Page 188 of Rebellious

“Maybe we did, but she no longer trusts me.”

With good fucking reason. “Otherwise, you’d fight for her like you did with Molly.”

“Molly was my girlfriend. You encroached on my territory.”

“She was my friend, dickhead.”

“Yeah, keep lying to yourself, CJ. You liked Molly as more than a friend, but she was loyal.”

“She was, but she also cared about you. She didn’t want me. She wanted you.”

“If you thought she wanted you, would you have fought for her?”

They had shared a kiss and Molly had been more than willing to make love. CJ turned her down. “She was your girlfriend, Ryan.”

“And you’re too upstanding to move in on another guy,” Ryan scoffed.

“Fuck off with that.”

“No. You won’t ever be who you want to be if you don’t face some hard fucking truths. The first one is Harley. If you don’t stop being afraid of every fucking goddamn thing, you won’t only lose the opportunity to see if she’s still your best friend and the girl of your dreams, but you will also lose the respect of the brothers and never become an effective president. You might ascend to the position, but you’ll be weak and ruin the fucking club.”

“You think I’m a fucking wimp? Thanks, fuck face.”

“I think you’re a fucking crybaby.”

CJ stiffened.

“You know if Willard was around now and I aligned with him, you never would’ve stood up to us. That scene in Lumbly’s class never would’ve happened. I fucking hated you, CJ. Your arrogance. Your charm. Your confidence. Your fairness. I pretended, even to myself, that I didn’t respect you, but I did. You were a worthy opponent. You don’t know who you are? I do, goddamnit. You’re CJ, a Caldwell boy. A guy who allowed me in with our cousins and his brothers because he knew he’d keep me in line and he knew that’s what I wanted more than anything.”

Having no response, CJ remained silent. What could he say? Ryan’s vehemence shocked him.

“All of this bullshit is so unnecessary. Skye told Grant you didn’t go inside, so she blew you in the car. Sex means more to you that that. That’s why you’re still a fucking virgin, cuck. Let me give you another fucking tip. Skye wants to baby trap one of us.”

“What?”

“Did she ask you about where you’d go? Did she tell you she was looking for a way out and was tired of being poor? Or did she text it to you like she did me?”

“She said it,” CJ blurted, shell-shocked by Ryan’s revelation, though it made perfect sense.

“I think she really likes you, but if you ever fuck her, wear two condoms and buy her the fucking morning after pill then watch her take it.”

CJ blinked. “I don’t carry condoms.”

“Jesus, cuck. What’s Outlaw and Diesel teaching you? You’re acting brand fucking new. Stick to girls like Harley and Jaleena. They don’t need your seed to give them a life of ease.”

“Fuck, I wasn’t even thinking—”

“You didn’t have sex with her, so don’t worry about it.”

He’d definitely dodged a bomb, all because his brain had been filled with thoughts of kissing. “Why are you being so logical and nice?”

“Rebel, Mattie, and Harley gave me grace, CJ. After what I did. I’m not perfect. I still have bumps in the road, but we are family and you needed me.”

“I did,” CJ said without hesitation, though he hadn’t realized it.

“If you don’t get home, Uncle Christopher is going to have to tell Aunt Meggie you’re missing.”

“Fuck, we should’ve called them.”