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)
Hollis’s ear is pressed to his phone, but he must overhear because he shoots us the bird before walking off.
“For the record, I don’t like this one goddamn bit,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest.
Cal slings an arm over my shoulders. “Too fucking bad, bro. We’re here for you. Can’t let your dumbass get sent to prison again. You’re too pretty to go back. You have douchebag college dickhead hair now. Someone’ll make you their bitch for sure.”
I shove him away, laughing. “I fucking hate you.”
“You love my ass and you know it.” He grins at me.
“Speaking of college. These two fuckfaces will go back in a week, so they’re useless,” Roan says, shoving Cal into Terrence. “But Hollis and I will be here. We’ll figure out a way to get Renaldo off your back and Kayden away from my sister.”
I flinch at the mention of Roux.
As if on cue, she pokes her head out of the cabin. With messy hair and a sleepy face, she’s fucking adorable as hell. My gaze falls to the purple hickeys on her neck and I freeze.
Shit.
“What the fuck, Roux,” Roan snarls, no longer in a playful mood. He stalks over to her, pushing her hair aside. “Who did this? Kayden?”
Her eyes dart my way, making Terrence snort. “He’s my boyfriend,” she screeches, her voice shrill. “That’s what boyfriends do.”
I should tell him.
It was me.
I’m fucking addicted to your sister, Roan.
All I can do is stare at her pretty, purple neck.
“You’re not allowed to see him,” Roan growls. “Ever. Fucking. Again.”
She lifts her chin, meeting his angry glare with a fierce scowl of her own. “Fine!”
Roan deflates, shooting the rest of us Hoodlums a confused look. I try not to smile, but fuck if I’m not happy about the idea of her not seeing Kayden. She catches my smile and her cheeks turn pink.
So beautiful.
And young.
Fuck.
While she and Roan bicker, I try to remind myself of the fact she’s just a teenager. It guts me I can’t have her. I’m fucking obsessing over it.
I know the law.
If I hooked up with Roux and anyone found out, I’d go right back to prison where her dad wouldn’t be so welcoming this time. He’d beat me to a bloody fucking pulp and then eat my goddamn soul or some shit. You don’t fuck the meanest guy in prison’s baby girl.
I need to stay out of prison to keep her safe.
And I can’t do that if I fuck her.
A bone-deep sadness settles inside me, weighing me down. Her amber eyes are pinning me, reading my goddamn mind before I have to even say the words. I’m practically dripping with resignation.
“I need to go,” I mutter. “Terrence, can you give me a ride?”
I ignore Roan calling out for me or the way Roux’s stare bores into me.
Don’t look.
Don’t fucking look.
As soon as I get into Terrence’s car, I can’t help but drag my eyes up to seek her pretty face out.
Heartbreak and anger.
I fucked up.
Again.
It’s better this way.
As we drive away, I pull out my phone and text Samantha.
Me: I need to see you.
Roux
His stuff—a small, ratty backpack—sits in one corner of our living room, but Jordy’s intense presence is missing. He hasn’t come to the garage apartment since he blew out of the campground this morning. I don’t know where he’s gone and I don’t know how to get in touch with him.
And I have no one to talk to about this.
My fingers hover over the phone, considering if I should tell Charlotte my woes. We’re not exactly happy with each other right now. Once I found out she was alive and well this morning, I sort of went off on her. Normally, she would argue back, but she was strangely quiet. It makes my chest ache. I don’t understand this girl she’s become lately. Hell, I don’t understand myself.
The apartment is empty. Hollis is visiting with his mom and Roan is at work. If they had big plans of keeping me locked away in my tower, they’re doing a terrible job. I could go anywhere right now and no one would care.
The only place I want to go, though, is right into Jordy’s arms. If only I knew where that was.
My phone buzzes, dragging me from my thoughts.
Charlotte: I’m sorry for being a bitch last night and today. I love you.
I smile and type out a reply.
Me: I love you too.
Charlotte: Come over. Let’s get ready together. Hollis just left to take dinner up to the station. Mom, Aunt Karen, and Penny just left to have dinner with Mike. I need my bestie. Don’t make me show up to Zac’s party alone.
Roan doesn’t want me going to that party, but he’s not exactly here to stop me.
Me: I’m going to break up with Kayden.
She sends me about a hundred wow-face emojis.