Hood River Rat (Hood River Hoodlums #1) - K Webster Page 0,78
in jail just as quickly as they will me for what I did. Do you want Roux all alone with your mom and her next asshole boyfriend?” He cracks his neck. “I sure as hell don’t. Who’s to say the next one doesn’t hurt her in ways that can’t be undone? She needs you.”
“She needs you too,” I argue, choking on an angry sob. “We both do.”
“You have the rat and she has his sister. Just…” He sighs. “Just let me take the fall for this and stay clean. Make me proud. Go fight fires like you always wanted. Go make babies with the rat for all I care. Just make sure Roux is right there with you and safe. Swear it to me, Roan. On our friendship, brother.”
Defeated, I nod.
I’ll do it for him.
I’ll do it for Roux.
Because, honestly, I don’t know what else to do.
As the memory fades, I stare at Jordy. He’s so resigned to doing this. It kills me. But, after researching the laws, he was right. If they dug and could prove I had plans to kidnap Roux, which they easily could, I would get a few years if convicted. A few years that Roux cannot afford to lose of me. I’d read up on Oregon laws and his sentence would be reduced if he could prove extreme emotional distress, which was plausible considering he was trying to save us, but that would once again shine the spotlight on why I was there. We all know it wasn’t for a friendly visit. I was there to take her.
I let out a heavy sigh of frustration. This fucking sucks. I’m shaking and barely able to hold it together. I’m thankful to have Hollis by my side. Cal and Terrence are sitting on the other side of Roux, both just as upset as we are. Our friend is up there, in front of everyone, facing a horrible future. The lawyer warned us that if the judge is harsh, he could be spending life without parole. He thinks, though, with the holes in the case and Jordy’s age, the judge might be more lenient. Only time will tell.
The sentencing trial goes quickly.
I’m numb through it all.
Until it’s time for sentencing. The judge shakes his head in exasperation before speaking.
“I may be old, son, but I’m not dumb. And neither is anyone in this courtroom,” the judge says, frowning at Jordy. “This wasn’t premeditated. There’s no proof of gang affiliation. We have several testimonies from law enforcement officers who arrived on the scene. You were protecting your friends.” The judge pinches the bridge of his nose before sighing. “But I can’t force you to tell the truth. You’ve plead guilty and that’s out of my control.”
The courtroom is nearly silent as we all wait with bated breath for the sentencing.
“What is under my control is your sentencing. My hands are tied where Oregon law is concerned, meaning you have to serve time. How much, though, is up to me. Considering your no priors and age, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to spend your life in jail. You’re still young, therefore you’re still thinking like a boy. I’m hoping you’ll begin thinking like a man soon. The minimum sentence I can give you, son, is ten years at Oregon State Penitentiary with eligibility for parole after four.”
The same goddamn prison my father’s at.
Ten years.
And that’s the best we could hope for.
“I suggest,” the judge says in a firm tone, “that you get really familiar with the appeal laws of our state. I suggest you sit and think about how this impacts your life. Maybe one day we can revisit this case.” The judge shakes his head again. “Try not to lose yourself in there, kid. You’ll get out before you know it and still have a chance to do right by yourself.”
As he mumbles on more of the court sentencing jargon, I shut down. I’m dying inside because I feel like this is all my fault. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know how to free my friend.
A loud whistle catches my attention over all the murmurs of voices.
Jordy.
Dark, penetrating eyes on me.
“Take care of Little Hoodlum.” He mouths the words, but I hear them clear as day.
I nod sharply, which earns me a rare smile.
And then they take my best friend away.
“I don’t want to go,” Roux whines. “Not today. Not after seeing them take Jordy away.”