Page 169 of Restless
He glared at her.
“That’s why he’s worried,” she pressed on. “He said people who haven’t grown up in money misuse it when they suddenly get it. He’s concerned you’ll see me as a walking dollar sign.”
“I wouldn’t have known about your goddamn money, if you hadn’t opened your fucking mouth,” he snapped.
“This entire conversation is going off the rails. You’re taking everything the wrong way. If you’d stop being so defensive, you’d hear what I’m saying, CJ.”
“As long as you’re fucking blind, I’ll be fucking defensive.”
“You’re the blind one. You can have me. Not only am I arm candy, I’m brilliant, and I can buy you whatever you want. I get two hundred dollars a month as an allowance as long as I keep my room clean and bring home decent grades.”
He scowled at her. “You sell yourself short. If you have to buy me to get me, I’m not worth having.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m a firm believer in capitalism. Money makes the world go round. If we go steady, I can split my allowance with you.”
As annoyed as he was with her, he sat beside her again and hugged her tightly. “Bae, I’m telling you if a motherfucker takes your money, he’s not worth having. He should shower you with gifts, not the other way around.”
“That’s sexist.”
“That’s how I feel.”
“So you’d prefer to struggle…how much allowance do you get?”
The amount would blow her fucking mind. “I’d prefer not to say.”
“Exactly. I’m telling you CJ, I would be an asset to you. I promise you wouldn’t regret going steady with me.”
He studied her mouth. “I’m sure I wouldn’t, Jaleena, but I can’t overcome being white and that might create a bigger issue than you realize.”
Dickhead Ryan taught him that. Of course, he was a dickhead to everybody, but there was particular disrespect toward Lolly, Uncle Mort, and Uncle Digger. Although…he couldn’t recall the motherfucker ever showing his contempt to their faces.
“You can overcome being a criminal, though.”
“I’m not a fucking criminal!”
“The son of a criminal.”
“Show my father respect or lose my fucking number.”
Her eyes widened.
“Remember the issue you took when I talked aboutyourold man? I feel the same way. Don’tevercall my dad a criminal.”
She stared at him. Seeing he wouldn’t back down, she nodded. “Your dad’s a full-time biker. He’s a club president.”
“And? I intend to follow in his footsteps. It’s my dream to one day run the Death Dwellers.”
“My father would never go for that.”
“Luckily, I don’t give a fuck.”
“If it was Harley or Molly asking you to have goals in life and offering to pay your way, would you feel differently?”
“Harley would never do either. She understands my position.”
“Her father’s a biker, too, so of course she would. She probably supports your aspirations more than I ever could.”
He no longer knew what Harley supported. However, explaining would take too long.
