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)
“Maybe you should go back where you came from.”
“You’re not as weak as I thought.” He takes a step toward me and I take a step back.
“I don’t know who’s been telling you I’m weak or how you even think you know me, but that’s super creepy.”
“I’ll work on my creepiness. I didn’t realize it was so obvious.”
I’ve backed myself almost to the bank of lockers. Tom remains hidden inside the dark classroom.
“Very obvious, but I think God made creeps be obvious, so people like me could stay away.”
“Pretend you never saw me, Roux.”
I cringe at him knowing my name.
Weirded out by that fact, I take off running down the hall, bursting out the side door. No one chases after me, but try telling my racing heart that. I run my way over to a crowd of kids that have formed in the parking lot around two cars. Kayden’s and someone I don’t know.
Kayden’s lost his T-shirt and stands there in a tank, his arms spread open in a taunting way. Hard to believe just a few minutes before, he was giving me the saddest eyes ever and trying his damnedest to romance me. Now he’s back to being a thug.
No, thank you.
I scan the parking lot for Hollis. He said he’d pick me up, but I don’t see his familiar purple Mustang. My eyes do, however, stop on a navy-blue Camaro.
“Boo.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. “Jordy!”
He sidles up beside me, careful not to touch me. It’s been driving me crazy. Aside from a few hugs this week, he’s kept his distance.
I can wait.
I can wait.
I brush my fingers against his. Apparently I can’t wait.
“I missed you.” I peek up at him and smile. “How was work?”
He gives me a lazy, half smile. “Missed you too, Little Hoodlum. Work was fine. Got a raise and a promotion.”
“What?!” I squeal and throw myself into his arms, uncaring if anyone sees. “That’s amazing!”
He tries to shrug it off. “It’s just from dishwasher to cook.”
“But you love to cook.” I grin, inhaling him. “This is exciting.”
His dark eyes roam down to my lips. “I guess it is.”
“Tonight, we’re celebrating.”
He pulls away and turns his attention on the crowd. It’s then I realize he wasn’t supposed to pick me up.
“You’re here to give me a ride?” I ask, frowning. “Where’s Hollis?”
“Nah, just a job.” He nods at Kayden. “Make sure his dumb ass doesn’t get shot.”
He ended up telling me this week that Renaldo is making him keep tabs on Kayden. I don’t like it a bit, but it’s better than chopping cars, which he told me was the alternative.
The guy Kayden was taunting seems to back down, nodding at him. They do the dumb guy thing where they sort of shake hands and sort of hug. Then, the guy leaves. Kayden then starts laughing with some of his friends.
“I think he’s fine. Want to get snow cones? The stand will only be open a couple more weeks.” I’m already texting Hollis to let him know Jordy’s picking me up.
His eyes dart to the dispersing group for a second before latching back on mine. “Yeah, let’s get snow cones. He can handle himself.”
Jordy motions for me to walk with him. His hair is still wet from his shower after work and he smells strong like limes. I wonder if he tastes tangy too.
I’m just about to climb into Jordy’s Camaro when I feel eyes on me. Not creepy ones. Angry ones. I turn in time to see the look of disgust on Kayden’s face when he sees who I’m getting in the car with.
Screw him.
Jordy is Roan’s best friend. I have nothing to feel guilty over.
My mind can’t help but wonder, though. If Kayden gets super pissed about me being in the same vicinity as Jordy, I can only imagine what sort of meltdown he’ll have when I finally get Jordy to kiss me and claim me as his.
I have seven months to worry about that.
Maybe by then he’ll have a new girlfriend.
If not, I’m in serious trouble.
Jordy
One of my favorite memories of Roux was when she was just a kid and we all went out for snow cones after swimming all day. Cal and Terrence were being dipshits, shoving each other, and Roan was brooding over his mom. Roux was happy as a lark with her grape snow cone.
Until Cal shoved Terrence into Roux and the snow cone splattered all over the sidewalk.
She’d tried so hard not to cry, though her bottom lip wobbled hard. Roan offered her his, but he’s the only one who likes the pineapple flavored one. Both Terrence’s and Cal’s were nearly gone. And mine was cherry.
But that day, I handed her my snow cone and we kept on walking. She didn’t gripe about cherry, even though it wasn’t her favorite, and quietly ate it. When we made it to the bus stop, she hugged me and said cherry was her new favorite. I laughed it off, but it was the truth. From then on out, she never got grape again. Always cherry.