“I’ll talk to Aunt Meggie and Uncle Christopher.”
“Why?”
“I’d like to put money toward the gift.”
“Why? The Corvette would beyourgift to me. Momma already has my list of what I want from them. CJ has his list, too.”
“Goddamn.” Diesel shook his head. “You’re saying that without flinching.”
“Should I? I’m worth every cent. Just wait until you see my list for my sixteenth birthday.”
“Can you let me off the hook for a fucking car for this birthday. Wouldn’t that be a better Sweet Sixteen gift?”
Rebel heaved in a breath. “You’re right. A rare occurrence so don’t get used to it.”
He smiled and finally turned to Jana. She sat meekly in the chair, allowing Diesel toDiesel. When he held out his hand, she placed hers in his and allowed him to tug her to her feet.
He kissed her again. Rebel told herself it didn’t matter.
Only when he led Jana out and closed the door did Rebel finally give into her tears.
“How was your weekend? Asking on a Tuesday since you weren’t here yesterday.”
Setting his knapsack on the floor under the lab table, CJ didn’t answer Skye Ratcliffe immediately. Just a week ago, he would’ve ditched school and got a little more shut-eye and then spent the day with Molly. Instead, he’d dragged himself out of bed and hopped in the van driven by Uncle Val. Even though CJ, Ryan, Devon, Rory, Mattie, and Harley were in the vehicle, most of the ride took place in silence, each of them lost in their own world.
“That bad, huh?”
“That hectic,” CJ responded. “How was yours?”
She dug in her backpack and pulled out a folder. “Unhappy. Science has never been my best subject. No matter how many times I read over everything, I couldn’t understand it.”
“Billson told me you needed my help.”
Irritation crossed her pretty face. “That’s why you called and offered it.”
“I’m sorry, bae. This wasn’t a good weekend.”
Eyeing him, she tossed her honey-blonde hair. “That’s nota sufficient reason,” she said sharply.
CJ narrowed his eyes, wondering what happened to the slightly shy, upbeat girl he’d met.
“You have to spend this evening with me, going over the notes,” she declared.
“I know you’re worried about your grade and I will help you, but it won’t be this evening. I have something to do.”
Visiting Molly took precedence over anything else, especially Skye Ratcliffe.
“What takes priority overmygrade?”
“Nothing that concerns you,” he snapped.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“If I cared to share, which I don’t.”
“We’re lab partners and friends. I like you a lot. You should want to confide in me.”
“First? You don’t fucking know me. Second? I just met you. Why the fuck would I tell you any of my secrets?”
