Page 117 of Remiss
“I-I can’t wait to meet you,” Jana said, unbidden.
For the first time, he was livid with her over something other than her drug use and he opened his mouth to snap at her, especially when the sound of Rebel’s sob hit him in the center of his chest.
Uncle Christopher and the boys glowered at Jana. Diesel could attest that she lacked awareness to accurately read the room. It was why she placed herself in so many dangerous situations and trusted the wrong motherfuckers. Besides, he’d never told her the entire history of Rebel and him. She didn’t know that hislittle sisterfancied herself in love with him and had a named picked out for their fucking baby.
His entire body tightened, and he gnashed his teeth together. “Aunt Meggie–”
“Nice meeting you, Jana,” she interrupted.
“Can I please leave, Momma?” Rebel begged, near hysteria.
Diesel clenched his jaw.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes, love,” Aunt Meggie said softly.
“We’re aren’t going back home for another week or two, right?” Rebel asked wildly. “I can’t–”
“We’ll see, but remember Kaia’s there and probably misses you, since we’re his only friends.”
“I miss him too,” Rebel cried, “but it doesn’t matter. I can’t even see him because everybody gets in the way.”
“If I sneak you by him, will that help, Reb?” Axel asked, concern laced in his little voice.
“I guess,” Rebel said. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Wait, Reb–”
“Nope, mister, sit. We have to talk about my candy bar and the change you want for a penny.”
“Uh–”
“Quiet! Now, Diesel, what do you want?”
“I already told you. And…” He met Uncle Christopher’s stricken gaze. “Are you really not coming home for another week or two?”
“I’ll get there when I get there,” she snapped. “You’restill not taking my advice.”
“Don’t make them pay for my bad decisions.”
“Diesel is brilliant, Aunt…Miss…uh, ma’am,” Jana piped in.
“Meggie is fine, Jana,” she said.
“Can I call you Aunt Meggie like Diesel?”
Aunt Meggie sighed. “In due time,” she said, not unkindly. “Let Rebel adjust to your presence. I have nothing against you, so please don’t take it that way.”
“O-Okay.” Her eyes huge, Jana gulped and looked from CJ to Uncle Christopher, then lifted her uneasy gaze to Diesel. “Chris…Christopher–”
Uncle Christopher growled at the same time Aunt Meggie huffed.
Jana paled.
“He’s not Christopher to you, Jana,” Aunt Meggie said. “I’d prefer you call him Outlaw, but Uncle Christopher is fine. Ask his preference.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jana sounded hurt. “I-I don’t think he likes me. He won’t talk to me.”
Aunt Meggie was silent for a moment. “Can you hear me?”
