“You just jumped on the hate Kaia bandwagon?”
“No, because you’re a stupid motherfucker. You accepted CJ’s offer and trusted Diesel.”
“I didn’t know he was a fucking pervert!”
“Until I moved in, I mistakenly thought that Rebel was a girl with a crush. Most of us thought that. Torrin would kill anyone who said Diesel felta wayabout Rebel. But even if that wasn’t the case, you knew CJ set her up to meet you. You knew Diesel and Outlaw before you crossed paths with Rebel. You knew how they were toward Reb and Meggie. You’re playing both ends to the middle because you like the fucking danger. You don’t think about her being a fucking kid who trustsyou.”
Kaia couldn’t think of a response.
“I was friends with Rebel. Much closer than we are now. We texted each other and laughed and joked, but I have a fucking sister not much older than her. I wouldn’t have crossed any lines with her. When Diesel married Tabitha and ghosted Rebel, that crushed her. It was bad enough he suddenly moved out, but he wouldn’t talk to her either. Not only did she see a lot of shit at the club, she watched how CJ and the rest of her brothers and cousins acted and were treated. She was stonewalled at every turn, so she only had Diesel to obsess over.”
“Someone said she had a crush on you.”
“She did, but I like living and I have morals. She’s like a rose. The more she blossoms, the more exquisite she becomes, but she’s sheltered and naïve. That won’t change anytime soon.”
“Not if she goes away to college.”
“Don’t underestimate Outlaw and Diesel’s willingness to twist the fuck out of shit to get what they want. Neither they nor CJ is willing to guide her. Tell her about men from a dude’s perspective. Even when she’s eighteen, they won’t let her go so easily.Youknow she’s attached to you and trusts you to be her boyfriend, somethingyouencouraged.” Bishop smirked at Kaia’s bald head. He must know the story. “That’s so fucking shitty of you.”
“I’ve already been lectured by everybody. What do you want from me? And what the fuck does this have to do with Meggie’s offer?”
“If you don’t take Meggie’s offer, it’ll be because Rebel doesn’t want you to leave. I know her, bro. When Outlaw, Diesel, and CJ ordered me to stop talking to her, it was so fucking hard to follow through because she kept texting me. Rule had gotten heavily into his bible so she had no one to play games with. No one had time for her.” He clenched his jaw and glanced away before he spoke again. “Kind of like my little sister. Mom and me were trying to make ends meet. She ended up pregnant at fifteen, a fucking statistic that I never wanted her to be a part of.”
“Rebel’s on birth control,” Kaia blurted.
Bishop glared at him. “Exactly, motherfucker. That’s just my fucking point. She’s so fucking used to living her life in front of the fucking club, she doesn’t realize that motherfuckers outside the gates might not connect the fact that they will die gruesomely if they fuck with her. She’s so used to hearing every fucking thing in the fucking world discussed that she thought nothing of telling you about her birth control. Mr. Let’s-Kiss-While-Watching-SpongeBob-Fuckhead, who had his tongue buried in Fia’s pussy days later.”
“Are you jealous?” Kaia asked, genuinely curious. “Of me and Rebel or of me and Fia?”
“No, I’m pissed because you’re a stupid fuckhead, proven by that fucking question. I’m not jealous of Fia because she sleeps with all of us. I’m not jealous over Rebel but I am worried about her. She’s headed for fucking disaster andyou, motherfucker, are the conductor who’s taking her there. I think you see her as a steppingstone to gain access to chicks, booze, drugs, and money. You’re using her. Telling a kid what you know she wants to hear because CJ told you all about her desire to be a normal teenage girl with normal teenage experiences, including having a boyfriend. That’s why I don’t fucking like you. She’s naïve and reckless, and you’re a fucking opportunist.”
“Have you had this conversation with Diesel about whatheis?”
“I’m still fucking breathing, aren’t I? Besides, Diesel’s a Caldwell. But does any of it matter? Who cares if I had the conversation with Diesel? I’m having it with you. I’m telling you why I’ve been so pissed with you.”
“Oh, I get it now. You’re going to advise me to take Meggie’s offer or you’re going to—”
“No, Kaia, youdon’tget it. I want to take Meggie’s offer because she went through a lot to work out the details. I don’t want to insult her or have her hard work go to waste.”
“Meggie isn’t like that. She’ll understand if you decline the offer.”
“Same with you.”
“If I decline, I might not have a job. She’s very angry with me.”
“I’m weighing all my options, bro. Talking to my mom, considering her advice. You need to do the same with brutal honesty.”
“I will,” he promised.
“Good. Go to the club. I’ll text Narci and tell him I’m sending you for a fat boy.”
“Tell him I want one, too.”
Bishop gave him an incredulous look. “That is for you, dumb ass. I suggest you don’t say that. Narci might be a conscienceless motherfucker when it comes to drugs, but he’s somewhat loyal to Diesel. It’s no secret Diesel doesn’t like you. Don’t give Narci, Torrin, or any of Diesel’s friends the opportunity to fuck you up.”
The transaction with Narci went off without a hitch. He even allowed Kaia to watch him pack the weed into a cone with quick efficiency. Once Kaia handed over the sixty dollars, he didn’t stay. Bishop’s warning spooked him. Anyone Kaia might’ve called for help wasn’t around.
On the way to the treehouse, he texted Jana to let her know he’d arrive soon. She was waiting for him on the landing in nothing but a tank top and panties. Kaia hesitated.
