Chapter 20

"Hi baby," she said, kissing me hello, and I could taste the weed and bitter cocaine in her mouth. "Your thoroughly defiled whore is back home."

I just laughed. In moments like this, Jess just had a way of making it seem natural and fine. This was her being her, completely unvarnished.

"Looks like you partied all the way through the end," I said.

"Bryce wanted to put one more load inside me on the drive home," she said casually.

I took her suitcase and wheeled it inside.

"He sure has taken a liking to you," I said.

"I think he likes that Johnny is willing to share Shelly with him when I’m around," she said. "God, it’s so good to be home. What did I miss?"

She burst out laughing, knowing that it had been an active couple days. I had to pierce the light-hearted tone for a moment, though.

"So, hey, Jess," I said. "Was there any of the really hard stuff on