“Why have you been so mean to Mom, Dad?” Ryder said.
Dad appeared to have turned to stone. He didn’t flinch or move or respond. He sat in the chair Mom used during their family get-togethers, frozen.
“We should’ve went to school like she wanted,” Ransom said hoarsely, using the back of his hand to swipe at his wet cheeks. “We can’t even patch in to that stupid club yet!”
Nausea rose in CJ. Of course, Mom had left him. He’d made his choice and…and…deserted her.
A dial tone cut through the air, then the beeps of numbers pressed, before a call going through. Voicemail picked up immediately.
"Leave a message at the tone.”
At the sound of his mother’s voice, regret pooled inside CJ.
“Mom!” Ryder cried. “Come home! We’re sorry. We love you. We miss you. We’re sorry. We’ll go to school. Dad misses you, too.”
Wiping his runny nose, he hung up. “Call Ax, Ransom.”
“I have been, but he won’t answer. I’ve even called Reb, and apologized for all the times we were mean to her.”
Dad remained still; Diesel began tapping his foot.
“Call Ax, Diesel,” Ransom pleaded. “He’ll answer for you.” He swung his gaze to Kaia. “You call Rebel. She likes you. Please? We just want to beg them to tell Mom to come home.” Next, he focused on Bishop. “If she won’t answer Kaia, you call Reb.”
“No, stupid. That’ll be too much,” Ryder said. “We have to choose who Reb is most likely to answer.”
“Diesel,” CJ blurted, the first time he’d spoken in hours. “She, like Axel, will answer Diesel.”
“Rebel hates me.” Diesel sounded on the verge of…ofsomethingthat wouldn’t be pretty. “You know I told her about Torie and me.”
That seemed like a lifetime ago instead of just a few days when CJ went to Rebel’s room and she’d been so devastated, vowing she’d never forgive Diesel. CJ had applauded both Diesel’s confession and Rebel’s decision. Now, he wished Diesel hadn’t said anything.
“You call Reb, Kaia,” Bishop said quietly. “Please.”
Kaia looked from Dad to Diesel and hesitated, then cleared his throat. “I’ve called her several times. It doesn’t go to voicemail like Mrs. Caldwell but she won’t pick up.”
Diesel dug out his cell phone and dialed. CJ shouldn’t have been surprised that he called Rebel instead of Axel.
“Rebel, answer this goddamn phone,” he growled. “Stop acting like a spoiled fucking brat.” He heaved in a breath. “Nevermind. I should expect no less from afemale. All of you are manipulators.”
CJ hoped Diesel’s tactic to anger Rebel produced results.
He disconnected, placed the phone on his knee and stared at it. Two minutes later, the phone rang.
Smiling and sagging in relief, Diesel hurriedly answered. “Reb—”
“It’s not the Blonde Viper,” Axel said in low tones.
“Axel!” Ryder and Ransom yelled, jumping to their feet and rushing to where Diesel sat. “We’re sorry! We love you—”
“Quiet, men!” Axel ordered. “Mom doesn’t know we made up. She wouldn’t have taken me. She would’ve thought I was on Dad’s side, not understanding that I learned my lesson when she froze us out the last time.”
“Where are you?” Diesel asked.
For the first time, Dad looked at the phone and a smidgeon of hope dented his fear. CJ understood.
“I don’t know,” Axel admitted. “And I wouldn’t tell you if I did. It’s so cool being the only guy here. Other than those bitch-ass babies, Gunner and Blade.”
“Tell Rebel to answer her phone,” Diesel said.
