Hood River Zero (Hood River Hoodlums Book 4)

by K. Webster

  Terrence playfully nips at my ear. “Is that how it went down?”

  “Yep.” I snuggle against him, happy for the kiss he gives me.

  “Aren’t you two fucking adorable?” Cal says, tugging my ponytail as he passes.

  I flip him off. “Go away.”

  “My house. You can’t make me leave.” He laughs as he plops down next to Jordy. “Does Hollis know you’re back to fucking his sister?”

  This time Terrence shoots him the bird.

  I hear the oven open and then close before Charlotte makes her way into the living room. She steals Emilia from Jordy and cuddles her to her chest. It warms my heart watching Charlotte with Emilia. I know she took it hard when she lost her baby, but based on the way Cal looks at her, all she has to do is ask and he’ll give her exactly what she wants.

  “I got a phone call this morning,” Charlotte reveals, her eyes locking with Roux.

  Roux frowns. “Good or bad?”

  “It was from Samantha. It was about Kayden.”

  Jordy tenses, his hand curling into a fist. Roux covers it with her own, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

  “He, uh,” Charlotte hedges, biting on her bottom lip. She glances at Cal, who nods.

  “He killed Ryan,” Cal blurts out like he’s telling us what the weather forecast is.

  “What?” Roux asks in shock. “He did?”

  “Yeah,” Charlotte murmurs. “I guess he heard what happened. I don’t know. Anyway, they always had beef. They were both in the infirmary together. He, uh, strangled him to death. They said it happened too quickly to stop.”

  Relief floods through me. Cal’s green eyes flicker with violent delight. Ryan deserved to die. But Charlotte, being the nice person she is, seems to be taking it hard.

  “Hmph,” Jordy says. “I guess baby Ramirez had one ounce of good left in him.”

  “That’s crazy,” Roux murmurs. “Are you okay?”

  Charlotte nods, kissing Emilia on the forehead. “It bothers me, yeah, but I also feel…” Her eyes tear up. “Relieved.”

  Cal hugs her tight. “And you shouldn’t feel guilty about it either, Charlie girl. Not after what he did to you.”

  “I know,” she croaks out. “It’s surreal. Like a horrible chapter in my life has been closed.”

  “Too bad Kayden didn’t off himself too while he was at it,” I grumble. “Just because he does the world a favor where a Cunningham is concerned, doesn’t mean I think he’s a hero.” I shake my head. “This is why I want to become a cop.”

  Jordy barks out a laugh that makes Emilia jump.

  “A cop? You’re awfully violent to want to be a cop,” Cal teases, kicking out one of his long legs to nudge my foot. “I’m honestly scared for when you hit the streets with a badge.”

  “You should be, Hutton. I’m going to arrest your ass for being a menace to society.” I smile sweetly at him.

  “Maybe I’ll become a cop too,” Cal jokes. “I have a thirst for vengeance.”

  “One fucked up idea at a time,” Terrence mutters. “I’m still traumatized over the fact you want to be a principal.”

  “I think Cal just has a hard-on for authority,” Jordy says, chuckling.

  “Oh God,” Charlotte groans.

  “I have a hard-on for something,” Cal predictably says, nipping at Charlotte’s neck.

  “On that note,” Charlotte says, handing Emilia back to Jordy. “Roux, want to help me in the kitchen?”

  “Happily,” Roux replies, unable to keep her giggle at bay.

  As soon as they start clattering around in the kitchen, Cal leans forward. “It’s done.”

  Terrence stiffens. “What’s done?”

  “School project,” Cal lies. “Penny not tell you about it?”

  “Not yet.” Terrence hugs me to him. “But she will. Right, baby?”

  No more lies.

  “When we get home, I’ll tell you all about it. I promise.” I turn to peck his lips. “It really is a project I’ve been working on at school with a math teacher.”

  Cal holds his fist out for me to bump it. “Damn straight. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

  “Great,” Terrence grumbles. “I’m not sure I want to know now. With you two, there’s no telling what it is.”

  “Too late,” I sass. “You wanted all my secrets and now you’re going to get them. Warning, they’re not all pretty.”

  He nuzzles my neck with his face. “I don’t care if they’re pretty. I want them all. I want you.”

  My heart flutters at his words.

  The truth is much more rewarding than secrets and lies.

  “Let’s just say,” Cal says with a wicked grin, “Penny is going to make one helluva badass cop one day.”

  Terrence chuckles. “That, I don’t doubt for a second.”

  Terrence

  The classroom is quiet as everyone works on their exam. It’s strange to be on this side of the classroom. When I was in school, I wasn’t a fan, but now that it’s my job, I enjoy it. Plus, it helps to have Cal here. We always wanted to work together and we got our wish. Working with your best friend definitely has its perks.

  I skim the class, settling at the two girls in the back. Liv and Heidi keep shooting each other worried glances. For all the shit they’ve done this year, they should be worried. Karma has a way of smacking you upside the head when you least expect it.

  My phone buzzes, drawing my attention to it.

  Grandma: Terry, bring me that baby before I come steal her.

  I bite back a chuckle. Grandma may have skipped out on being an actual grandmother and forced to be more like a mother to me, but with Zella, she’s loving the grandma role. Zella adores her and looks forward to spending the night. Grandma always made me do chores and shit, but when Zella comes over, they bake and play in the garden. I’d call Grandma out on the unfairness of it all, but they’re both happy, so I refrain.

  Me: I need to shop for her birthday this weekend. I could bring her by so Penny and I could take care of that.

  Grandma: Good. Maybe Penny can knock some sense into your cousin.

  Me: What’s up with Tierra?

  Grandma: She’s being secretive. I checked her phone, but there’s nothing, which means if she’s hiding something she already deleted it. If she’s talking to that man from Rockford again, there’ll be hell to pay.

  Just the thought of Tierra carrying on a secret relationship with Tim has me boiling over with rage. That fucker took advantage of her. When shit hit the fan, instead of standing by her side and agreeing they were in love, he tried making it seem like it was one-sided. I know that fucked with Tierra’s head. If she’s talking to him, I’m going to be pissed. Cal and I might have to go find his ass. Give him a warning to stay away from her.

  Me: We’ll talk to her.

  Grandma: I know she’s in a lot of pain, Terry. If it’s not a man she’s worrying me over, maybe it’s that ankle of hers.

  Me: I promise we’ll get to the bottom of it. I’ll encourage her to see Garrett if it’s bothering her. She trusts him and he’s a good doctor.

  Grandma: Thanks. You’re a good boy. I love you.

  Me: You’re just buttering me up so you can see Zella.

  Grandma: Bring that baby to me or I’ll beat you.

  Me: There’s the grandma I know and love. I’ll text you later.

  I go through a mental list of everything I still need to get for Zella’s party. Everyone is coming over Saturday for a “river adventure.” Zella pretty much planned her party herself. She’s so sassy as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin. I fucking love that kid. Penny and I will need to swing by Sam’s Club to pick up the swing set I ordered. The guys are going to help me build it on Friday afternoon while Zella and Penny decorate the house. I want it to be a surprise for Zella when she wakes up on Saturday.

  My planning gets interrupted when Karen and two officers enter the classroom. I knew this was coming, because Penny confessed this particu
lar secret the day after we got back together, but it still took me by surprise. Both the girls at the back of the classroom stare in horror as the cops approach them. Karen shoots me a grim look and I nod at her.

  “Keep it quiet,” I warn the other students who have begun to whisper. “Your test better be done by the time that bell rings.”

  Karen winks at me, proud of my no-nonsense, take charge authority. The woman is a hardass herself, so she can appreciate a strict teacher.

  Liv and Heidi both start the waterworks as the officers cuff them. They’re eighteen now and the shit they’ve been pulling won’t go without consequence. Liv sobs, shooting me her saddest stare, but I’m immune.

  They deserve this.

  Penny and Cal are little detectives. After what Penny did to Eli, she made it her mission to continue to take down everyone connected with her humiliation and sexual assault. Cal, a vigilante for justice himself because of what happened with Charlotte, was all too happy to help. Unbeknownst to me, while Penny and I were broken up, my best friend was helping Penny gather her evidence.

  Though it was described as a sex crime ring, what those kids were doing was less sophisticated. Brutal and fucked up, but certainly not organized. The law sees it as black and white, though. Penny wasn’t the first girl to get caught up in their shit and certainly wasn’t their last. Grayson, Eli, Aaron, Paxton, Heidi, and Liv will all be arrested today. Between testimonies from other students, video evidence, and texts stealthily gathered by Penny and Cal, the police were given more proof than they could deny. The girls got sick satisfaction in helping the boys by drugging other girls they didn’t like. Grayson and Eli were the main orchestrators, their crimes dating back to the days when they were friends with Ryan and he’d do the same to Charlotte, but Paxton quickly became one of the ring leaders.

  Hopefully, these kids will have to answer for their crimes. Only time will tell. It sure sets an example for the other students.

  You fuck with the Hoodlums and the Hoodlums fuck you back.

  Knowing Cal wants to run this school as principal one day and Penny wants to arrest every-fucking-body, I know my ass will sleep easier knowing the shitheads in Hood River will think twice before they commit crimes.

  Karen and the policemen leave quietly, two horrible bitches in tow. The bell rings shortly after and everyone rushes to turn in their papers, already gossiping about what happened. I collect the tests and shove them into my laptop bag to grade later.

  I’m tidying up my desk when three familiar faces enter the classroom. Cal has his arm slung over Charlotte’s shoulders, a smug grin on his face. He and Penny high-five before she rushes over to me. I pull her into my arms, boldly kissing her pretty lips.

  “School project, huh?” I tease, nipping at her bottom lip.

  “I aced it,” she brags.

  Cal chuckles. “Those assholes deserve what they have coming to them.”

  “I did get satisfaction when someone texted me a picture of Heidi in cuffs,” Charlotte admits. “She was such a bitch to me.”

  “What’s everyone’s plans?” Cal asks. “I’m hungry.”

  “I gotta run Zella over to Grandma’s so we can pick up the swing set.”

  “We can go with you and take my truck,” Cal offers. “Rhetta misses me.”

  “The only person my grandma misses is Zella. I swear she forgot we all exist,” I grumble as I pull my bag over my shoulder and take Penny’s hand. “But, yeah, let’s go get Zella from your mom.”

  Luckily, for the rest of this school year, Kate offered to watch Zella between noon when she gets out of pre-K and the end of my school day since they live so close. She dotes on Zella like she does Cal. It’s cute as hell. Next year, Zella will be going to full day kindergarten. I know they’ll both miss that time together.

  Cal and Charlotte leave the classroom, but I tug Penny to me before she can walk out the door.

  “You okay, baby?” I ask, dropping a kiss to her lips.

  “Better than okay. I’m happy they’re finally getting justice.”

  “I love you, especially when you’re terrorizing the world in the name of good,” I tease. “I think I’ll have to reward you tonight for your service. With my tongue.”

  “Stop talking, Smash, or I’ll demand that reward now.”

  Our lips meet for a hot kiss that ends all too quickly. As much as I want to ravish my woman in my classroom like something filthy from a porno, I have a little girl’s birthday party to plan.

  “You want to put it there?” Jordy asks, gesturing to our old bonfire spot.

  “Do you plan on entertaining delinquents ever again? Campfire Chaos is now Barbeques with Daddy Hutton,” I remind him, smacking his arm. “Stop complaining and help me move this shit.”

  “I’m not complaining,” Jordy grunts. “Just saying it’s weird.”

  I shrug. “Gotta make room for the new Hoodlums. These kids will be a lot better behaved, though, because instead of getting blowjobs from Hoodlum groupies, they’ll swing and shit.”

  “Emilia is never allowed to go to a party. Ever.” Jordy grimaces. “I will follow that girl to school and back if I have to.”

  Cal laughs from nearby. “Does Little Hoodlum know you’re a psycho stalker?”

  “Does Charlotte know you’re a dumbass?” Jordy throws back.

  “Charlotte knows all about my thumb in her ass,” Cal replies.

  Jordy shoots me a horrified look.

  “He’s kidding,” I mutter, though I know he’s not. I was his roommate for a while. I know exactly what kind of shit he and Charlotte get up to. Poor Jordy looks like his brain can’t compute such a thing. He probably worships Roux and handles her like glass.

  I’m glad my girl is made of fire and ice.

  Hot and cold.

  Strong and unbreakable.

  “It’d be easier if Roan and Hollis would show up,” Cal complains. “I swear they get out of all the hard shit.” He tries to mimic Hollis, flailing his hands in the air and softening his voice. “Oh, sorry guys, but we have a baby now. She keeps us busy.”

  Jordy shakes his head, laughing. “You’re a dick, Cal.”

  “A dick who has to do the heavy lifting because Roan and the rat are avoiding us,” he grumbles.

  “Roux already said they’re on their way,” Jordy reminds him. “Your stupid as fuck self doesn’t know this yet, but it does take a minute to gather shit for your baby.”

  Cal sulks after that. I know he wants to knock Charlotte up, but she’s an English. Like Hollis and Penny, she has goals. Nothing will stop her until she achieves them. Char wants to be a doctor. As much as Cal would love to have a kid right now, too, I know he’d much rather make his girl happy and let her follow her dreams.

  “I’m sure Roan and Hollis will let you babysit the kids one day,” I taunt. “So they can dick each other down and try to make more babies.”

  Jordy laughs. “Who’s gonna tell them it’s a physical impossibility?”

  “Not me,” Cal utters. “Last time I gave them shit about it, Roan rubbed Hollis’s dick right in front of me and said I had to cut my shit or he’d make me watch.”

  We all groan because no one wants to see Hollis and Roan swordfighting. I’m all about loving who you want, but I prefer seeing my girl’s pussy and don’t have any desire to see what it is they get to in the bedroom.

  A purple Mustang comes into view, signaling the arrival of our boys. As soon as the car shuts off, Sebban is out of the car and all up in our business, playing with sticks and dirt. It takes Hollis and Roan longer to gather their baby and bags.

  “Oh no,” Hollis deadpans. “Did we miss helping with all the hard work? I’m so sad.”

  He’s lucky he’s holding Hope because Cal looks ready to deck him.

  “Stop standing there looking pretty,” I gripe, a grin on my face. “Drop Hope off with the girls inside and then get your asses out here ready to work!”

  “Work your asses!” Sebban yells, thrusting a stic
k in the air.

  Hollis glowers at me, but Roan can barely contain his laugh.

  My heart is full. Campfire Chaos has morphed over the years, changing from a boys’ sleepover hangout to party central to now a home where I can raise my daughter. It feels good to keep the memories alive. I can’t wait to make more.

  Penny

  “Hey, baby,” Terrence says, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck. “You hungry?”

  Hungry for him, yes.

  Hamburgers, meh.

  “Starved.” I turn to meet his kiss. “Do you need anything from the store?”

  “No, why? Did I forget something?” He frowns, pushing his glasses up his nose.

  “Your daughter has decided she wants to make cupcakes too. She still very much wants her frog cake from the bakery, but she thinks she also needs pink cupcakes. I told her we could bake some.”

  He lets out a relieved breath. “I’m good. Everyone should be over soon. Well, not Roan since he’s on call, but Hollis is bringing the kids. Are you going to take the girls with you?”

  “We should be quick,” I assure him. “Roux needs to feed Emilia and Charlotte wants to get started on the macaroni. Zella and I’ll be gone twenty minutes tops. When I get back, I can put Charlotte on baking duty with Zella while me and Roux decorate the house.”

  Since Zella is nearby, we don’t mention the surprise swing set. Last night, the guys worked late clearing an area where they’re going to build it. It’ll be our job this afternoon to keep it from her. Tomorrow, on the day of her birthday party, she’ll be so surprised when she goes outside and sees it. I cannot wait to see the look on her adorable face.

  “Love you,” Terrence murmurs as he smacks my ass. “Hurry back.”

  I give him a quick kiss before grabbing my wallet and keys. “Let’s go, princess!”

  She bounces over to me, her curls dancing wildly, and grabs my hand. I can’t stop smiling as she chatters a mile a minute about her birthday party. Once I load her up in my Jeep, we drive out of the campgrounds and onto the main road. The grocery store is just a few minutes away. I pull into a spot and then we grab a cart.