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Yulia Egunyemi leaned against her Dodge Challenger and waited for Annie and Hollis to stumble across the parking lot. Hollis wasn’t heavy, but Annie was small, and he had at least a foot on her. His long arm dangled over her shoulder, welts turning vivid and red.

“You’re such a dumbass, Hollis,” Yulia shouted when they got close enough to hear.

“It was James Miller,” Annie yelled back. “Hollis won’t tell me what he said to him, so I’m sure it was awful. As usual.”

Yulia helped Annie shuffle Hollis inside so he could lie across the seats on his stomach. Then she slapped the back of his calf hard.

“Ow! Fuck!”

“Shut up.” Yulia slammed the door.

She hopped in the front of the car, turned on the ignition, and squealed out of the parking lot.

“Where are we going?” Hollis griped.

“Urgent care. I heard that James got a scholarship for mixed martial arts. Who knows what he rattled around in there.”

“I’m fine, just take me home.”

“No!” Annie shouted.

“I’ll pay the fucking copay, but you owe me,” Yulia snapped. “I don’t care if you don’t have any money—figure it out.”

Hollis stayed miserable and quiet until they pulled in to the urgent care parking lot. Yulia sucked her teeth in disgust as they helped him into one of the waiting room chairs.

Annie settled down beside him while Yulia handled the bill. She plucked at the thread from a hole in his jeans.