Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“You were scared,” Mr. Williams tells me, his voice gentle. “We all do things out of the norm when we’re scared. It sounds like they’re tough kids, though. Maybe you don’t have to be the one always taking care of them. Maybe they can take care of you too.”
I smile at that thought. “Nah, they both kinda suck at it.”
The parole board chuckles.
“We’ll be in touch, Mr. Martinez. There are some parameters I’d like to discuss with the board, but you’ll be notified once we’ve sorted it all out.”
He’s smiling at me.
Smiling is good.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t make me regret this.”
“I absolutely won’t, sir.”
Roux
August 7th
The sun bakes down on me, heating my flesh and warming me to my soul. Lying out on the banks of Hood River with my best friend is my favorite place to be. It’s peaceful and quiet aside from Spotify playing “NFWMB” by Hozier. Penny is on the other side of me, chomping loudly on her gum.
“You sound pissed,” I say, shielding my eyes from the sun and craning my neck to look at her.
“Not pissed,” she clips out. “Hot.”
“The river’s over there,” I say with a laugh. “Go cool off.”
“Pass.”
“Penny’s just mad that Mom made her come with us,” Charlotte sasses from my other side. “Apparently we’re not cool enough for her.”
“Oh please,” Penny groans. “Like I give two shits about cool.”
Testy.
“You could be cool if you’d smile and stop being a bitch to everyone,” Charlotte grumbles. “I mean, I’ve practically handed popularity to you on a platter. You’re willingly starving yourself of it.”
“I don’t want minions,” Penny snipes, waving in my direction.
“Hey now,” I chime in. “I’m not a minion.”
“No, but everyone else worships the ground Charlotte walks on. It’s nauseating.”
“It’s better to be cool than to be a nobody.” Charlotte sits up and sprays more suntan lotion on.
These two can go on for hours like this.
“I miss Dad.” Penny clears her throat and then huffs. “I guess I’m the only one.” With those words, she stands up and stomps off toward the river.
Charlotte sighs. “Ugh. I guess I need to go console her and remind her that I miss Daddy too.”
“Big sister duties,” I agree. “Just don’t try to hug her. She might bite.”
We both giggle as Charlotte runs off after her sister. I close my eyes, singing along to “Trouble” by Halsey. A shadow blocks the sun over me.
“Did you survive?” I ask Charlotte.
“Barely,” a gruff, masculine voice mutters.
My entire body comes alive with a mixture of heat and emotion. A voice I’ve heard only once since he was locked away.
“Jordy?” I croak out.
I peek out from under my arm to see his tall, muscular form standing over me. He’s here. Oh my God. With a squeal, I scramble to my feet, throwing myself at him. His strong arms haul me to him, hugging me tight.
“Missed you, Little Hoodlum.” His warm breath tickles my neck where his mouth is only inches from. “So goddamn much.”
I burst into tears, overcome by the fact he’s out. Here with me. I don’t understand how, but I’m so happy. He kisses my neck. Just a soft, sweet peck that makes my nerve endings come alive. I note that he doesn’t remove his lips. And I don’t let him go.
“You smell like coconut,” he says with a chuckle.
“You smell like Jordy.”
“Yeah? What’s that smell like?”
“Home.”
He strokes his fingers through my ponytail. “Your pussy-ass brother cried when I saw him earlier.”
“So did I,” I toss back at him.
“But you’re little Roux, so it’s okay. I’m used to you crying.”
I pull away to give him a sour look. “I kind of grew up while you were gone. Not so little anymore.”
As though he’s just now realizing this fact, his dark brown eyes drop to my lips, then to my throat, and finally to my cleavage in my bikini top.
“I can see that,” he grumbles in irritation.
Flutters of excitement dance in my stomach as I wonder if he likes what he sees.
“Did you come to swim with us?” I ask, inhaling his masculine scent and memorizing every detail of his face all over again.
He’s broader than the last time I hugged him. Clearly been spending every waking minute of his life lifting weights. His hair that was once buzzed short has grown long on top and flops into his eyes, giving him a younger, softer look than I remember. I also never noticed how long his dark lashes were or how flecks of gold are hidden in his brown eyes.
“Hmm?” he asks, his eyes roaming over my face.
“I said…” I don’t remember what I said.
His lips.
They’re dark pink and full.
The scruff on his cheek is in dire need of shaving, but it gives him an edgy look that sets my nerves on fire.
“I missed you,” I murmur.
“You already said that.”
“I’ll say it a thousand times,” I tell him.