Page 137 of Remiss
“One dance, Outlaw,” she pleaded later that evening. “Bash dances with me sometimes.”
“Good for motherfuckin’ Bash,” Christopher said. “Only girl I dance with is Megan, so—”
The door opened and Axel barreled in, screeching, “Diesel!” and running straight to the motherfucker.
Diesel got to his feet and opened his arms, encompassing Axel in a bear hug before Ransom and Ryder rushed over and joined in. Christopher allowed his boys to have their moment, but immense relief settled into him. He could barely focus on Axel, anticipating when Megan walked through the door.
“Where’s Mom, big head?” CJ called as he hurried over and ruffled Axel’s hair, grinning happily. “Did they go to the house?”
“Mom and Reb stayed in California,” Axel said.
Christopher started and CJ froze. Diesel, Ransom, and Ryder paled.
“She ain’t with you?” Christopher asked, all his joy evaporating.
Axel started to respond, then saw Celia. “Who are you?” Not allowing her to answer, he threw an accusatory gaze to Christopher. “Look here, motherfucker. You need to get senile medicine ‘cause you in here with another girlagain.”
“That ain’t a girl,” Christopher snapped. “That’s your aunt.”
“I only got two aunts, Dad.” Axel stomped over and held up his hand. “Do you know what this is called?”
“I ain’t fuckin’ senile!”
“You’re forfeiting the answer. I’m giving you one more fucking chance. I’ll make it multiple choice. Am I holding up a hand, a foot, or a cock?”
“Ax,” Diesel chided. “Enough.”
“You didn’t watch Mom cry over this motherfucker, Diesel, so shut up. And I asked a fair question. I got two aunts. Either Dad’s senile, a liar, or asenile liar. ‘Cause she don’t look like Dad. She looks like Bash.”
“That’s my fuckin’ brother,” Christopher said, entertaining Axel because his heart was broken and the argumentative little motherfucker kept his mind off the reality of the situation.
“You can claim him all the fuck you want,” Axel said. “Idon’tandif she’s really his sister, she’s probably his alley.”
“Ally,” Diesel gritted.
Flipping Diesel off, Axel walked to Celia and studied her. “From over there, your eyes looked paler.”
Amusement lit her face. “Like Bash.”
“Yeah.”
She held out her hand. “I’m your Aunt Celia, Axel.”
Instead of taking it, Axel folded his arms. “Do you like Bash?”
“I love him very much. He’s a very good big brother.”
“He’s not a good uncleora good brother-in-law, so I can’t be your friend.”
“That’s our aunt,” CJ said. “And she’s really nice.”
“Then she should’ve come when Mom was here,” Axel said flatly, then shook his head at Christopher. “You don’t fucking learn, Dad.”
“I ain’t takin’ no fuckin’ disrespect from you and you ain’t disrespectin’ your fuckin’ aunt.”
Axel looked Christopher up and down like they were equals. “Diesel, I need you to start preparing for my trial.”
“If you’d shut the fuck up, Uncle Christopher won’t punish you, Ax.”
