Page 48 of Restless
“What the fuck that mean?”
“That you’re focusing on the wrong fucking shit.”
“Harley really cut class?” Dad grinned. “Mort must be so fuckin’ proud.”
“Aunt Bailey was pissed.”
“Your ma don’t like it either. You gotta teach Harley how to cut.”
“Am I living in the fucking Twilight Zone?”
“Nope. Mort glad his baby girl a sweet lil’ kid, but he don’t want her to be a fuckin’ square.”
“No way! Uncle Mort feels that way?”
“Yeah, boy.”
CJ eyed his father in suspicion. “You’re fucking with me. Leading me on so I can incriminate myself.”
“Ain’t.”
“Then you want me to tell on Harley.”
“Nope. My ass just sayin’ we know you lil’ motherfuckers cut. If we ain’t trackin’ you everyfuckinwhere, we don’t need to track you anywhere.”
“But—”
“Take it up with Mortician, boy.” Dad yawned. “I don’t know what the motherfucker’s thinkin’.”
Not logically, because all their fathers had gone fucking insane. “Did he ever tell Harley he’ll know when she cuts?”
“As far as I know, she never cut.”
“She did yesterday.”
“Then he must know.”
CJ refused to believe Uncle Mort would accept Harley cutting class. Not because he felt as Uncle Johnnie. Uncle Mort was proud of Harley’s studiousness and wanted her to foster that. “By the way, Harley isn’t a sweet little kid. She’s turning into…into…fuck,Rebelbehind Diesel.”
“Fuck, for real? At least you and her ‘bout…aboutthe same age.”
“Not toward me! For some actor-motherfucker. Her co-star.”
“Mort don’t like that lil’ motherfucker, son, so—”
“So nothing. Bash is a fucking threat. A real, true threat. He’s dangerous.”
“Brooks and Johnnie workin’ it out. Brooks told me Johnnie got everything under control. He plans to control Bash like Cee Cee controlled Logan. With money and threats.”
“Dad, listen to me—”
“Johnnie—”
“Isn’tyou, Dad. Uncle Johnnie isn’t you.”
“I offered to get involved, but Brooks said there’s no need.”
“You’re the president,Outlaw. Your involvement is a given.”
