Page 12 of Reckless Rebel

"Hang back a minute, kid.” He nods at me, then leaves the room and I can't help but watch them go with nothing but admiration. She really is lucky to have landed here.

I help Ava clear the table and we carry the dishes to the kitchen. She still seems bemused as I help her load them into the dishwasher. "You really don't have to do that."

I laugh a little, clearly she doesn’t know much about the family I have now. "I may have been raised by trash, but the women in my life now would kill me dead if I didn't use my manners."

I expect a laugh, but I feel the instant sting of pity from her stare as she looks at me solemnly. She takes a step towards me and I brace myself for whatever she's about to say. "Look, Jace, I'm not gonna say I know what you're going through, because I don't, no matter what Elle told us." I blanch at that, wondering what version of events Elle fed them, but she continues. "But I do know if you need someone to talk to, then I'm here. I'm a registered counsellor and I specialise in trauma and PTSD. I can help you whenever you are ready."

I don't know what to say, so I just stare at her blankly as she hands me the final dish, I know she notices the shake in my hand, the sweat on my brow, but she doesn’t question them. I know my withdrawals are trying to force my body into submission. I've been ignoring it for the last two hours, but I can’t stop it from happening. I just nod slowly, unable to force any words out my now extremely dry mouth.

Thankfully she doesn't push it any further, just moves to walk away before she pauses. "Leave your number with Gerry, we can make some plans for you and Sofia, and for the five of us, if you'd like."

I nod again, clearing the emotion from my throat at her offer. "That would be great, thank you." She smiles, nodding again and then leaves the room.

I feel awkward just standing around so I turn to make my way outside to wait for Gerry there. I round the corner and find Riley and her boyfriend still lingering by the door. Why hasn't she just invited him inside? He's leaning in close, whispering something in her ear, but as the floor creaks beneath my steps his eyes shoot up to meet mine. Riley hears it too and she exhales a breath, turning to her side so she can look at me.

"Hey man," I greet him with a nod, and I feel her stare burning into my skull again.

"Erm, hey," he replies slowly, looking between the two of us in confusion.

Riley's manners make their first appearance and she exhales another breath. "Rick, this is Jace Conrad, Jace, this is my boyfriend, Rick Dillington."

I see the change in him as Riley confirms my name, "I know who he is, Riley, what the hell is he doing in your house?" Safe to say he’s not a fan of the South Side Rebels. I want to laugh. People hear so much shit about us and they think that means they know us, but they don’t. If they did, they wouldn’t dare stare or try to say anything to us, not knowing what we are capable of, what I'm capable of.

"I told you about him yesterday. He's Sofia’s biological brother, I just met him today,” she responds calmly and he huffs at the information. I can see we are going to have a problem and if that's the case, might as well stir the pot.

"Well, that's not technically true, Riles, we met last night when you saw me naked,” I drawl, sure to toss my signature wink her way.

"What the fuck! You saw him naked?" He barks at the same time she scolds my name, and I can't keep the smug smile off my face.

"It's not how it sounds," she splutters, a blush coating her face as she no doubt remembers exactly what she saw last night. My eyes can’t help but track the red flush as it travels down her cheeks and onto her neck.

The sight of it has me wanting to draw more of a reaction out of her. "So you're saying you didn't see me naked?" I cock my eyebrow, as her boyfriend glares at me. His 5ft 8 frame is less than intimidating to me.

"Yes, I saw you, but I didn't see anything,” she stutters over every word and if looks could kill, I'd be dead, but I’m having too much fun to stop.

"Oh, so you want another look?" I tease, enjoying the murder that flashes in her eyes. Her fire could rival Elle’s right now.

"Jace, I swear," she starts at the same time Rick chimes in with, "Can you not hit on my girlfriend while I’m standing right here?"

I forgo answering her in favor of him "So just do it behind your back? Got it,” I tease, and his face goes red, and I see a flash of anger in his eyes that immediately has my back snapping up straight. I get an off feeling from him. Before either of them can say anything else, Gerry appears.

He takes in the three of us. "Everything okay here?"

Rick rushes to answer. "Everything's fine Mr Decker, nice to see you." I roll my eyes. Fucking kiss ass.

"Okay.” He turns to me. "Ava said I should get your number." He passes me his phone and I input my number before giving it back to him and then he calls my phone so I have his.

"I'll give you a call tomorrow and we can arrange another dinner?" He questions and I am already nodding, thankful for his coolness and kindness.

"That would be great, Gerry, thank you." I smile in satisfaction when I see Rick's eyes bug out when I call him Gerry.

Gerry turns to leave, before stopping. "Oh, I almost forgot.” He holds out a business card. “There's a great place in town to get some ink, if you ever wanna check it out."

I take the card and smile, this guy knows how to speak my language. I hold my fist out for him to bump. "G-Dog, who knew you were this cool."

He bumps my fist with a laugh, "I did of course." I already know we are going to get on great, and it makes me feel lighter about this whole situation knowing I have his support.

"Dad are you kidding me right now, you will go with him to get a tattoo, but not me." Riley is furious and I can't help but smile more.

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