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)
“Terrence and I,” I start, but my words die in my throat.
“Me and Roux went by and saw him today,” Jordy says. “Still looks good.”
As good as one can look, relying on machines to keep him alive. And it’s a lie. We all know it. I have been up there every single day since the accident. He doesn’t look good. Terrence looks like shit. I watched him deteriorate over the past couple of months. All of his muscle tone is just melting off him. His dark brown skin is ashy, making him seem lighter. Rhetta keeps his hair cut and attempts to keep his facial scruff trimmed, but there’s only so much she can do with him in his situation.
The situation that doesn’t get any better.
Rhetta’s been looking at coffins. She thinks he’ll die soon. I nearly lost it when she told me she was starting to get things in order for when he dies. If it weren’t for Tierra being there, I would’ve lost my shit on an old lady.
“How’s the new place?” Roan asks, changing the subject once he senses my dark mood.
“Better than an apartment,” I admit. “Dad was renting it out and the assholes bailed, leaving the cabin to shit. I’ve spent the last week ripping up carpet that smells like cat piss. I tried for this cabin, but he wouldn’t let this one go.”
“’Cause this is our cabin,” Roan teases. “You don’t want all these assholes showing up at your house. Trust me.”
Speaking of assholes, some senior kids get in a fight. We all watch with mild interest as they beat the shit out of each other. Eventually, their friends tear them apart.
“Wannabe Hoodlums,” Jordy grumbles.
“No one could ever be us,” I agree. I just wish all of us were here.
“Charlotte looks good,” Roux pipes up, gaining my attention. “Now that she’s finally back from rehab, we’re going to go wedding dress shopping tomorrow.”
I arch my brow. “Do they even sell wedding dresses in the maternity shop?”
She sticks her tongue out, making her seem too young to be pregnant with dipshit Jordy’s baby. Fuck. When the hell did she grow up?
“Seriously,” Roan chimes in. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
“I’m not the first woman to get pregnant before her wedding—”
“You’re not a woman,” Roan tosses back at her. “Girl. Little girl.”
Jordy smirks. “She’s not a little girl. Trust me.” He splays his hands over her belly and nuzzles her neck.
Gross.
Ignoring them, I think about the shit I’d read on the internet earlier. I fell down a rabbit hole of families whose comatose family member woke up. It was wishful thinking, but it gave me hope nonetheless. I even joined a group on social media to eavesdrop on all their success stories.
Headlights shine as someone comes up the road toward us. A few minutes later, several students holler with excitement as several guys join the fray. As soon as I see Ryan motherfucking Cunningham, I’m on my feet.
“Off my property, dickhead. You’re not welcome here,” I call out.
Jordy has shifted Roux to the seat and stands. Roan mirrors him. We’re a trio of we’ll fucking kill you if you come closer. Ryan wisely stays on the other side of the fire, his clan of idiots backing him up like they’re the shit.
“I’m looking for Char. Heard she’s back in town,” Ryan bellows. “I don’t want to stir up shit. Just want to see my girl.”
“She’s not your girl,” Roan snarls. “Go the fuck away.”
Ryan tenses, his hands fisting at his side. “Is she at home?”
“None of your business, asshole. Go before I call your daddy to tell him you’re trespassing.” I pin him with a fiery glare. “Better yet, maybe I should call my daddy and tell him you’re trespassing. He’s been looking to shoot a Cuntingham in the fucking face for years now.”
Jordy elbows me, a silent warning to calm the fuck down. I can’t, though. This guy pisses me off. I hate him. Hate his father. I want to ram my fist right through his teeth.
“Fucking losers,” Ryan barks out. “Come on. Let’s go.”
They leave and the tension floods out of me in a quick rush of air.
“I’ll call Garrett and warn him,” Roux says. “She’s doing too well to have him mess with her life again.”
While she calls Charlotte’s dad, I crack my neck, letting my gaze drag over each and every partygoer. Many are scared of us. Just one look in the eye and they break the stare. Most just want to be us. That’ll either help or hurt Tierra. Being a Hoodlum is mostly good, but sometimes it associates you with some bad shit. No matter what, though, I’m going to look after her. Since T is out, it’s up to me to keep our little cuz safe.
“Hey, Cal,” a familiar girl says, emerging from the shadows beyond the fire. “Missed you, baby.”