“Why didn’t we go for hamburgers?”
“Could we have gotten dressed up? Wore our jewelry? Could I have weighed the legalities forme and the restaurant by providing…” She leaned forward. “A fake ID?”
“Why did you?”
Momma sighed. “I doubt the men in our lives would appreciate seeing you and I sitting down and drinking champagne. It was risky, but easier. If we do it at the house, we risk someone finding out if Axel accidentally tells his men.”
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
“You aren’t. You’re conditioned. Burgers are delicious, food you can have any day of the week. This is an experience for you. To show you there’s more to life than club life, motorcycles, and boys.” Momma ate more of that stuff. “Now, have you thought about how you feel about the possibility of Kaia leaving?”
“I don’t want him to go. We’re friends. We have a bond and we’re loyal to each other. He’s willing to wait untilI’mready to have sex.”
“Kissing can certainly lead to other things.”
“It won’t. He’s a gentleman.”
Instead of agreeing with Rebel, Momma drained her champagne glass.
“But it’ll be very selfish of me to deny him this opportunity. Besides, there’s long-distance romances. We could do that.”
“Or you could give him your blessings to accept what I’ve offered and let him go. If you and him are meant to be, he’ll come back, sweetheart. I promise you. You cannot escape fate.”
She thought of Diesel again. He’d hurt her, so she’d hurt him back. Now, because of her meanness, she was losing Kaia. She wanted to cry.
“How do you really feel about Jana?”
“I don’t know, Momma. She’s there, and Diesel’s so mean to her. I don’t know why she accepts that. After Saturday’s volleyball game, I think I’m going to distance myself from her. I texted her and asked for her sizes, so you could pay for some clothes for her. As usual, she…” Rebel shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. If she makes Diesel happy, her spinelessness is awesome.”
“Nope, she sure doesn’t make him happy. She’s just a convenience. Is Kaia that for you?”
“No! Of course not! He’s my Huahua.”
Momma didn’t look convinced. Furthermore, irritation marred her face.
“But he’s always wanted to go to college. I won’t stand in his way,” Rebel said morosely. “And…and I’ll tell him we can be friends and nothing more while he’s overseas.”
“He might not get in.”
“I think you want him to go, though. You’ll find a way to get him in.”
“I want you happy. There’s a difference.”
“He makes me happy.”
“He’s young and dumb,” Momma snapped. “He doesn’t know how to make himself happy.”
Rebel’s chin trembled.
“I’m sorry. I…you are so young. Why do you want to rush to grow up?”
“I just want to be a normal teenager.”
“What’s normal, Rebel? Define that. Not all teenagers date.”
“I thought you were on my side,” Rebel said hoarsely. “Now, you’re determined to send Kaia away and you don’t want me dating.”
“That isn’t the issue. Age is.”
