Page 208 of Rebellious

“He’s remorseful for what he did,” CJ pointed out. “You aren’t.”

“How do you know what I am? You won’t talk to me. You hate me, remember?”

“I don’t hate you, but I sure the fuck don’t trust you.”

“I was the one who asked DeLuca to help with Molly. Doesn’t that account for anything? There are gray areas, CJ. Everything isn’t black and white. People aren’t built that way.”

“You and that fuckhead sure aren’t. You don’t have goddamn gray areas. You two motherfuckers are vile, pitch black, and spineless.”

Rory deflated and his shoulders slumped. “I don’t know how else to ask for forgiveness. You won’t let me prove how sorry I am.”

Rubbing his eyes, CJ shrugged. He looked as if a great burden overwhelmed him. Once, he would’ve talked to Rory and told him whether it was more than the lateness of the hour. It was a school night and close to nine. CJ had been up for at least fifteen hours.

“What can I do, CJ? I’ll do anything for you to forgive me. Just name it.”

“Why don’t you start by apologizing to me?” Rebel said from the hallway as she walked into his room, slower than normal.

“Hello, death warmed over,” Ryan greeted.

“Hello, desiccated cretin,” Rebel returned.

Ryan smiled. “You look better. You’re even walking better. How are you feeling?”

“The pain isn’t as bad,” she said and made her way to Rory’s bed, the closest available seat. She sat, leaned, and grabbed her brother’s hand, tugging him to her and forcing him to sit. “I can’t stay long. Kaia’s waiting for me downstairs.”

“Mattie texted you, didn’t she?” CJ asked.

“And Momma…Momma talked to me last night before I went to sleep. She wants you and Rory to make up. I think she misses him.”

CJ sidled a glance at his sister. She nodded, then gazed at Rory with meaning before looking at her brother again as if she sent him a message.

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “You forgave me when I was a complete bitch. You forgave Harley when she was a complete bitch. And you forgave Ryan.”

“No ‘when he was a complete bitch’, Reb?” Ryan almost sounded disappointed. “You’re slipping.”

“You were a motherfucker, which we’ve already established,” Rebel said, then waved at Grant. “Have you come to your senses, doofus?”

“I take it you mean about the meth lab?” Grant asked, more of an interested spectator than an active participant.

Rory wasn’t even sure why he’d come.

“What else can I mean?” Rebel lifted her head. “Your plans are so fucked up.”

“I know,” Grant admitted. “I’m still here, aren’t I? Dad planned to disown me.”

“So, brother, you’ve found two loyal lieutenants in Grant and Ryan.” She thrust her chin toward Rory. “What about the third?”

CJ looked at Ryan and Rory, then lowered his gaze.

“It’s okay.” Rebel looped her arm through CJ’s. “I would love to be in my room, going over my checklists and being miserable, but Momma wants you and Rory to make up,” she reminded him. “If you can’t do it for yourself or Rory, do it for her and Aunt Kendall.”

Rory was missing something. Every time Rebel mentioned Aunt Meggie, CJ heaved in a breath. “It won’t be the same if CJ doesn’t do it for him and me.”

“When you’re ready to apologize to me and Harley, you know my number,” Rebel said because CJ remained silent. “I might forgive you, though that depends.”

“On what?” Rory asked, lasering CJ and trying to will his forgiveness telepathically.

“Your allegiance to the actual desiccated cretin,” she said. “Uncle Johnnie.”