Chapter Seventeen
Jordy
S leeping on the couch sucks.
Sleeping on a thin-ass mattress at OHP with a cellmate who snores really fucking sucks.
I’ll take sleeping on a lumpy sofa at my best friend’s place any day over prison. It’s probably five or six in the morning. The apartment is silent. Just me and my damn thoughts that never seem to shut off.
She’s pissed.
That’s the thought that keeps rolling around in my head. I had shit to deal with when Samantha arrived, and I needed for Roux to not be a part of it. It’s better this way. Safer. Of course, she took it personally.
After everyone left, Roux didn’t show her face again. I’d knocked on her door, but she didn’t open it. At some point, Roan came home and checked on her. I saw him bring her a sandwich for dinner. It killed me not to go in there and talk to her.
But I can’t.
Samantha reminded me I can’t start anything with Roux. I just fucking can’t. Oregon’s laws are strict when it comes to age of consent. As much as I want Roux, it just can’t happen.
Not yet.
One day, though, I’m going to claim that girl.
Someone pads into the kitchen and turns on the light. I sit up, hoping it’s Roux, but instead see her brother. Roan is wearing a pair of sweats and no shirt as he sleepily starts a pot of coffee. I climb off the couch and head to the bathroom to take a piss. By the time I make it back to the kitchen, the coffee is brewed and he’s already poured me a cup.
“Hey, man,” Roan greets, rubbing at his eye with the heel of his palm. “You’re up early.”
“Can’t sleep.”
“You and me both.” He sighs heavily. “Fucking arsonists.”
“Oh yeah? Someone set something on fire?”
He nods, a scowl marring his features. “One was a warehouse two days ago. Last night was a house down on Fourth Street.”
“The fuckin’ trashiest part of town, man,” I say with a snort. “Those houses need to go anyway. They did you a favor.”
“Tell the bodies we found inside that,” he says, his face somber. “They were most likely dead first and the fire was to cover the murders up. It’s been a big fiasco. Feds are involved.”
I perk up. “Oh yeah? Must be a big deal then.”
“It’s looking that way. Keeping everyone busy at the station. Mike’s being a total bitch about it too.”
“For being a huge, burly ass dude, he sure does whine a lot.”
He sips his coffee, his amber eyes locking on me. “Hollis told me Garrett’s moving here.” He closes his eyes and his nostrils flare. “So help me, if he tries to mindfuck my husband again, I will murder him.” His eyes pop open, blazing with fire.
I chuckle and set my mug down on the counter. “Garrett’s not so bad. I get he was a dick back then, but he seems cool.”
He rolls his eyes. “You two best fucking buds now?”
“Nah, your old man’s my best bud,” I joke.
He laughs. “Asshole.”
We carry our coffee over to the kitchen table and sit down. I yawn, wondering if I’ll be able to steal a conversation with Roux when she gets up or if she’ll continue to avoid me.
“Your thoughts are so loud I can damn near hear them. Are you worried?” Roan asks, his pierced eyebrow lifting in question.
I scrub my palm down my face. “Yes. I don’t like being involved with Rex any more than I have to be.”
His brows furrow and he nods.
“Hey,” I utter. “Spoke to Sidney yesterday.”
He flinches and his face sours. “Cool, bro.”
“Don’t be a fuckhead.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Have you seen her lately?”
“Nope. Don’t have any desire to either.” He grips his coffee mug with such intensity his fingers turn bright white.
“I thought Hollis was her friend,” I say, cocking my head to the side.
His grin is wolfish. “I keep him too busy for friends.”
“Gross, man,” I grumble. “I don’t need to think about you fucking the rat.”
“Would you prefer to imagine when he fucks me instead?”
“I hate you,” I say with a laugh. “Seriously. I thought they were friends.”
“As soon as Sid and that dorky bitch started dating, she ghosted on everyone, Hollis included.” He shrugs. “Hollis was bothered by it, but he had me and the other Hornets. Believe it or not, he makes friends with just about everyone he comes in contact with.”
It feels like a lifetime ago when I hated his fucking guts and wanted to drown his ass.
“We gave him such shit,” I mutter. “That’s all your fault, you know.”
“Like I was supposed to know I was into him,” he says in exasperation. “All I ever knew up until he showed up was chicks. Shit got weird as I figured out what the fuck was going on with me. Sorry I dragged you along with me.”
“All that matters is you did figure it out. The rat’s cool in my book. I promise I won’t try to drown him ever again.” I place my hand over my chest over my heart and flash him a wicked grin.
“I taught his ass to swim,” he reveals. “Don’t touch my husband or I’ll cut your balls off.”
I wonder if his sister is off-limits too and what the fuck he’d do if he knew I’d touched her…
“Backtracking to your days before the rat,” I say, leaning in to make eye contact with him. “You haven’t seen Sidney? At all? Like around town?”
All humor fades from his face. “What is your obsession with Sidney? You always hated her. Three years later and suddenly you’re wanting to reminisce about her? Drop it, man.”
“She has a kid.”
“Yeah,” he grumbles. “So what? I heard she and the nerd have another one on the way too.”
“Have you seen him?”
“The nerd?”
“No, moron, Sebban.”
His eyes sear into me. “Nope.”
“You should catch up. Have dinner with them.”
“Jordy…”
“Roan,” I bite out. “Just… I think you should see the kid.”
His face pales. “I don’t like what you’re fucking insinuating right now.”
“I’m not insinuating shit. I’m just saying you should invite them to Campfire Chaos or say hi. Just one meeting, man.”
He’s still scowling at me when Roux walks into the kitchen. I lean back in my chair, my eyes darting over to her. She’s wearing shorts that show off her skinny legs and an oversized hoodie. Her hair is messy, but she’s still cute as hell.
“I’ll say hi,” Roan agrees. “You gonna back off and not mention it again?”
I pretend to zip my lips. He visibly relaxes before standing up to go greet Roux. She squeals when he tickles her and then they start chatting about everything they didn’t get to talk about last night. She mentions her English teacher is really cool. He tells her about the arsonist. I take note she doesn’t look at me or mention snow cones or the fact I picked her up. Nope. It’s like she’s pretending I don’t exist.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower. I can make you something when I get out,” he tells Roux.
She laughs, the sound melodic and enchanting. “I’m grown, Roan. I can pour my own cereal now.”
His smile for her lights up the entire apartment. “We can pretend you’re still a needy-ass ten-year-old who can’t reach the top cabinet.” He pokes at her with his finger. “Oh…that’s right. You still can’t reach the top cabinet.”
“Get lost, dickhead,” she grumbles, fighting a grin.
He laughs. “Don’t say dickhead.”
“I’m about to call you a lot more than dickhead if you don’t take that cheesy smile away from me,” she playfully gripes. “It’s too early for your nonsense.”
He messes up her hair and then jumps out of the way before she can swat at him. As soon as he disappears into the bathroom, I rise from the table and stalk into the kitchen where she’s unsuccessfully trying to reach for the cereal box. I crowd her from behind, lifting my arm easily to grab the box. Her body heat warms the front of me. It takes everything in me not to pull her to my chest and nuzzle my nose in her hair.
“Looking for this?” I ask, lowering the box in front of her.
She jerks it from my hand and slams it down on the countertop. As she starts to step away, I slide an arm around her waist and indulge in inhaling her sweet scent.
“Can we talk?” I murmur.
“What’s there to say?”
“Well, for starters, I’m sorry I made you angry.”
“It is what it is.”
Gripping her hips, I turn her around to face me. Hurt shines from behind the lenses of her glasses in her coppery eyes that won’t exactly meet mine.
“Roux, I’m sorry.” I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “Please look at me.”
This stubborn girl refuses.
Gently, I grip her jaw, tilting her head up. Anger chases away the hurt as she glowers at me. So fucking cute. I rub my thumb over her lip.
“You make my life difficult,” I rumble. “You know that?”
She scoffs. “Likewise, buddy.”
Without thinking, I drop down and press a kiss to her lips. It’s as natural as breathing. Her fury has melted away as she smiles prettily at me.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur. “It’s hard not to do the things I really want to do to you right now.”
She shivers, biting on her plump bottom lip. “As much as I want those things with you, I can wait for them. Waiting for you will never be the problem, Jordy.”
“But?”
“But you shutting me out is a huge problem.” Her eyes shine with unshed emotion. “I won’t let you tear my heart out again.”
Guilt slams into me. “Roux…”
“No,” she whispers. “You want me. Us. Then you need to let me in. I’m not your best friend’s little sister that you’re bound to protect by some bro code. I’m yours. But I won’t be halfway yours. And shutting me out with whatever is going on with you is only allowing parts of me in. I deserve to be more than a sliver in your life.”
Fuck.
When the fuck did Little Hornet grow up into this gorgeous, intelligent, mouthy woman?
“Roux,” I murmur.
Her amber eyes turn hard. “What did Samantha want? What did she say?” The challenge gleams in her eyes. There’s only one answer here. The truth. And if I don’t give it to her, she’s going to hate me.
“Let me take you to school,” I murmur, ignoring the question.
She untangles herself from my arms and storms away from me, sucking the warm air along with her, leaving me cold and empty. “What did she say, Jordy?”
“Baby,” I rasp out, reaching for her. Aching for her. Needing her.
A tear streaks down her cheek and she shakes her head. “I’m not your baby. I’m nothing to you until you let me in.”
She waits for what feels like an eternity, when in reality it’s only a minute or so.
“I want to let you in,” I murmur, “but—”
“It’s not safe,” she interrupts. “Heard you loud and clear. Goodbye, Jordy.”
With those words, she leaves me alone. The finality in her words is gutting.