“Random apologies? I rarely fucking apologize. When I do, they aren’t fucking random, you little bitch.”
“Excuse me,” she said, her tone dripping sugar. “Not random, fucking manipulative, you miserable motherfucker.”
Yanking his hair, he gritted his teeth, scrubbed a hand over his face, and growled. “What the fuck do you want from me?”
“Your fucking blood,” she snapped.
“Do you know what I think, Rebel?” he said after a moment, searching for a way to break through to her.
“Thank fuck, no. Your tiny fucking brain must be a frightening place.”
“And yet you keep fucking with me.”
“You keep confronting me, fuck face. If you didn’t want me to fuck with you, you’d let me fucking go without intercepting me every fucking time.” She huffed. “Tell me what you think, then please get the fuck out of my way.”
“Not only are you afraid to forgive me, but the part of you that’s willing to is too fucking stubborn to do so.”
“You, fuckface, are Axel’s idol. He’s a holy fucking terror. If I forgive you this time, nothing will stop you from doing something else to me. Because you have the understanding of a newborn. No, fuck that.Johas better awareness. If you really knew and understood why you hurt me so much, I’d have hope for your fucking sanity. But you don’t. So, again, stuck-on-repeat-fuckhead, fuck you. Fuck off. I’m not accepting your motherfucking apology.”
“Fuck!” he roared. “Fuck! You’re fucking driving me insane.”
“Can’t fucking drive you where you’ve already arrived.”
“Can you shut the fuck up for one fucking minute, Rebel?”
“As long as I hear your motherfucking voice, you’ll hear mine.”
He stared at her, the determination in her blue eyes, her flushed cheeks, her gorgeous hair, a golden cascade that reached her waist. He began to laugh, not out of amusement. It was because he couldn’t do anything else. He especially couldn’t win against that little fucking shrew.
His nostrils flaring, he abruptly stopped his laughter and grabbed her shoulders, snatching her closer and shaking the fuck out of her. “Tell me then,” he ordered through clenched teeth. “Tell me what the fuck I did to you.”
She punched his shoulder and snatched herself out of his hold. “You hurt me, you stupid motherfucker. You lured me into that fucking natatorium to satisfy your fucking need for revenge. You used my fucking trauma to achieve your fucked up goal. How many different ways do I have to say the same fucking thing to make you understand, Diesel? I went in there because I trusted you, fuckhead. I trusted that you really wanted to help me overcome my fear of that fucking pool. I know who and what you are, but I didn’t deserve what you did to me. I didn’t deserve that,” she repeated on a miserable whisper.
“Who am I, sweetheart?” he croaked, taking in her face.
“You’re you, Diesel. Not a good man, but you were good to me and that’s all that mattered. I can’t stay a kid forever. The only thing I did was have my first kiss. If it was one of the boys, youwould’ve congratulated them. You could’ve done the same for me.”
He threw her a dark look, hating her vulnerability and despising his fucking jealousy. “That wouldneverfucking happen.”
Shaking her head, she gave him a small smile, thawing a little. “Of course not, you fucking sexist.Anda liar.Anda psycho.Anda fuckhead.”
Laughter rumbled from his friends and Diesel started to smile, until Jana rushed toward them and onto the landing. He hadn’t even heard her walk up the pathway.
“That is enough, Rebel Caldwell,” Jana said, storming to Rebel. “You willnotdisrespect your big brother like that or you will deal with me.”
Jana’s firm words and determined look shocked the fuck out of Diesel. Fuck! She’d said she would confront Rebel. He went to her and kissed her because he didn’t know what the fuck else to do.
“I won’t put up with another moment of your mean, spoiled behavior,” Jana continued. “So…Enough!”
Rebel glanced at Diesel, then at the guys. Torrin and Narci were enjoying themselves. As usual, Potter looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else.
“Youwillaccept his apology. He’s done with the apologies.Youshould apologize tohim.”
Again, Rebel looked between them, before her gaze settled on Jana.
“Apologize to Diesel?”
“Jana—” Diesel started, but she ignored him. The one time he didn’t need her input, she was fucking interfering.
