Page 200 of Remiss

As for Harley, he’d called her three times but she hadn’t answered. He understood why once he talked to Mattie and Grant. Aunt Bailey sent her back to Aunt Zoann. That had to devastate Harley.

A shove brought CJ back to the present.

“Move, boy,” Thumper spat. “Standing in the fucking way like a dolt.”

Diesel was already on the other side of the room, at the bar talking to Narci and Torrin, his back to them. The snickers crescendoed through the crowd.

CJ just wanted to go home. Instead, he backed out of the way and indicated the path. “Free and clear for you, Thumper.”

“I said get the fuck out of my goddamn way,” he boomed so loud that it caught everyone’s attention. “You annoy me.”

Sunlight streamed in as the door opened, and his brothers and cousins flooded in. CJ hoped the momentary distraction calmed the situation. It didn’t. Thumper shoved him again, and he stumbled back.

“Hey!” Axel called, though Diesel remained quiet.

Potter gaped like a fish out of water. Fia, Tauriel, and Tennysee stared in horror, at a table of girls, some CJ recognized and others he didn’t.

“I don’t want any fucking trouble, Thumper,” CJ said.

Smirking, Thumper hocked a wad of spit that CJ darted out of the way to escape.

Axel ran to CJ’s side; Diesel did nothing.

CJ dragged Axel behind him and faced Thumper. “Listen, fuckhead, I don’t know what fucking gerbil gnawed on your goddamn asshole, but leave me the fuck alone. I’m not your fucking punchbag.”

“Are you calling me a butt buster?”

“No, of course not. I’m calling you a motherfucking menace that can’t shut the fuck up and keep your fucking hands to yourself,” CJ snapped, so over these motherfuckers.

Thumper was a big, mean fuckhead, who CJ never particularly liked. He was one of many brothers that looked at CJ as a pathetic Nepo baby, who didn’t deserve his place in life. Thumper’s punch to his mid-section hurt like a motherfucker but it didn’t surprise CJ.

When Diesel, Narci, Torrin and the other brothers stood stoically by, CJ knew they’d set him up. Who better than Thumper to have CJ sink or swim? That motherfucker had never liked CJ.

Before he got his bearings, Thumper swung again. It didn’t land. Axel had gotten a pool cue and used it like a fucking bat. Thumper snatched it—and Axel—but CJ pulled his little brother away.

“Go by Diesel, Ax,” he said.

“But—”

“Let me do this.”

Fear rose in Axel’s eyes and his lower lip trembled. CJ hoped Diesel would step in before Thumper killed him, but hehadto do this. Diesel might’ve been a motherfucker for the setup. However, CJ understood his motives.

“Come over here, Axel,” Diesel instructed.

Sniffling, Axel ran to the bar and buried his face against Diesel’s side.

Thumper threw his fist again, but this time CJ bobbed, weaved, and uppercut that motherfucker’s chin, then punched him in his fucking mouth.

“IamOutlaw’s son, fuckhead,” CJ snarled, punching the fuck out of him again. “He taught me to fucking fight.” He slammed his fist into his overgrown fucking nose, big and pasty like everything on him. The spurt of blood didn’t bother him. He was ready to rip his fucking head off if that’s what it took to have fucking peace.

Fuck respect. He just wanted harmony. Structure. To be seen as his own person, whether he stayed in school, played football, dropped out of school, or became a biker.

“Fuck you,” he spat, punching again, blindly. Not coordinated like Diesel and Dad taught him. “Fuckallyou motherfuckers,” he roared, completely broken, thinking of Mom, of Molly, of Harley, of Rebel, of Jo. Rule.Dad. Wanting them home and safe and happy. He hit Thumper again.

Motherfucker’s nose was bloody and broken, but he was still on his feet. He threw another punch. “Fuck us, CJ? Fuck you, you disrespectful fuckhead. Always knew you wasn’t no real biker. Don’t fucking have it in you. You’re just a rich, pretty boy that dropped out of the right twat.”

CJ gasped.