“You can still work things out with you, can’t you?”
“Yeah, I suppose, but I don’t know. I did meet one girl who seems cool, so there’s that.”
“Seen any hot guys?”
“Why? You want a fifth?”
“No!”
I burst out laughing. “That was very emphatic.”
“I’m just happy with things the way they are,” she says defensively.
“Good, I’m glad.”
“But I want you to be happy too.”
I open my mouth to tell her something like I will be or some kind of bullshit like that, but Erika can read me like a book, even over the phone, so there’s no point in saying that.
Instead, I clear my throat. “I can’t see how you can satisfy four cocks and make their owners happy.”
“Katie!”
I laugh.
“I’m glad you can find a way to be amused at my expense,” she murmurs. “Your roommate probably isn’t as bad as you think. I’m sure you can get along with her. You’re so easy-going and laid back.”
“Not anymore.”
“Oh, Katie.” Erika’s quiet for so long that I expect her not to say anything, but then she finally says, “How’s your mom doing?”
“I should check in on her, but considering she isn’t hounding me, I have to think she’s doing well.”
“She loves you.”
“I know,” I mumble, even though I can’t help thinking that she loves my father a little too much. Opening her eyes to the truth—that our father was unhinged and ready to do anything and everything for the Thunder Crows…
“The Thunder crows are no more, not like my father had them all organized,” Erika says firmly. “They’re gone. Your father, what is he up to?”
I rub the back of my neck. I don’t want to get into all of this, but I should. I have to. I owe it to Erika.
Erika’s father had been the leader of the Thunder Crows, a motorcycle club in Sinking Springs, Texas. Or, at least, that’s what he wanted everyone to think. As it turned out, the Thunder Crows were actually mafia.
Yes, Erika’s father was a mobster.
But he’s dead now, dead and gone.
Which is a good thing.
But I’m not sure it’s enough. I really don’t think it is.
“My father’s unhinged,” I whisper. “I don’t know what he’s capable of, and that’s why my mom has to stay in Europe. She’ll be safe there.”
“And what about you?” Erika asks. “Are you certain he won’t come after you?”
“How can I be certain about anything?” I ask.
“Katie, I hate that you’re like this. I thought you were excited about what the future has in store for you.”