Page 103 of Relentles
“You were probably on the road,” she chirped, as if she hated to allow him even one concession.
Fuck, they had given Dad bad advice about Torie’s texts. On the other hand, he was forgiving Uncle Johnnie and not drawing a definitive line between him and Torie.
“Tonight, at the hospital, Momma didn’t go to the nursery with you, and you didn’t notice how distraught she was. Or if you noticed you didn’t care. You put those stupid scrubs on and couldn’t hold Jo a good ten minutes before Torie took her.”
She swiped at her cheeks.
Dad stepped toward her, but she stumbled out of reach. She was unforgiving.
“I was going to come in once Jo was returned to her panda cart but the way Torie touched you stopped me. I’ve seen countless women come on to you over the years and you always put them in their place or push them away. The money you give Dweller girls come from club funds, not your wallet.” She breathed in a sob. “You know what else I saw? You walking in after midnight, stopping to read a text, then answering a call.”
CJ expected denial, not the guilt on Dad’s face.
“So, you tell me, Daddy,” Rebel demanded. “Whatdid I see?”
“Not what you thinkin’. Just like your ma misunderstood what she heard, you did the same with everything.”
Rebel swiped at her cheeks. “Maybe on your part. Not on Torie’s.”
“She still not a random woman. You know her. And she still agrownbitch.”
“Who knowsme,” she shot back. “To her, I was just a child to be sent on her way, so she could press her suit with you. I’m not respecting no one,no one, who doesn’t respect me and who disrespects my mother.”
“You respectin’ me or else.”
“I respect you if you earn it.”
“I…Rebel…I didn’t disrespect Megan!” he roared, finally having enough of Rebel’s bullshit.
CJ was over it, too. Why did everything have to be so complicated? “Rebel, let it go. Dad adores Mom. He’d never doanything to jeopardize what they have. If Torie was a threat, she would be transferred to another department or fired.”
“Torie’s hot, CJ,” Ryder said. “If I was older, I’d def clap her cheeks.”
“Yes, because you all are disgusting fucking maggots,” Rebel said, stomping out of the room.
“Rebel!” Dad called. “Get the fuck back in here.”
“Dad, let her go,” CJ said. “She’s upset.”
He ignored CJ. “Get in here, Rebel, or you ain’t gettin’ your fuckin’ presents.”
“Keep them! Give them to that bitch.”
“Wait, does she mean Tabitha or Torie?” Ransom asked.
“Shut the fuck up,” Dad ordered, although Diesel didn’t say shit, even though Tabitha was his wife and Ransom’s comment angered her. “From here on out, same rule that goes for CJ, goes for you lil’ motherfuckers.”
Holding Rebel’s hand, Mom guided her back into the room. While Mom looked more herself and had clipped up her hair, tears streaked Rebel’s face.
“Let’s open our presents, so we can get dressed for all the festivities,” Mom said with forced cheer.
CJ merely grimaced.
Although Rebel wouldn’t talk to Dad, when she opened a small box from him and Mom, and found a shiny new debit card, CJ thought her enthusiasm for her other presents wouldn’t be as high. But she loved the mountain of gifts he’d purchased for her. They lifted her spirits, relieving CJ. He hated to see his little sister so sad and distraught, especially with their mother working so hard at a sense of normality.
As a sign of goodwill, Rebel plopped next to him on the loveseat where he sat with Gunner on his lap and asked him if he’d mind if she gave Tabitha one of the gift cards, since she hadn’t gotten her anything.
“They belong to you, little sister. Give them all to her.”
