Chapter Six
It was a miracle Rebel made it to school. After her nighttime foray into the forest ended with confrontation between her and Rule, she didn’t sleep a wink once she returned to her room.
She remembered how mean she’d been to her twin before Momma delivered Jo.
Coupled with his fear for Momma and Jo, he’d probably felt as if Rebel deserted him too.
In all fairness, he’d started to pull away long before they discovered Momma’s pregnancy.
Diesel had also moved out and forgotten her existence.
Instead of understanding it wasn’t the end of the world, she’d hated everyone.
Momma’s and Jo’s emergencies showed her what was truly important.
In the months before, however, she believed Rule and Diesel deserted her and her parents would stop loving her because of the new baby.
Self-imposed isolation tormented Rebel. She’d turned against her twin first. Rule had always been more sensitive.
Her treatment pushed him over the edge. Maybe, if she offered a specific reason for her apology, he’d forgive her and return to normal.
When her alarm clock went off, she wanted to stay in bed and ponder her dilemma over both Diesel and Rule.
Even if she never ended up in Diesel’s arms again, she’d been so very close to him this morning and she’d never ever forget what that felt like.
She’d agonized all night and could’ve used hours more sleep.
However, she had no excuse to miss school. She couldn’t announce the reason she was so exhausted, so she’d stumbled through her shower and morning routine, somehow attending her classes.
Just as she and Mattie sat down to eat, Kaia Riggs texted her. She hadn’t heard from him in almost a week. His message cheered her up. Until CJ walked in with motherfucking Harley and stole her slice of happiness.
Now, her brother guided Leta, Freda and Harriet to their table. Kayce and Devon brought up the rear.
Glaring at CJ, Rebel nodded to where Harley stood at the lunch counter. “I’m beating that fucking bitch to the ground.”
CJ bent and kissed her cheek. “Hello to you, too, Reb.”
“Hey, CJ,” Mattie said, before Rebel responded.
Her cousin sat across from her. At one time, Harley would’ve been at the table with them. They’d been three peas in a pod.
“Reb and I have the same schedule,” Mattie explained, referring to her early transfer from the Middle School to the Upper School.
CJ smiled. “I’m glad it’s worked out.”
Rebel rolled her eyes at Mattie’s shy smile. It seemed no girl was immune to her big brother.
“Behave, Rebel,” CJ warned. “I want to introduce you to my new friends.”
“I know who they are. Who doesn’t?” she grouched.
“That’s exactly what I said,” Jaleena announced, stopping next to CJ and smiling at him.
CJ glared between Rebel and Jaleena.
Meanwhile, humiliation covered Leta’s, Freda’s, and Harriet’s features. Rebel didn’t have time for Jaleena’s bullshit.
“Fuck off, Jaleena,” she scoffed. “They are in the fucking math club. They kick ass. That’s what I meant.” She looked at the three girls and tried to swallow her annoyance. “Have a seat,” she grumbled.
“Reb, I can get you raw meat,” Axel called. The little fuckhead sat with them at the same table, along with some of their younger cousins. He and Kaleb Banks served as the dividing line. “It might calm you down.”
“Burn, bro,” Ransom said.
Axel preened at the compliment.
“Take that, Blonde Viper,” Ryder said, folding his arms.
CJ was the one who insisted their younger brothers and cousins share their lunch hour. Fine when he was in charge of those little fuckheads. Fucked up when she had to step into that role. The Terrible Triplets seemed primed for more anarchy. She was their favorite fucking target.
“The Blonde Viper?” Mattie asked. “That hits hard, bro. If you’re trying to insult her, I don’t think you’ve succeeded.”
Rebel agreed. It would make an excellent enforcer moniker.
“You’re right, Matt,” Rebel said and pointed between the Triplets. “Today’s your lucky day, fuckheads. Mattie—”
“Disgraceful slut,” Rule growled, glaring at Rebel. He sat a few seats over, on the same side as Mattie.
“Rule, shut the fuck up or I’m telling Dad,” CJ warned. “Respect our sister—”
“That Jezebel isn’t my sister.”
Humiliation slid into Rebel, more so because her twin shouted the words. Instead of showing her mortification, she lifted her chin and smirked. “We’re literal twins, fuckhead.”
Before Rule responded, CJ stormed to him and snatched his shirt, dragging him to his feet. “She’s my little sister, you little fuckhead, and if you fucking forget than I’ll be more than happy to remind you.”
“I’m a messenger of God!”
Freda, Harriet, and Leta stared in open-mouthed shock at Rule. When they looked at CJ, however, their adoration deepened.
“You’re a crazy motherfucker!” Axel said, stomping in front of Rebel.
He glared at Rule. “I really hate your ass. You’re making me defend Reb , when we men stick together and my mates says she’s the enemy.
” He looked Rule up and down. “You’re worse, Jesus Boy.
How about I pick up this fucking table and smite you with it? ”
“This is getting out of fucking hand!” CJ shoved Rule away, not caring that her twin lost his balance and went stumbling, sprawling into one of the aisles. “Axel sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up.”
“I’m taking up for Reb, CJ! Why are you yelling at me?”
Instead of responding, CJ glared at him until Axel followed his orders and stomped back to his seat.
“Do you want to play sudoku?” Freda squeaked, glancing from Harriet to Leta and holding up her phone.
The girls nodded vigorously and huddled together, concentrating on the game .
“You three don’t fit in with CJ in any way,” Jaleena said sweetly.
“Jaleena, get the fuck away from me,” CJ ordered. “I have nothing I ever want to discuss with you.”
Not only did Jaleena’s mouth fall open, but so did Rebel’s and Mattie’s.
“CJ—”
He interrupted whatever Jaleena might’ve said. “Go.”
She stared at him a minute, then released a sob and ran off.
“Rebel, keep your fucking hands to yourself when Harley comes over here.”
Ms. LeBan materialized out of nowhere. As far as Rebel remembered, the teacher hadn’t been on cafeteria duty when she first came in.
“Is…is everything okay, Mr. Caldwell?”
Mattie giggled, and Ms. LeBan blushed. She shifted her weight.
“She sucked CJ’s dick,” Mattie whispered, close to Rebel’s ear.
Rebel’s mouth dropped open.
“Rory told me.”
“No shit?” Rebel joined her cousin in laughter.
CJ scowled at the two of them, probably guessing at the reason for their giggles. Ms. LeBan’s gaze dropped to the floor, and Rebel and Mattie laughed harder.
“Shut it, you two,” he ordered.
Rory guided Harley to the table; they each carried a tray. His gaze landed on Ms. LeBan and his gray eyes twinkled.
“Here, C. I got your lunch.”
Ms. LeBan’s blush deepened. “Do you need any assistance?”
“Everything’s fine, Ms. LeBan,” CJ said.
He had the best poker face. Rebel certainly couldn’t tell he’d hooked up with the teacher. His gaze didn’t linger. He didn’t blush or blink. He acted just as he always had with LeBan—like her student.
Hmmm. Teacher and student. Rebel liked that concept. Diesel would go into conniptions, but she saw a role-playing adult film from his account, so he could take several seats and shut the fuck up.
“Uh…” Ms. LeBan turned and hurried off.
CJ sat between Kayce and Devon, and leaned back so Rory could place his tray in front of him.
Harley stood, holding her tray, and on the verge of tears. She looked awkward and out-of-place. Rebel glared at her, having zero sympathy.
Sighing, Mattie got to her feet. “Here, Harls. Sit and eat. I’m done. I was just waiting for Reb to finish so we could get to class.”
“Thank you.” Harley didn’t look at anyone as she slid into the spot Mattie vacated. She stared at her food.
The idea of swiping Harley’s tray away crossed Rebel’s mind. Mattie placed her hands on Rebel’s shoulders and squeezed.
“Try the burger, Harley,” CJ instructed. “It’s delicious.”
Harley didn’t move.
Mattie widened her eyes at Rebel and nodded to Harley.
“Fuck, no.”
Rebel didn’t ever want to talk to Harley again. She wanted to pound her into the fucking ground, so she’d never have to see her and remember how she’d crushed her brother. If Ms. LeBan sucking his cock helped him, then Rebel applauded her.
“I’m in the Upper School now, Harley,” Mattie rambled. “I thought we’d have classes together.”
“Harley’s in AP classes,” CJ volunteered, enjoying his burger and fries. “Mom thought you’d prefer to be with Rebel, Mattie.”
Harley burst into tears.
Rebel drummed her fingers on the table. If she took a shot every fucking time Harley boohooed, she’d die from alcoholic poisoning.
Harley’s brothers, Lou and Kaleb, stood from the other end of the table where some of the younger boys were and came to her.
“Why are you crying, Harley?” Kaleb, the youngest of the three siblings, asked.
“Finding out your meanness gets you nowhere but alone?” Lou was the middle child and hadn’t forgiven Harley for her treatment of Uncle Mort. “The house is so peaceful with you gone.”
“Lou, Kaleb, sit back down,” CJ directed, grabbing his soda and drinking. “Harley, you’ve got to control your emotions. If something was wrong with you, no one would know because you cry for everything .”
“But I miss you. I want us to be the way we used to.”
“That won’t happen again. Ever. But if you behave, you can sit with us again whenever the play is done.”
“Mommie’s mad at me. So is Lolly. I won’t have anyone to watch me rehearse.”
“I’ll come,” Mattie volunteered. “I love plays. It’ll give me a different insight to watch your rehearsals.”
“We-we can watch, too,” Freda said. Her hesitation clear, she glanced from Rebel to Mattie and, finally, to Harley. “If…if you don’t…I-I mean—”
“I would love for you to come,” Harley said.
Mattie threw Rebel another look.