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Daddy: Give the phone to Cal. I need to ask him something.
“My dad wants to talk to you.” I slid the phone across the Formica.
“Again? I thought we’d gone over everything?”
“He’s being fastidious. This is my first sleepover. With a boy,” I told him. I snagged one of Cal’s fries and dipped it in my ice cream.
Cal stared at the phone as he texted back to my father. I was so full of energy, from the game, from the sugar, from the anticipation of spending the night together.
“You know, part of me feels like we should just spend the night at your house,” Call said. He didn’t look up from the phone, but continued typing.
“My parents would never go for that. Adult supervision,” I told him matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, well define “adult.” I think the meaning might vary between houses. How would they even know?”
“Cameras.” I’m unfazed. I’ve always been the daughter of a cop.
“Your dad keeps the house bugged? That’s seriously fucked up. Never mind. I’d bug my house too if you were my daughter.”
“Well thank God I’m not.” I kicked Cal under the table. “You seem so distracted, what’s up?”
“El, you think you’ll still put up with me no matter what you see tonight? I mean, I don’t want this to change things between us.”
“How bad can it be? Your mom is home for goodness sake.”
“Just wait.”
Calvin was practically silent the whole drive home, with the exception of the phone call he made to Fox when we’re about five minutes out.
“Hey, we’re on Bradford, coming up on Delano.”
“See you in five on the front porch. Ellie have a lot of stuff?”
“Naw, one bag. How many are there?”
“Shit-ton, bro. It’s Friday. She decent though?”
“I made her put her coat on.”
“Ten-four.” Fox hung up with a click.
“You guys are kind of scaring me. What’s going on?”
“It’s fine, baby. We got you.” Calvin rubbed my leg reassuringly, but I’m anything but.
“What are they, like rapists and murderers?” My nerves have killed my filter, so I’m nothing if not upfront. How bad could it be, these guys from a motorcycle club?
Calvin pulled over to the side a few streets from ours. He turned down the music and looked me in the eyes.
“Some of them are. They’re unrestrained, no rules, shit for morals. They disrespect women, even young girls. Half the time they’re drunk and rowdy, going out looking for fights and finding trouble. There are some decent men in the club, some really are good guys. But I’m not gonna lie, El, my father isn’t one of them.”
“You think he would actually hurt me? I’m his son’s girlfriend. Isn’t he supposed to defend us, aren’t all clubs about loyalty?”
Calvin sighed and gave me a half-hearted grin. He pulls me toward him and kisses my forehead.
“An idealist till the end. That’s what I love about you.” He put the car in drive and we pulled onto our street. I turn and look forward, arms across my chest in defense.
“We don’t have to hang out with them,” I said, slightly miffed.
“Oh trust me, we’re not going to.”
Chapter 20
CALVIN
Fox raced down the stairs and popped open the passenger-side door. He reached in and helped El while I grabbed our things from the trunk. With one of us on each side, we ushered her up the steps running. She pulled back her arm and stared at me in wonder.
Maybe she thought we’d walk in and I’d introduce her around. Not gonna happen.
We flew past the living room and dragged her up the stairs.
“Do you have to use the bathroom?” Fox asked my girl. She shook her head no, but bit her bottom lip like she’s holding back tears.
Fox comes in, closes and locks the door to my room. Ellison sits on my bed without taking her jacket off.
“If you need anything food-wise, just text me. Or if Ellie needs to use the bathroom, I can go with you guys, I’m staying in tonight.”
“Excuse me?” Ellison said. She looked hurt as she stared us down.
“Not literally,” I told her.
“This is weird. Your mom invited me over!”
“When she’s ready to go to sleep, I’ll come get you guys and we can go together,” Fox said. “We’re taking every precaution.”
“Hello! I’m right here. I can hear you. Tell me what’s going on.”
I felt like I gave her a good enough explanation in the car. But Ellison was pissed. She didn’t realize our slumber party meant she’d be spending the weekend hiding out in a locked closet.
“I’m right down the hall,” Fox said before he slipped out of the room. I locked the door behind him and turned back to face the scorn.
“Are you embarrassed of me?” Ellison asked me incredulously.
“Oh Jesus, baby, no. My dad and I have a bad relationship. Totally fucked up. Antagonistic. If he gets the chance, he’ll use you to try to get to me.”
