Page 177 of Restless
“Why do you ask, CJ?” she said.
“I want to invite Jaleena and her parents over.”
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
“What the fuck I’m missin’?” Dad asked.
“I’ll explain later,” CJ promised.
“It probably has to do with Jaleena thinking we’re nothing but piss poor criminals with no future except jail or prison,” Rebel said with a shrug. “Her dad’s a wealthy tech exec or something and her mom’s a Civil Rights attorney.”
Well, that explained a lot.
“Is that true, CJ?” Mom asked.
“Basically,” CJ responded. “She offered to give me half her allowance. Like a hundred bucks a month just to help me out.”
“You got a high school sugar mama?” Ryder said in awe. “What’s your secret, bro?”
“I do not,” CJ gritted. “I told her she shouldn’t want me if she has to buy me. I’m not worth that. No motherfucker is.”
Ransom shook his head. “You’re fucking stupid. You could’ve had a goldmine.”
“I don’t need her money, little asshole.”
“Whether you do or not, she offered. My life rule is never turn down money.”
“You fuckin’ eleven, boy. How the fuck you got a life rule?”
“I want to join the club, too, Dad,” Ransom said. “I’m getting my rules together early, so motherfuckers know where I stand.”
CJ got to his feet. He wouldn’t be able to sleep until he talked to Harley. For whatever reason, he needed to see her one last time before he made a firm decision about anything. “I won’t be long.”
“You’ll miss dessert,” Tabitha said.
“What dessert?” Axel asked, walking into the dining room.
His timing made it seem as if he’d been hanging in the hallway, awaiting the opportune moment.
“You ate the entire cobbler, Axel?”
“No, Mom. That bitch yelled at me and told me I couldn’t have any, so I threw that shit down the garbage disposal.” He glared at Tabitha, turned on his heel, and stomped out.
The announcement left everyone speechless. Even Rebel stared in shock.
Then, Ryder guffawed and pointed at Tabitha. “Burn, bitch.” He jumped up and ran out of the room, shouting, “Axel, bro!”
“Goddamn Axel,” Ransom said once Ryder’s voice faded away. “That little motherfucker one-upped me. If I don’t come up with something better, he’ll never let me live it down.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
At the sound of the robotic alert of the front door opening followed by her mother’s voice floating to the kitchen, Harley sat straighter in her booth seat. It was 9PM, but Daddy and the boys were at the club.
Harley had been sitting with Mommie at the kitchen table, searching online stores for new holiday outfits, while Mommie reviewed work files on her laptop. Before they’d sat, they’d prepared hot chocolate from one of Lolly’s recipes, making enough for Daddy and the boys, but that had been an hour ago.
Lou and Kaleb barely spoke to Harley or Mommie, firmly on Daddy’s side. Rumors of their parents’ rift were circulating at the club. Without knowing the full story, the boys had chosen their allegiance.
“Hunny bunny?” Mommie said, walking into the kitchen.
