Page 151 of Rebellious

Except…

Ryan liked CJ now. That hadn’t changed, despite everything. His mother loved him. Dad…Devon…

Rebel considered him a part of the family. He didn’t want to go back to that dark place where he hated everything and everyone. Especially CJ. He didn’t want to become a football star. He could walk away from the team and preserve his fucking peace. He was slightly competitive, too, so Coach’s idea wouldn’t end well.

Once Ryan cleaned up, he grabbed his backpack and his duffel bag and left the locker room. His hair was still wet, but the warm air would dry it. He was going to Turn Creek Bridge to think and make sure he wouldn’t regret his decision.

He’d been on the squad for as long as CJ and would miss it. It didn’t seem fair that he had to leave…

No, he wasn’t going there. No one forced his decision. Least of all CJ. Ryan came to it on his own. He was almost certain CJ preferred battling it out.

The athletic center was deserted. Good. Ryan didn’t feel like talking. He went to one of the doors that led to a walkway, surprised to find Rory leaning against the building.

When he saw Ryan, his expression dropped.

Ryan scowled. “Well, fuck you, too.”

“I thought you were CJ.”

Lying asshole. Ryan and CJ looked nothing alike. “If he’s in there, he isn’t in the locker room, cuck.”

“The coach wanted to show him footage.”

Of course he did. Before Ryan voiced his annoyance, he saw Axel skipping toward them. Unease slid into Ryan and the fear on Rory’s face would’ve been comical if he didn’t completely understand.

“CJ’s inside,” Rory blurted in a high-pitched tone that made him look like a pathetic bitch.

Axel’s surprise quickly fell away. “Did I fucking ask you?”

Rory shook his head, hard enough to rattle his stupid brain.

“You look like a fucking idiot doing that,” Axel complained. “Stop it and get some fucking help. I’m sure there are pills for lil livered traitor motherfuckers.”

“Lily,” Rory squeaked. “It’s lily livered.”

At Axel’s growl, Rory held up his hands. Axel was still small for his age, though he seemed to have had a recent growth spurt. However, Rory was taller and heavier than that little psycho and, yet, he was about to piss himself.

The opening door shut down conversation when Jaleena and Skye walked out.

“I know you,” Skye said, pointing to Axel. “You’re CJ’s little brother. Axel.”

The kid grinned. “My friends call me Sweet Pea. So do beautiful girls.” He waved at Jaleena. “Are you coming back over soon?”

That little shit-stirrer had to know CJ didn’t intend to invite Jaleena over.

“That’s up to your brother,” she said with a nonchalant shrug. “Maybe you can put in the good word for me, Sweet Pea?”

“Don’t sweat CJ, Jaleena,” Ryan advised. “That’ll just run him away.”

“Hey, Ryan,” she responded, gazing at him through her lashes.

He wasn’t fond of short hair, but she was as pretty as Skye and just as tall.

Axel stomping Ryan’s foot broke the moment and made him howl, then hop around like a fucking jackass.

“Stop being an isurper. No, I’m the isurper. You’re the usurper.”

“There’s no such thing as an isurper, little man,” Skye said, tossing her honey-blonde hair, one of those prissy girls who liked dainty things and flowery words. Jaleena could afford that attitude. Skye could not. “It’s usurper.”