Page 144 of Restless
“I’m not protecting my father to earnyourrespect, Ryan,” Rory said evenly. “I’ve never had it, and I don’t give a fuck if I ever get it. I’m protecting him because I love him, and I love my mom. If Uncle Christopher kills Dad because he’s a stupid asshole, it would destroy her.”
“She’s a spoiled bitch just like my mother,” Ryan spat. “Just like Rebel and Harley, that…”
If Rory lived to be a hundred, he could’ve gone his entire life without hearing how Ryan referred to Harley.
“Say that to Uncle Mort. I dare you.”
“Fuck him, Rory. And you know where they got Digger from? By combining dog and—”
“Don’t you fucking say that word again,” Rory interrupted.
Ryan dissolved into laughter. “Fucking cuck. You’re not fucking fit to be a part of my family. Logan would hate you.”
“As if I give a fuckwhothat motherfucker hated. I know who he didn’t hate, you stupid fuckhead, and that was Sharper Banks.”
Snapping his mouth shut, Ryan blinked. “I don’t like what the fuck you’re insinuating.”
“It’s the fucking truth, Ryan. Some of my dad’s paperwork had letters. They were lovers.”
“You’re a liar! Logan Donovan was a great man. He wasn’t a fucking pervert. He thought more of himself than to allow Sharper Banks…No, you’re a fucking liar.”
“And you’re a fucking jerk.”
Jumping to his feet, Ryan stalked to Rory’s side. “Show me the letters.”
“Fuck you.”
“I demand—”
Rory getting to his feet forced Ryan back. It pleased him that he was finally taller than the motherfucker. “You’re not in a fucking position to demand anything, asshole. You know what I demand? Tell motherfucking Bash to back off. Whether you like her or not, Aunt Meggie is innocent. I’m so scared she’s going to be hurt, but I can’t sacrifice my dad. You, though? If I can see anyway that Dad will be safe, I’ll sing like a fucking canary and dance in your fucking blood. I’m going home. If I have to deal with a fucking traitor, I’d prefer it to be one in my own house.” Although Dad should’ve left by now to join Uncle Mort. “Tell Ms. Harris ‘hi’ when her headless corpse visits you, fuckhead.”
The color dropped from Ryan’s face, and Rory smirked, turned on his heel and strolled off.
“You’ll be dancing in Johnnie’s blood long before you do mine,” Ryan called in a trembly voice.
Not having a response, Rory kept walking, damning his cousin for getting the last word.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After a miserable weekend that she and Mommie spent sobbing and depressed, Harley trudged into the school locker room Monday afternoon, wondering if Daddy planned to come home for dinner. He hadn’t been home since Saturday. Aunt Zoann and Aunt Fee dropped her, Rebel, and Mattie off at school. They were going to visit Aunt Meggie, the reason they were together.
Harley had overheard them talking about Uncle Mort sleeping in his old room at the club, and they planned to talk to Mommie and see what was up.
Rebel and Mattie had turned accusing looks on Harley. She’d flipped them off on the downlow. After that, they ignored her.
Just as they had for the entire day. CJ hadn’t come to school again today, nor had Rory and Ryan. She’d texted Rory to ask if Winter Break started a week earlier for them than scheduled on the school calendar. He hadn’t responded.
During her lunch break, she’d gone to rehearsals as usual. Nardo gave her the cold shoulder because she canceled their movie date. Only her brothers showed up. After that, her day passed in a blur. It seemed as if the entire world was angry at her. Everything was so off-kilter, she didn’t know who was picking her up after school. Nor did she care.
Tension had seeped into cheer practice. Where, she noted,Mollywas also absent. Rebel and Mattie huddled together, ignoring Harley. Jaleena and her crew whispered amongst themselves, giggling whenever they carried out Coach Ericks’s directives. The way they focused on Harley told her they were making fun of her.
Sighing, she lumbered to her locker and opened it. She intended to grab her 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner and her body wash. Except she realized voices were echoing from the showers.
“Oh my God, can you believe those three snotty bitches? It’s like they’re fucking royalty.”
“Princesses.”
“Biker princesses.”
