Chapter Twenty-Three
Jordy
E very time I set a plate of food in the window, I catch Rex’s glare. He’s sitting with Juno and a few other losers, causing a ruckus. Bob says nothing, clearly terrified of Rex. It pisses me off that Rex seems to hold power over everyone in this town. I’m about to start on another order when Roan and Roux walk in.
Fuck.
I shake my head at Roan, but he’s not looking at me. Rex, though, is boring a hole through me. Slowly, he turns around to see who I’m watching. I’ll give Roan credit. He doesn’t flinch the moment he realizes what he just walked into with Little Hornet. Acting as though he’s unbothered, he takes a table far enough away from them.
I need to distract Rex.
Rushing through the kitchen door, I make my way over to Rex and Juno. I crack my neck and level my glare on Rex.
“Wow, man,” Rex sneers. “Someone fucked you up.”
I run my tongue over my sore lip. “What do you want?”
“Just checkin’ on my boy.”
Juno smirks. “Bet you learned your lesson, huh, little bro?”
“Fuck off, Juno,” I grind out.
They all laugh at my anger. I’m about to explode. I wish to hell Roan would leave, but it would be too obvious. Plus, my stupid best friend won’t leave me to get my ass kicked if he thinks that’s where it’s headed.
“My brother says you wish you were fuckin’ that young thing over there,” Rex says, losing all humor as he glowers at my girl.
I want to grab his hair and bash his face against the table for even looking at her.
“Your brother is an idiot.”
Rex studies me for a long moment. “He is, but he’s a fuckin’ kid. What’s your excuse?”
“I don’t know what sort of bullshit baby Wheelhouse whines about when you two are watching the Disney channel together late at night during family time, but he doesn’t know shit about me. I grew up with them. I’m not interested in what high school brats are up to. I certainly don’t want to fuck them.”
Rex whistles. “You two. Get over here.”
Fuck.
I can practically feel Roan’s protective rage pouring over me. Roux comes to stand beside me, between me and her brother. Rex looks her up and down, and I’m thankful she’s wearing a hoodie so he can’t check her tits out. Today she seems messy and frazzled. I’d rather him see her as a young kid than someone fuckable.
“You’re my brother’s girl?” Rex asks.
She straightens. “He wishes.”
Juno snorts and the other two guys with them laugh. Rex simply smirks.
“He does,” he agrees. “He’s in love with you for some reason. He misses you.”
“We broke up,” Roux tells him. “I don’t care if he misses me.”
“I’m having a party tonight at my place.” He licks his teeth and winks at her. “You should come.”
Roan steps forward like he might lunge at Rex, but a sharp glare from me stops him.
“She’s grounded,” Roan says, laughing cruelly. “For life. Tell them what you did, Roux.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “No.”
“Aww, tell us, little girl,” Rex taunts.
“No.”
Rex laughs.
Roux, playing into the weird ass vibe, says, “Kayden really misses me?”
I want to crush Kayden for even existing, but I don’t say a word.
“Yeah, kid, he does. Apparently he’s a pussy for a virgin. Still a virgin?”
“Yep,” Roan growls. “And will stay that way too.”
“I want to go,” Roux says, glowering at her brother. “To see Kayden.”
“You shouldn’t have fucking gotten kicked out of class,” Roan snaps. “You know grades are fucking important.”
Roux turns on the waterworks. “You never let me do anything!”
“Because you’re seventeen,” I chime in. “And quite frankly, everyone gets tired of you tagging along. I sure as shit hate babysitting. Ask Rex. He knows how much I hate that bullshit.”
“Fuck you, Jordy,” she hisses.
“The little kitty has claws,” Rex observes, making his crew bowl over in laughter.
“Nah,” I say, chuckling darkly. “You’re jailbait. Besides, that’s what my attorney’s for. Least she has tits.”
Roan elbows me. “Don’t be a dick.”
Roux doesn’t have to fake the hurt in her eyes. It’s natural. She’s not a fan of Samantha’s to begin with. I know this throws her insecurities in her face.
But I’ll do anything to get Rex’s attention off my girl.
Even if I have to be a dick to her.
“I hate you guys,” she snarls, storming off, a sob echoing after as she pushes out the door.
Thank fuck, she’s gone.
“I’ll be there,” I tell Rex. “Since Kayden can’t do shit without me. Fucking pussy.”
Rex laughs. “He’s just a kid.”
“A kid who should be grounded. Like that kid.” I nod toward the door where Roux left. “Not trying to be a badass at parties.”
“The cop’s kid took a cheap shot at my brother,” Rex grinds out. “I’m going to deal with him.”
“Kayden made the mistake of buddying up to Cuntingham.” I shrug and laugh. “If you fuck with the cop’s kid, the cop is going to come after you.”
“That cop won’t do shit,” Rex snarls. “I’ll burn his fucking house to the ground.”
Roan stiffens.
“Say that a little louder so the whole town hears,” I deadpan.
Rex’s lips curl up into an evil grin. “Who the fuck do you think owns this town?”
The front door opens and some people walk in. Garrett, dressed in a sharp suit, saunters in with a couple of other guys in suits. Hollis’s dad doesn’t greet us. Instead, he walks right past us, telling the guys with him how he’s going to knock down the wall on the other side of Rex and his friends to expand his office.
Garrett and the suits make their way to Bob. Bob, clearly uncomfortable with Rex’s glare on him, fidgets.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here,” Rex says. “I’ve got shit to do before tonight.”
The assholes leave and pile into Rex’s SUV parked out front. As soon as they’re gone, I feel like I can fucking breathe.
“Hey, boys,” Garrett says, coming to stand behind us. “Take a walk with me.”
The guys he came in with settle into a booth while the three of us walk outside. Garrett takes us next door.
“Used to be a dentist office,” Garrett says to me, gesturing at the space. “I’m going to gut it completely and redo it. It’ll be perfect for what I need. There’s an apartment above the space I’ll be looking to rent out if you know anyone looking. Probably have it ready by the spring.”
“What do you want?” I ask.
Garrett sighs, scratching his jaw, reminding me very much of Hollis in this moment. “I just wanted to make sure you two were okay.”
“Just dandy,” I lie.
“Have you seen your face?” Garrett asks, frowning. “I’m a physician. You should have called me.”
“I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity…goddammit.” Garrett spears his fingers through his dark, golden blond hair in frustration, messing it up. “Where the fuck did Kelsey move my family to? This place is overrun by that Rex asshole and his minions.”
“Did you drag us over here to tell us what a shitty place we live in?” Roan challenges. “Because if so, we already fucking know.”
Garrett frowns. “No…I…”
“You bought the restaurant too?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“I bought this entire strip of buildings to protect my interests.”
Roan snorts. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“I’m only going to make things better,” Garrett calls out to us as we reach the door. “That’s all I want to do.”
“I don’t question your intentions,” Roan says, looking over his shoulder. “I just hope no one, especially your children, gets caught up in a war you don’t intend to start.”
“No one is going to war, son.”
Roan growls. “I am not your son, Garrett. And you waged war when you rolled into Rex’s territory and let it be known that you purchased something that he clearly believes he owns.”
Roan’s right about that. Rex pulls Bob’s strings, so he’ll be fuming at this new development.
“I won’t let that bottom feeder or the one seeing my daughter bully me,” Garrett calls out behind us. “They’re about to learn just how deep my pockets are. How fucking far my reach is.”
I sure hope to fuck this guy knows what he’s doing, because right now, it feels like he might be making shit worse.