Hood River Rat (Hood River Hoodlums #1) - K Webster Page 0,65
time. “Language.”
“Sorry,” I grumble.
“Your relationship with my son has nothing to do with Roux’s well-being,” Kelsey assures me, squashing any self-doubt I have. “You’re allowed to be happy, Roan. And so is Roux. All we can do is strive to make that happen and pray for the best.”
Mike nods and pats Kelsey’s thigh. “She’s right. Just keep being kids and stay away. If she comes to the door, don’t answer. I don’t know that she’ll go to the cops, but there’s no way we can stop her. Our best bet is to hope she doesn’t.”
Kelsey invites Mike to stay for an early supper and Roux runs off to go see Charlotte. Ms. Frazier heads to the kitchen to start dinner. It’s freeing to hug Hollis to me and no one look at us funny. I was sure Mike would, but he didn’t seem to be bothered, just surprised.
“You okay?” Hollis asks, his hand squeezing mine.
“Not really.” I notice he’s trembling. “Are you okay?”
“Feeling dizzy.”
“Come on. You need to go lie down until dinner. I’ll walk you up.”
He doesn’t argue and clings to me as we go up the stairs. It’s another thing to worry about. Not only is my mom being a bitch, but my boyfriend is sick. As soon as he flops onto the bed, he passes out. I curl up next to him and pull out my phone to text Jordy.
Me: Mom came by trying to get Roux. Everything is fucked up right now.
He responds immediately.
Jordy: She can’t go back there!
Me: I know this, asshole.
Jordy: It won’t happen.
Me: I hope not.
Jordy: It. Won’t. Happen.
I wish I believed his words.
Hollis
“Wake up, English!” Coach roars, his booming voice echoing in the gym.
Jordy steals the ball and tears down the court with it. He shoots and makes the basket, which sends Coach into a frenzy. I know he’s yelling at me, but I can’t focus on his words. The gym spins around me. My heart is racing in my chest and I feel like I’m going to puke.
“Hollis!”
I black out, still fully aware of what’s around me but unable to do anything about it, and stumble. My shoulder hits the gym floor hard as I crash to it. Strong hands grip my arms and roll me to my back. Squinting my eyes, I’m happy to see Roan.
Worried.
Freaked out.
Panicking Roan.
Our teammates crowd around us, including Coach.
“Hollis,” Coach says, his voice calm and soothing. “Look at me. How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three,” I croak out.
“What happened, kid?” he asks, frowning.
“I, uh, I blacked out.”
“He needs to go to the nurse,” Roan grinds out. “Someone help me.”
“Nurse Jones isn’t there after school,” Coach says. “Why don’t you take him on home?”
Roan nods as he helps me to my feet. Cunningham is right there at my side, offering to help but gets shoved out of the way by Jordy.
“Got this, Cuntingham,” Jordy practically snarls at him.
They walk me to the locker room and I’m starting to feel better. Neither of them lets me go. When we get inside, they sit me on a bench and Roan kneels in front of me, taking both my hands.
“We need to go to the doctor,” he says, his voice urgent.
Jordy hovers nearby like a fucking vulture, just waiting for me to die so he can feast on my bones.
“I’ll be fine,” I mutter.
“Dude,” Jordy grunts out, “you look like you’re about to die.”
“I’m not about to die.” I shoot him a nasty look. “Try not to look sad about that.”
Jordy smirks at me. “My boy likes you for some dumbass reason. So you don’t get to die, rat. Sorry.”
“This fucking guy,” I grumble, rolling my eyes. “How do you put up with him?”
Roan laughs. “You’re both about evenly matched on stressing me the hell out. Maybe you two should start a ‘How Can We give Roan a Heart Attack Today’ club?” He rises to his feet. “Come on, babe, let’s go.”
Babe.
I dart my eyes over to Jordy to gauge his reaction. He cocks his head to the side, studying his best friend with intensity. Roan pulls me to my feet and hugs me to him.
“I guess you’ve probably guessed it by now,” Roan says to Jordy.
“You’re fucking the rat.” Jordy’s nostrils flare.
“He’s my boyfriend, and we’re fucking each other.”
Jordy’s eyes widen slightly. “Since when, dude? You fuck girls.”
“And when have I ever really liked one?” Roan demands. “You gave me shit about fucking anything that walked. Even you thought it was weird.”