My eyes widen. “What?”
“When he tried to rape you, I made sure he’d always think about me when he used that piece of shit dick of his.” He shrugs like penis mutilation is nothing. “He deserved it.”
“Cal Hutton,” I choke out. “You did not.”
His eyes light up in the wicked way that makes me weak in the knees for him. “I did, English. You’re welcome.”
“I don’t know what to say…”
“Nothing. You’re late for class.” He kisses me boldly in front of several students who aren’t in class yet. “Love you, loser.”
“Love you too, psycho.”
I pull away from his kiss and dart my eyes to someone nearby. “Aren’t you afraid we’ll get in trouble?”
Cal grins like the devil. “Nah. We’re Hoodlums. Hoodlums rule this school and everyone else can just fuck off.” He glances over at some guy. “Right?”
The kid stares at him, gaping.
“Get to class, dipshit, or I’ll give you detention.”
I shake my head as the kid runs off. “You’re an asshole.”
“Your asshole. Now go before I punish you for skipping.”
As tempting as that is, I leave the naughty teacher and hurry off to class.
Cal
I could get used to Thanksgivings like this. Happy. Surrounded by friends and family. Usually, Thanksgiving consists of myself and my parents. This year, the crowd is bigger. Since Terrence has been glued to my side, I invited Rhetta and Tierra. Of course Charlotte is here—right on my lap where she belongs—and so are Garrett, his ditzy girlfriend Elise, and Penny. The other Hoodlums—including Jace—have all joined Karen and Kelsey for the holiday. Mike and Roan, like any holiday, are on call, so they have to stay near the station. It’d be cool if everyone could come together, even if we did it over at Karen’s, but with Kelsey and Garrett seeing other people, it makes it awkward as fuck.
I toy with a strand of Charlotte’s hair while she tries to converse amicably with Elise. That chick is dumber than a box of rocks, though, making it hard as hell for my girl. Garrett has abandoned his dumb fuck toy to huddle with my dad somewhere in the house. I was pleasantly surprised when our dads hit it off. Garrett is a lot like Charlotte and Hollis, making friends with just about everyone everywhere they go. Penny is the black sheep in their family. The one who likes to dish out shit like it’s a full-time job.
“The snow is too heavy,” Mom says, perching on the edge of the couch beside me. “Everyone is enjoying themselves. I think it’d be best to stay and not have to drive in it.”
It’s pretty uncommon to get snow on Thanksgiving, but this year the cold came early and more brutal than usual. Winter is going to fucking suck.
“We wouldn’t want to put you out,” Elise says, her voice tight. It’s clear she’s been uncomfortable since Garrett left to go gossip with Dad.
“Oh, honey, it’s nothing and we have plenty of room in this big house.” Mom waves her hand in the air. “I keep telling David we should do like Cal and get a cute riverside cabin, but he’s stubborn.”
“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Charlotte jokes, tilting her head up to kiss me.
I kiss my girl and then catch my mom watching us with pride in her eyes. It makes my heart squeeze inside my chest. I guess it’s pretty obvious I love this girl and Mom seems thrilled about it. Being the momma’s boy I am, happiness washes over me at having pleased my mother.
“We have the guest room right beside ours downstairs that Rhetta and Terrence could take,” Mom suggests. “Penny and Tierra could take the guest room beside yours upstairs, Cal.” She lifts her brow. “Charlotte…”
“Is staying with me,” I confirm with a possessive growl that makes my mom laugh.
“And Elise, if it’s okay with you and Garrett, we have the pull-out sofa downstairs,” Mom offers.
Elise’s nostrils flare, but she forces a smile. “I doubt we’ll have to stay, but thanks for the offer.”
Dad and Garrett walk back into the room, both wearing matching stern expressions.
“Everyone needs to stay the night,” Dad booms, gesturing toward the window. “I wouldn’t feel right about letting anyone drive in that. We have the room.”
Mom winks at me. “What a great idea, hon. I’ll get the guest rooms ready.”
“I’ll help,” Charlotte says, climbing out of my lap.
Elise sighs as though it pains her to speak. “I guess I’ll help too.”
I wake with a start, realizing a naked body is sprawled out over me. Our bodies are sticky with sweat and it feels like it’s a thousand degrees in here. My palm slides to Charlotte’s perfect ass and I squeeze before slipping back into unconsciousness.
But I can’t sleep.
It’s too hot.
Unnaturally so.
Charlotte coughs. Then coughs again. I cough too.
It’s then I smell it. Thick and cloying. Smoke.
I jolt out of bed, fumbling for the light. Black smoke is clouding at the ceiling in my bedroom.
“Charlotte,” I bark out. “Get up. There’s smoke.”
She wakes up, sucking in air, and then starts coughing. Panic shines in her eyes. I roll out of bed and start throwing on clothes.
“What’s happening?” she croaks as she scrambles for her clothes.
“I think the house is on fire. Do you hear that?”
Yelling.
Downstairs.
I throw on my shoes and run over to my bedroom door. After I rush through it, I head toward the stairwell.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
I’m stunned to see huge flames licking up the steps. Mom. Dad. Terrence. Oh God.
“What is it—Oh my God, Cal!” Charlotte shrieks. “How do we get out? Daddy!”
Spinning around, I grip her face. “Wake Penny and Tierra up. Make sure they’re dressed and meet me in my room.”
“What are you going to do?” she demands, her blue eyes wild.
“Just go!”
She runs off, away from the fire, while I stare down at it.
“Terrence! Dad!”
Nothing.
Fuck.
I start to ready myself to go lower when Charlotte claws at
