Page 226 of Rebellious

Rebel started to hand the DJ his mic back.

CJ’s approach halted her. “You asked Mom to cut her trip short?”

“I did,” Rebel confirmed.

“Why? She was looking forward to spending time with him.”

“Axel wouldn’t have been happy, CJ. Daddy had two nights on his own with her. He’ll survive,” she announced, nodded to Mattie and Harley, and followed Aunt Meggie outside.

Monday, April 23rd

Jana gazed out of the window at the lake bordering the rehab center and the forest beyond. She missed Diesel so much she could barely breathe. The first two nights of her stay had been awful. She’d had an awful feeling of abandonment.

She’d tried calling him, but in the middle of the second ring, it went to voicemail. He’d declined her call. That broke her heart, so she did the only thing she could do—texted Rebel.

Despite her complicated feelings toward the girl, Jana knew Rebel wouldn’t ignore her. She didn’t seem to be aware that Jana had been sent to rehab and Jana refused to clue Rebel in. Her parents and brothers wanted her to live in the dark about everything. Who was she to educate her?

Rebel even sent Jana photos from Axel’s birthday party, which made her even more homesick. Though Diesel called her last Thursday and Friday and sounded more like himself, she hadn’t heard from him at all this weekend. If not for Rebel reminding Jana that it was Axel’s birthday, she would’ve thought Diesel had walked away.

She hated her constant fear of desertion by him. She’d been the best fiancée she knew how to be. Somehow, it still wasn’t enough.

A knock sounded on her door and she turned, glancing at the clock. It was early evening. She finished her first day of therapy sessions and workshops and opted to have dinner in her room.

The knock came again, so she walked to the door, her feet sinking into the soft carpet, and opened it, surprised to find Hal, a fellow patient who befriended her during her first two miserable days.

“Hey.” His twinkling brown eyes and cute boy next door looks drew her immediate attention. “I was wondering if you were coming to the dining room.”

“I’m still not in the mood.”

Diesel had chosen the best for her. She could opt for in-room dining, her go-to method, or enjoy a delicious meal in the dining room with the few other patients.

“Want some company? I hate to see a pretty girl who looks like she lost her best friend.”

She smiled and thought of Diesel and Kaia. “Sometimes it feels like it.”

The understanding on his face warmed Jana. Opening the door wider, she stepped aside and allowed him entry, before closing it. She led him to her seating area and nodded toward the sofa.

“Have a seat.”

He didn’t hesitate to sit, so she followed suit and sat next to him.

“What do you think so far?”

Jana shrugged, liking his fresh, aquatic cologne, and twirling her hair, pretending to look at her luxurious surroundings. When she first saw the king-sized bed, the high-end décor, and plush amenities in her suite, she’d been stunned. She thought maybe the aide who led her there was mistaken and accidentally gave her someone else’s room.

It wasn’t a mistake. This was where she’d live until she was clean.

“It’s beautiful,” she said.

Hal’s easy grin made her smile. “Are you looking forward to walking out that door, clean and sober?”

Not necessarily. Drugs were what she knew. It was her escape from reality, heartache, and loneliness. She shrugged.

He leaned closer to her. “This is my fourth try,” he revealed.

“You’ve been here four times?”

“To make my parents happy.” He shrugged. “It’s their money. I can’t tell them how to spend it.”