Page 14 of Rebellious

Fuck, that wasn’t a good idea. CJ didn’t trust Axel. “Sir—”

“Do it, C. That’s what Mr. Billson wants,” Ransom told him.

Sighing, CJ reluctantly released Axel.

The little motherfucker glared at CJ, straightened his T-shirt, and scowled at Billson. “Things don’t got to get ugly. I can pay you fifty dollars. CJ likes peaceful resolutions better.”

CJ squinted. “How the fuck you’re paying the teacher so much but only pay Diesel five fucking dollars as a retainer fee?”

Ryder grinned, his blue eyes lighting up. “Since he bribed Dad for five bands.”

“You did what?” CJ bellowed, unable to believe the fuckery Axel constantly got away with.

“Don’t hate,” Axel said. “Dad’s taking Mom away and they won’t come back until after my birthday. I told that motherfucker if he didn’t want me to tell Mom how deferstated I was and make her come back early or not go at all, he had to pay me.”

Billson fucking laughed. Laughed!

“It’s devastated,” CJ bit out, annoyed, reluctantly admiring his little brother’s game. He looked at Billson. “I’ll pay you fi—”

Axel kicked him.

“OW, you little fuckhead. What was that for?”

“Shush!” Axel jabbed a finger over his lips. “Don’t make no offer yet. He hasn’t accepted or reclined my fifty. He might take that from you, then I won’t have no relay with him.”

“It’s declined and leeway, and you didn’t have to fucking kick me.”

“Did, too. You was gonna open your big, stupid mouth.”

“I don’t have a big mouth,” CJ snapped.

“Sorry, C. You was gonna open your little, stupid mouth.”

“My mouth isn’t stupid,” CJ yelled.

“Finally got it fucking right,” Axel retorted. “It just took you fifty fucking years to catch on.”

“Does everything have to be an argument with you, Axel?” CJ asked.

“It’s making your balls swolled, so yeah.”

CJ gaped at Axel, too appalled to even question what the fuck he meant.

“He means it’s toughening you up,” Ransom clarified, grinning.

Although Mr. Billson was too busy laughing his ass off to chastise Axel, Skye observed the situation with rounded eyes and a shell-shocked expression. CJ related. Axel belonged in a motherfucking zoo.

Taking a handkerchief from his blazer pocket, the teacher dabbed at his eyes. “Here’s what I’ll do,” he said, his laughter finally trailing off. “I will sign whatever certificate you wish. We’ll talk about what else we can do to appease you and Miss Harris.”

Skye rolled her eyes and studied her pale pink nails. “Now that that’s settled, can you come to the auditorium with me? I want to go through the checklist.”

“Fine,” CJ agreed, wishing he was at the mall with Rebel and Jana. At the beginning of the school year, he’d seen the project as part of his grade and the Science Fair as something to do. Then he’d gotten to know Molly and it became so much more. Now it meant nothing but a grade for Skye and pain over Molly. “We can practice our timing. I’ll read while you handle the slides.”

Skye’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

CJ looked at Mr. Billson. “I hope you can forget Axel’s threat, sir.”

“What threat, Mr. Caldwell?” Billson asked with a straight face.