Page 150 of Restless
“The father isn’t even answering!” Officer Teabag yelled. He stomped to Rebel and snatched her to her feet.
Aunt Zoann ran to them and knocked his hand away. “Don’t put your fucking hands on my niece.”
Before anyone responded that fucking door opened again. At this point, Mattie was ready to rip it off the hinges.
“Out—”
“Nope,” Ryder said, leading Ransom and Axel in. “CJ sent us to see what was going on, after Jaleena called him.”
Ransom looked at Harley, Ariana, and Erin, then grinned at Rebel. “Oh, snap! Legendary. You beat three bitches.”
Aunt Zoann and Lolly laughed, while Rebel rolled her eyes. “I was on Harley’s side, dummy. Why would I beat her?”
“Cuz she broke CJ’s heart,” Axel said, glaring at Harley. “And she was mean to Lolly and Uncle Mort.”
“This is out of control.” Officer Grey spoke into the radio, requesting backup. “If you little boys don’t leave, you’re going to jail too. You don’t belong in the upper school.”
“I belong wherever I damned well please, fuckface,” Ransom said, folding his arms. “My momma and daddy own this school, so if you’re mean to us, your bitch-ass can be fired.”
Mrs. LeBan lost her color.
Dr. Marvey cleared his throat and whispered something to the teabag, who immediately turned and spoke into that noisy ass radio, clipped to his shoulder.
“Boys,” Dr. Marvey said, “your…your sister and cousins were just going to my office. They were fighting and—”
Axel roared with laughter. “You big dummy, Harley don’t fight.”
“Rebel does,” Ryder piped in. “She beat Ryan’s ass.” He offered Aunt Zoann an apologetic smile. “She does have off days, like when Mattie gave her an ass whooping.”
“Would you shut the fuck up!” Rebel snapped.
Not a chance. Ryder was enjoying himself too much.
“It doesn’t matter who owns what,” Ariana protested. “Harley threw the first punch.”
“You told me Miss Caldwell and Miss Banks attacked you,” Mrs. LeBan said tightly.
“Rebel might be brutal, scary, and a would-be killer, but she doesn’t pick fights,” Axel said with indignation. “And Harleydefinitelywon’t throw the first hit. She might try to control my brother, but she isn’t a bully.”
“Goddamn, boy, if you’re defending Harley and Rebel, I’d hate to have you scorn them,” Lolly said, half amused and half annoyed.
Ryder held up his phone. “CJ’s here.”
Mrs. Leban patted her bun and straightened, while Ariana and Erin forgot their numerous injuries and clutched each other.
“He skipped school to go to the hospital,” Rebel said on a sigh. “You shouldn’t have called him.”
“CJ was with Molly, dummy,” Ransom said. “I heard Bishop and Potter talking yesterday when I was visiting Momma and showing her the pictures of our tree. They said he was taking Molly to make her baby go away.”
“WHAT?”the girls and women chorused as CJ walked in and rushed to Rebel.
She’d gone pale at Ransom’s news. Obviously, CJ thought she was hurt because he pulled her to her feet and hugged her.
“Are you okay, Reb?” he demanded.
“Ihateyou so much,” Harley screamed.
“Yeah, whatever, I know. I’m tired, Harley. I don’t have time—”
