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)
“Your dad sounds like a real asshole.”
“Sometimes it’s beneficial to be the biggest asshole in the room. Or, in this case, Hood River.”
“This town has enough assholes,” I grumble.
“What’s one more?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, what’s one more? Will you tell Charlotte I love her and miss her?”
“She knows,” Penny says, giving me a rare smile. “She plays your dumb songs you love all the time ever since you guys broke up.”
My heart clenches painfully in my chest.
“I’ll be here for her when she comes to her senses,” I tell her, my voice cracking.
“I think she knows that. Let’s just hope she comes to them before she does something really stupid.”
Jordy
Sleeping on the couch sucks.
Sleeping on a thin-ass mattress at OHP with a cellmate who snores really fucking sucks.
I’ll take sleeping on a lumpy sofa at my best friend’s place any day over prison. It’s probably five or six in the morning. The apartment is silent. Just me and my damn thoughts that never seem to shut off.
She’s pissed.
That’s the thought that keeps rolling around in my head. I had shit to deal with when Samantha arrived, and I needed for Roux to not be a part of it. It’s better this way. Safer. Of course, she took it personally.
After everyone left, Roux didn’t show her face again. I’d knocked on her door, but she didn’t open it. At some point, Roan came home and checked on her. I saw him bring her a sandwich for dinner. It killed me not to go in there and talk to her.
But I can’t.
Samantha reminded me I can’t start anything with Roux. I just fucking can’t. Oregon’s laws are strict when it comes to age of consent. As much as I want Roux, it just can’t happen.
Not yet.
One day, though, I’m going to claim that girl.
Someone pads into the kitchen and turns on the light. I sit up, hoping it’s Roux, but instead see her brother. Roan is wearing a pair of sweats and no shirt as he sleepily starts a pot of coffee. I climb off the couch and head to the bathroom to take a piss. By the time I make it back to the kitchen, the coffee is brewed and he’s already poured me a cup.
“Hey, man,” Roan greets, rubbing at his eye with the heel of his palm. “You’re up early.”
“Can’t sleep.”
“You and me both.” He sighs heavily. “Fucking arsonists.”
“Oh yeah? Someone set something on fire?”
He nods, a scowl marring his features. “One was a warehouse two days ago. Last night was a house down on Fourth Street.”
“The fuckin’ ghetto, man,” I say with a snort. “Those houses need to go anyway. They did you a favor.”
“Tell the bodies we found inside that,” he says, his face somber. “They were most likely dead first and the fire was to cover the murders up. It’s been a big fiasco. Feds are involved.”
I perk up. “Oh yeah? Must be a big deal then.”
“It’s looking that way. Keeping everyone busy at the station. Mike’s being a total bitch about it too.”
“For being a huge, burly ass dude, he sure does whine a lot.”
He sips his coffee, his amber eyes locking on me. “Hollis told me Garrett’s moving here.” He closes his eyes and his nostrils flare. “So help me, if he tries to mindfuck my husband again, I will murder him.” His eyes pop open, blazing with fire.
I chuckle and set my mug down on the counter. “Garrett’s not so bad. I get he was a dick back then, but he seems cool.”
He rolls his eyes. “You two best fucking buds now?”
“Nah, your old man’s my best bud,” I joke.
He laughs. “Asshole.”
We carry our coffee over to the kitchen table and sit down. I yawn, wondering if I’ll be able to steal a conversation with Roux when she gets up or if she’ll continue to avoid me.
“Your thoughts are so loud I can damn near hear them. Are you worried?” Roan asks, his pierced eyebrow lifting in question.
I scrub my palm down my face. “Yes. I don’t like being involved with Renaldo any more than I have to be.”
His brows furrow and he nods.
“Hey,” I utter. “Spoke to Sidney yesterday.”
He flinches and his face sours. “Cool, bro.”
“Don’t be a fuckhead.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Have you seen her lately?”
“Nope. Don’t have any desire to either.” He grips his coffee mug with such intensity his fingers turn bright white.
“I thought Hollis was her friend,” I say, cocking my head to the side.
His grin is wolfish. “I keep him too busy for friends.”
“Gross, man,” I grumble. “I don’t need to think about you fucking the rat.”
“Would you prefer to imagine when he fucks me instead?”
“I hate you,” I say with a laugh. “Seriously. I thought they were friends.”
“As soon as Sid and that dorky bitch started dating, she ghosted on everyone, Hollis included.” He shrugs. “Hollis was bothered by it, but he had me and the other Hoodlums. Believe it or not, he makes friends with just about everyone he comes in contact with.”