Page 115 of Relentles
Grant grabbed a pizza and a drink and set it in front of Rebel before taking his own. Diesel removed the remaining items from the tray, walked off with it, and returned moments later empty handed.
While the guys dug in, Rebel sipped her soda. The drone of voices drowned out the ticking of the clock, so loud upstairs in the waiting room thanks to the absolute silence.
On the way to the cafeteria after stepping off the elevator, low chatter and bursts of laughter greeted her. Since she’d arrived, though, it was like a funeral. They might’ve been trying to help her. It only brought her mood further down.
Grant tasted his soda. “Reb did know about the plan to send Molly to Los Angeles.”
Diesel chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, then gulped his drink. He grabbed the last remaining quarter of his pizza. “She’llbe fine. She’s going to have the best of everything. Once her treatment is done, she’ll come back.”
“She’s not going to know those people,” Rebel argued. “Wedon’t know them.”
“Everyone comes with the highest recommendation,” Diesel assured her. He bit into his pizza. “Don’t worry.”
“She’ll be all alone at night.” CJ insisted on staying at Lolly’s to watch over Molly. “My brother can’t travel to California with her.”
A look passed between Grant and Diesel.
“What?”
“What do you mean, Rebel?” Grant laughed nervously. “We didn’t say anything.”
Her brows snapped together. “What aren’t you two telling me?”
“You’re too young to be so suspicious,” Diesel said, swallowing the last of his pizza.
“According to you, I’m too young to beanything,” she said flatly. “Your observation hasn’t distracted me.Whatis going on?”
“Nothing, Reb,” Grant said quickly, much more chill than Diesel.
“Nothing that concernsyou,” he corrected. “Uncle Chris has found a way to solve a couple of problems. Molly won’t be alone at night. That’s all you need to know.”
“What—”
“Rebel, I’d like a word with you, please.”
At the sound of Torie’s voice, Rebel stiffened. “No, thank you,” she said politely, snatching her phone from her pocket and unlocking it. She wasn’t interested in anything, but she wanted Torie gone.
“I insist.”
“Let her be, Torie,” Diesel said.
“I felt completely disrespected by her, Diesel. I am owed an apology. That’s all I’m waiting for.”
“Then drop dead now,” Rebel said, still not looking up, “because you will be waiting unto fucking eternity.”
“Don’t sweat Reb, Torie,” Grant said. “At one point or another, we’ve all felt disrespected by her.”
“You’re not helping, dickhead.”
“Not trying to, Reb. It’s the truth.”
“Your father is a good, kind man,” Torie pressed. “I was out of line, but you should’ve let him handle it. It wasn’t your place.”
“It was exactly my place,” Rebel spat. “I’ve barely recognized my father over the past four weeks. I’m trying to protect him from stupidity. More than that, though, Iamprotecting my mother, and, bitch, I will never apologize to a motherfucker in the world for that.”
Torie stiffened. As if Rebel cared.
“I’m sure your father wouldn’t appreciate how you’ve talked to me.”
