Page 129 of Remorseless
Diana, Joplin, and Gail exchanged looks that CJ couldn’t read. He looked at Diesel, trusting his judgment.
“A little taste never hurt nobody,” Bedhead said.
“If you want to try it, I’ll get more Sprite—” Potter offered.
“Don’t worry about it.” Diana stood. “We have more lean made up and I want another cup. I’ll just grab the Sprite and the other pitcher from Narci’s room.”
“I’m playing a game on my phone.” Potter backed away as Diana hurried off. “When she returns, I’ll fix your drink myself, CJ.”
“If you cunts know what’s good for you, don’t play your miserable fucking games,” Diesel warned, glaring at the girls.
CJ lifted a brow. “What games?”
“Nothing, C.” Narci laughed, but it sounded pathetic. “The chicks get vicious sometimes. You riding so hard for your momma is annoying. You can’t be a momma’s boy and a bad motherfucker who gets a lot of pussy.”
Diana strutted back in, carrying an opened can of Sprite and another pitcher. Once she set everything on the table, Joplin took over and Diana returned to Diesel’s side, although he refused to allow her on his lap again.
“CJ, don’t let them pressure you,” he said. “They like to play games. Any fucking thing could be in that Sprite.”
Joplin glared at Diesel. “Lies! We don’t want to hurt CJ. We diluted it.”
Potter returned to the table. “Let me fix CJ’s.”
“We have it,” Diana said.
Potter hesitated. “Outlaw is never fucking chopping me the fuck up for hurting CJ.”
“No one wants to hurt CJ.” Joplin’s eyes flashed with indignation. “We just want to show him he’s his own person.”
Rolling his eyes, Potter stomped away.
Once again, CJ looked at Diesel for advice. If he was ever going to be seen as a bad motherfucker like Dad, he needed to gain a reputation.
“Listen up, little brother. I’m all about experiences. No one is taking away how much you love Aunt Meggie, least of all me. But to be a leader, you need to learn how to follow.”
“Is there a reason you don’t like lean?” Tennysee asked. She was the quietest of the girls.
CJ often wondered what motivated her to follow Nyx’s lead, but never got around to asking her. “I’ve heard a lot of rumors about it.”
Gail smirked. “Me, too. Including the one about Outlaw drugging Meggie with lean once.”
“Ooooooo, juicy.” Diana’s eyes lit up and she rubbed her hands together. “So the angel isn’t as pristine as she pretends.”
Joplin shook her head. “She probably didn’t know. Whatever Outlaw tells her, she believes. He must’ve told her it was grape soda.”
First thing tomorrow, CJ was talking to his father. These girls had to go. No matter how much Mom thought she’d handled them, she hadn’t. They were fucking bitches.
Diesel studied his face, then leaned toward him. “They’re just venting, little brother. And testing you. I’m not saying they aren’t jealous of Aunt Meggie, but don’t blow it out of proportion.”
“Then tell them to shut the fuck up about Mom, Diesel.”
“I’m not warning you again.” Potter stalked back to the table and glared between Joplin, Gail, and Diana. “If you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m stepping out of the way the next time Diesel threatens to chop your fucking heads off for talking about Meggie.”
CJ’s gaze flew to Diesel’s.
“I never said it didn’t bother me, CJ. I’m just giving you the same advice Potter once gave to me.”
Joplin poured Sprite into the cup CJ hadn’t touched yet. She filled it to the brim and turned it from a deep purple to a misty lavender. The carbonation couldn’t withstand whatever was in the cup and the small amount of bubbles died a quick death.
