Chapter Forty-Five
The next evening, CJ sat at his father’s table in the club, nervously shaking his leg, both new experiences for him.
Usually, he was calm and collected at the table long reserved for him, Rory, Ryan, Grant, and Devon.
But this was Nyx’s long-awaited initiation, and CJ sat next to Diesel at Outlaw’s table, along with Bishop, Grant, Ryan, and Kaia.
Rory had wanted to attend, but Uncle Johnnie said he wouldn’t allow his underage son at an orgy.
He was the only uncle, besides Uncle Knox, who wasn’t there in a show of support for CJ as a first time guest at a raunchy club event.
Over the past week, the headaches had relented and gave him some peace from the pain.
Maybe, he was coming to terms with what happened to him.
Or, maybe, since Mom and Dad connected at the restaurant on Valentine’s Day, life was good again.
She was laughing more, excited about the upcoming Mardi Gras ball.
Talking about replacing the chandelier in the entrance hall again.
She visited Jo every day and flooded their phones with photos. She talked about the baby’s release from the hospital. Dad wanted to throw a celebration, which Mom agreed to, although she wanted it the Saturday after Jo’s release.
“We’ll stop in at the club the day she comes in,” Mom said. “We don’t want to overwhelm her.”
And, of course, she was planning Rebel’s fifteenth birthday party.
Outlaw’s laughter rose above the noise in the club, and CJ smiled.
His father stood at the bar, talking to Potter, Narci, and a couple of the club girls.
Bouquets of dick and titty suckers sat on each table.
Sex toys lined the bar next to bowls of condoms. Helium filled dick balloons floated to the ceiling along with plain black and orange balloons.
Streamers crisscrossed the room and country songs played on the jukebox.
Aunt Zoann and Aunt Bunny helped other old ladies to prepare and set up the food.
CJ wasn’t sure how that came about. If Mom wasn’t in charge of parties, it was usually Lolly, but ever since her fight with Harley, she’d been scarce.
Tomorrow, he’d go to their house and check on them.
Harley’s behavior had affected everyone.
He wished she’d get a clue, but, yesterday, she’d been as immune to anyone else’s feelings as ever.
He hated the twinge of jealousy he felt toward Ryan and Harley.
He wanted to go back to that place where he couldn’t stand the sight of her.
It was one thing to hear about them together, but watching it in real time…
It hit differently.
No one objected Ryan’s announcement. Not Uncle Mort and not Uncle Val. They were fed up with their offspring.
Neither Harley nor Ryan returned to the dinner last night. CJ tried not to think about the reasons why. Besides, there was enough other shit to concern himself with.
Mainly motherfucking Kaia, and his corny fucking lines.
CJ had already punched him in his fucking mouth for calling Rebel a fuck doll.
Now, he wanted to cut his fucking tongue out just so he’d shut the fuck up and find another way to deal with his nervousness.
When CJ first heard the explanation of how Kaia went from a motherfucker with sense to a corny jackfuck he’d been certain Kaia was just fucking around. Perhaps, trying to flatter Reb.
Nope, that motherfucker really had a goddamn notebook of old poetry that he memorized to ease tension. Currently, he was filling the notebook with new poetry, inspired by Rebel.
Of course, that inspiration didn’t stop his fucking ass from attending Nyx’s initiation because Diesel wanted to be a shady motherfucker and invite him to fuck.
Which went completely over Rebel’s head.
CJ wasn’t sure if he wanted to fuck up Kaia or Diesel. One was fucking stupid. The other one was Diesel .
Gloria nodded to them as she carried a bowl of potato salad to the table next to the jukebox.
“Sweetness is missed,” Uncle Cash remarked, tasting his beer. He picked up a titty sucker. “She would’ve added a little more class.”
“She would’ve made it all extra,” Uncle Digger said. “Flowers and shit. This way better. Straight to the point.”
Uncle Mort sighed. “Leave the woman alone, fool.”
“What do you say, Val?” Uncle Digger pressed. “You like it this way or what Meggie would’ve done?”
“Puff said Meggie make shit beautiful.” Uncle Val shrugged. “She do, when you think about it. We just looking at tits and cock now. If Meggie was involved, we’d probably have flowers and bows. A little fucking mystery.”
“I’m with Val,” Uncle Stretch agreed. “Fee refused to help when she found out Meggie wouldn’t.”
“I wish Mom was here,” CJ admitted. “Her absence is noticeable.”
“Meggie don’t like Nyx, CJ,” Uncle Mort said.
“She’s also trying to give me my space.”
“That’s a good thing, boy,” Uncle Val said. “You don’t want your momma here while you trying to talk up a bitch.”
Almost the same thing he’d heard the night of his overdose. “So what? This is really where my life diverges and I’m no longer her boy?”
“You been here at the club more than you been at school,” Uncle Mort said. “We all see it and we all know Meggie want you to at least finish high school. You making your choice and she have to step out of your way.”
CJ glanced at his father, still laughing at something one of the women said. He took Dad allowing him to attend Nyx’s initiation as a good sign. Since the day outside of the boutique, he hadn’t brought up barring CJ from the club.
“We don’t know what the fuck you doing tonight,” Uncle Val said. “But you probably will fuck. What do you think Meggie can say to that?”
“She’d tell you to come home,” Diesel said.
CJ wasn’t sure he was ready to fuck in public. He’d only gotten one blowjob in a private room at a restaurant. If anyone had walked in, he would’ve been mortified.
“Jesus Christ,” Ryan muttered, staring in the direction of the door and going pale.
CJ glanced over his shoulder. A wrinkled blonde with frizzy hair and botoxed lips walked in, glanced around, then lost herself in the crowd. Wondering who she was, he looked at his cousin, who’d began trembling.
Uncle Val frowned at Ryan. “You okay, boy?”
“Yeah, Pops,” Ryan blurted, sounding anything but okay.
“You know Eliza Bart?” Kaia wrinkled his nose. “Willard and Wally Byrd’s mom or aunt? All those fuckers are crazy.”
“Bart?” Uncle Val echoed, but Aunt Zoann breezed by, carrying a platter of fried chicken distracted him.
Aunt Bunny was hot on Aunt Zoann’s heels, holding a tray of cookies. Once they set the food down, they came to the table.
“I’m about to head home, Val,” Aunt Zoann announced. Her lips were tight and her whiskey colored eyes icy.
“I’ll be home as soon as I can, Puff,” Uncle Val said gruffly.
Aunt Bunny leaned down and kissed CJ’s cheek. “I just can’t believe you’re all grown up,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Turning, CJ grinned at her. “S’okay, Bun Bun.”
She fanned her watery eyes. “I’m going to cry. Tonight…oh my God! After tonight…tomorrow…”
“He already got his cock sucked, Bunny,” Uncle Digger grouched, “so sticking his cock in pussy just a formality.”
His aunts gasped and CJ flushed, so mortified he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.
“If you crying over the kid, what you gonna do when our boys are club ready?” Uncle Digger continued.
Aunt Bunny exchanged glances with Aunt Zoann.
“Er, I have to take a picture of you, buddy,” Aunt Bunny said finally. “Meggie will want one.”
“Then Meggie should’ve brought her little ass here,” Uncle Digger said.
“You not getting motherfuckers ignoring you so you’d shut the fuck up, huh, son?” Uncle Mort asked in exasperation.
Uncle Digger sniffed, but snapped his mouth shut.
CJ waited until Aunt Bunny snapped several photos before he turned and looked at Uncle Digger. “We were just talking about why my mom isn’t here,” he said mildly. “She doesn’t want to embarrass me.”
“I can understand that,” Aunt Zoann agreed, though reluctance marred her words. She sighed and glanced at Ryan, offering him a sad smile. “It’s time for us to get the fuck, Bunny,” she said, forcing lightness into her tone.
The door to the kitchen opened and a line of girls wearing only thongs and clear platform sandals streamed in.
Narci and Bishop gripped the edges of two bamboo poles attached to a litter piled with pillows.
As more of it came into view, CJ saw Nyx laying back.
She was nude, with her legs bent and spread, showing off a pussy bush dyed neon green.
Torrin and Zephyr held the two poles on the back of the litter.
Whistles, yells, and claps filled the room as the girls led the litter to a platform where one of the pool tables should be. More girls poured from the kitchen and the noise increased to a frenzied pitch.
Dad walked to his usual place where he conducted church, although the podium hadn’t been brought out. Uncle Digger stood and went to Dad’s side. When Dad whistled, Uncle Digger added, “Shut the fuck up, motherfuckers.”
Silence gradually fell.
“Ain’t gonna keep you long,” Dad started.
Until Ryan said, “oh my fuck,” and all hell broke lose.
The first time Eliza Bart walked into the club, Ryan felt a moment’s panic that immediately eased when she looked around and left.
But it was only a temporary reprieve. Just as Outlaw spoke, Ryan caught sight of Eliza again, amongst the crowd of chicks who’d come out of the kitchen after Nyx had been carried in.
He hadn’t meant to call attention to himself again, but that’s exactly what he did. This time, even Eliza saw him.
“What the fuck you—”
That was as far as Outlaw got. Mom saw her and moved so fast in Eliza’s direction, she was just a blur.
“Bitch!” Mom punched Eliza. Hard.
Harder than hard.
Harder than some men would.
Hard.
“Fuck, Bitsy—” Uncle Christopher called as Ryan, Pops, and everyone at the table jumped up.