“Roux’s in trouble.”
Concern chases away his angry expression. “What? I just saw her this morning. Seemed fine.”
“She still hanging around that douchebag?”
“Kayden?”
“That’s him.”
His mouth parts and his eyes flash with confusion. “He’s her best friend.”
“Is that the lie she’s telling you?”
“Jordy,” he growls in warning. “Get to the fucking point because you’re pissing me off.”
“The point, brother, is Kayden’s brother is Renaldo. Word around here is he’s got a big fucking handle on Hood River.”
Roan stiffens, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“You remember how Renaldo was with me and I wasn’t his blood. He will have Kayden pulling all sorts of shit if he doesn’t already.” I give him a pointed glare. “You really want Roux around that?”
“Fuck no,” he snaps. “I just…” He sighs. “Hollis and I will talk to her.”
A snort escapes me. “Still with the rat?”
“Yeah, man, and it really sucked having Cal up there as best man when it was supposed to be you.” He waves his hand at me, showing a wedding band on his finger.
“You got fucking married?” I ask in astonishment.
“And the moment I got back from my honeymoon, I had word from your dumb ass that I needed to come see you for the first time since you’d been locked up. Way to kill the mood.”
I’m still shocked he got married. Roan of all people never seemed like the type to settle down ever. Worse than Cal or Terrence.
“Congrats,” I mutter.
“Jordy…”
I lift a brow. “What?”
“Kayden has been good to Roux. This… She’s going to be so fucking upset over this.”
“I already sent her a letter warning her to stay away,” I tell him with a shrug. “It won’t come out of left field. Trust me.”
He scrubs his palm over his face, dragging his flesh, eyeing me with a look of utter frustration. “You’re sure about this? I can’t undo this once I lay down the law. Roux is going to hate me. If I’m doing this because you’re just being your typical overbearing ass, I’m going to be pissed.”
I lean forward, pinning him with a serious glare. “These fuckers are in a whole other league than Alejandro was. Vicious, Roan. So fucking vicious. Some of his gang buddies are here with me and they won’t shut the fuck up about the shit they pulled. If she gets mixed up in that world, she’ll get her ass raped or killed or worse.”
He gapes at me, disgust flashing in his eyes. “What could be worse than rape or murder?”
“I don’t fucking know and we’re not going to find out either. Just end things with Kayden and her.”
“Fine,” he concedes. “I’ll do it, but I don’t want you shoving me back out of your life after this. I want you to let me visit any time I want. I miss you, man.”
My gut clenches with guilt. “You could visit your dad instead.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
“I’m just saying since you’re here and—”
“I said fucking don’t,” Roan snaps. “Don’t.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to you, but you better fix this shit with Roux. Otherwise, everything I’ve done is a big waste.”
It’s his turn to look guilty. His brows scrunch together, and he rubs at his neck with his palm. “I’ll take care of it. And when she turns eighteen, I’m saying whatever the fuck I have to say to get you out of here. She won’t be taken from us. Worst they’ll do is lock me up for eighteen months or so.”
Roan would die in this place.
He wears his heart on his motherfucking sleeve. Always has. I’ll be damned if I let that happen.
“Stay out of it,” I grunt. “I’ll work on shit on my end.”
His amber eyes flare with happiness. “You’ll try and appeal?”
“I’ll figure something out. Let me worry about that. You worry about our girl.”
I start to hang up, but he places a palm on the glass. “Wait.”
We stare at one another for a long beat before he continues.
“Thank you for what you did for me. For us. We love you. Always have. That will never change no matter how stupid you can be sometimes. When you get out—and you fucking will—you have a place with us.”
The emotions threatening to pull me under and drown me are too overwhelming. I give him a clipped nod, unable to formulate words, and hang up the receiver.
We’ll keep Roux safe.
We have to.
I’ll move heaven and hell making sure that happens.
Roux
Kayden groans against my mouth as his hand teases my flesh beneath my shirt on my stomach. A small whimper escapes me, making him smile against my lips. We’ve only been officially dating for a week and I love kissing him, but sometimes it feels like things are moving way too fast. When his fingertips brush along my bra, I push at his shoulders.
He lets out a heavy sigh before pulling away, a frown marring his face. “What?”
“I’m not ready…for that.” I chew on my bottom lip and straighten my glasses. “I’m sorry.”
“What is that, Roux?” he challenges with a smirk.
“You know what that is,” I grumble. “We can kiss, though.”
He rolls his eyes and checks his phone. “It’s fine. I know you’re my little prude. I’ll wear you down eventually.” His tone is playful, but I don’t miss the glint of irritation in his gaze.
“Just give me more time to warm up to all of this.” I take his hand in mine. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’ve just waited a long time for us to happen.”
“We are happening,” I assure him. “All those things will come with time.”
He flashes me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sure thing, babe. I gotta go. Renaldo wants me to drop by the shop. I’ll pick you up in the morning for school.”
Disappointment floods through me. We were supposed to study together tonight. Since Roan isn’t here and Hollis is at school, I thought we’d have all that time to ourselves. But, apparently since I’m not putting out, Kayden’s ready to bail on me.
Kayden rises from the sofa and stretches. He’s probably the hottest guy at Hood River High and I somehow landed him. Me. Roux Hirsch. Big, awkward nerd. But it’s not exactly how I imagined it.
Something’s missing.
Guilt niggles at me. Of all the girls he could have ended up with, he’s chosen me, and all I can think about is maybe he chose wrong. Maybe he’d be better off with someone like my best friend Charlotte or one of the other popular cheerleaders. He certainly deserves more than a girl who questions it every time he wants to touch her.
Because you think of him.
Jordy Martinez.
My brother’s best friend who’s serving ten years at OSP for killing four men.
“Hey,” Kayden says, cupping my cheeks. “I’m not mad. I know how you are. I’ve known you for a long time. We’re good. I really do have to go.”