Page 48 of Relentles
She threw him a hateful look.
“If you love CJ, really love him, then you using Nardo to make CJ jealous.”
Oh, ho, that got through.
She sagged and lost her arrogance. “What?”
“You heard me. You went to that little motherfucker’s house for…”
“Rehearsal,” she croaked, but his heart broke.
He saw the shame and guilt in her eyes.
“Are you sure that’s all?” Somehow, he pushed the words out.
A none answer would say as much as an affirmation. He didn’t want to embarrass her, because fuck him, he didn’t know what to say. But he wanted the truth. He wanted her to tell him and offer him a cue on how to proceed based on what she said and how she acted.
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispered. “That’s all. I promise,” she added.
One lie wasn’t enough. She had to fucking double down.
“If you say so, then I believe you.”
She gave the barest flinch.
“I taught you not to lie. Once somebody loses their trust in you, it’s quite fucking hard to earn it back. Do you understand me, Harley.Trustis earned.Respectis earned.Friendshipis earned. And, most of fucking all,loveis earned. Nothing in life is free. You want those things? You have to give it.”
Her nostrils flared; she nodded.
“You do a disservice to yourself by cheapening yourself to make another motherfucker jealous. If you got to go to those lengths to get their attention, or to keep it, they don’t fucking deserve you.”
She bowed her head. She already had a girl move down pat. She refused to let him know her thoughts. He wanted her to trust him enough to let him in so he could help her.
Instead, he smiled again, this one real. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Harley. You strong like your momma and your grandmomma. Don’t compromise that, but most of all, know when to yield a little and accept help. Advice.”
Fuck, he’d confuse her. He rubbed his eyes. He was tired. He’d shut the fuck up. She’d clammed up anyway.
He turned to the door.
“Sometimes jealousy is the only weapon you have.”
“It’s not effective if the motherfucker innocent. You only fuck yourself up.”
Anger lit her eyes again.
CJ knew. Nardo told him. The little motherfucker had a big mouth, but he hadn’t forced Harley, so it saved Mortician from the agony of waiting until he turned eighteen to kill him.
“Good night, Harley.”
He waited a moment. She didn’t return his sentiment, so he left.
When he stepped into the hallway and closed her door, Kaleb slipped back into his room and slammed his shut.
The nosy little cockblocker had probably been standing close by, eavesdropping.
He walked down the hall to the last door left of the bay window, where the master bedroom was located. Wondering if Bailey had fallen asleep already, he placed his hand on the doorknob and halted.
Finding her asleep wouldn’t be unusual behavior. It was a pattern from the last few months. Tonight, he wanted her awake and waiting for him. Even if they didn’t make love, he just needed her attention. Harley had exhausted him. He didn’t trust openly discussing her with Bailey. He didn’t want that battle.
