Page 95 of Rebellious

“Are you implying Rebel is?” Diesel demanded.

“Of course not, Mr. Caldwell,” Billson said, soothing Diesel’s temper with those words. “But again she hasn’t been here as much as the other two.”

“Extenuating circumstances,” Diesel retorted.

“That isn’t my business, which is another reason I had no interest in heading this school long-term. I like my brain inside my head. A wrong move might change that and there are many, many kids to guide.” When Diesel didn’t respond, Billson looked at Easton again. “Mr. Donovan, Rory—”

“Johnnie’s son—” Easton said, well acquainted with both of them.

Billson nodded. “And CJ’s right-hand man at one time. There was a falling out.”

“I’m aware,” Easton said politely.

“About Axel—”

“Not a fucking word about my little brother, Billson,” Diesel cut in. “He’s perfect.”

“He’s an amusing kid.”

“Enough said,” Diesel said flatly.

“Indeed, Mr. Caldwell.”

Satisfied, Diesel dug inside his jacket and came up with a strap of cash and held it out to Billson. “Your legitimate money will be transferred this Friday with everyone else’s.”

Billson accepted the cash, unlocked the smallest desk drawer and dropped his money inside before locking it back. Instead of leaving the key in the hole, he pocketed it and grabbed another small stack of papers. “I’m glad I could be of service, Mr. Caldwell.”

They left Billson to his grading and resumed the fast-paced tour. Wilhemhein in Pacific Hall, or the math building, was a chameleon. He greeted them politely and answered them sharply. Ms. Flotsam whose class was in Franklin Hall, reminded Easton of a prison warden. Her students regarded him and Diesel with curiosity until she clapped her hands and they returned to their tablets.

Coach Yancy and Mr. Marksum were likeable fellows that Easton expected to get along with. Ms. Mendez was quite pretty with her dark hair and dark eyes and one of the few younger female teachers Easton met. She seemed completely taken with Diesel as most women were for whatever fucking reason.

Back in the office, Diesel looked at the wall clock and cursed. “Rebel will not be happy with me if I’m not there to greet her.”

“Kid sisters are like that,” Easton said in a not-so-subtle reminder of Rebel’s place in that fuckhead’s life as he dropped into the uncomfortable desk chair.

He’d seen enough to know exactly how Diesel felt about her, so Diesel’s nod and fond smile surprised Easton.

“They are. Her in particular.” Dismissing the conversation, he turned and looked around. “Goddamn this office is horrendous.”

“Tell me about it,” Easton grumbled. “But I guess I’m stuck with it.”

Facing Easton again, Diesel blinked in surprise. “Why do you say that?”

“Is one of my perks a decorating budget?”

“As long as you protect my brothers and sister and do whatever needs doing to move them from grade to grade and let them enjoy school life, you can ask to redecorate every year and you’ll get it.”

It was Easton’s turn to blink. He’d been joking. Diesel was serious.

“Are they here for an education?” It didn’t sound like it. He might not have been a school administrator but moving children through a school system without meeting basic requirements shortchanged them. “To meet a quota? Because it’s the law?”

“Aunt Meggie wants her children educated, Easton. She wants all of us to experience college. But we’ll be lucky to get CJ to graduate high school. He’s a smart kid when he can focus, but his head is in the club. Rebel struggles with math but she gets good grades in all her other classes. Her twin was an A/B student. Mattie is brilliant and Harley excels at anything she put her mind to. Ryan is a ‘B’ student. Rory is a ‘C’ student. Axel sometimes struggles with math and language arts. Ransom and Ryder are B/C students. Those three are collectively known as The Terrible Triplets. Heed that title. They can be awful little motherfuckers.”

Diesel shocked Easton yet again. He’d had all that information stored in his head.

“There are other kids, right?” Easton asked.

“Aunt Meggie has two kids not yet in school. Gunner and Jo. Kendall has Blade. Cove, Bunny’s youngest, will start school in the fall. There are nine or ten more currently enrolled, who I have no clue about.”