“I like your mom,” she says softly. “Much nicer than mine.”
“Thanks.”
Her palm slides higher. “We could be good together, you know. Really good.” She palms my cock through my jeans, making me hiss out.
Gripping her wrist, I pull it gently away. “No.”
Shock morphs her pretty features. Apparently Sidney isn’t used to being told no. For a brief moment, she seems tired. Used and abused and worn out. When she’s not smiling, she looks pretty fucking sad.
I hold her hand, threading my fingers with hers. “It’s not that kind of no. Not how you’re thinking. More like the fact that I couldn’t ever reciprocate.”
“I give good head,” she whispers. “I don’t need anything in return.”
“You should, Sidney,” I say firmly, pinning her with a hard stare. “You’re sweet and funny and fucking beautiful.”
Her lashes bat hard at her cheeks, but it’s because her eyes are watering and she’s trying desperately to hold back tears. “Why are you saying these things?” A tear leaks down her cheek.
I reach up and swipe it away. “Because they’re true. You’ll make some guy really happy. Just not this guy. And, for the love of God, stay away from the Hoodlums.”
“If I’m so funny and pretty, why doesn’t anyone want me?” Her bottom lip wobbles. “Not you. Not the Hoodlums.”
“I can’t speak for those assholes, though I’m almost positive it’s because they’re self-centered dickheads who only love themselves, but I can speak for me.” I give her a genuine smile. “Sid, I’m gay.”
She blinks at me as my words settle in. “What?”
“Gay. Not bi. Just gay. I like guys.”
“Oh.”
Leaning in, I kiss her wet cheek. “But if I were straight, you’d be my type. The serious girlfriend with marriage potential type. I hope you find someone who sees that because you deserve it.”
She hugs me and then cries softly into my neck. I stroke her silky hair, almost wishing I could be that person for her. I can barely be the person I need to be for me. Someone bangs on the window, making Sidney scream in surprise.
“Hey, lovebirds, save some kisses for me,” Gio says, pressing his mouth against the glass.
We both laugh at his antics.
“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” I grumble.
He walks off chuckling. I grab her hand and squeeze it.
“Listen,” I say with a sigh. “Since you’re my friend and all, I want to confide in you. While I’m gay, and I already came out in my old hometown, I’m not ready for that here. Not with the Hoodlums breathing down my neck and just getting on the basketball team. Can we keep it between us?”
“Can I at least tell Wendy? Gio? I need to tell someone. Please,” she begs. “You can’t give a girl such juicy information and tell her to zip her lips.”
“You can tell Gio,” I relent with a smile. “If you let him ask you out.”
She snorts. “Good one.”
“I’m being serious.”
“Have you seen him? He drives a van.”
“So?”
Her lips press together before she lets out a huff. “He’s Gio. I don’t know. I’m not attracted to him.”
“Because you’re attracted to assholes like the Hoodlums? How’s that working out for you?”
She rolls her eyes. “Ugh. They’re such dicks. Gio does make me laugh and he doesn’t ever try to stick his tongue down my throat or cop a feel.” Then, she stiffens. “What if he doesn’t want to ask me out?”
At this, I laugh. “Are you serious? That boy is obsessed with you. Show one ounce of interest and he’ll ask you out in a heartbeat.”
“Obsessed? Why? What did he say about me?”
I try to mimic Gio, which makes Sidney giggle. “She’s so sassy, Hollis. Her lips. Look at them. She’s running her head about the craziest shit and I can’t look away.”
“That asshole,” she shrieks, swatting at me. “I do not run my head.”
“You totally do, but it’s endearing.”
She lets out an exaggerated huff. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“I won’t tell anyone but Gio and I’ll let him take me out if he asks.”
“He’ll ask.”
Chapter Fourteen
Roan
IT’S COLD AS fuck tonight, but I love it. Something about the way it numbs me to my soul, I can’t get enough of. Lately, everything hurts inside, and the bone-chilling is a preferable ache. People are everywhere. Each Friday night, probably half—the cool half—of the seniors show up. Everyone piles around one of the main cabins sleeping in tents and vehicles. Cal usually builds a big-ass bonfire that somehow reaches higher than the cabin and still manages not to burn the forest down.
Tonight feels different.
Rather than relaxed and happy in one of my few retreats in my world, I’m anxious. Unnerved. Jumpy. It has everything to do with the fact Hollis is planted on a log beside Sidney and Gio. While Sidney is a Campfire Chaos regular, Gio and Hollis are not. It’s as though the freaks have infiltrated our fun.
I could have said no.
I could have looked Kelsey in the eye and told her he wasn’t invited.
But she was so happy he was included. She wanted to keep Roux for the night. I just couldn’t do that to her. I may be an asshole to a lot of people, but unfortunately it seems as though Kelsey isn’t one of them.
Jordy bumps my shoulder with his and hands me a beer. I sip it, my stare never leaving Hollis. Snow flutters down but melts as it nears the heat of the fire. Even wearing my coat, heavy jeans, and boots, I’m still not warm.
“He needs to go,” Jordy mutters under his breath that reeks of someone hitting the bottle a little too hard tonight. “After everything he did…” He trails off, an angry silence finishing his statement.
After everything he did to me and Roux.
Problem is, he didn’t really do anything. Not directly. If anyone is to blame, it’s his mother. And I’ve already established how I feel about getting pissy with her. Hollis is just an easier target for blame. He practically begs for it. Like he’s a goddamn martyr.
“How is Roux?” Jordy asks before chugging his beer. “Is she sad?”
His question pokes a hole right in my heart. Jordy may be a lot of things—unhinged, psycho, mean—but he’s nothing but loving when it comes to me and my sister.
“She likes Mike’s place. Has a good view of some ducks.”
We both laugh.
Our laughter earns Hollis’s stare. I hold his eyes with mine as I continue to talk to Jordy. The heat of the gaze from the porcelain boy is hotter than the bonfire flames.
“It’s safe. One full night there and I could tell a difference, man. She’s not so tense. The haunted look in her eyes isn’t fully there.” I break Hollis’s heated stare to look at my best friend. “If a day away from that fuckface Alejandro and my mom makes her feel that good, imagine what a lifetime will do.”
His eyes darken into demonic orbs that would scare the fuck out of anyone but me. I understand Jordy’s intensity. He loves violently. “You think they’ll ever pull some shit and try to get her back?”
I shrug. “She’s her mom. Right now, no. Mom is a skanky addict. So, legally, no. Now I wouldn’t put it past them to do some shady shit, especially Alejandro.”
Jordy grips the back of my neck and pulls me to him, our foreheads pressed together. “He can fucking try,” Jordy growls. “But I promise you he’d die trying.”
Someone whistles, pulling us from our deep conversation.
“Carson got some roman candles,” Cal calls out. “Who wants to shoot shit off the bridge?”
He’s drunk as shit already.
Terrence nods at me, understanding my concerned look. He’ll watch over him. That’s always been the deal. I look out for Jordy and he looks out for Cal. Someone has to keep those two assholes in line.
“Come on. Let’s go watch these dickheads
blow their hands off.”
_______________
By the time we reach the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Hood River from the campground to a park area, the wind is howling and spitting hard pellets of snow and ice at us. The alcohol is no longer keeping me warm. I’ll need to somehow convince Sidney to get out of her Gio and Hollis sandwich so she can warm my sleeping bag up tonight.
Thoughts of Sidney riding my dick with her pert tits bouncing normally sends a spike of fire burning through me. Tonight, I feel nothing. I glance at her friend Wendy. The girl isn’t as giving sexually as Sid, but I know she’s given head to a few guys on the team. I bet I could get her in bed.
Sidney giggles, earning my attention. Gio is fucking with her. Flirting maybe. Whatever it is, she’s into it, grinning in a silly way I’ve never seen. Hollis watches with satisfaction. He’s dressed in his substitute teacher coat, but he’s wearing jeans and Docs. A scarf is wrapped around his neck and a beanie is pulled down over his head.
He looks warm.
I shudder against the wind, forcing my feet to remain glued on the bridge over the river rather than carrying me over to him, seeking his warmth. Despite the freezing temperatures, the river rushes by beneath us. Cal, the fucking idiot, shoots off several roman candles, not mindful of everyone around him.
One of the drunk guys named Tim, who almost took a firework to the face, pushes Cal. He and Cal get into a shoving match until Terrence tackles him against the railing. The wood snaps off with the weight of their bodies. Both Cal and Tim land on the snowy wooden floor of the bridge, but don’t fall off. I start toward Terrence as he grips the handle tight, but more parts of the bridge railing snap. He nearly goes over into the icy waters when Hollis flies out of nowhere, grabbing his coat before it’s too late. I freeze, shocked that he got him in time.
No way.
My heart hammers in my chest as Terrence shakes Hollis off him and storms away from the edge. Tim stumbles away as Cal rises to his feet. Jordy and I approach Hollis.
Hollis’s gaze finds mine, seeking approval. Fuck if I don’t want to give it to him. He just saved my friend. He deserves something. A smile of thanks tugs at my lips. One his eyes drop down to admire. I lick my cold lips, loving the heat that races straight to my dick when his eyes widen.
I start forward, unsure what I want to do. Maybe I’ll tell him thank you. Maybe I’ll just hug him. My mind drifts to the fire station. How he ran his fingers through my hair. What if I pressed my cold lips to his? My dick is halfway to hard.
We’re so focused on each other that we don’t notice Jordy.
Swift. Angry. A storm.
“This is for Roux,” Jordy snarls.
I watch, horrified, as my best friend shoves Hollis off the bridge. The collective gasp from the group nearly rumbles the earth. I catch Hollis’s eyes before he falls over.
Not afraid.
Fucking terrified.
It haunts me to my goddamn soul.
I charge over to the edge seconds too late. I heard the splash but didn’t see it.
“What did you do?” I yell to Jordy. “What the fuck did you do?”
“Holy shit,” Cal gasp.
“I, uh,” Jordy stammers.
We all stare at the icy, churning waters, waiting for Hollis to come back up.
A hand.
One desperate grab for the surface, but an utter failure. It reminds me of when Roux fell in the public pool one summer when we were younger. Thrashed wildly before she sunk to the bottom and had to be fished out by a lifeguard.
Oh my fucking God.
“He can’t swim.”
To be continued very soon…
About Author K Webster
K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in “Tornado Alley” with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.
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Bully Me: Class of 2020 Page 76