Chapter Two—CJ #2
“Which one?” CJ asked before he stopped himself, then winced.
Uncle Mort leaned back in the rocker and closed his eyes. “Either of those fuckheads,” he growled. “Ryan or Nardo.”
“I think Nardo got with her to get back at me and I believe to the depths of my soul that Ryan is the reason for Molly’s disappearance.”
“As much as I want to tell you, you not responsible for every goddamn harm that come a motherfucker way, I can’t disagree with you, although my take is Harley got with Nardo as revenge. But you closer to the situation and you know that little crusty motherfucker better than me.”
“Crusty, Uncle Mort?”
“You get the fucking point.” Opening his eyes, Uncle Mort sat up again. “Can’t start thinking of him as dead for at least another year.”
According to Uncle Mort. CJ saw it differently.
He might not wait until that motherfucker turned eighteen.
He wasn’t eighteen, so different rules applied.
There’d been so many changes in the span of a few short months, which included how completely Aunt Bailey turned against him.
True, it was because of Harley, but motherfucking Nardo had a lot to do with it, too.
“For what it’s worth, I would’ve stood at Harley’s side and claimed her baby as my own. ”
Pride and appreciation gleamed in Uncle Mort’s eyes. “You a good kid, CJ, and turning into a fine man. Bailey didn’t have the right to encourage Harley to pass off that motherfucker baby as yours.”
“She didn’t. I’m glad Harley isn’t pregnant, but I still wish they approached the situation differently. I’m so pissed with Harley. I’m jealous and hurt and furious. She’s mine…ours,” he amended. Harley would never be his again—if she ever had been. “We take care of our own.”
Leaning forward, Uncle Mort rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. “I thought I was doing right by her and you. Maybe, if I’d shut the fuck up, you and her—”
CJ shook his head. “It isn’t your fault. I was there when Rebel lost her mind, and it wasn’t because of anything Mom or Dad did.”
“I know.” Uncle Mort readjusted his position again as if he couldn’t keep still under the weight of overwhelming thoughts.
CJ knew that feeling all too well. “I just want to tell you how fucking sorry I am for what they wanted to do. I just… that still hurts me. You like a son to me and for Bailey—”
“But I’m not your son, Uncle,” CJ said quietly.
“I mean no disrespect by that. I couldn’t ask for a better father figure.
When Dad isn’t around—or even when he is—I know I always have you.
I just mean Aunt Bailey was looking out for Harley.
Don’t ruin your marriage because you think she betrayed me. ”
Uncle Mort smiled. “You sound more like your momma every day.”
CJ glanced at his mother again. They’d made her become so cold and distant.
Suddenly, he missed Dad’s sweet angel, too.
Always ready with a smile. A hug. A shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
Mom kept her opinions to herself in the interest of family harmony.
He didn’t want these new versions of his parents.
He didn’t like to think of his mother as unfeeling and his father as weak.
Before long, everyone would feel that way and then what?
“Dad would give similar advice.”
“Don’t underestimate Meggie, kid,” Uncle Mort scolded.
“Make no mistake, your momma a bad little motherfucker. Meggie throw fucking shade with the best of us. You think Reb fight?” Smiling, he nodded to Mom.
“Your sister throwing down don’t just come from Outlaw.
Meggie duked it out more than once in her day. ”
“No, Uncle Mort. Mom’s sweet and kind. She’s fought recently because her back’s against the wall. Not because she has a violent streak.”
“You as bad as Prez, turning that woman into a fucking statue.”
“That isn’t true! I got on Dad’s ass a few days ago because of how much he takes Mom for granted, but there’s a reason why he relies on her to keep him calm.”
Uncle Mort nodded. “Meggie the voice of reason,” he agreed, though his severe look annoyed CJ. “One day you’ll recognize just how important she is to Prez and the club. You need to look at the bigger picture, especially if you want to rise to the top one day.”
“Now, you’re underestimating my dad and making it seem as if I don’t have what it takes to be in the club,” he said glumly.
“If chicks could be patched in, Meggie could be a member,” Uncle Mort said.
“Never,” CJ disagreed with certainty. “Mom’s too sweet.
She’s going through a phase right now because of all the fuckery but she isn’t ruthless.
It’s why Dad protects her so fiercely and plans to take some secrets to the grave.
Mom could never knowingly kill someone or do all the things required to be a Dweller. It’d haunt her.”
“Refer back to my previous statement,” Uncle Mort replied.
“Which one? We’ve both said a lot.”
“You’ll figure it out eventually. As for ruining my marriage because Bailey wanted to betray you.
That’s only one component. What she wanted to do betrayed me, too.
She betrayed Meggie. Prez. Harley. You not a good parent by letting your kids do what the fuck they want and upholding all their bad fucking decisions. That’s a fucking betrayal, too.”
Mom moved on the bed and CJ glanced at her, hoping she’d open her eyes. Other than a soft groan and turning her head, she remained asleep. He pressed his lips together.
“Go talk to Bishop and Grant. Give the brothers out there an update.”
“I don’t feel like it, Uncle Mort. I want to wait until Mom wakes up.”
“If she wake up, I’ll run and get you.”
“But—”
“Part of being a leader is putting your personal issues aside and looking after the members, CJ. They waiting for an update and they worried, too.”
“If Dad can’t go, can’t Diesel?”
Uncle Mort shook his head but didn’t explain why that wasn’t an option. “Right now, you represent the family and Outlaw. This part of your training, too. Staying strong when the world crumbling around you.”
“I don’t feel very strong,” CJ whispered. “I feel as if I’m about to fall apart.” He winced. “Forget I said that.”
“Your feelings valid.” Uncle Mort got to his feet. “You lucky, little dude. I need a cigarette. Otherwise, I’d make your little ass go.”
As he headed to the door, Uncle Mort clapped CJ’s back and left without another word.
CJ grinned, feeling marginally better.