Page 226 of Remiss
“Waa, waa, waa, motherfucker. Find a pacifier to suck on. We have everything at our disposalandtrust funds that sit in accounts accruing interest with annual infusions of cash. Do you know how muchIwill be worth? Money I will start getting when I turn twenty-one. More money than any of you jackasses, all headed for club life.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“Fuck you. Life isn’t fair.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t fucking care, Diesel,” Rebel said tiredly. “And before you find another reason to doubt yourself, Momma has you and the boys covered. She’s left you all a lot in her will. She also funds your lifestyle, so double fuck you.”
“I have a fucking career.”
“Oh my god, you big fucking baby.” She punched his shoulder. “Stop whining and stop complaining. At least about this. You have a career in a local law firm.Local. It isn’t some big Portland firm. It is mainly there for the benefit of the club. Yes, you’re scarred emotionally but stop fucking pretending youdon’t enjoy the power and the status, and you aren’t rolling in fucking money, even if you weren’t an attorney.”
“Why allow you access to your trust fund while she’s alive but not us?”
Rebel frowned. “I get the trust fund, Diesel. You all get the inheritance.”
“That isn’t fair to you either.”
“I beg to differ.”
“Of course you do.”
Diesel was so fucking frustrating. Rebel was almost certain he knew what she meant, but she’d try again. “My theory is that it is about the club and following in Daddy’s footsteps. You know? Seeming to be on a somewhat even playing field as your brothers?”
“Whatever, Rebel,” Diesel said, scratching his jaw. “It still doesn’t make what you said about Jana any less fucked up.”
“Really? How about this?Jana’smoney, and her ability to spend it without a care, depends onyou.”
“She might be from a wealthy family,” Diesel said smugly.
Rebel blinked. Cackling at his fuckery, she abruptly cut her laughter and glowered at him. “Fuck you. If she was from a wealthy family, she’d already know how to both use money and abuse it.”
“I’ve already set up an account for her mother to use. Jana has money.”
“I beg your fucking pardon? You gave hermomthe money?” Rebel’s eyes widened. “Jesus, fuckhead, are you fucking a mother and her daughter?”
“What? No!” Diesel swore under his breath and gnashed his teeth together. “You have a very fucking low opinion of me.”
“Whose fucking fault is that? My opinion is based on your goddamn actions, so shut the fuck up and deal with it. You want me to see you in a better light?Dofucking better, fuckhead.”
“I owe you no fucking explanations.”
“Sure don’t. That privilege goes to Jana. Use it wisely.”
“It just shows you have a lot to learn,” Diesel snapped. “I pity the motherfucker who ends up with you. You’re going to drive him fucking crazy with your fucking demands.”
“And if that motherfucker can’t handle me and my goddamn demands, then fuck him. He doesn’t fucking deserve me. But whatyouaren’t doing is changing my mind about how I feel. Nor will you convince me that you aren’t playing with fucking fire. You need to matter to someone. You need someone to hold you accountable. Otherwise, dick breath, fuckface, motherfucker, you will be fucking miserable.” She struggled to her feet, kicked his ankle with her bare foot, and limped to her room, slamming the door for good measure.
March 22nd
CJ couldn’t remember the last time he’d worked out with the team. It was nice, even if it felt strange to be the second-string behind Ryan’s starting position. He had no one to blame but himself. He wasn’t sure if he’d compete against his cousin when summer training camp began.
Ryan had won his position fairly. He was an ace kicker, butCJ knew he’d always wanted a shot at quarterback.
Walking along the pathway from the Athletic Center, CJ enjoyed the breeze and the late afternoon sun. They were two days into spring and CJ hoped winter was well and truly behind them. It had been the longest of CJ’s life, one he never wanted to repeat again.
He was pretty shore he’d forever dread winter just because the last one had been so fucked. It was a shame, too. Christmas fell within the winter months.
