Page 192 of Rebellious

“This is a new experience for you,” Christopher said. “Watchin’ fuckin’ got nothin’ to do with your cock. It’s other people fuckin’.”

“We’ve all been there, CJ,” Grant told him. “Another piece of advice. Teeth carry germs. Use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.”

CJ opened his bottle of beer and drank, then looked at Ryan. “Should I tell Harley? Do I owe her anything?”

“It’s better coming from you than Jaleena,” Ryan advised. “Who has been trying to get you back since you broke up with her.”

“Didn’t you say I didn’t owe Harley anything?”

“I did, so why the fuck ask me if you didn’t want honest clarification, cuck?”

“Obviously, it’s bothering me.”

“Because you’re not fucking happy unless you’re wallowing in misery or second-guessing yourself,” Ryan scoffed.

Christopher snapped his brows together.

“Hey, boy, that’s enough,” Val barked.

“I’m not disrespecting him. I’m telling him the truth, Pops,” Ryan said irritably. “I spent a whole fucking hour trying to get it through his thick fucking head that he’s Christopher Joseph Foy Caldwell, and he doesn’t owe a motherfucker anything. Not even a fucking hello. Yeah, Harley deserves respect and consideration. As his friend. He doesn’t even know if he wants to be with her. But CJ wants to please people. Who cares if you’re a fuckhead, cuck? Women will want you more. Men will respect you more. Jesus Christ, stop it already. Please.”

“I can’t help it if my mom taught me how to think about other people’s feelings,” CJ sneered.

“Bro, fuck you,” Ryan responded. “You have Aunt Meggie so fucking high on a pedestal, you don’t even know the real her.”

“That’s my mom and I’ll punch you—”

“Shut up, CJ. Aunt Meggie is fair, but she’ll cut you down with a fucking look. She will cut you to fucking pieces with a statement. Yeah, she considers people, but she puts them the fuck in their place. What the fuck is wrong with you, dude? Seriously. You disrespect her more by not standing up for yourself then you ever could if you were a motherfucker.”

CJ glanced at Narci and lowered his gaze.

Sighing, Christopher got to his feet and unholstered the .9mm strapped to his side. “Here, boy,” he said, holding it out to CJ, butt-first. “Shoot Narci.”

“What?” CJ and Narci cried.

“For his role in your fuckin’ overdose. Shoot him.”

“Outlaw—”

Christopher’s glare cut Narci off.

“I don’t want to shoot Narci, Dad.”

“You ain’t got to kill him, son. Unless you want to. But whatever those motherfuckers said that night affected you as much as almost dyin’.”

“Shoot me too if it’ll make you feel better, CJ,” Diesel volunteered. “Kill me if you must, since I was the one who encouraged you to do it.”

“You’ve been protecting me since I was two and you were fifteen, Diesel,” CJ said, panic in his eyes. “What…have all of you motherfuckers lost your fucking minds? Narci helped to save me. If you hadn’t picked me up and brought me to the hospital, Diesel, I wouldn’t have survived. You protected me as always.” He reached out and lowered Christopher’s hand. “Put the gun away. Please, Dad.”

Christopher looked at Narci and bared his teeth, slipping his gun back into the holster.

“I swear to you, CJ, I won’t ever say any of what I said that night,” Narci promised.

“No, you’ll only think it and laugh behind my back,” CJ responded. “I’m sure you can’t wait to tease me about my virginity.”

“Nice, CJ,” Ryan interjected. “You just gave the asshole ammunition. You let him know it’ll bother you.” He patted CJ’s back. “Good work.”

CJ shrugged him off. “Would you fucking be quiet?”