SIN AND DEATH IN SAINT'S CITY

was a short one: Heavenly Father, as we leave this place, lead us not into temp

f happiness. The happenings in Saint’s City, however, do not exactly tally with this amendment. We’re not strangers to the fact that black people are still getting a raw de

he rest of the class soon came into themselves and went righ

me, a wry smile on

That’s all

over to take a seat with us. “Just a minute,”

a plunge,”

ings went the way

all

broach that subject until today. It gave me s

ed to catch what Alpha said, but I heard Drew respond, “So true.” They talked some more before I announced, “Go

love that, Kyle.

, half-run to

ne’s Per

e conversation. Fifteen minutes

here was so much warmth in

you doing?

rdo

staring at

ot many people have that effect on me, and I observ

w how to res

he moved his hand back and forth between us,

ing with my fingers. To take my mind off whateve

hon

f alarm bells trying to warn me to steer clear of him. I didn’t have any evidenc

week? For the groo

n’t r

to talk mor

orrow afte

you leave me. Please giv

my first time me

on you should

finally decided I’d speak, I said

e joki

aturday. One of her bridesmaids had a last-minute issue, so she asked me t

said. “I’d love to make her acquaintanc

tion under wraps, and you

ned. “I’ll be traveling

jour

g at me. Agai

ious

he said. “I can’t imagine you in a flowing pi

her to fuck off while I still had the

ne.” He brushed a strand of hair away from my face. “Unfortunately, I

hest, and I felt genuinely giddy. “Is that to get me t

ead, a warm sm

?” I

thi

smilin

make me powerless, and I’m not sure I hate it.” Some seconds of uncomfortable silence passed between us. He

thed loudly through my mouth because my hear

leman.” He

no ki

told me I’d pass for a

heard o

nk, pleasant manners, had the weddi

of his voice than his words, which was both irr

he bro hug thingy. “My old man’s waiting for me outside, gotta step.” T

ed, and I assumed our interaction was over for the day.

so weakly, I almost thought he was nervous. “I’ll give you all the

ust goo

t about the guy. I’d love

ke, three hours ago. You could be a s

without me, and I struggled to keep up beca

s house, greeted by

, I caught Kyle’s friend sitting under a tree

thing that m

charmer,” Ky

a frown, my eyes glued to the large hand on June

of showing he

s gr

versation. June relaxed in

ubt he even knows it. It’s a reci

hey’re having a mom

t. She’s past twenty.

at he can’t keep his hands off her.” Of all the things Kyl

ht on him. “I was starting to warm up to y

ryth

ke you’re invading my personal space when you smile at me in a way that is obviously personal. But of course, there’s an ulterior motive. There always is wit

ior mo

wards Kelly’s car, I left Kyle White in the

t that way, only that I wanted to act on it. Before I could pull open the door of Kelly’s BMW, a larg

was walking towards the car. He remained

’ll never touch a woman without consent. I’ve never touched you without it because I

,” I whispered. Kelly wa

s my love

ng to deny yo

nd crinkled the corners of his eyes, making him appear

river’s seat, rolling down the wind

ve Kyle my phone numbe