Together, the prospect and I haul her out of the van, and I savor the splash as we toss over the edge. She sinks out of sight, and I wait an extra few moments to make sure she doesn’t float back to the surface and light a cigarette.
“Drop me off on my mom’s street,” I instruct the prospect once we’re back in the van. By sunrise I want my life on track.
Nothing is said and I toss the cigarette butt out of the window when I’m done.
Every house is shrouded in darkness as I climb out of the van, shutting the door quietly.
The prospect drives away and I make my way around the back of the houses. Jumping over Phoebe’s gate, I climb onto her outhouse which brings me level with her bedroom window. I tap gently, not wanting to wake her father. She used to be a light sleeper and would always wake when I knocked. I doubt she’s getting any sleep tonight, though she makes me tap twice before the curtains move and she opens the window. I go to climb in when she shoves me back.
“Let me in, Phoebes, we need to talk.”
“I don’t think so,” she whispers. “I have nothing to say.”
“I’ll go ring the bell and wake everyone up if I have to,” I warn.
“You’re a prick.”
She steps back and I climb through and shut the window.
“Why are you here, Ford. I told you all I had to say.”
“I scared you with Effie. I know I did. She took me to a dark place, but I’ve dealt with it now. That’s why I’m here.”
“Unless you’re here to tell me you let her go, I’m really not interested.”
“I did. She’s gone.” Though my words are not a lie, the implication is. She doesn’t need to know the truth, and she’ll never hear it from me.
She isn’t Victoria or Rudi. To have Phoebe in my life, she can never know parts of me, I know that now. She can have the best parts while the club can have the dark parts.
“You kept her locked up for who knows how long and then you just let her go?”
I nod. “You’re more important, you always have been. Please, I need to know I haven’t lost you.”
“It’s clear I don’t know you anymore, Ford.”
“Then go on a date with me. Get to know me again. I should never have let you go, I’ve known that since the day I let you go.”
“And what if I don’t like who I get to know?”
I snort. “That’s not likely to happen. I haven’t changed that much, not really.”
“Still sure of yourself, aren’t you.”
“I’m sure of us. We’re meant to be, babe. Give me another chance.”
“You’re not going to stop until I do, are you?”
I shake my head.
“One date.”
I smile. I only need one date to turn it into more.
26
Luca
The dog plonks his head on my thigh and stares up at me. Rubbing the top of his head, I click my fingers and point to his bed. He plods away and makes himself comfortable by the bar.
