Narci raised his hands. “I swear I didn’t mean it as you’re taking it.”
“By breaking me, they meant beating the fuck out of me, Reb,” Ryan told her. “Breaking a few bones.”
She wished her mother would hurry up, so they could leave.
When Jana came outside instead of her mother, Rebel glowered. Of course, Jana mistakenly thought it was because of her.
“A-are you angry at me, Reb?”
“She stays angry,” Torrin said. “Ignore her.”
Ryan shook his head.
Rocking on her heels, Jana smiled at Rebel and wrung her hands. “I-I did want to talk to you before you left.”
“You could’ve spoken to me for hours if you were coming,” Rebel grouched.
“Diesel doesn’t want me to go,” Jana told her. “But we’ll have more of a chance to bond if you come to the volleyball party Saturday night.”
“What volleyball party?” Rebel asked.
“The one we organized at Diesel’s party,” Torrin responded.
Narci smiled at her. “I’m sure Reb would love to come, J. But this is a nighttime party. It starts at eight. Kiddos aren’t allowed.”
This time when that fucking door opened, she wasn’t expecting anyone she was waiting for, so it surprised her when Kaia followed Diesel out.
Jana and Kaia exchanged a weird look, one Rebel couldn’t place.
“What’s going on out here?” Diesel demanded.
Jana rushed to Diesel’s side and smiled. “I want Rebel to come to the volleyball match at the club.”
Diesel shrugged. “Then she’ll come.”
“Yay,” Jana said, clapping and stepping into Diesel’s arms without hesitation. “You’re so good to me.”
Meeting Rebel’s gaze, Diesel dipped his head and kissed Jana, not focusing on her though she fucking clung to him.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Jana, but I’m not coming. Kaia and I are going out.”
Torrin and Narci snickered as Diesel released Jana.
“Interesting,” he said. “I swore Kaia said he was coming to the game.”
Rebel froze, thinking of what she knew of club parties, especially ones hosted by Diesel and his degenerates. Club girls usually overran those events, along with the Bobs, hangarounds, hangers-on, drugs, and alcohols. Kaia knew, too. She’d told him. He’d also gone to Nyx’s initiation. They weren’t going steady yet, though.
“Why don’t you and I walk to the club, Reb?” Ryan suggested. “Text Aunt Meggie and tell her you wanted some fresh air.”
“If Kaia is coming, that means you have to come too, Reb,” Jana insisted. “In case the club girls are mean to me.”
Protecting Jana wasn’t Rebel’s job. It was Diesel’s. But she was too busy wondering why Kaia even agreed to attend. She was sorry Jana brought it up. That way, Kaia would’ve had a chance to tell her himself.
Refusing to show how upset and hurt she was, Rebel nodded to Ryan. “Uh, yeah.” She turned and walked down the steps, barely seeing in front of her. “You have a ciggy you can spare, Ryan?”
“No, he doesn’t,” Diesel snapped.
Committed to not talking to Diesel, Rebel didn’t respond.
