Page 177 of Remiss

He could check out as many as he wanted. Some of the rules regular students had didn’t apply to him, his siblings, and his cousins. It didn’t matter that they weren’thim, whatever Billson meant by that. Besides, CJ always respected the boundaries so he didn’t make anyone feel bad. “I’m not sure, but I wasn’t talking about the school library. I meant my family’s home library.”

Disbelief crossed her lovely face and she rolled her eyes. “I’m almost disappointed that you’re resorting to lies to impress me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“A home library?” She rolled her pretty blue eyes. “Please.”

“Anyone can have a library at their house,” he pointed out. “You just need bookshelves.” That wasn’t their library, but she didn’t know what the fuck he meant.

Aunt Kendall and Uncle Johnnie’s library had a lot of classics and one-of-a-kind dusty tomes that she’d paid thousands for. Mom filled the Caldwell library with all types of books and stuff that people actually read and enjoyed.

“My family doesn’t have bookcases,” she said. “And I don’t think you meant that. It sounded like you were talking about a book room. Said to impress me.”

“I don’t need lies to impress you or any other girl, Skye,” he said flatly.

She leaned in closer and the scent of her perfume wafted to him. “Mattie already told me that the majority of students are here on scholarships and financial aid. I’m one of them. You don’t have to be embarrassed about it. I know you’re one too. The rich boys aren’t friendly at all.”

Had he been living on another planet? He’d never noticed that.

“The rich girls aren’t nice at all. They have their own cliques. But everyone knows you and speaks highly of you. So, you see, new friend, just be yourself. You don’t have to pretend to have money.”

CJ was so fucking happy that the bell rang. What was it about the girls he encountered that took him for a fool? Was he really that nice?

On the other hand, Skye’s explanation enlightened CJ. No wonder Jaleena had also thought his family wasn’t in a certain tax bracket.

He snatched his backpack and hightailed it out of the classroom before Billson stopped him. He needed a fucking cigarette and something for his headache. But hunger won out. Dad had been going to the club in the evenings and CJ still couldn’t bring himself to eat anything from Fia, Tauriel, or Tennysee.

Mom hadn’t even gone grocery shopping before she walked away and Aunt Bunny took Gunner with her, so she could nurse Uncle Digger back to health. Dad hadn’t even noticed his youngest son missing.

He elected to have soup and a sandwich over chicken and French fries, then took his tray to where the Triplets sat with Rory, Ryan, Devon, and the rest of their boy cousins, since Mattie wasn’t there. Harley was probably in the auditorium rehearsing for her play that was ten days away.

Once he greeted everyone and sat, he grabbed a half of the ham and Swiss cheese to take a bite, but Skye dropped into the spot where Mattie normally sat.

“I thought we could eat together,” Skye said, ignoring the greetings—and the ogling—thrown her way. “Discuss our project.”

“If I was interested in eating with you, I would’ve walked with you here.”

“I get lunch vouchers,” she said. “I thought the offerings would be the same old-same old. But the food is actually pretty decent and there are vending machines. I’m a junk food aficionado.” She tossed her hair. “Not that it shows.”

“Can I eat in peace? Please?”

“Nope,” she said cheerfully. “Not until you admit you were just trying to impress me.”

“About?” Ryan asked, finally giving into his curiosity.

CJ was surprised it took so long.

“I know you,” Skye said. “You were on the bridge with CJ the other day.”

“I was,” Ryan confirmed, and lifted his brow.

It was enough for Skye to blurt their exchange in science class.

“Why do you think he’s lying, though?” Rory asked, frowning.

“Because what else does a rich boy do?” Jaleena sneered, gliding up to the table and catching the tail end of the conversation.

Huffing, CJ covered his face with his hands and shook his head.