Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“It should have,” a cold, baritone voice agrees from the doorway.
“Stop that nonsense, Calvin,” Rhetta snaps. “You’re letting your anger change you into someone you’re not.”
I chance a look at him. Of course he’s hot, just like he was this morning in class, but his glare is icy. I shiver under his intense scrutiny. His jaw works hard with fury, but he keeps back the words he wants to say. Just barely. Probably cracking a few teeth trying to keep them in for Rhetta’s benefit.
“Who brought you here?” Cal demands. “Wes?”
“Lord, this boy is trying my patience,” Rhetta grumbles at his outburst.
I frown in confusion. “My teacher? Why would he bring me here?”
Cal’s nostrils flare as he approaches, violence in his eyes. But unlike with Ryan, this isn’t directed at me. Sure, he’s pissed I’m here, but it’s something else. He stops just a foot away from me.
“He’s accommodating like that,” he growls. “Penny?”
“Not that I have to explain anything to you, but yes.” Irritation chases away my remorse as I face off with him. “If you’ll excuse me, I was just leaving.”
“And how are you going to get home?” he demands, ignoring Rhetta’s bitching at him to stop being an asshole.
“Wait for Penny. Call Hollis. Walk. Hitchhike. What’s it matter to you? You’re not my keeper, Mr. Hutton.”
Rhetta laughs. “You tell him, girl.”
The fire bleeds from his expression as he fights a smirk. I’m mad at him, but something has shifted and he’s amused. It annoys me, but I’m no longer ready to punch him in the throat.
“What?”
“You’re right,” he agrees with a one-shouldered shrug. “You have claws.”
“I’m not afraid to use them.”
“I’ve seen your handiwork.” He winks at me. “Let’s go. I’ll give you a ride.”
When I glance at Rhetta, her eyes are wide with surprise, but she’s smiling. “Come visit again sometime, sweetheart, and we’ll grab coffee or a bite to eat afterward.”
“Really?”
She pushes Cal out of the way to take my hands, squeezing them. “I like you.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks. It’s not that I’m not used to parents or grandparents liking me. I’m a good girl, aside from that year of horror. Popular. Well-liked. I just don’t expect to get that from Rhetta. Not after what I’ve done to her grandson.
“I’d like that,” I murmur. “I really would.”
She brings my hand to her mouth and kisses it, reminding me of the affectionate way Tierra is. I’d never noticed with Terrence, but I wonder if he’s the same as them.
“Good,” she says. “It’s a date. Now go cheer up my other boy.”
Cal makes a great show of rolling his eyes, clearly every bit the little boy she still sees him as despite his massive presence.
I pull my hands from hers, take one last long look at Terrence, and then exit the hospital room. We’re quiet as Cal falls in step beside me. It isn’t until we reach his truck and he opens the passenger side door for me that he speaks again.
“Did you ask your mom about Campfire Chaos?”
“We didn’t exactly talk about it,” I admit, studying his handsome face. “Are you okay? You seem off today. We didn’t speak in class this morning…” I trail off when his features twist cruelly.
“I’m not okay, loser,” he spits out. “I have to deal with you when I’d rather be up there with T.”
I straighten my spine and lift my chin. “No one asked you to take me home. And that doesn’t explain this morning.”
“Just pissy,” he grunts. “Get in. I have papers to grade. Kids to fail. Parents to threaten. You know, usual teacher stuff.”
“You’re really not going to tell me,” I hiss in disbelief.
“Nope. Get in before I throw your ass in.”
“Get in before I throw your ass in,” Ryan bellows, yanking on my hair.
“Please, baby, stop,” I beg. “You’re hurting me.”
“No,” he grinds out. “This is hurting you.”
His hand slaps my face hard, causing me to see stars. I burst into tears at the sudden onslaught of pain. There’s no remorse in his glare. Only cruelty.
“Charlie girl, look at me.”
I blink away my daze, shuddering at the horrid memory. Cal’s no longer glaring daggers at me. No, his green eyes have softened with worry. His hands are gentle as he cups both of my cheeks.
“What happened?” he demands.
“I just…what you said…” I swallow down a ball of emotion. “It reminded me of him. That night.”
His green eyes crackle with intensity as he swipes away a rogue tear from my cheek with his thumb. “Listen to me carefully,” he rumbles. “I am not like that sonofabitch. Sure, I’m a bossy asshole and I’m so pissed at you, I see red. But I would never ever in a million fucking years hurt you the way he’s done.”
“But you said—”
“I dish out what you can handle because Hoodlums aren’t made of soft stuff. No, we’re poked and provoked until we’re hard as nails. You’re going to be sharp and steely because you’re a Hoodlum now too, remember?”