Page 62 of Relentles
The ending of their almost relationship left him even sadder. But honestly, his head was in it even less than his heart. Considering where his heart still was pissed him off.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out the jewelry box. He kissed Jaleena’s cheek. “Merry Christmas.”
“Omigod! Omigod! Omigod! You didn’t!”
“I can’t afford Tiffany’s, Jaleena,” he told her. Seemingly overnight, he’d gone from pauper to prince, charity case to cash cow. “I’m not on my dad’s payroll.”
She tore the wrapping paper away and lifted the jewelry box, screaming when she opened it. They earrings cost him almost as much as Harley’s ring. At least,Jaleenawas appreciative.
Hugging him, she bounced up and down.”
He grinned, wrapping his arms around her. If he didn’t have to fuck with her parents and their snobby friends, maybe they’d have a chance.
“Stay,” she pleaded, switching her gold hoop earrings for the diamond and pearl dangly ones.
“I can’t. I’m not…I have to visit my little sister.” It was a copout, but it was easier than her turning to her parents,insisting she wanted him to stay and them pretending to welcome him.
“Walk him to the door, Jaleena,” Mrs. Davis said sharply.
“But—”
“I have to go, Jaleena,” he insisted, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“I want you to stay.”
He smiled gently. “I can’t. They don’t want me here,” he whispered. He kissed her cheek again, then turned.
She grabbed his arm. “CJ, please.”
His mind made up, he shook his head. “No.”
“If you go, it’ll ruin my day.”
“I’m not trying to, but if I stay I’ll ruinmyday.”
“That’s selfish.”
“That’s real. My mom’s still not well—”
“She looked fine to me at dinner,” Mrs. Davis cut in.
“Is it your mom and Harley?” Jaleena asked tightly, ignoring her mother.
CJ’s jaw clenched. Even when that spoiled brat wasn’t around, she loomed large.
Lifting her chin, Jaleena stepped back. “I don’t have to compete withher.”
“It’s no competition. Harley and I are friends.” They were dead fucking enemies at the moment. He shoved his hands in his pockets, hating the audience. “I likeyou,” he stressed.
“What did you gether?”
He’d purchased her gift out of habit. She probably wouldn’t accept anything from him, anyway.
“You can’t like me and give another girl a gift. My feelings are first. You don’t care that you’ll hurt me by leaving. At the very least, you can respect me and don’t give other girls gifts. I’ll excuse you this time. From this moment forward, don’t let ithappen again. You can’t spend your money on no other girl but me.”
Yeah, he was done, but he was still curious. “Excluding my sisters and my cousins, right?”
“Not even them.”
