“What did that motherfucker say to you?” I demand, pinning her with a worried stare.
Terrence, Jace, and Garrett crowd around us.
“He was pissed,” she says, trembling. “He said I was trying to ruin his life by filing the police report about the attempted rape and telling them about him driving the night of the accident.”
“He can be pissed all he wants,” Garrett snaps, pulling her to him for a hug. “You’re safe, sweetheart.”
She forces that fake-ass smile of hers.
I scrub my palm down over my face. “He wasn’t just pissed, was he?”
Her body deflates as she shakes her head.
“What did he say?” I demand, grabbing her hand.
“That I’m his. I’ll always be his. One day, he’ll be back to collect me, and when he does, he’ll make sure I pay for every single thing I did to him.” Her eyes water. “I hate him.”
“I know, Charlie girl. I do too.” I squeeze her hand. “You’re mine, though. Don’t forget it.”
It’s mostly cleared out now as Terrence and I wait for Charlotte to finish up with her meeting after the game with Coach Jenner. Penny and Tierra took off to grab dinner with Jace and Garrett. I told Terrence to go with them, but he thinks Ryan might show up and I might need some backup.
If I get my hands on Ryan, I won’t need backup.
It’ll take everything in me not to bash his fucking skull in.
“Hi, Mr. Hutton,” Heidi says, waving to me as she passes. “Looking hot tonight.”
I roll my eyes, not bothering to acknowledge her.
“The bitches really are hot for the whole teacher gig,” Terrence says with a laugh. “Here I thought you were fucking lying.”
“You ignored my ass that day at the hospital but heard every word,” I complain. “You know I don’t lie about my magical dick powers.”
Charlotte bounces over to us at the end of that statement. “I can attest to these magical dick powers.”
I grip her jaw and pull her to me for a claiming kiss. “Hell yeah you can.”
“Is that…” Terrence curses. “That’s Moaning Lisa’s dad. I’ll be right back.”
He trots, limping slightly—something I hadn’t noticed until now—off toward Jack Henderson, who’s walking with an older woman and a child.
“What’s up with that?” Charlotte asks, taking my hand as we walk.
“Probably wants to ask about Jack’s stepdaughter Lacey.” I shrug. “They fucked the summer before our senior year and then she moved. Slept with my boy and left. He pined over her for the longest ass time until he gave up. Kind of a bitch move if you ask me.”
Terrence fists his hands, his only warning that he might hit that dude.
“Shit,” I hiss out, letting go of Charlotte’s hand to run over to back up my best friend.
By the time I approach, the woman and child have walked off, leaving Jack to face off with Terrence. It’s no match considering Terrence towers over Jack.
“Tell her to call me,” Terrence barks out.
“Sure,” Jack grinds out. “I’ll pass on the message.”
Jack turns on his heel and storms away. Terrence starts after him, but I yank at the back of his shirt.
“Don’t,” I warn. “You’ll get yourself in trouble.”
“I think she owes me an explanation,” Terrence spits out. “They leave for years and finally show back up like they weren’t ever gone? I just want to talk to her. To know why she left so abruptly.” He rubs at the back of his neck, glaring after Jack’s disappearing form. “That asshole wouldn’t talk to me at first, but when he sent his family to the car, he finally spoke up to tell me to get fucking lost. What the hell did I do?”
Charlotte hooks her arm in mine. “Some people are just dicks,” she offers. “Now that she’s back, maybe you can seek her out and talk to her. When that asshole’s not around.”
Terrence remains tense. “He’s sketchy as fuck.”
“I agree. Dad knows him, though, T. So does Jace. Maybe we can get some information out of one of them.”
We walk back to my truck in silence as Terrence stews. He climbs into the back seat as I open the door for Charlotte. I grab her sexy ass and toss her into the truck like I know she loves.
“You just wanted to see up my skirt,” she teases.
“I already know what’s up that skirt.” I give her thigh a squeeze. “And later I’m going to be doing a helluva lot more than look at what’s under it.”
Charlotte
Oh my God.
I can’t do this without crying.
“Don’t start,” Roux pleads. “I’m already a mess today. If you start bawling, I’m going to ruin all this hard work.”
Biting on my bottom lip to keep from crying, I nod quickly. I can’t speak yet, though. I’ll definitely cry.
Roux is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.
Her simple, white, floor-length dress has a scooped neck that reveals her rose gold Little Hoodlum necklace. The dress cinches beneath her breasts and flares out, showing off her growing stomach. The beads are muted and understated, somehow bringing the focus back to the bride herself. I’ve done up her makeup to be striking for the day, highlighting her brilliant amber eyes since she’s chosen to wear contacts for the wedding, but still soft and natural. Jordy is going to melt when he sees her. Even her hair is perfect, pulled back in a loose bun with dark tendrils falling around her made-up face.
“You’re so beautiful,” I manage to croak out. “Jordy is lucky to have you.”
She grins. “I can’t believe I’m marrying that Hoodlum.”
“Only been secretly waiting for this day since you were like five?” I tease.
“Maybe.”
I pull her to me, hugging her neck. “Thank you for letting me be your maid of honor. Even after…”
“Hush,” she chides. “You were always my best friend, even when you didn’t think you were.”
I pull back and wave at my eyes to keep from crying. “How did your dad take it?”
“Surprisingly well. Supportive. I’d braced myself
