Page 37 of Remorseless
“No shit?” Rebel joined her cousin in laughter.
CJ scowled at the two of them, probably guessing at the reason for their giggles. Ms. LeBan’s gaze dropped to the floor, and Rebel and Mattie laughed harder.
“Shut it, you two,” he ordered.
Rory guided Harley to the table; they each carried a tray. His gaze landed on Ms. LeBan and his gray eyes twinkled.
“Here, C. I got your lunch.”
Ms. LeBan’s blush deepened. “Do you needany assistance?”
“Everything’s fine, Ms. LeBan,” CJ said.
He had the best poker face. Rebel certainly couldn’t tell he’d hooked up with the teacher. His gaze didn’t linger. He didn’t blush or blink. He acted just as he always had with LeBan—like her student.
Hmmm. Teacher and student. Rebel liked that concept. Diesel would go into conniptions, but she saw a role-playing adult film fromhisaccount, so he could take several seats and shut the fuck up.
“Uh…” Ms. LeBan turned and hurried off.
CJ sat between Kayce and Devon, and leaned back so Rory could place his tray in front of him.
Harley stood, holding her tray, and on the verge of tears. She looked awkward and out-of-place. Rebel glared at her, having zero sympathy.
Sighing, Mattie got to her feet. “Here, Harls. Sit and eat. I’m done. I was just waiting for Reb to finish so we could get to class.”
“Thank you.” Harley didn’t look at anyone as she slid into the spot Mattie vacated. She stared at her food.
The idea of swiping Harley’s tray away crossed Rebel’s mind. Mattie placed her hands on Rebel’s shoulders and squeezed.
“Try the burger, Harley,” CJ instructed. “It’s delicious.”
Harley didn’t move.
Mattie widened her eyes at Rebel and nodded to Harley.
“Fuck, no.”
Rebel didn’t ever want to talk to Harley again. She wanted to pound her into the fucking ground, so she’d never have to see her and remember how she’d crushed her brother. If Ms. LeBan sucking his cock helped him, then Rebel applauded her.
“I’m in the Upper School now, Harley,” Mattie rambled. “I thought we’dhave classes together.”
“Harley’s in AP classes,” CJ volunteered, enjoying his burger and fries. “Mom thought you’d prefer to be with Rebel, Mattie.”
Harley burst into tears.
Rebel drummed her fingers on the table. If she took a shot every fucking time Harley boohooed, she’d die from alcoholic poisoning.
Harley’s brothers, Lou and Kaleb, stood from the other end of the table where some of the younger boys were and came to her.
“Why are you crying, Harley?” Kaleb, the youngest of the three siblings, asked.
“Finding out your meanness gets you nowhere but alone?” Lou was the middle child and hadn’t forgiven Harley for her treatment of Uncle Mort. “The house is so peaceful with you gone.”
“Lou, Kaleb, sit back down,” CJ directed, grabbing his soda and drinking. “Harley, you’ve got to control your emotions. If something was wrong with you, no one would know because you cry foreverything.”
“But I miss you. I want us to be the way we used to.”
“That won’t happen again. Ever. But if you behave, you can sit with us again whenever the play is done.”
