Page 27 of Restless
“What’s going on out here?” Lolly asked, standing in the archway. She smiled at Harley. “Hey, sugar. How was school?”
“Not now, Momma,” Mommie said briskly. “Harley has had a rough day. She even cut class. Because of CJ.”
“CJ wasn’t nowhere near Turn Creek River, Bailey,” Daddy said with disapproval. “Harley and motherfucking Nardo was.”
Of course, he would know. Stupidly keeping tabs on her as if that would stop her from doing whatever she wished. If he knew so much, then he didn’t needherto tell him about Bash. A real gangster or spy would’ve had audio to hear hooked in on the tracking devices. Daddy was nothing but a joke.
“Don’t blame CJ because Harley fucking cut class, Bailey.”
“Don’t blameourdaughter for CJ’s bad behavior, Lucas,” Mommie snapped.
“Bad behavior?” Lolly echoed. “What the fuck are you talking about, Bailey? CJ doesn’t need your censure. He’s dealing with too much right now.”
“Are you kidding me?” Mommie cried. She pointed to Harley. “Look at her little face. She’s crushed, and you’re takinghisside.”
“There’s no sides, pretty girl,” Daddy said, calmer. “This is some teenage drama that we don’t need to be party to. But CJ not in the wrong here, Bailey. He not responsible for Harley cutting class. He wasn’t even with her.”
Lolly glared between Harley and Mommie. “I’m surprised at both of you. This is bullshit.”
“Bullshit?” Mommie echoed. “Show them the photos, hunny bunny.”
Gladly. Smug, Harley got her phone and pulled up the evidence, then handed the device to her mother. She held the phone out to Daddy. Though his face remained blank, he grunted at the end and passed the phone to Lolly. By now, Pop stood next to her, so they looked at the photos together before she gave Harley the phone back.
“You both owe Harley an apology,” Mommie said tightly. “It’s clear that Molly is more than CJ’s lab partner.”
“So?” Daddy said. “CJ going to be seventeen in a matter of months, and he definitely can’t do with Harley what most fucking teenage boyswantto do with girls.”
Folding her arms, Mommie glared at Daddy. “It’s the principle.”
“It’s the reality, baby,” Daddy retorted.
“Harley, that boy asked you to go steady with him,” Lolly reminded her, because she was mean and horrible. “Youfriend zoned him. Don’t get your ass on your shoulders if he has a girlfriend.”
“You’re blaming Harley for CJ’s lies, Mother, and I won’t allow that.”
Daddy snorted. “Roxanne not blaming Harley for nothing, Bailey. You fucking tripping, girl.”
“No, Daddy,you’retripping,” Harley screeched, rewarded by the shock on her father’s face. “You’re the reason I turned CJ down. You intimidate me with your stupid demands that I not marry until I’m forty and all your hollow threats.” She swiped at the tears slipping down her cheeks. “You’re nothing but a wannabe. Wannabe gangster. Wannabe officer. Well, you’re neither. Even Uncle Digger holds a higher position.” She glared at him, ignoring the hurt in his eyes and his clenching jaw. “You’re theenforcer.” She spat the word. “Of what? You just sit around all day, hoping to cull Uncle Christopher’s favor, Uncle Toady. Well, guess what? Nardo’s right about you. His father is arealgangster. He’s spent time in prison and everything—”
“Harley, shut the fuck up,” Lolly snarled, “before I beat your fucking ass—”
“You won’t touch me!” she fumed. “You’re mean and bitter—”
“All right, young lady, that’s enough,” Pop inserted.
Meanwhile, Daddy stood in silence just staring at her, while Mommie rubbed Harley’s back.
“You can’t tell me what to do, Pop,” she said, lifting her chin. “You’re not my real grandfather. You’re nothing but a stale, white bread, out-of-touch, nepo baby and—”
Lolly lunged for Harley, snatching a handful of her hair. If Pop hadn’t intervened and jerked Lolly away, she probably would’ve dragged Harley from one end of the house to the next.
“Get out of my house,” Mommie ordered, shielding Harley with her body.
Harley peeped around her mother as Pop pulled Lolly toward the door that led to the garage.
“I don’t ever have to come back to this motherfucker, Bailey,” Lolly yelled, halting.
Though Pop tried to urge her out the door, she made herself deadweight and remained in the house.
