Page 179 of Restless
“Stop stereotyping,” Mommie ordered, then smiled at Harley. “If it’s okay with his parents, I’ll drop you off at five and pick you up at eight.”
“Thank you for trusting me,” Harley murmured, smirking at her father.
Daddy stood. “I’m out.”
“What time will you return?” Mommie asked, the alarm on her face shocking Harley.
“A fucking time, Bailey. What the fuck do you care since I’m persona non grata?”
Mommie swallowed. “All I’m saying is we need to trust Harley.”
“And all I’m saying is we don’t need to trust Nardo.”
“Nardo is good and kind. Much better than lying, raggedy CJ,” Harley said viciously.
“You got that all fucking twisted, baby girl,” Daddy said with a shake of his head.
“CJ isn’t the saint you peg him,” Harley spat. “You appreciate his feelings over your own children. I bet you wish he was your son rather than Lou and Kaleb. You value him over me.”
“See how you’ve made her feel, Lucas?” Mommie demanded. “Harley, your daddy—”
“I can speak for myself, Bailey,” Daddy barked. “If that’s the way you feel, Harley, then I can’t change your mind if my years of love and devotion to you, your momma, and your brothers don’t speak for themselves.”
Without another word, he walked out of the kitchen.
Lou stood. “With the way you’re acting, I value CJ over you, too, Harley,” he said. “Nardo’s a jerk. If you like him, then you’re stupid.”
“Young man, there’s no name calling in this house. I’ll especially not allow you to disparage my daughter.Yoursister.”
“Harley’syourdaughter, Mom, but Dad’smyfather,” he retorted. “Can I see if I can get a ride to school with one of my cousins?”
“If that’s your preference,” Mommie said. “I warn you, you will have meals in your room until you apologize to Harley.”
He shrugged, turned on his heel, and left. Kaleb stared toward the hallway and Mommie sighed.
“Go with your brother,” she said, rubbing her temple.
He didn’t hesitate to leave.
Now, hours later, Harley and Nardo had just finished eating pizza and drinking sodas. They had yet to go over their lines, but it was only 6PM.
He lived with his parents and two brothers in a middle-class neighborhood in a neat three-bedroom house that was bright and airy. Since he’d opened the door and saw her bruises, he’d been solicitous and concerned, unlike CJ who sniped and griped about allhersupposed wrongs against him.
Her nostrils flared.
“You too pretty to look so angry, ma,” Nardo said, squeezing next to her on the couch in the den. “Why you mad-mugging?”
“Just thinking about assholes.”
“Assholes not worth the time of day, Harley. They’re especially not worth it if it ruins your beautiful face.”
She preened at his compliments. CJ never called her beautiful. “Thank you,” she said primly. “Do you really think I’m that pretty?”
Nardo planted an arm around her shoulder, and she relaxed against him.
“If you were my chick, I’d tell you you were beautiful all day long.” He fisted some of her braids. “I’d be so jealous I couldn’t stand you talking to another dude.”
CJ didn’t care. He was too busy talking to other girls. Namely, Molly. “That’s so sweet, Nardo.”
