Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Good,” I tease. “Then you can take care of me in my old age.”
I hug her to me and kiss the top of her head. We stay like that for a moment before we get up and pack our shit. Everything we own fits into a couple of bags. There’s no coming back here. Not after Alejandro pulled a gun on me. Next time, if he’s fucked up on drugs, he might just pull the trigger. I can’t live without Roux and I’ll be damned if I let her watch me die. I’m not sure where we’ll go or how we’ll manage, but I have to try. Anything is better than this. Hell, I’d be happy camping in my favorite tent at Cal’s campground if it meant never having to see Alejandro again.
“Let me make sure it’s clear first,” I tell Roux as I move the dresser from the door.
The apartment is quiet aside from the music playing in the living room. One quick look toward my mother’s door and it’s still shut. I walk back into our room, gather up most of the bags, and leave a couple for Roux to carry. Quietly, we slip out of the apartment. At five in the morning, no one is up. We make it out of the building and into the blistery cold just as a suped up Denali pulls up with Hollis at the wheel.
“Oh, thank God you’re both okay,” Kelsey cries out the moment the passenger door flings open. She rushes to the hatch and opens it. We toss our bags inside and she closes it. Before we can get in the car, she pulls us both to her for a hug. “I have you now. You’re safe.”
Tears burn at my eyes as I slump against this woman. She’s small, but her strength is addictive. I need so badly to be strong right now. A sob catches in my throat. Her hand pats my back as she whispers assurances. I break away and quickly jump into the backseat with Roux so I don’t do something stupid like cry. Everyone is quiet on the way to the fire station. Hollis keeps glancing at me in the mirror, worry evident in his stare.
I can’t look at him.
I can’t look at either of them.
When I try to see myself through their eyes, I see a weak brother who can’t keep his sister safe. I see all of my insecurities like blinking lights for all to witness. I see the fatigue of a life that’s too fucking tiring for someone only eighteen.
Defeated, I close my eyes and hope I’ll find my way to a bed soon. We pull up to the fire station and park. One of Mike’s friends, Frank, comes out to greet us.
“Everything okay? Do you need medical attention?” Frank asks. When he realizes it’s Roux and me, concern washes over his features. “Roan, what the hell, man? You might need stitches.”
I shrug. “Is April here? She can stitch me up.”
“Everyone’s asleep. I’ll get them up, though. Let’s get inside.” He ushers the four of us into the fire station. The scent of coffee hits my nostrils, making me recoil. I don’t normally dislike the smell of coffee, but at the moment, it makes me nauseous.
He takes us to the living area where there are a couple of sofas before rushing from the room. Hollis paces while Kelsey and Roux sit down. It makes my heart ache to see Kelsey hug Roux like she’s her daughter. Roux deserves so much better than the piece of shit who gave birth to us. I stumble a bit and Hollis pounces on me. He gently guides me down to sit.
“How’s your head?”
“Fine,” I grumble.
He doesn’t release my arm, sitting so close our thighs press together. “You’re not fine, Roan, you have a huge gash on your cheek and can barely stand upright.”
I grumble, but don’t argue. Truth is, I don’t mind his touch. It’s comforting in this moment.
“What in the ever-loving hell?” Mike demands as he charges into the room, still sleepy-eyed, with Frank and April on his heels. April has her kit in hand. She’s a nurse and is married to Frank, so she’s always up at the station with him.
“Good morning to you, too,” I deadpan.
Mike doesn’t seem amused as he plops his big ass down on the coffee table in front of me and puts his fingers under my chin, lifting my head. He touches below my jaw and I wince.
“I have to call this in,” Mike says, frowning.
“Mike!” I bark out, hating the wave of dizziness from this action. “You can’t.”
We both glance over at Roux. He grits his teeth.
“Fine, but you’re not going back,” he throws at me. “Ever again.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I can call Cal or Jordy—”
“Nonsense. I have the garage apartment. It sits empty. You can move in there.”