll drop you like a bad habit.”

Confusion crosses Norah’s face as I pull her into my side. “Um...I. What's happening?”

“Just stand here till that cunt leaves.”

“Right. Well, I need to go. Lennon could wake up.”

I catch a hint of Norah’s perfume. Fuck me she smells all sugary. Sweet enough to make my damn teeth ache. Every fiber of my being screams for me to kiss her out of spite to piss Eileen off further. Instead, I nod as we watch Eileen’s headlights flash at the end of the street.

Chapter Five

Norah

Jolting upright on the couch, I slide my reading glasses up the bridge of my nose, and glance around the dim living room.

Voices travel through the wall from next door. Loud and angry. I pause and check the time. Nearly two in the morning. I must’ve dozed off. I listen for Lennon and check her monitor. She appears lost in dreamland, but my sweet angel won't stay that way for long if Ace and whoever he has over don't shut up.

I don't want to be that neighbor. The type people refer to as a Karen. No offense to the people named Karen of the world. I check to make sure my work from earlier saved and close the screen to my laptop.

“What?” I overhear the woman. She's getting louder.

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