Chapter 42 – CJ
Stopping in front of Skye’s house, CJ waited for her to exit. She’d found him at his locker and asked if he was going to football practice.
That was a ‘no’. CJ couldn’t watch Ryan and Davy compete for a position he wanted so badly. But he hadn’t lied to Ryan and he didn’t want the bullshit if Ryan lost out to him.
It shouldn’t matter, especially given all Ryan’s crimes. He was truly remorseful, though, and Rebel appreciated how he checked in with her.
“Would you like to come inside?”
After putting the SUV in park, CJ glanced at Skye, his gaze dropping to her legs, revealed in her short skirt.
He hadn’t kissed a girl in weeks and shouldn’t want to kiss Skye.
But she was always there, in his goddamn face with some part of her body revealed and all that honey-colored hair teasing him.
She also kept her nose in his business and had a big fucking mouth.
Not a good combination. At. Fucking. All.
“I have sweet tea. I made it this morning.”
Her soft voice wasn’t as sweet as Harley’s.
“I want to ask you something anyway.”
Going into her house wasn’t a good idea. He might do something like kiss her. “Ask me, Skye. I can’t stay.”
“It’s about Ryan.”
CJ froze. Fuck, Ryan.
Ryan.
It came to CJ that his fantasies about Skye hadn’t started until Ryan opened his fucking mouth about wanting to hook up with her.
Fuck him.
“What about him?” CJ growled, annoyed that Ryan’s interest piqued his.
“Is he as generous as you?”
“What are you talking about? Does it matter?”
“He’s been texting me. He wants us to go out Friday.”
Goddamnit. He didn’t trust Skye not to tell Ryan whatever CJ said about that motherfucker. But he didn’t want to see her hurt either.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. How had he gotten into caring about what happened to a girl again because of Ryan?
“If you and I went out, where would you take me?”
“Probably a restaurant.”
“J’s, right?”
Fucking Jaleena. “Or someplace like it,” he answered, his irritation rising.
“Where would Ryan take me?”
“I don’t know, Skye. We’ve never gone on a fucking double date. Tell him where you want to go.”
“If I needed help with bills, would he do it?”
Fuck no. “Again, I don’t know. We’re two different people. Don’t judge him by what I do or vice versa.”
“I know where he wants to take me,” she announced.
“Shocking that you went through this song and dance for no fucking reason.” It was what the fuck she always did. “Don’t keep me in suspense. What’s the location?”
Some of her happiness faded. “Turn Creek. I think he just wants sex.”
He did. CJ suspected Ryan was still hung up on Harley, whereas CJ’s feelings for her were complicated.
They talked every day and sat together at lunch.
He enjoyed their conversations and just being around her made his head spin and his heart lurch, but he was so fucking afraid that she’d hurt him again.
He was trying hard to let bygones be bygones.
However, he never wanted to go through the type of pain she put him through.
Sometimes, he felt closed off. Other times, he felt too much. Especially for her.
“Does he?”
“Why didn’t you ask him? Ryan would let you know. He’s blunt to a fucking fault. He won’t leave you wondering.”
“If I have sex with him, will I still have a chance with you?”
CJ didn’t hesitate. “Fuck no.”
“Even if it’s just sex between him and me?”
“Yeah, Skye.” He wouldn’t get into his and Ryan’s fucked up history. “You really want to spread yourself among cousins?”
“Does it matter? You’re you.” She nodded to the trailer. “I’m me. Expendable.”
“If you make yourself expendable than that’s what you’ll be. I don’t see you that way. I don’t think Ryan does either. But you have to ask him. I’m not in his head.” Thank fuck. “If you want to sleep with him, then do it.”
“Will you think less of me?”
“No. What you do is your business.”
“It wouldn’t matter at all?”
Fuck, would it? He didn’t know. Even if Ryan slept with her, he doubted she’d stop tormenting CJ. She was determined he notice her.
“I’m tired of being poor. Living in a trailer. Wondering about food. I want a way out.”
If she didn’t have money, how she’d end up at Ridge Moore? Not that he’d ask. Too much information would keep her on his mind. Yet, something about her words, alarmed him, especially when he thought about how much she tried to insinuate herself into his fucking life.
She leaned across the console and pressed her lips to his without warning.
She smelled like strawberries. CJ held himself still, but she was relentless, until he couldn’t help but respond, taking over and slipping his tongue into her mouth.
He grunted at her sweetness, unable to stop tasting her, losing himself to time and place.
Losing himself to her.