Diesel #3
“I thought Momma might’ve helped him,” she said, too fucking smart for her own good. “Made up the difference of whatever he couldn’t afford.”
“Why would she do that when she’s angry with him?”
“You’re right. I guess I could always ask her—”
“If Kaia got wind of that, it would humiliate him.”
She sighed.
“Focus on healing mentally and physically,” he said before she thought of another argument.
“But I have so much going on in my head. I always swore I’d kill Kaia if he cheated and—”
“You can’t truly know how you will react in a situation until you’re in the middle of it. Whatever it is.”
“I guess,” she said. “I just don’t know what to say or do. I don’t know if it would’ve been better if Kaia slept with two different girls.”
“No, it wouldn’t have been. That scenario would be flings. The other is a mistress.”
“Neither of which I like.”
“Neither of which you deserve,” he countered.
“I agree,” she croaked. “That would just be a lifetime of misery.”
“It would be.” He cocked his head to the side. “Suppose you were with me and I’d cheated on you? Would you kill me? Want me killed? Would you give me another chance?”
“I would want you dead, but I don’t know if I could kill you. I probably could have you killed. Facing death puts life into perspective.”
“It does.”
“I don’t think I’d give you another chance, either. Cheating is a religion to you.”
“Hearsay,” he said easily. She had no proof. “I haven’t cheated on Jana.”
“You’ve just disrespected her with me.”
“You should be honored.”
“Be so fucking for real,” she scoffed. “If you do it to your fiancée, you’ll do it to anyone.”
“I know better than to do it to you,” he said evenly. “You’d put me through hell before you forgave me.”
She glanced away. “Probably, but I’d still end up forgiving you. Every bad bitch moment I’ve had are a pack of fucking lies. I haven’t lived up to any of them. I’m nothing but hot air.”
“You’re still finding yourself, Rebel.” He gentled his voice, wanting to cheer her up since she vacillated between annoyance and misery. “I assure you, you’re one of the toughest little termagants alive.”
“High praise from you.” Wrapping her arms around her waist, she grunted. “I’m scared, Diesel. My ribs and stomach hurt so much and whenever I close my eyes, I see them. I see the water.”
Because of Jana. “This house is a fortress. You’re safe.”
“Momma gave me the pain pill and said she’d stay in here until I went to sleep. After a half hour, I pretended to sleep and she left. That’s when I put all the lights on.”
Fuck, that would’ve been a disaster if Aunt Meggie had been in this room when he walked in.
He squinted and glanced behind him. “Did you leave your door unlocked?”
“Momma must have.”
Fuck.
“Is there anywhere I can put the gifts so she won’t see them if she comes back to check on you?” That’s the only thing that unlocked door meant.
“My closet. Or you can bring them back to your room and give them to me at breakfast.” She looked so very sad. “I know you wanted me to have them tonight because of Kaia.”
“That isn’t true!”
“Say whatever you want, but I know you. You couldn’t have rested if you thought he got one over on you.”
“You’re my little sister.”
“But his Chi.”
“Not at the moment,” he said irritably.
She shrugged. “I’ll work it out on my own.”
“Talk to Aunt Meggie.”
“I already did. She just said to stop focusing on you and Kaia. Think about school and cheerleading.”
At least Aunt Meggie hadn’t championed that motherfucker. “She’s right, baby. You have your whole life ahead of you. I know you’re afraid but I will protect you with my life. I will slay your dragons, scale turrets to rescue you, and whisk you away on my steel destrier.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
He couldn’t not kiss her, so he walked to her bed, put one knee on the mattress and leaned over. He tipped her chin up. Caressed her soft cheek. Smiled tenderly at her. And kissed her forehead before he stood again.
“I have to go before Aunt Meggie comes in,” he said.
Rebel nodded.
“Why don’t you open the presents and then put them in your closet?” It would give her something else to focus on. “I’m going to take a quick shower.” And jerk off. “How about I text you after I get my beer and crawl into bed?”
“I might…” She looked so fucking young and lost. “I might not know what to say.”
“What? You?”
“I’m at a loss for words sometimes.”
“We all are. We can play would you rather. If you think of something to talk about during the game, then text that instead.”
“Okay,” she said again. “Take the presents, Diesel. Give them to me at breakfast. I assume you did something to the cameras. If she finds the presents here, she’ll suspect the worst.”
She was right. He gathered the presents.
“You can always give half of them to Kaia as a show of friendship so he can gift them to me.”
“Not on your fucking life.”
Whether she knew it, she sounded truly hung up on emo boy, something Diesel wouldn’t point out.
He reached the door and opened it.
“I’ll be waiting for your message,” she called.
With one last nod to her, he left her room, anticipating their night of texting.