Page 36 of Relentles
“Harley, baby, what’s wrong—”
“Sweet girl,” Mommie interrupted Daddy.
“I hate you so much, CJ,” Harley said, trembling in rage, determined to turn this around and humiliate him. Now that her father and uncle were there, maybe she could even get them to punch him. “Say itnow, CJ. Tell me how you’d do a happy dance if you never saw me again.”
CJ glared at her. “You heard me the first fucking time.”
“CJ—” Daddy started.
“No, Uncle Mort. I’m done. Molly needs our help.” He refocused a cold green gaze on Harley. “I’m not here to fuck her and I don’t want to fuckyou. Hear me well, Harley. I’m fucking done with you. I’ve had enough of your fucking bullshit. She watched her mother get her fucking head chopped off! She had her fucking kid beat out of her! What kind of a lunatic are you if you think I’m in this motherfucker for anything sexual?”
“That’s enough CJ,” Mommie said harshly.
“No, Aunt Bailey, it isn’t enough at all. I came downstairs for Lolly’s help. I don’t know how to get Molly to stop crying again. She’s talking about fucking rainbows forming in front of her and bringing her baby to her. I’djustcalmed her down…never mind, you don’t like me anyway—”
“Is it any wonder?” Harley sneered. “Mommie sees you for the stupid, weak, crybaby motherfucker you are!”
“Harley!” Aunt Bunny and Lolly cried.
“Harley, go home,” Daddy ordered.
Harley’s mouth dropped open. Instead of anger toward CJ, her father directed his annoyance at her.
Mommie was staring at CJ with horror.
“I’m not moving,” Harley spat as Mommie said, “I do like you, honey. I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel otherwise.”
“Don’t apologize to him, Mommie!” Harley cried.
“Yes, sweet girl, this has gone on long enough.”
“No—”
“Lolly, please come and talk to Molly,” CJ interrupted.
“Shut up!” Harley ordered, blinded with rage and hurt that everyone was turning against her. She flew forward, balled her fist and punched CJ’s jaw, then shoved him with all her might.
He teetered but the wall behind him stopped him from falling.
Absolute silence followed Harley’s loss of control.
Straightening, CJ stared at her. “I’m not fucking impressed, Harley.”
She wanted a reaction from CJ, anything to show that he cared about her.
She punched him again.
“Stop,Harley,” Daddy yelled at her, coming closer.
She didn’t care. If her father hadn’t grabbed her fist, she would’ve hit CJ again.
“You know I’ll never lay a hand on you but stay the fuck away from me. I don’t want anything more to do with you,ever. And until Lolly tells me not to call her Lolly, shut your motherfucking mouth. I don’t fucking answer to you.”
“I don’t care,” Harley said, angry tears pouring down her face. “Hit me like a cheater!”
“I don’t hit girls,” he said, anger blazing from his eyes. “But I’m not a fucking jackass over girls who take advantage of that.”
“Rebel has hit you and you still fuck with her.”
