20
“Hey, Dad,” I say into the phone, balancing it on my shoulder. I flip the pancake in the frying pan, multitasking at its finest.
“Hey, Lina,” he says, the phone line cracking a little. “Just thought I’d call and see how my favorite girl is doing.”
“I’m fine, Dad, where are you?” I ask him. He works as a salesman and is forever traveling the country, meeting women and staying with them for a short period of time before moving again. He’s never been able to stay in one place long, not even to see his daughter grow up.
“I’m just at the airport,” he says. “I’m heading over east for work.”
“You were here and didn’t come and see me?” I ask, pursing my lips. I haven’t seen him in about three months. I’m his only child, so you’d think I’d be higher up the priority list.
“Sorry, sweet pea, I didn’t have much time, but I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
And if I wasn’t, what would he do about it?
Nothing.
He’d still get on that flight right now; it wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m fine,” I repeat, tone a little colder now. “And I spoke to Mom yesterday, she’s fine too.”
Not that he cares.
“I have to go, but have a safe flight.”
“Okay, talk to you soon.”
“ ’Bye, Dad,” I say, placing my phone facedown on the counter, like that’s going to save me from the fact that my dad has never been what I wanted him to be and never will be. I don’t know why I even bother to answer his calls, really. I finish up with breakfast and then head into work.
Another day, another dollar.
Come to the clubhouse, I promise there won’t be arrests made. Unless you want me to pull out my handcuffs.
Laughing at Knuckles’s message, I jump in my car and drive to the clubhouse. More than anything I want to see how Katie is, and I wonder if I should bring her something but have no idea what she’d want. I see a takeout place near the clubhouse, so I stop there and head inside. I remember the food that Knuckles brought me and how he said it’s a secret where it came from, but the moment I walk inside I know this is the place, by the menu, the familiar takeout bags, and the fact that Ace is standing at the counter waiting for his own food.
“The secret place has been uncovered,” I say, standing next to him and smirking. “I can’t wait to tell Knuckles that he can’t hold this over me anymore.”
Ace chuckles and playfully nudges me. “He didn’t tell you where it was? That’s fuckin’ funny.”
“Yeah, and I thought I’d grab some food for Katie, I didn’t want to go to the clubhouse empty-handed,” I say.
“I’m getting her and everyone else something. Knuckles told me to get something for you too, so you’re covered,” he explains, amusement filling his gray eyes. “You can go on ahead to the clubhouse, if you like.”
“I can stay and help you carry the food,” I offer, studying the menu up on the board so I know what to order next time.
“Aren’t you a gentleman,” he teases, pulling a tray of drinks toward him as it appears on the table.
“I try.”
Together, we carry all the food and drinks, and there’s a lot of it, back to his car, and then I follow him to the clubhouse, driving in behind him when the gate opens. The place clearly has high security, and I wonder how the cops got through the gate the night they arrested us, or if someone had left it open. Knuckles and Erin walk out at the sight of our cars, Knuckles opening my door and pulling me into his arms the second I pull my key out of the ignition.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he admits, peppering kisses all over my face. “You smell so good, good enough to eat.”
I push against his chest gently. “You can do that later.”
He nuzzles my neck, kissing me there. “Deal.”
“Come on, we gotta help carry the food,” I tell him. “You know, from the secret place down the road where I bumped into Ace.”
He laughs. “Kitty, now that you’re mine and I don’t need to bribe you with food, you can be in on all the secret-food places.”
“How many are there?” I ask, perking up. “Can we do a secret-food-spot crawl one day?”
Erin steps between us and smiles from one of our faces to the other. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite couple.”
“Nice to finally run into you here,” I tell her, eyes dancing with humor.
“If I’m here it means nothing will happen tonight,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows. “Come on, let’s go eat—I’m starving.”
We carry everything inside and place it on the kitchen table. Knuckles and I grab what’s ours and go sit outside. Erin puts some music on and brings out some wine and beers.
“Is this turning into a weeknight party?” I ask her, eating some of my fries.
“It’s a party here every night,” she replies with a cheeky smile. “You want me to pour you a glass?”
“Yes, please, but just one. I have to drive home and get up for work in the morning.”
Katie comes out, and she looks better than the last time I saw her, but I can tell she’s not well. Her face is pale and a little clammy, but there are no tears or fear in her eyes this time. I can tell she remembers me, because she comes and sits down next to me.
“Hello,” she says, forcing a smile. “Celina, right?”
I nod. “How are you, Katie?”
“Getting better,” she replies, ducking her head. “I just wanted to say thank you for trying to look out for me that night. I was a total stranger, so you didn’t have to care, but thank you for doing so.”
“Anyone would have,” I tell her. “You don’t need to thank me.”
A sober look morphs her expression. “I don’t know what world you come from, but in mine, no one would have.”
That hits me right in the chest. Just what has this girl gone through?
“Well, I’m just a phone call away if you ever need me, and I mean that,” I tell her, touching her arm. “You’re safe here, you don’t need to worry about anyone hurting you.”
“Except the police,” she jokes, running her hand over her stomach.
“At least we’re starting to joke about it now,” I mutter, smiling at Erin, and she puts a glass of red wine in front of me. “Thank you.”
“Can I get you anything, Katie?” she asks the girl. “Juice?”
“It’s okay, I’ll get it,” Katie replies quickly, maybe not wanting Erin to go out of her way for her. “I’m going to go back to bed, I just wanted to say hello to Celina.”
“At least eat something first,” I tell her, brow furrowing.
“I will,” she promises, giving me a quick hug, then heading back inside.
Knuckles pulls my chair closer to his, clearly wanting some attention.
“Hi,” I say, picking up my burger and unwrapping it. “You have no idea how happy I am right now that this is about to enter my mouth.”
Gage walks out and sits down with us. “Guess who has a date tonight?”
Erin gasps, turning from Ace straight to her father. “With who? Is she from that dating website I put you on?”
“No.” He scowls, lip lifting up in a sneer. “I told you that there’s no way I’m going on a date with a woman from a dating site.”
“Well, where did you meet this one then?” she asks, moving to sit next to him.
“At the grocery store,” he admits, then cringes and adds, “When Ace was out on a run and you sent me to get you . . . feminine products.”
“Oh yeah,” Erin snickers, shoulders shaking with laughter. “Good times. Who knew tampons were going to find you a lady? Do we get to meet her? How old is she? Is she pretty? Does she have any kids? Because I don’t want any stepsiblings, I like being the apple of your eye.”
Gage simply smiles, stands, and kisses the top of her head. “Don’t wait up for me.”
“What? You aren’t going to give me any information?” she calls out, frowning. “This bitch better be good to him.”
“It’s a date, not an arranged marriage,” I point out, making the men laugh.
“Yeah, but it’s his first date since he . . . broke up with his ex-girlfriend Veronica,” Erin explains, shoulders hunching. “I just hope he finds a good woman is all. Someone who will look after him and can handle what he comes with.”
“A whole motorcycle club and a nosy daughter?” Knuckles asks, throwing a chip at Erin. “He’s a grown-ass man, let him have a little fun. He has needs, you know.”
“Ew.” Erin winces, putting down her food like she’s suddenly put off it. “I don’t need to hear those words ever again, please and thank you.”
I smile at her reaction, and the relationship she has with her dad. She’s lucky: she has two fathers who love her. Meanwhile, I can’t even get mine to visit me. Pushing that thought away, I finish up the food and drink my wine, everyone else having more than one glass. Soon, the laughing gets louder and everyone starts dancing.
“Want to sneak away?” Knuckles asks, lips pressed against my ear. “I didn’t get to taste you yesterday, and it’s all I can think about. I want to hear those little moans and feel your thighs tremble against my hands.”
I make a noise in my throat and stand up, offering him my hand. If anyone notices us leaving, they don’t say anything. We don’t make it to his room before his lips are on mine, my back against the hall wall, his hands in my hair, at my nape, all over my skin.
I feel him everywhere.
And for the first time, I embrace it.
I don’t push him out.
I let him in.
And it’s that much sweeter.