After I give him a quick rundown on the local club structure, Glitch leaves the hotel room without saying more than goodbye. I should go with him to ensure Joker and his boys don’t play with the pretty boy. I know they view him as weak. They no doubt think the same shit about Oz, even more so since he hooked up with Ginger. Rather than viewing Oz as badass enough for a badass bitch, they assume she’s got him whipped. Typical man-thinking.

Glitch isn’t a typical man. Or maybe he is. Shit if I know anymore. His hissy fit crushed my certainty about a man I know well naked but apparently not clothed.

Restless, I head back to the Tigress. After a short search, I find Anise sitting in a lawn chair on the apartment’s roof. Seeing me, she offers a cup of her homemade booze.

“It’ll put hair on your puss,” she says from under her trucker cap.

“It’s fucking cold,” I complain while dragging a lawn chair next to hers. “What are you doing up here?”

“Looking at the city from a distance,” she says and waves at the view. “It’s deceptively quiet up here. Makes you think Little Memphis is a real fine town.”

“Why don’t you move close to Sage?”

“Why?”

“She lives in a better part of town.”

Anise rolls her eyes. “Can you imagine me living in the suburbs? There I am waving at my neighbors when getting the mail.”

“You don’t have to wave.”

“Wouldn’t it be rude not to?”

“Why didn’t you come to Rawlins with us?” I ask, sipping the mystery booze in the cup she hands me.

“I had Ellie, and she loves Little Memphis. It’s where her family lives, and where she grew up. It’s a fucking fantasy hometown to her. With her out of my life, I have no reason to stick around.”

“Then move to Rawlins.”

“I don’t know. You seem bored with living there.”

“I’m not bored. Just restless.”

Anise downs a cup full of the nasty booze. “You need to find a man and pop out a few kids. Then you’ll be too tired to feel restless. That worked for Sage. I catch her napping all the damn time.”

“Maybe, but I’m an angry bitch. Am I really mother material?”

“If Ginger can do it, you can.”

“I don’t know,” I mumble as my thoughts return to Glitch.

“Ginger once nearly bit a guy’s nose clean off. That’s some crazy shit, but she’s so whipped now from marriage and mothering that she didn’t even have the cajones to face Madden.”

“She didn’t want Oz to kill Madden.”

“Good thing too. Madden’s a pretty motherfucker. I see him on the road sometimes and think it’s good he’s alive since so many ugly fuckers live around here. We need more hotties, not less, so I ought to send Ginger a thank you note.”

“Just move down to Rawlins. It’s a quiet enough place,” I say, wishing I were home now. “If you need more excitement, Little Rock is a short drive.”

“Is there even anything for me to do for the crew down there?”

“I don’t know. Cayenne is ready to open a fucking sub shop. The sky’s the limit in Rawlins!” I say with too much enthusiasm.

Anise gives me an odd look. “Do you think you and your pretty boy can make a go of it?”

“Doubtful.”

“Because you’re a hardheaded woman with unattainable standards?”

“I don’t even know what my standards are because I don’t even know if I want a man.”

“Are you coming on to me, Clove?” Anise asks, leaning back. “Because I’ll be completely square with you, okay? I’ll fuck you, but us dating isn’t happening. You’re too high-maintenance and don’t share,” Anise adds before laughing at her comment. “I also have a feeling you’d cheat on me.”

“Everyone cheats on you, so, yeah, I probably would. Why do you think that happens?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I’m cold and don’t know it.”

“Or maybe you run too hot and don’t know it.”

“See, now I think you’re coming on to me again.”

“If I want you, you’ll know it, Anise,” I mutter and give her an eye roll. “I’m not fucking subtle. My version of seduction is to jump on a person and hump them until they either pry me loose and run away or submit to my needs.”

“You really aren’t subtle.” Anise fills her cup and frowns at me. “What’s wrong with pretty boy? Small dick? Needy. Smelly feet?”

“Leave me alone.”

“Give me one reason, and I will.”

“I’m going downstairs.”

Anise is like a fucking cat. One second, she’s sitting docile. The next, she springs out of her chair and takes me down at the knees. I fall forward, barely brace my fall, and turn over just in time to get pinned.

“Tell me one reason he isn’t the one, and I’ll not only let you up but I’ll also buy you a fancy dinner at Popeye’s. Now fess up.”

“Get off me first.”

Rather than say no, Anise digs the palms of her hands into my wrists. I remember how long she stood on an asshole’s head when he refused to tell her where he got his belt buckle. Anise must have used his head as a footstool for fifteen minutes before the stubborn bastard caved. In that time, she checked her phone, sent a few texts, scared off the guy’s girlfriend, and played an entire level of Bubble Witch.

So, yeah, Anise’s patience greatly outweighs mine.

“His real name is Louis,” I grumble, still struggling to get loose. “Now fuck off before I hurt you.”

Anise grins at my threat and lets me up. Once we stand, she stares casually. I know she hasn’t figured out the problem. She just thinks I think the name “Louis” is lame. I know instantly when she catches on. Her laughter gives it away.

“That’s dumb,” she says, still laughing. “You’re dumb.”

“Anise, I’m this fucking close to knocking your ass off this roof.”

“How close is that?” she asks, and I space my index finger and thumb a centimeter apart. Nodding, she sighs. “I think I peed myself in terror. We better get downstairs so I can change my pants.”

“I don’t know why you’re so interested in Glitch and me,” I ask, following her down the fire escape.

“I’m bored. I’d thought we covered that already.”

“Get a hobby. Oh, I know. Clean your apartment.”

“I’d rather take a few things and get a fresh start somewhere else. I know a few homeless people who could move in. Yeah, I could move to Rawlins and spend time with Louis,” she says and nudges me. “Wouldn’t that be nice, Louisa?”

As much as I want to pound her grinning face, I plan to wait for her to pay for dinner. Besides, if I don’t hang with her, I’ll end up sitting alone at the hotel, counting the minutes until Glitch returns.