Five More Minutes

Laney’s dead to the world when Jessica slides in, trying to roust her for the bus. Twice this week Laney’s already slept through it, so Jessica dangles hot bacon like bait. Laney just rolls over. Jessica’s waving the white flag—for now—but she’s scheming up something bigger. Next day she barks like a new puppy, thinking it’ll shake Laney out of bed. Laney doesn’t twitch. Stumped again, Jessica fishes out her last card. Morning three rolls around, Laney’s still snoring, so Jessica parks on the edge of the mattress and leans right into her stepdaughter’s ear. ‘Get up and I’ll fuck you,’ she whispers—dirty, direct, the promise that’s always lived in the air between them. Lanes hasn’t budged yet, but this time the stakes just got filthy.