Page 232 of Restless
Chapter Thirty-Five
Perhaps, the time had come for CJ to drop out of school. Mom was home, Dad’s head was clearing, yet CJ still felt lost and profoundly affected by all the turmoil.
Jaleena had apologized for her behavior at the dinner, yet she rarely texted him anymore.
Luckily, he remained busy by steadily working through the mountain of make-up lessons, but school was no longer a top priority. Since he’d found Molly, he hadn’t even had the heart to continue their project. He wasn’t sure when, or if, she’d return to school. Their grade fell on his shoulders. Every time he tried to make any progress, CJ couldn’t do it, overwhelmed with sadness.
Molly hadn’t contributed much work. Still, he missed her. Though he saw her as much as possible, she wasn’t the same and he doubted she ever would be after the trauma she’d experienced.
Coach Yancy removed him from the starting line-up weeks ago, keeping him on the practice squad and placing Ryan in CJ’s position, since Willard’s attendance was also infrequent. The coach promised CJ could return to his placebeforehe’d stopped caring.
Christmas was five days away. With the way the dates fell, Winter Break began in two days. Instead of going to class, CJ was at the mall with Grant, Ryder, Ransom, Rule, Rory, Ryan, and Devon. CJ drove his father’s pickup with Rory riding shotgun. Uncle Val brought the others in Aunt Zoann’s Jeep. One, CJ didn’t want to lose his patience with his bad ass little brothers, even though it was only two of the three because Axel was sent to school for a make-up test. Besides, CJ intended to meet his mother for coffee, meaning Rory would also have to go home with Uncle Val when he picked up the boys. Aunt Bunny would drop Mom off at the coffee shop. Once they were done, CJ would drive her home, since Dad was…fuck,somewhere.
“I think I’m getting an earring,” Ryan announced, surprisingly subdued, though he kept an eye on Rule. He grabbed a French fry from their mountain of potatoes sitting in the middle of the two food court tables they’d pushed together. “Maybe, one in each ear.”
“Mom won’t like that, Ry,” Devon said, sitting on the opposite side of his brother with Ryder, Ransom, and Rule.
“Fuck that—”
Rule lifted a brow.
“I-I-I m-m-mean she can’t tell me what to do.” Ryan huffed. “It’s my fucking ears.”
CJ sincerely wished he was facing Ryan so he could see his expression, but he wouldn’t give the asshole the satisfaction of showing interest. Later, he’d ask Rule what he had said to frighten the fuck out of their cousin.
“You still need her permission, bro,” Grant pointed out. “Or Uncle Val’s. You’re not eighteen.” He grabbed a handful of fries.
“Val will do it.”
Rule cleared his throat.
“Er,Pops,” Ryan amended.
A small smile tipped the corner of Rule’s mouth. He glanced at the beamed ceiling and nodded.
“Wh-wh-what?” Ryan screeched. “What did He say, Rule? I-I-I-I’m trying to do better.”
Rule chomped a French fry. “Try harder.”
“Maybe, we should bring you in to help us with Wallace, Rule,” Ryder said with a sigh. “We can’t come up with a plan.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ryan demanded.
“Just what the fuck Ryder said, Ryan,” Rory replied. “Wallace is fucking with Mattie in some kind of way.”
“Wallace is Willard’s younger brother,” Ryan said.
Snatching more fries, Rule’s look turned thoughtful. “I may have to go to my room for consultation and meditation.”Chomp, chomp, chomp.
He calmly ate while planning fucking blood sacrifices and biblical punishments.
Ryan gasped. “What do you mean, Rule?”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “It’s obvious, man! My brother’s a scary motherfucker. Almost as scary as Rebel.”
“Yeah,” Ransom agreed. “And she don’t need Jesus to scare the fuck out of us. That bitch is the devil.”
CJ scowled, but Rule spoke before he could.
