“Why?” Allie counters. “Why choose? Why not be with them all if it makes you happy and they’ll agree to it?”
"Do you honestly think they would even entertain that idea? For more than a week? I don't want to risk their friendship. They're all so close together, and they need each other."
She shrugs. “What if they need you?”
I eat a few fries, but they don’t bring me any satisfaction. “Do you think they would go for that?” I ask.
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“I realize that, but you know all of them. What do you think?”
Allie holds up her hands. “I know that they teased each other when I bounced from one to another, and it was… it was an experience, dating through a circle of friends, but it’s not something I’ll ever repeat.”
“Of course not. You found the one.”
“Yes.” She beams. “But I might have one, but you have four. Who knows? Maybe they all need you.”
“They need me like they need a hole in their heads.”
She lifts her eyebrows. “Why do you say that?”
“I just don’t know if I’m good enough,” I mumble.
But that’s not the case. Well, it’s partially true, but I’m more worried about my father and what he might do.
Speaking of…
I wait for us to finish eating before I lean back. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” she says with a wave of her hand.
"Not just for this, although it was delicious, wasn't it?"
“Yes,” she admits. “I haven’t had Burger King in forever.”
“But thank you for suggesting I join the motorcycle club. I know they’re supposed to be a family, and you’re right. I do need protection.”
“Does this have to do with your father and his club?”
“With him. Maybe with the war that he said he’s in. I don’t know the detail. I’m not involved in his club at all.”
“What’s it called?”
“It’s not around here,” I say, shaking my head. “The Thunder Crows.”
“Shit. I heard about that. Didn’t it relocate to California?”
“Only part of it. The rest of it is in Sinking Springs, and my father’s the head.”
“Huh. I can try to do some digging.”
I grimace and bite my lower lip. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
"I have my ways, but, Katie, seriously, we got you. I've been helping several other women join the club. There's a… It probably sounds ridiculous, but there's a haunted look certain women have, and I know they need help."
“So you’re an angel who rides a bike.”
She bursts out laughing. “I am no angel. Trust me. I just know that the club saved my life, and I want to help return the favor.”