Hood River Zero (Hood River Hoodlums Book 4)

  Hood River Zero

  Copyright © 2020 K Webster

  Cover Design: All by Design

  Photo: Adobe Stock

  Editor: Emily A. Lawrence

  Formatting: Champagne Book Design

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Title Page

  Copyright

  About This Book

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Epilogue

  Note to the Readers

  Playlist

  Acknowledgements

  About Author K Webster

  Books by K Webster

  Life was nearly stolen from me.

  In the blink of an eye, everything changed.

  I’m no longer the charismatic, hot playboy Hoodlum.

  I’m irrevocably altered.

  Damaged both inside and out.

  I can’t think. I can’t function. I can’t live.

  Not with all this darkness and pain dragging me into unknown depths.

  Some days, I wish I never woke up.

  But then life takes an unusual turn.

  A sweet, sad little girl might be mine.

  My dream job is gifted to me.

  I have a doctor who cares.

  Things are looking up.

  Until her.

  One mouthy, bratty, mean beautiful young thing complicates everything.

  She sees the darkness inside that I’m trying desperately to hide from everyone.

  Pokes. Prods. Infuriates.

  This girl won’t stop until she’s touched every scar, both inside and out.

  I’m not sure how I’m supposed to mentally heal and be a better man when I have the most unapologetic, unpopular, mean girl shining her light into every dark crevice inside me.

  Annoying. A nuisance. Not worth my time.

  I’ll shake her off eventually.

  She’s nothing to me.

  A Hood River zero.

  Try telling my heart that…

  To Matt—

  You’re the definition of a hero and rarely get credit for it.

  I see you. I thank you. I love you.

  Every man in each of my books is a piece of you.

  Terrence

  “Wake up, T.”

  I always hear his voice. Cal. My best friend. But it’s muted and fuzzy. Always too far out of reach, just beyond the darkness. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

  A silent scream.

  Only echoing inside of me, but never leaving my lips.

  “I’m right here. I’m awake.”

  He never hears.

  Ever.

  Sometimes I feel his hand. I want to squeeze it and let him know I’m in here. Lost. Confused. Hurting. But if he’ll keep calling to me, I’ll find him.

  The darkness always swallows me up, though.

  Hunts me like prey and devours me whole.

  One day he’ll find me and yank me out of here.

  One day.

  “Wake up, T.”

  I squint against the harsh light, confusion fragmenting my mind for a moment. As I take in my surroundings, everything pieces back together.

  I’m no longer in a coma.

  I woke up.

  I live with Cal.

  “You feeling okay?” Cal asks, entering my room, a frown marring his face. “You look like shit.”

  I manage to shoot him the bird. “Morning to you too, fucker.”

  He chuckles. “Seriously. You look like hell.”

  “I don’t feel like hell,” I tell him honestly. “That was yesterday.”

  My head is no longer on the brink of exploding into a thousand pieces. I feel groggy and exhausted, but not in pain.

  I could kiss Garrett right now.

  Cal saunters into the room and picks up one of my prescription bottles. “These help?”

  “Yeah, man. They do.” I sit up on my elbows, taking in my friend’s appearance. He’s dressed casually since he doesn’t have class until the spring semester starts in a week, but something is different about him. “What’s going on with you?”

  He grins. “I have a surprise for you.”

  I roll my eyes because with Cal, there’s no telling what the fuck that could be.

  “You have to get dressed for it,” he says. “Do something about that face too.”

  Flipping him off, I roll out of bed and head out of the bedroom to grab a quick shower. Someone’s cooking in the kitchen, and based on the delicious smell, it’s Charlotte. It’s kind of nice having a chick around who likes to cook.

  Soon, she’ll be a permanent chick.

  I still can’t believe my boy proposed to her. Cal fucking Hutton. I never in a million years would have imagined he’d settle. Charlotte’s cool, though. She’s smart and sassy, not some bimbo bitch like Cal usually goes for. Charlotte loves him and he loves her. I’m envious, but not stupid. I know a happily ever after isn’t in the cards for me.

  Ryan Cunningham made sure of that.

  If his ugly, blind ass wasn’t already behind bars awaiting trial, I’d find a way to get him there. I can’t believe that psycho has messed with our lives as much as he has. All because he was obsessed with Charlotte.

  Rape.

  Attempted murder.

  Arson.

  Stalking.

  His charges go on and on. He’ll never leave prison. Neither will his father when he finally gets there. I feel there’s some poetic justice served. Michael is in a coma like I was. An eye for an eye, motherfucker.

  After I shower, I dress in some OSU sweats and a hoodie. I throw on some socks and my red Nike LeBron 17 basketball shoes. I grab my morning medication and follow my nose to the kitchen table.

  Charlotte is domestic as hell pouring orange juice into glasses
. Her blond hair is messy and she’s not wearing any makeup, but she’s still a knockout. Cal’s lucky her pretty, young ass wanted him.

  He smirks at me as he smacks her ass. “Looks good, loser.”

  Only Cal would get away with calling his fiancée “loser.”

  “What’s on the agenda today?” Charlotte asks as she hands me a plated omelet with a side of fruit. “Anything fun?”

  “Whatever this idiot has planned,” I tell her, diving in. “It’s a surprise.”

  “A surprise, huh?” She stabs at a strawberry with her fork before darting her gaze back and forth. “Aren’t you a little scared? Cal’s surprises are always…special.”

  Cal’s grin widens into something dark and wicked. “Only yours, Charlie girl. T gets the nice surprises.”

  She sticks her tongue out at him and I laugh.

  “You going to be okay while we’re gone?” he asks, his features growing serious.

  Ever since Charlotte was abducted, raped, and nearly killed, he’s been overly protective of her. I’d be the same way if that shit happened to my girl. Hell, Char’s not even mine, and I still worry over her ass.

  “Loden’s going to come over,” she assures him. “We’re going to be job hunting for him.”

  “I still can’t believe he’d leave the rock star life to slum it in Hood River,” I say after I’ve inhaled my omelet. “It’s got to be boring as shit in comparison.”

  “I’m sure it is, but he needs boring. He spirals from the pressure. We’re going to look for a job that makes him happy and doesn’t stress him out.” She frowns at me. “Speaking of jobs, have you started looking?”

  She looks just like her dad, Garrett, right now. It must be an English trait to be concerned about all those around you. Hollis is one of the most caring guys I know.

  I don’t know what the hell happened to Penny.

  The runt got left with all the shitty-ass attitude genes.

  “I’m going to look soon,” I state, unable to meet her stare any longer. “Promise.”

  Up until yesterday, I’d been in hell with my migraines. When Garrett prescribed some medication to me, I saw such a difference. I couldn’t look at my phone without blinding pain assaulting me. Now I can do a lot of things I couldn’t do even just last week.

  Again, I could kiss that man.

  “As much as I’d love to stick around and play house with your sexy ass, we really do have to get going,” Cal says, leaning over to kiss his girl. “Loden on his way?”

  “Should be here any minute.”

  The moment her loud-ass, flirtatious gay friend saunters into the cabin, Cal and I bail. I’m not sure what my surprise is, but his excitement is contagious. Whatever he has in mind is going to make me happy.

  It’s been a long time since I’ve been happy.

  The sun is bright today, despite the recent snow, and is blinding. I squint against the harsh rays until Cal pulls his sunglasses off and hands them to me.

  “Put those on,” he instructs.

  Reluctantly, I obey. Only because I can tell the bright lights will send me down the tube of despair all too quickly if I’m not careful.

  Just one more thing to add to the list of shit that makes my life difficult these days.

  “You gonna tell me what’s up, man?” I ask as we drive in silence, the usual music blaring out of Cal’s speakers absent.

  “I got you a job.”

  All the excitement I’d felt fizzles out. Dread trickles through my veins. I can barely look at my phone, much less a computer screen. Shit’s fucked up in my head right now.

  “Are you fucking for real?” I groan.

  “Hell yeah, I am. You need it, T. Not because of the money. For your sanity. Now that you have some meds, you can get a handle on your life. I hate feeling like you’re slipping away from me.”

  His words hit me in the gut, making me clench my teeth and glare out the window. I thought I was doing a damn good job of keeping that shit from Cal. Apparently I have suicide risk written all over my face.

  “I’m not slipping away from you,” I grunt out. “Chill already.”

  “I’m not gonna chill,” he says in that stubborn-ass way of his that always infuriates me. “I’ll fix it. I’ll fix you.”

  Oh, come the fuck on.

  “I don’t need fixing,” I grit out. “I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, physically, you are,” he agrees. “That motherfucker nearly killed you and it destroyed your fucking body, but you’re not fine up here.” He taps the side of his head. “And not because your head was crushed in. Because all that time in the dark and now in pain, it’s fucking with you. It’s leading you down a path you won’t come back from. I read up—”

  “Hold up,” I snap, barking out a harsh laugh. “You read up? On fucking what?”

  “You, asshole. People like you. Victims of head injuries and comatose patients. The forum I follow is a wealth of information. You’re fucking depressed and I can see the light in your eyes dimming each day.”

  I go to roll my eyes, but the action makes me wince in pain. Instead, I kick my big-ass foot up on the dash and slouch in my seat, pouting like a goddamn kid.

  Like her.

  All thoughts of being pissed at my best friend and overwhelmed by my own situation disappear as the image of that young girl I saw yesterday come to mind. Trembling bottom lip. Dark skin a few shades lighter than my own. Saddest fucking eyes on the planet.

  She’s mine.

  She has to be.

  “I’m sorry,” Cal mutters. “I’m not trying to overstep. I’m trying to help you. I love you and want what’s best for you. If it comes off as being an asshole, then too damn bad. I’ve known you since we were little kids. We’re brothers in every way that counts. Brothers don’t let each other fade into nothing.”

  “I know,” I grumble. “I’m just being a dick. Truth is, I don’t think I can do it, man. The computers are hard on me.”

  He snorts. “You don’t think I know that? I’ve negotiated a job for you that requires zero computer work. I promise you’re gonna like this gig. Trust me?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  My phone buzzes and I pull it out, bringing the screen close to my face so I can see it, to find a text from Grandma.

  Grandma: Come get your mail, Terry.

  Me: I will later. I still need to grab the rest of my shit.

  Grandma: How you feeling?

  Me: Fine.

  Grandma: I can see your lying face all the way over here.

  Me: Not lying. See you soon.

  Cal pulls into the staff parking lot at the high school, making me snap my head his way.

  “Oh hell naw,” I grind out. “The fuck you didn’t.”

  “The fuck I did.”

  The dickhead grins at me.

  I could barely deal with this shit hole when I went here, much less now. I’m shaking my head in defiance.

  “I’m not cut out to be a teacher. What part about I can’t look at a goddamn computer could you not understand?”

  “When you’re done throwing your pity bitch party, get out and let’s go see Karen. She’s waiting on us and you know how she hates tardiness.” He smirks before climbing out.

  I fling off the sunglasses and follow after him, plumes of rage puffing out in white clouds with each angry breath I take. While Cal strides along without a care in the world, I try not to limp. The pain that slides from my hip down to my fucking toes is unbearable sometimes. Just another complication from the accident.

  We make it inside and Cal leads us to the main office. I spent more time in Ms. Frazier’s office than in class. This is some fucked-up shit.

  “Hey, boys,” Karen greets upon our entry in her office. “Have a seat.”

  It’s the weekend and still winter break, so Karen is dressed casually in jeans and an orange Hood River hoodie. Cal and I plop down in the two seats across from her desk. Anxiety creeps up my spine, cooling my blood. I’m reminded of the many tim
es I spent in this office, about to get my ass reamed for whatever shit I pulled. Grandma rode my ass so hard in high school. It takes a conscious effort to remind myself I’m a grown-ass man now.

  “Hey, Karen,” Cal greets, sprawling out in his seat and flashing her a wicked grin. “Asked to speak to any managers lately?”

  I snort out a laugh because he is such a fucking asshole all the time.

  “Cal, sweetheart,” Karen says in her bitchy principal voice. “Remember you’re an adult now, not a bratty teenager.”

  “My bad,” he states, holding his palms up. “I forgot.” He laughs. “Tell my boy what you have for him.”

  Karen glances my way, the irritation melting off her face as she regards me with a soft smile. “You need a job, huh?”

  “If you say so,” I grumble, still pissed at Cal.

  “We need a new music teacher.” She smirks and I make a horrified face. “Kidding. Calm down. The girls’ basketball coach had her baby. She’s informed me she won’t be back after maternity leave. It leaves me in quite a bind considering tryouts are supposed to happen this week. The girls have games starting in January. We need someone who knows what they’re doing.”

  I gape at her in confusion. “You want me to coach?”

  “No, I need you to coach, Terrence. I need you. The girls need you. The school needs you. And as much as it pains me to have not one, but two Hoodlums on my payroll, it doesn’t change the fact you’re the best man for this job. You’re someone I trust to do an excellent job.”

  “You trust me?” I ask, clarifying and biting back a laugh of disbelief. “After all the shit I did to you at this school.”

  “Naughty children aren’t bad people,” she says, her brows furrowing. “They need support and guidance and love. They need direction. They need someone to have faith in them. When they have that, they grow into good adults—good men. You and your Hoodlum friends may have driven me crazy, but it doesn’t change the fact you are good people. Cal hasn’t let me down this past semester and neither will you. I have a knack for knowing these things. Now trust me and say you’ll accept the job.”

  “All I gotta do is coach these girls at the sport I love? And you’re gonna pay me for it?” I ask, rubbing at the back of my neck.