Page 84 of Restless
“Awww, CJ, don’t let that fucking bitch get to you. She’ll come around. Make her fucking grovel or I’ll never forgive you. I think she hurt Uncle Mort. I don’t know how.” She told CJ about her encounter with their uncle. “I can beat her ass. I offered my services to Uncle Mort, free of charge, but he declined. I need money, so I’ll charge you, but give you a discount as a family member.”
She was serious. CJ glared at her.
She shrugged, unapologetic.
“She also accused me of fucking Jaleena, too.”
“Jaleena?” Rebel blinked, then frowned. “Didn’t see that coming. Jaleena is gorgeous, but I fucking swear there’s a spark between her and Mattie.”
Fuck, CJ hadn’t seenthatcoming. “She offered to fuck me at Homecoming.”
“So? She might be bi.”
CJ pursed his lips. “True, but it doesn’t matter. I turned her down, even though my cock was about to burst through my pants.”
Rebel scowled. “TMI, stupid. I could’ve gone the rest of my fucking days without hearing about your cock.”
“Sorry,” CJ mumbled. “I just feel…lost. Like I’m freefalling without a safety net. The most I had to worry about just eight months ago was passing Lumbly’s class to stay on the team. I had Mom and Dad to talk to. I saw Harley at least once a day and talked to her all day. Rory was always around or calling me. Something changed after the Scorched Devils meeting. Then, after my birthday, a major shift happened in our lives. Everything’s falling apart, Rebel.”
He hung his head.
“Hey,” Rebel whispered, laying her palm against his cheek. “A lot of responsibility has shifted to you and I since Momma went into the hospital, yet you don’t complain, and you hold us together.”
“I’m not doing anything, Reb. Lolly, Pop, and our aunts and uncles—”
“True. Aunt Fee, Uncle Stretch, and Uncle Cash are keeping Gunner. Lolly, Aunt Zoann, and Aunt Bunny call me a million times a day. Aunt Kendall had, but I haven’t heard from her in a couple of days, although I think I understand why.”
“What—”
“My point is, brother, our brothers and I, take our strength and inspiration from you. I swear I feel as if I’ve aged twenty years in two short weeks.”
“Two weeks, four days, and—” He glanced at his watch— “Twenty-three hours.”
Dropping her hand, she giggled. “You sound like Daddy.”
He nodded. “I got it from him.” Drawing her into his arms, he hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Rebel. I miss Mom and Dad—”Harley—“so much. I’m trying to hold everything together, like him, but I feel so fucking lost.”
“Because you don’t pray,” Rule announced, directly behind them.
Rebel yelped and CJ jerked, startled by his presence. He hadn’t heard his brother approach.
“Dickhead,” Rebel yelled to her twin. “You scared the fuck out of me.”
As a young child, Rule’s hair had been as black as their father’s and his eyes as green. Over time, his eyes changed to a pale green and a dark brown tinted his hair whenever he stood near light.
Now, those pale green eyes narrowed. “Your vile language crumples the blanket of protection my prayers offer.”
“I’m Jesus-ed out, Rule,” Rebel snarled.
“You’re shameful,” he said with disgust. Tears rushed to his eyes, but he swallowed. “Mom would be home by now if you helped me to pray.” He glared at the tree. “It would be pretty because Dad would’ve gotten the decorations out and we would’ve had cider and egg nog and cookies that Mom prepared.” He sniffled. “But you scoff at me, and ruin…you should pray.”
Rebel held her glare a moment longer, before her face crumpled and her shoulders slumped. “I do, Rule. Pray, I mean. I’ve never…I was so scared. And…and…”
Her voice trailed off before she and Rule looked at CJ, searching for answers.
“It feels as if Mom will never come home and Dad will never be the same,” he said. Not as long as she insisted on having more babies, but he kept that to himself. Resentment wouldn’t help matters.
“Sometimes, I’m scared I’m dreaming,” Rebel admitted, “and I’ll wake up—”
