Page 134 of Tito

“I haven’t decided yet,” she said, gesturing toward the door. “I’m also an amateur magician.” She laughed. “Maybe do some stand-up shows at the Looney Bin, or something.”

“Can you show me a trick?” I asked.

She stepped to the side and faced me with her arms crossed over her chest. “Sure.” She nodded toward my hands. “Where’s your watch?”

I looked at my wrist. My watch was gone. “Oh my God,” I gasped. “It’s gone. My dad bought me—”

She raised her left arm. Two watches were on her wrist, one of which was mine.

“Holy crap!” I exclaimed. “How’d you—”

She unbuckled it and handed it to me. “A true magician never reveals her secrets.”

“That’s crazy,” I declared. “Do you know a lot more?”

She smiled. “Quite a few.” She tilted her head toward the door. “Come on, they’re going to wonder where we are. I’ll get a deck of cards and show you some more, later.”

Short of Mel and Raymond—neither of which knew any fancy magic tricks—I hadn’t really hung out with many women. So far, I really liked all the women in the group. Getting to know them better would come with time. It excited me to think about it.

“How often does everyone get together like this?” I asked.

“I suppose from here on out, it’ll be our once a week meeting.”

“Like this?” I asked excitedly. “Food, music, all the women? Once a week?”

She closed the garage door and turned toward the stairs. “We’re close-knit,” she said with a smile. “We do things like this as a family. It’s something you’ll have to get used to. You’re part of it, now.”

I followed Ally to the roof. The air pulsed with the sound of techno music. The women—and Raymond—were all dancing. At the far edge of the roof, my father had his hand on Tito’s shoulder, telling him a story.

Goose was leaning over the stove, cooking something in a large pot.

Cash was talking to detective Watson. Hap and Baker were sitting on a wooden bench beside the dancefloor, sipping beers. Reno was at the corner of the roof with Braxton, having a talk.

One week earlier, I hoped to never meet the men of the motorcycle club. Now, I couldn’t imagine a life without them and their wives in it.

I took a step toward the dancefloor. The smell of fresh flowers lingered. I paused. Soon, it was replaced with the aroma of the meat that was smoking on the grille. I took another step. A hint of honeysuckle brought with it a smile. I closed my eyes and relished in the fragrance.

The music stopped. I opened my eyes.

Beyoncé’s Single Ladies began to play. Andy screeched and waved for me to join in the fun. Midway through the song, the dancefloor was filled with everyone except for Goose.

In watching him put the finishing touches on the food, it was obvious he was doing something he loved. Each over the shoulder glance toward the dancefloor revealed an ear to ear grin.

When the song ended, Goose raised his hands high in the air. His eyes glistened with delight. “Time to eat!” he announced.

I stood at the edge of the dancefloor, watching the people meander toward the rooftop kitchen in small groups.

Tito draped his arm over my shoulder. “That was fun.”

“I’m having a blast,” I admitted, counting the people as I spoke. “I can’t wait to do this again.”

He kissed my neck. “What are you doing?”

“Counting,” I said. “There’s sixeen people here.”

He chuckled. “Slow night.”

I may not have had much of a family growing up, but I was sure going to make up for it now. Over the course of the summer, I allowed fifteen new people into my life.

Fifteen people I was sure would remain with me until the end.