Page 171 of Relentles
Chapter Twenty-Three - Harley
“Hey.”
CJ looked up from the book he was reading. When he’d left the basement an hour ago, Harley thought he’d return. Once she realized he wasn’t coming back, she’d gone in search of him and found him alone in his room, lying on his bed.
Rebel promised to alert her when the party was breaking up. Harley appreciated Rebel’s help. She was showing herself to be a much more loyal friend than Harley recently had.
“I’m doing it for CJ, Harley, not you. Go before I change my mind.”
Not arguing, Harley heeded Rebel’s warning. Now, as she stood in CJ’s doorway, regret over Nardo filled her and she once again swore CJ would never find out.
He had yet to speak to her, but he hadn’t returned to reading his book either. Since Christmas, she’d been angry at how he’d spent all his time with Molly.
Now, she was gone. Hopefully, for good. She’d also told Jaleena she was aware of the truth. CJ was no longer interested in her.
Harley finally had a clear path to winning CJ back for herself again. If he accepted. She hadn’t heard any more mention of Mommie’s idiotic plan to move to California.
Harley twisted her hands. “C-can I come in?”
“For?”
She swallowed. “To talk.”
CJ snapped his brows together and opened his mouth to question her. She might’ve lost her way, but she still knew him better than anyone else ever would or could. “We’re friends,” she hurriedly added.
Stark hurt filled his green eyes. He started to say something again, then thought better of it and clenched his jaw, refocusing on his book.
“Please, CJ. I know I’ve been a beast.”
He flipped the page. “That’s one way to describe your behavior, although I’d say another ‘b’ word is more applicable.”
Ire filling her, she stiffened. “You’re implying I’ve been a bitch?” she asked with indignation.
He glared at her. “Your word, Harley. I was thinkingbrat. As a rule, I don’t call girls bitches. I have sisters and I’d fuck a motherfucker up for calling them out of their names.”
“Brat is out of my name,” she argued.
“Get out. I’m tired. I’m not in the mood to argue with you.”
She burst into tears. Her emotions were so tangled, she couldn’t make heads or tails of herself. She’d cried on Christmas Day too, and he hadn’t been moved.
Fearing she’d lost him completely, she cried harder.
But her CJ lingered inside of him because, suddenly, he was there, hugging her and whispering to her.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she clung to him. “I’m sorry, CJ. I’m so, so sorry.”
He guided her into his room and sat her on the edge of his bed, then kneeled in front of her. His eyes were grave. “I want to believe you, Harley,” he said, swiping his thumbs over her wet cheeks. “I miss you, but you’re only apologizing because Molly is gone.”
Perhaps, but she’d messed up so much, and she missed CJ, too. After months of silence,Pillar of Earthcontacted her again. She’d always blamed Molly. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Receiving the message, however, reminded her of all she’d lost and she’d been doubly determined to make amends with CJ. “I felt so threatened by her,” she confessed. “You liked her a lot. She was perfect just like you. No acne. Silky hair like Mommie. She was perfect.”
“Not as perfect as I’ve always thought you were. Molly is…was—” He swallowed. “She’s very pretty—”
“You miss her—”
“I do, but I miss you, too.”
“You haven’t called me. You barely talk to me—”
