Swiping her cheeks, Jana bowed her head. “I don’t know what to do. Do you think I should tell Mom and Dad that I know the truth?”
“How the fuck doIknow that answer? Do I know those motherfuckers?”
“What would you do?”
Maybe Jana liked abuse, because she left herself wide open with that fucking question. “First, I wouldn’t have showed my fucking ass to you by taking up for a man who doesn’t regard me at all.”
“I’m—”
“Don’t fucking apologize! Do fucking better. You hurt me really bad and that is a major dealbreaker. But since I’m in the fucking forgiving mood, I’ll give you one more chance. Fuck over me again and I’m smothering you.”
Jana nodded.
“As for what I’d do, let me ask you are your parents racist, misogynistic, hypocritical, homophobic, homosexual psycho killers?”
“Homophobic and homosexual?”
“It’s a long story, overheard in bits and pieces about a very traumatizing video. Answer the fucking question.”
“They aren’t. They’re a little neglectful and see me as a disappointment—”
“I know nothing about your biological mother, but you have to weigh what fuckery is worse. Logan’s or theirs? Personally, I’d tell those fuckheads to kick rocks too. You don’t need that type of negativity in your life.”
“But I love them—”
Of course she did. Rebel patted Jana’s shoulder. “They trained you to feel worthless. Now, I understand. You need counseling.”
“I only need Diesel.”
“Jesus Christ.” Refusing to believe Jana’s words, Rebel shook her head. “Nope, sure don’t. You don’t even believe that. He leaves you alone too fucking much for that to be true. Even if he didn’t, you need your own circle of friends.” She tugged on her threadbare T-shirt. “Your own fucking clothes.”
“We can go shopping?” she suggested timidly.
“A week from tomorrow,” Rebel said firmly. “We can leave early. CJ’s science fair is later that night.”
“Can I go?”
“I don’t see why not,” Rebel said with a shrug.
“Will you come to the volleyball tournament tomorrow night and sit with me?”
“Sure. I’ll ask Harley and Mattie—”
“Ready, babe?” Kaia called as he rounded the corner. He nodded to Jana. “What’s up, girl?”
“Hey, Kaia,” Jana said in a voice that reminded Rebel of the way the club girls talked to the bikers. A little breathless and a lot flirty. “What are you up to?”
Rebel had been upset when they got home from Aunt Celia’s. Tio had both creeped her out and icked her out. Kaia had spent half the night on the phone with her. Even though they were in the same house, Rebel didn’t want to go to his room, especially that night. He’d been so kind, calm, and patient, which she’d sorely needed. But something was off between him and Jana. Rebel wasn’t sure what though.
She lifted a brow at him.
He swallowed. “Uh…y-you okay, Reb?”
“Are you?”
He shifted and laughed. “Why wouldn’t I be?” He clapped his hands together, his complete focus on her. “Ready, babe?”
“Can I come?” Jana asked.
