“In your dreams, dude,” Kayce retorted in good-natured amusement.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s move the party to the den,” Momma said. “I’ll see to the food.”
“I can help, Aunt Meggie,” Mattie volunteered.
Harley walked to CJ and inserted herself between him and Rory. “Are you going to help Aunt Meggie, CJ?”
Irritation crossed his face. Ignoring Harley, he looked at Momma. “Do you need my help, Mom?”
“No, potato. I’m fine. Entertain your cousins and friends.”
“I want to leave,” Harley said miserably. “Can you walk me, CJ?”
“Nope.”
“I’m still afraid of the dark.”
“C’mon, Harley,” Uncle Mort said with a sigh. “I’ll walk you.”
“No, Daddy. I wantCJto walk me.”
“You can want whoever you please,” CJ said. “I’m not doing it.”
“I’ll walk you home,” Ryan volunteered, shocking everyone.
“I’d prefer if you fucking didn’t, son,” Uncle Mort barked.
Harley ignored him. “Does it matter to you if Ryan walks me home, CJ?”
“Harley, baby, have a lil’ pride,” Daddy said. “This not the time or the fuckin’ place to do this shit.”
“But, Uncle Chris, they hate each other. It should matter—”
“Harley,enough!” Uncle Mort ordered. “It’s fucking painful watching you almost beg. CJ mind made up, baby. Whether he right or wrong, you don’t have to beg no motherfucker. You better than that. Youmorethan that.”
“You just don’t understand!”
“We all understand,” Uncle Mort said. He walked to her and put an arm around her shoulder. “Why don’t we go for a spin on my bike? We can grab a burger.”
“No,” Harley cried. “I want…I wantCJto talk to me and be my friend, Daddy. Make him do that.”
“Harls, you’re getting worked up for nothing,” Mattie said. “Give CJ time.Apologizeto him. You hurt him a lot. What you’re doing isn’t the right way to go about it.”
Harley ignoredeveryoneand grabbed CJ’s wrist. “Can’t you see what you’re doing to me? Doesn’t it bother you how upset I am?”
“Not in the fucking least,” CJ said. He jerked his wrist away. “Stop trying to make me jealous. Or get my fucking attention. I don’t care. Leave with Ryan.Stay here with him. Go for a spin with Uncle Mort. I don’t give a fuck.”
More tears rushed to her eyes and leaked down her cheeks. If Rebel took a shot every time Harley cried, she’d overdose.
CJ gnashed his teeth together, but relented and tipped Harley’s chin up. “Uncle Mort’s right,” he said, his face softening and his tone gentling. “No one’s worth your pride. Even me. I don’t…I can’t…who knows what the future holds. If you would’ve told me a year ago, I’d have a new sister, Mom and me would almost die, and my best friend in the entire world would be practically my enemy, I would’ve laughed in the motherfucker’s face. But that’s what happened.” He tucked hair behind her ear and smiled. “One day, we’ll look back on this time in our lives, and realize this was exactly what was supposed to happen to end up in the place where we end up. Wherever that may be.”
CJ’s sadness twisted Rebel’s heart. Underneath his insistence he wanted nothing to do with Harley was still the feeling he’d always had for her. Rebel knew it because, despite everything,shestill dreamed about Diesel. It hurt her that he hadn’t said one word to her this evening.
“I’m sorry, CJ. I’m so very sorry that I hurt you.”
“You’ve apologized, bae. A lot. I accept every one. But the real test is your behavior. Usually, you go back to doing the same thing again. I’m not living my life stuck in one place.”
“So my apology means nothing to you?” Harley asked.
