Page 69 of Breaking Storm

I gulp down the vodka. “Is that what you want?”

She gives a one-shoulder shrug. “I don’t know. It seems to have worked out for you, though.”

A smile stretches across my face. She isn’t wrong. The rocky start between Joey and I had turned into a deep love.

Erin whispers in a conspiratorial way, “So, how’s it really been with Joey?” Her eyebrows bob up and down.

I laugh at her dramatics. “It’s good.”

“Good? A burger is good.”

My hand covers my laugh. “Okay. It’s great.”

“Does he have a big cock?”

My head throws back, laughing at her question. “I’m not going to answer that.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s my husband!”

The funeral director comes into the room we’re in, scowls, and says, “You ladies aren’t supposed to be in here.”

Erin grabs the flask, feeds her arm through mine, and responds, “Excuse us.” She lifts her chin. “But we came early to say our goodbyes to Uncle Fred.”

The director puts his hands on his hips. “You mean Aunt Margaret, right?”

We giggle while scurrying out of the room. When we enter the hallway, people huff in disgust at our behavior. My mother narrows her eyes, points a finger at me, and mouths, “Get out.”

Joey swoops in, wraps an arm around both of us, and turns us toward the exit. Outside, we inhale the bitter cold, burning our lungs. Erin offers the flask and I take it. Joey shakes his head, but says nothing, scanning the area. It seems he’s always on alert. I hug his arm, and he bends to kiss my hair. Erin’s eyebrow raises.

Joey tics his head in the direction of the parking lot. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

“Can you drop Erin off?”

“Sure.”

I hang on Joey, and Erin dangles from my arm. Our giggles pick up, and the next thing I know, we’re hugging then singing in the car. Joey leaves us be. When we get to Erin’s house, I walk her to the door, and we clutch on to one another, rocking back and forth.

Erin’s breath tickles my ear. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Me too. I’ll call you when I can.”

We separate, wiping our eyes.

She gently squeezes my hands. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too.” I haul her back into me. “Stay safe, Erin.”

I feel her nod against my shoulder. She shoves herself into the door, and before I can say more, disappears behind it. My foot kicks a couple of stones on her porch. The fancy coat I’m wearing wasn’t made for this kind of weather, so I rub my arms over the coat and walk back to the car.

Joey cups my jaw. “You’ll see her again.”

I click my seatbelt on, letting out a heavy sigh. Erin won’t be at the funeral luncheon. My brother wouldn’t have invited her family even though she’s important to me. Since he’s had a lot on his plate, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Similar to my relationship withmy dad, shovels of snow fall from the sky, drenching my feet. A swarm of people huddle in circles around the open grave. My mom, Leo, and I stand to the side of the hole. There’s a priest spilling bullshit about my dad. How he was a pillar of the community. He must be on the payroll, too. My eyes flit over the crowd, but I don’t see James. I assumed he’d be here, mourning his ally, or more like, figuring out how he can play out this situation to his advantage. There hasn’t been a murmur about him. No doubt he’s somewhere planning his revenge. He probably needed time to recuperate and collect enough minions to take Joey down. I shiver at the thought.

We’re given a rose to put on the casket, and when it’s lowered, we toss a handful of dirt. Goodbye, dear old dad. I hope you find whatever you were looking for on the other side.

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