Page 85 of Restless
“And Mom and Jo will be dead,” CJ put in, because he knew that feeling all too well.
“Yes,” Rebel whispered in a raw, broken voice. “I just want them home. As long as they’re in the hospital—”
“If youreallydo pray, sister,” Rule hissed, “then your lack of faith is negating your prayers. If you pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.”
“You aresucha fucking asshole,” Rebel said into the silence. “Zealotry can get you badly hurt or killed. By me,” she added darkly.
“I feel most at home with my bible and art in a quiet place. I have a calling, Rebel.”
“Youhave the fucking calling. I don’t. I have long discussions with you about religion and spirituality—”
“Yet, you still behave with belligerence and a lack of charity.”
Rebel growled, her face flushing to devil red. Time for an intervention.
“Shut up. Both of you,” CJ ordered. “Politics and religion are two subjects that shouldn’t be discussed, especially with such strongly opposing viewpoints.”
Drawing himself up, Rule palmed away his tears and backed away. More than likely, he’d return to his room and open his bible, stewing in worry and fear.
CJ wanted nothing more than to go to his own room and lick his wounds, before diving into the science project again and trying to make sense of Molly’s notes. Or texting Uncle Mort to check on him. Or calling Mom, then Aunt Kendall, and check on them. Hopefully, Outlaw was still asleep. If he called Mom, he’d discover if Outlaw was awake or not.
Yet, he couldn’t do any of that. Rule and Rebel were frightened.
He dug into his back pocket and got his debit card, then handed it to Rebel.
“You have an hour to buy whatever you please.” His card was connected to his mother’s bank account.
She snatched the card. “Gifts, right?” she said with a sigh.
“Whatever, Rebel. Gifts. Clothes and shoes for yourself. Makeup. I don’t care.”
“Daddy might be mad.”
CJ doubted it. They could empty the bank accounts, and it wouldn’t register with Outlaw. “He’ll survive, but I promise you I’ll take the heat for any fallout.”
“Spare the rod, spoil the child,” Rule said scornfully.
“Rebel isn’t my child, you pompous little asshole,” CJ snapped.
Rule’s lips trembled.
“Fuck, I’m sorry, Rule,” CJ said in frustration. “Just stop being so prayerful tonight. It isn’t helping.”
“I’m always prayerful. Iwalkin prayer.”
“You’re going to fucking bleed in prayer if you keep it up,” Rebel sneered.
“One more fucking word, Rebel, and I’m taking my goddamn card back. You’re not helping matters either.”
Throwing them a sullen look, Rebel flattened her mouth into a thin line and shoved the debit card into her pocket.
“You still have aspirations of being a priest?”
“Yeah, CJ. I have a calling.”
“One dick suck from a club girl will change that.”
Scowling, CJ yanked Rebel to him and placed his hand over her mouth. Pinned against him, she couldn’t move. She made unintelligible sounds against his palm, but he refused to let her go until he finished with Rule.
