Hood River Rat (Hood River Hoodlums #1) - K Webster Page 0,8
puke my guts up in front of the whole school. So, rather than running off with my tail between my legs, I shoot him the bird.
And then I get the hell out of there.
I sit in the driveway, my forehead against the steering wheel for a long time. Probably an hour. Maybe two. When I walk in that house, I’ll have to deal with Charlotte and Penny and Aunt Karen. Today, I don’t have the energy for it.
A coldness settles in my bones the longer I sit without the heater on. There’s snow in the forecast for this evening, but not enough to cancel school tomorrow. Pity. For someone who always loved school, I’ve done a complete one-eighty. This school sucks. I want to blame the Hoodlums for being assholes or Mom for bringing us here or Aunt Karen for not getting a handle on those monsters. But I know better.
It’s Dad who’s to blame.
He ruined our lives.
Hot, angry tears burn at my eyes. I squeeze my lids closed, hating that wetness escapes, streaking down my cheeks. I’m so tired and I’ve only just begun. In minutes, I’ll have to go inside, put on a fake face for my family, and pretend everything is okay.
My stomach clenches violently, reminding me nothing is okay.
Sitting back, I swipe at the stupid tears and swallow down bile in my throat. I should have eaten, but the Hoodlums made that impossible. My stomach churns at the prospect of eating anything at this point.
I climb out of my Mustang and slam the door too hard. It feels good to release a little tension. I’m just walking up to Aunt Karen’s front door when I hear a loud engine echoing down the street. Stopping in my tracks, I whip around to see a familiar Ford Explorer pull up in front of the house.
Shit.
How do they know where I live?
Did they follow me home?
Dread consumes me, making all my bones feel like jelly. I know Sidney said they wouldn’t hurt a girl, but it still worries me considering I have a houseful behind me. Jordy’s dark eyes lock on mine from the driver’s side through the window, but he makes no moves to get out. The passenger door flings open and Roan hops out.
Fuck.
He has a bag slung over his shoulder that’s seen better days. Sweat clings from his hair and his face is slightly red like he’s been running or working out. All I can do is gape. It’s cold as fuck out here and he’s wearing basketball shorts and a T-shirt—the hoodie and sweats from earlier long gone. I hate that the motherfucker who’s been nothing but an asshole to me sparks a physiological response in me. My dick twitches as I rake my stare down his muscular form that glistens with sweat. Thank God I have my messenger bag slung across my front hiding my semi.
Our eyes meet and Roan’s flash with gold fire.
Hate. Anger. Bitterness.
Not violence.
I don’t let my guard down, though. If he’s going to try to kick my ass, I’ll be ready.
“Who’s that?” a voice says from behind me. Charlotte.
“Go back inside,” I grind out, glancing at my little sister. “Now.”
“No,” she sasses, her blond ponytail swishing back and forth.
Roan is no longer looking at me as he opens the back door. A girl with brown hair and glasses climbs out. She sort of stumbles, but he steadies her. Confusion washes over me. What the hell is going on around here?
“Roux?” Charlotte exclaims. “Oh my God!”
My sister tears off in a full sprint to go hug the girl about her age. Roan scowls, shooting a glare my way like I’m some accomplice to whatever the hell is going on.
“Char,” I call out.
She grabs Roux’s hand and tugs her toward me. “This is my new best friend Roux. We’re in most of the same classes together. And now she’s here!” Then she frowns. “Why are you here?”
Roux fidgets, her face turning red, and looks down at the dead grass. “I, uh, I—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Charlotte chirps. “Now you can see my room. I have to share with Penny and oh my God she’s such a slob, but we can still hang out. Oh! Do you like birthday cake ice cream? Aunt Karen bought some and it’s so good.”
Roux seems relaxed at my sister’s nonstop rambling. Roan cracks his neck. If I had to guess, he wants to kill me for unknown reasons. What else is new today?