Akira Watanabe’s greatest issue isn’t being a lesbian, but rather having a father with the maturity of a teenager. He’s a heavy drinker and hardly works, so she supports them both with a job at a local convenience mart. It’s there she befriends police sergeant Rosey Garatino, who frequents the store and lives in the same complex as the Watanabes. Akira has the hots for a Goth girl named Jade, but unfortunately, Jade likes guys, and she also drinks and smokes. One night when Jade comes into the store, drunk, and tries to steal some beer, Akira stops her. Jade gets sick, and Akira helps her outside. Sparks fly between them, but nothing happens. Later Akira hears rumors that Jade is a lesbian. The heat that smoldered between them now sparks into a fire, especially when Jade promises to quit drinking and smoking. Akira’s surprised to learn Jade is Rosey’s daughter. Growing up can be difficult in the best of situations, but the neighborhood where Akira and Jade live is dangerous, too. As their friendship deepens into love, will they be able to protect each other and find their happy ending?

Saving Akita

“We worked it out. I stressed and worried over it.”


“So, what happened?” Jade hugged Mom tighter.


“The lieutenant and I were called into the deputy chief’s office, a good guy. I like and respect him.”


“Is that the guy, Stu Florence, that you said if he had to go into hell and arrest the devil, you’d go with him?”


“Yup. So, he had the lieutenant tell his side, and I told mine. The stories pretty much matched. The deputy chief said he heard from the retired officer, who said he only mentioned booze on the lieutenant’s breath to try to support me against the supervisor. Stu said it sounded like we both were under a lot of pressure and went off on each other. I apologized for telling him GTH, go to hell, on the instant message. He said he had family problems and was out of sorts.”


“Yuch. I’d take a thirty-day suspension before I’d kiss him. So not my type.”


Chapter 29