Page 243 of Restless
“A lot, son. We have a complicated history, and I’ll leave it at that.”
“You and Uncle Val?”
“Refer to my previous answer,” Meggie said with a smile, and quickly changed the subject. “If you have feelings for Molly—”
“I don’t. Not in the way you mean.” He scratched his jaw. “Fuck, I wish I did. Or for Jaleena. I’m so fucking sick of Harley’s bullshit. I haven’t touched any girl, which is the reason Harley’s accusations are so infuriating. Molly and Jaleena are so fucking pretty, but in my eyes neither of them compare to Harley, though I’ve flirted with both of them.” He lowered his gaze. “I don’t know, Mom. Maybe, Harley’s right and I am a cheat.”
“You aren’t a liar or a cheat,” Meggie said fiercely, offended on her son’s behalf. “Harley is having a rough time right now, and I sympathize with her, but she can’t makeyoumiserable because she is. My suggestion to you is to have as much patience with her as possible. I think she regrets turning you down when you asked her to go steady. It’s in the past and you both have to move on.”
CJ looked so sad. Her heart hurt for her son.
“I think she already has, Mom,” he said quietly. “Nardo Grevenberg was at the mall. We had words and he told me…he told me.” CJ hung his head. “He said he had sex with Harley.”
Meggie groaned inwardly.
“He was gloating so much,” CJ continued miserably.
“Do you believe him?”
“I want to talk to her. I didn’t even intend to tell you.” He drew in a deep breath. “I have no claim on her, so if it’s true that’s her business. If it isn’t, I’m killing Nardo.”
“You are not killing anyone!”Yet. The word went unspoken, but it hung between them. Once he patched in, he couldn’t avoid killing. “Tell Mortician. Lethimkill Nardo.”
“Uncle Mort wouldn’t. Nardo won’t be eighteen for sixteen months.”
“Then he can wait until then.”
CJ smirked at her. “There’s a nice fucking eighteenth birthday present. His scheduled execution courtesy of me and Uncle Mort.”
“No, son. You’re not a member of the club yet, so—”
“About that—”
“I’ll talk to your daddy.” CJ had long wanted to forego college and become a Dweller prospect when he turned eighteen, so she already knew what he’d say. “No promises, so focus on football and good grades for now.”
“Billson has given me the option of finishing the project I started with Molly or joining another team. I think I want to finish what Molly and I started.”
“And Harley?”
“She’ll always be my friend, Mom. I just want her happy, and if motherfucking Nardo makes her happy, then good. But if he’s lying…” he added darkly.
“You tell Mortician,” Meggie said firmly.
“Dad?”
“I would like him to know. However, it’s a delicate matter and I don’t want Harley embarrassed, whether it’s a lie or the truth. I’m going to talk to Bailey…um,Roxy. Someone needs to know either way. Roxy might be angry, but she won’t immediately hunt him down.”
“Like Uncle Mort?”
Meggie was sure once Roxy found out, Bailey would be informed. “Exactly.”
“Okay, Mom.”
“What gifts did you buy?” she asked, proud of the fine young man CJ was turning into, but missing the days of MegAnn and fucka mudna. A thought came to her. “I need to reinstate Rebel’s debit card.”
“I bought her a bunch of clothes and jewelry, as well as gift cards to some of her favorite stores, so she can do her own shopping. If you give her her debit card again, that’ll be the best present ever. She’ll be so happy.”
“She’s suffered enough.” Meggie sighed. “We all have.”
