Page 153 of Rebellious

“Jesus, you little fucking maniac,” CJ said. “That is the worst fucking idea ever.”

“We were just telling him about Juvie,” Skye said. “It’s how I get Cosmos in line all the time.”

“He sounds as stupid as his name,” Axel grumped.

“Why were you talking about juvenile detention to my little brother?” CJ asked, his brow snapping together.

“Yeah, Rory,” Axel piped in. “Why?”

The moment CJ rounded on Rory, he raised his hands again. “It isn’t what you think.”

“You’re that fuckhead’s son,” CJ responded. “I’ll bet it’s exactly what the fuck I think. Axel must’ve threatened you and you told him you’d call the fucking cops, you miserable motherfucker.”

Rory laughed nervously. “I-I was joking.”

“Joke, motherfucker, but know this.” CJ grabbed Rory’s shirt and snatched him closer. “If you ever make that fucking mistake, I will fucking beat you until you’re immobile then hand your broken and bloodied body over to Diesel. I’m not as versed in torture as him.”

Oh really? He was doing a pretty good fucking job.

Rory paled.

“Am I fucking clear?”

“I’m sorry, CJ,” Rory said in a trembling tone. “For everything. I miss—”

CJ shoved him away.

“Mattie said Axel’s having a party Saturday night,” Rory cried. “If you don’t want me there, I won’t come.”

“You just threatened a man, knowing your bitch ass wanted to go to his party?”

Ryan couldn’t blame how appalled Axel sounded. That was fucked up.

“I was joking!” Rory cried.

“Whatever, motherfucker,” Axel told him. “Whatever. If I let you come, you better bring me the bestest present ever. Otherwise, I’m telling Diesel to pick you up and slam you on the ass fault outside the club.”

Uh, asphalt?

“I-I can come?” Rory asked in surprise.

“Are you desperate or fucking stupid?” CJ asked. “Axel wasn’t joking and Diesel will happily comply.”

Ryan could attest to that. He still heard Bernie’s screams and smelled his burning body. As far as Ryan knew, Diesel hadn’t exacted his revenge against Rory for his role in Rebel’s shame. “You might want to sit this one out, Rory. You don’t even know what Axel considers the best present.”

“He can tell me.” Rory turned hopeful eyes on Axel. “Can’t you?”

“Nope,” Axel declared cheerfully. “That would give you a vantage.”

“Advantage,” CJ told him, and sighed. “But Ryan’s right. You can give him some options that includes your least favorite and whatever you consider best.”

Axel gave CJ a disapproving look. “And here I had hope for you, but you’re still too nice. Why give enemies any help? They can get the high hand and make you like stupid or even beat you. Take Ryan. You let him get to go to war for quarterback. You need to stop thinking about everybody and think about yourfuckingself. If he didn’t like it, that was on him. Now look at the situation? He probably won’t get to be quarterback. You’re better than Davy and Ryan, but you haven’t been playing a lot so you and Ryan...” He shrugged. “Davy and Ryan’re matched side by side—”

“Evenly,” CJ said.

Axel gave CJ the finger, and the girls giggled.

“Whatever,” Axel growled. “Davy’s the athletic director’s son. He’ll beat Ryan.”