Page 13 of Rebellious

She lifted a brow. “You didn’t?”

“Clearly not,” CJ snapped.

Axel looked at CJ with suspicion, but CJ raised his hand to forestall the little motherfucker’s questions about his cognizance.

“Don’t you even fucking ask if I’m senile, Axel,” CJ ordered.

Stiffening, Axel narrowed his green eyes. They both ignored Mr. Billson clearing his throat and folding his arms, and Skye’s giggle.

“I can ask you what I want,” Axel spat. “It’s my brain and my fucking mouth, so fuck you.”

CJ didn’t have time to entertain that little monster. He had tossed and turned most of the night, nervous about just this scenario. He’d texted Harley and she’d advised him to plead his case if his and Molly’s presentation was left out of the final round.

“When we got here, I saw the red tickets on the tables that were moving to the next round.” Ransom cocked his head to the side. “You didn’t, CJ?”

“No,” he snapped. “I didn’t.” He turned to the teacher. “Mr. Billson—”

“It’s already decided, Mr. Caldwell. I cannot change the votes.”

“Molly isn’t even here, CJ,” Skye complained. “When I campaigned for our project to move on, I pointed that out.”

“You sabotaged Molly’s submission?”

“The stupid thing didn’t even get to the next round,” Skye argued, her words further outraging CJ.

“You’ve never met Molly, Skye, but you know me. You know I wanted my project with her to have a chance at the grand prize.”

“I’m supposed to worry about some random when I need the money, too?”

For food or utilities or something equally as important. She’d already told CJ and he hadn’t wanted to involve himself in her life because he did so with Molly. Yet, despite how irritating he found Skye, she needed a break, too.

“Why do you want two entries, C?” Ryder asked. “Skye’s right. Molly isn’t here.”

“That’s why he wants her stuffs in the competition, stupid,” Axel said in disgust. “Molly was his friend before Skye and she can’t be here. It might cheer her up if she gets an award. And she might see that she belongs to us and we won’t forget her while she’s away.”

CJ couldn’t fucking believe Axel summed up his entire reason in two or three sentences. Since Axel said it all, CJ wouldn’t add anything. He looked at Billson, determined to change his mind. Later, he’d find a way to help Skye. Now, he wanted to honor Molly.

“Mr. Billson—”

“This isn’t a battle you can win, Mr. Caldwell,” the teacher said. “Expend your energy elsewhere. You’re wasting it here.”

CJ studied Billson, assessing any chinks in his armor, but finding none. The teacher wouldn’t change his mind about Molly’s entry so CJ moved onto the next option. “Mr. Billson, I would like to create an award and keep for Molly until I hear from her again. Can you sign it to make it look official?”

Without the teacher’s signature, it wouldn’t look legitimate.

“I can,” Mr. Billson said, “but will I?”

“If you like working here,” Axel said darkly.

“Are you threatening me, Mr. Caldwell?”

“He is,” Skye said with a sniff. “I’m your witness, sir.”

Snatching Axel against him and clapping his hand over his little brother’s mouth, CJ ignored Skye and met Billson’s gaze. “Will you sign the certificate to give it an official touch?” he demanded, drowning out the nonsense, including Skye. Especially Skye.

He ignored Axel’s noises and struggles. However, if Billson said no, CJ would back up Axel’s threat. No fucking way would he leave his little brother out to hang. Caldwells stuck together in public, though not so much in private, something CJ wished would change.

“Please, release Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Caldwell,” Billson said mildly, indicating Axel with a wave of his hand. “I’d like to hear his argument.”