Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
My heart rate speeds up. “Really? I mean, I can pay. Well, not right this second, but I can get a job and—”
“We’re not worrying about all that when you’ve clearly got a concussion and are bleeding all over the damn place. Let April get you stitched up. We’ll figure the specifics out later.” He clutches my shoulder. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to do more. I always wanted to.”
“I know,” I choke out, hating how fucking emotional I feel right now. This isn’t me. I’m hardened. The boy made of steel. I won’t allow anyone or anything to hurt me or my sister. Right now, I feel every bit as breakable as the porcelain boy beside me.
Mike rises and moves out of the way so April can set to assessing me while Frank hovers, his brows furrowed in concern. I overhear Mike and Kelsey speaking in hushed tones. Roux is already fast asleep with a big blanket on her. Hollis remains at my side. It’s then I realize he’s holding my hand.
Warm.
Comforting.
Secure.
I don’t shake away his hold, simply draw strength from it.
Hollis swipes his thumb over my flesh. I don’t know what to make of it. It’s weird as fuck to hold hands with the kid I hated from the second I saw him. But the hate has evolved. In a few short days, it’s melted into something dangerous and consuming. Something I’ve never experienced. Frankly, it scares the hell out of me. How can someone feel so inexplicitly drawn to another person in such a short time?
I want to hate him, but I can’t.
I don’t like him. That much I’m certain of. Yet, I can’t figure out what it is about him that I crave. Friendship? Affection? His voice? The searing looks he gives me? It goes beyond some lust filled, sexual desire. If it was just sex, guy or not, I would’ve fucked him out of my system much like I did Sidney. This is different. All-consuming. Scary as hell.
I try to pull my hand away, unsure if I’m able to handle whatever this storm brewing between us is. I don’t know if it’ll end with fists and broken bones or kisses and broken hearts. It’s too intense and cataclysmic to not end in destruction, though. If it’s not hate, it’s something close. Hate destroys and decimates. Whatever this is, it’ll ruin too.
Ruin me.
Ruin him.
Probably ruin everyone in this room.
His fingers thread with mine and I fucking let him. I let the perfect, rich boy hold my hand like I belong to him. April says stuff to me, but I’m not entirely focused. I mumble out words that must calm her because then she begins stitching my cheek. Hollis squeezes my hand, reminding me he’s here with me. My heart throbs hard in my chest.
She finishes and then gives me a stern look when I yawn. “You need to stay awake so we can keep an eye on you.”
“I’m fine,” I grunt.
“You’re not fine.” She frowns. “Stay awake. I’ll grab you some coffee.”
She stands and walks away. Frank follows after her into the kitchen area toward the nauseating smell, talking lowly. I’m so fucking tired. I don’t have a concussion. I just didn’t get enough sleep last night. Bitterness makes my eyes sting.
I fall back against the cushions and my head throbs harder. My eyes must close because I’m shaken awake a second later.
“Roan, man, you can’t,” Hollis says, an apology in his tone. “Sit up.”
“No,” I snap. “Leave me alone.”
“I’m trying to help you.” The concern in his features kills me.
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
“I’m so tired.” Of this day. Of this life.
“I know.”
“I want to go to sleep and never wake up.”
He swallows. “I know.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
Rather than offer an answer, he pulls me to him. The rat of Hood River, my enemy, hugs me to his chest. Fucking holds me like he can put all the broken pieces back together again. I fist his hoodie in my hand, breathing in his scent. Tears burn at my eyes and then leak of their own accord. I cry silently, overwhelmed with life, and soak Hollis’s hoodie. He doesn’t offer assurances, simply holds me.
“Stay awake for me,” he murmurs. “Please.”
The tears burn hotter and with more intensity.
“I’m awake, rat.” I smile, the fabric of his hoodie soft against my lips. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Hollis
All of my texts go unanswered. It’s frustrating as hell because I want to know what’s going on with them. Roan and I may have our beef, but there’s something linking us. It would feel too surface to say physical attraction. I feel connected to the broody asshole in ways I don’t understand. When he’s near, I want to inhale him and look at him. Feel him. I’ve never wanted to just be in someone’s presence before like I do with him.