“You know it.” She swung her arm around his neck and drew his face close, then kissed him deeply. “Just a preview,” she whispered.
His dick jerked. “You’re making me hard, baby. If we don’t get outta here, I’m gonna throw you against the wall and fuck you hard.”
She laughed and grabbed his hand, and they walked out together. As he sat on his Harley, waiting for her to drive away, his phone rang, Chenoa’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, sunshine. What’s up?”
“Hi, Dad. Nothing. I just wanted to say hi. What’re you doing?”
“I just signed a lease on our new place. I hope you like it.”
“Do I get my own bathroom?”
“Yeah. This place has three bathrooms and three bedrooms. The basement is finished, so you and your friends can hang out there without your old man around.”
She laughed. “Sounds perfect.”
He smiled and his heart swelled; her voice was bright, like sunlight dancing on a crystal clear lake. “I can’t wait to spend time with you. It’s been something I’ve always wanted to do.”
“Me too. I’m so glad Ms. Quine pushed for this. She’s the best social worker I’ve had. She acts like she really gives a shit.”
“She does.”
“Did you talk to Mom yet?” she asked in a low voice.
“I’m heading over there now. Don’t stress over this. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t want her to think I don’t wanna be with her or see her. I love her and all, but I just want some time with you.”
“I know, sunshine, and your mom will get that. Leave it up to me.”
“Thanks, Dad. I can’t wait to get the hell out of this place.”
“Tired of the fucking accommodations?” She sniggered. “I’ll stop by later and see you. I gotta get to the rez.”
“Say hi toAnálífor me.”
He hung up, the heaviness he’d felt earlier beginning to dissipate. As he rode to the reservation, the sun beat down from a blue sky where not even a wisp of cloud was apparent. Heat licked at his tanned face and bounced off the road, sending up a wavering haze. On each side of the two-lane highway, the scorched sand shimmered beneath the intense white rays of the sun. Sweat trickled down the back of his neck as he veered to the left and entered the reservation.
He decided to stop in and see his mother first before heading over to Mika’s place. A few houses down from his mother’s, he spotted Mika and her dirtbag boyfriend walking her dog. Mika looked up and waved.
He pulled over and killed the engine. “Hey,” he said as he got off his motorcycle.
Mika held her hand up in front of her face as if to block the sun from it. “Hi. How’s your mom?”
“Okay. I’m headed over to see her, but I wanted to talk to you.” He glanced at Roy who stood behind Mika, a frown creasing his forehead. “I just signed the lease on a place in the Pleasant View neighborhood.”
Mika put her hand down and covered her open mouth. “I never thought you’d move from the clubhouse. What made you do it?”
Steel stood in front of her to block the sun. He took off his sunglasses and placed them inside his cut. “Chenoa. She told me she wants to live with me for a while.”
“What the fuck? No. My daughter is staying with me.”
“She’s my daughter too, and you’ve had her for seventeen years, Mika.” He took off his cut and placed it carefully on the bike’s seat. A sheen of sweat glistened on his bare back and chest.
“You’re trying to take her away from me.” Mika’s voice hitched.
“I’d never do that. She’ll always be close to you and love you. It’s just that she and I want some time together. I also need to make sure she stays clean. She needs to be in a new environment. You know, away from the rez. The lure of heroin is powerful, and I wanna give her a fighting chance. She also needs to be in school.”
