Page 202 of Restless
“Listen up, you fucking asshole,” she snarled. “Listen to fucking voices. Get help. Do rain dances. Take medicine. I don’t care. If you plan on punishing me, when I heal or come to,hide, motherfucker.Hide. I will put you out of your goddamn misery and bring your body to Rory so he can chop you into little pieces.” She ended her tirade with a kick to Rule’s shin. Ignoring his howls, she stormed away.
Amid the chaos, Grant lit a cigarette. Now, he released the smoke and smiled at Rebel’s retreating form. “CJ, I have a question, dude?”
“I told you not to fuck with Rebel, Rule,” CJ said with irritation, crouching in front of his brother and pulling napkins from his pocket. He looked over his shoulder. “What, Grant?”
“Jaleena might get it that you’re wealthy, but she still might not want to fuck with you.”
“Where the fuck’s the question?” Diesel asked. “That’s a fucking statement.”
Grant sucked on his cigarette before he responded. “Are you sure inviting her over was a good idea?” He nodded to Rule. “All things considered.”
“Fuck, I don’t know, Grant,” CJ said, not flinching when Rule jerked away and took over holding the napkin to his lip and nose. “How else was she supposed to see the real me?”
“What about Harley?” Diesel asked. They were young though, when emotions were fickle.
“Harley doesn’t even want to be my friend, Diesel,” he answered. “She…it doesn’t matter. No matter how I feel, I refuse to allow anyone to mistreat me.”
“Then, maybe, you’re trying to force something with Jaleena,” Diesel suggested.
“We don’t blame you,” Grant said. “She’s quite pretty.”
CJ stood. “I don’t know what I want,” he admitted. “It hurts a lot to think about Harley, so I try not to. I like Jaleena, but I’m not sure how and I want to be fair to her. The last time we kissed, Harley’s face didn’t intrude.Molly’sdid.”
After blowing a series of smoke circles, Grant squeezed the cigarette cherry and extinguished it, then shook his head. “Damn, dude, you really are fucked up.”
“If Ryan discovers you’ve slept with his girlfriend, that little asshole will be impossible,” Diesel said.
“I haven’t slept with Molly, Diesel!”
“Pssssst, CJ.”
Mattie’s voice floated into the hall a moment before she peeked in, revealing only her head. “Where’s Daddy?”
“With my dad,” CJ asked. “Why? What are you hiding?”
Biting down on her glossed lip, she glanced behind her, then walked fully into view. In the scheme of things, her body con minidress with three green bows, green stockings, and green pumps, weren’t as revealing as Rebel’s outfit. On the other hand, Mattie’s hem was shockingly high, she wore makeup, and her hair was unbound and tousled.
Rebel pulled off her outfit by her inherent confidence. Mattie looked like a little girl playing dress up because of her apparent unease.
“Oh, goddamn,” CJ said, gulping.
“Uncle Johnnie’s going to flip his fucking lid,” Grant added.
Diesel was inclined to agree. “Why’d you choose such an outfit?”
“Momma…Mamansaid I could. I’ve been hiding out in the kitchen waiting for Rebel. Then I texted her to see what was up and noticed her phone on the counter.”
“Your outfit is very pretty, Mattie,” CJ said.
“Th-thank you. It’s only now that I realize Daddy’s anger might ruin your party.” She lowered her lashes. “But I wanted to look like Rebel and Momma and Aunt Meggie. I wanted Jaleena to think I was pretty.” She met CJ’s gaze, her eyes huge and vulnerable. “I’m sorry. I-I’m not trying to compete…I know you like her—”
Although Diesel was stunned into silence, CJ went to Mattie and hugged her.
“It’s fine,” he said. “Jaleena is my friend, but I have no claim to her.”
“Do I really look pretty? I’m so scared of Daddy’s reaction.” Her voice shook.
“You’re stunning, Matilda,” Grant piped in. “Blessed with beauty and brains.”
