Page 244 of Remorseless

“I’m with Val,” Uncle Stretch agreed. “Fee refused to help when she found out Meggie wouldn’t.”

“I wish Mom was here,” CJ admitted. “Her absence is noticeable.”

“Meggie don’t like Nyx, CJ,” Uncle Mort said.

“She’s also trying to give me my space.”

“That’s a good thing, boy,” Uncle Val said. “You don’t want your momma here while you trying to talk up a bitch.”

Almost the same thing he’d heard the night of his overdose. “So what? This is really where my life diverges and I’m no longer her boy?”

“You been here at the club more than you been at school,” Uncle Mort said. “We all see it and we all know Meggie want you to at least finish high school. You making your choice and she have to step out of your way.”

CJ glanced at his father, still laughing at something one of the women said. He took Dad allowing him to attend Nyx’s initiation as a good sign. Since the day outside of the boutique, he hadn’t brought up barring CJ from the club.

“We don’t know what the fuck you doing tonight,” Uncle Val said. “But you probablywillfuck. What do you think Meggie can say to that?”

“She’d tell you to come home,” Diesel said.

CJ wasn’t sure he was ready tofuckin public. He’d only gotten one blowjob in a private room at arestaurant. If anyone had walked in, he would’ve been mortified.

“Jesus Christ,” Ryan muttered, staring in the direction of the door and going pale.

CJ glanced over his shoulder. A wrinkled blonde with frizzy hair and botoxed lips walked in, glanced around, then lost herself in the crowd. Wondering who she was, he looked at his cousin, who’d began trembling.

Uncle Val frowned at Ryan. “You okay, boy?”

“Yeah, Pops,” Ryan blurted, sounding anything but okay.

“You know Eliza Bart?” Kaia wrinkled his nose. “Willard and Wally Byrd’s mom or aunt? All those fuckers are crazy.”

“Bart?” Uncle Val echoed, but Aunt Zoann breezed by, carrying a platter of fried chicken distracted him.

Aunt Bunny was hot on Aunt Zoann’s heels, holding a tray of cookies. Once they set the food down, they came to the table.

“I’m about to head home, Val,” Aunt Zoann announced. Her lips were tight and her whiskey colored eyes icy.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can, Puff,” Uncle Val said gruffly.

Aunt Bunny leaned down and kissed CJ’s cheek. “I just can’t believe you’re all grown up,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Turning, CJ grinned at her. “S’okay, Bun Bun.”

She fanned her watery eyes. “I’m going to cry. Tonight…oh my God! After tonight…tomorrow…”

“He already got his cock sucked, Bunny,” Uncle Digger grouched, “so sticking his cock in pussy just a formality.”

His aunts gasped and CJ flushed, so mortified he wantedthe ground to open up and swallow him.

“If you crying over the kid, what you gonna do whenourboys are club ready?” Uncle Digger continued.

Aunt Bunny exchanged glances with Aunt Zoann.

“Er, I have to take a picture of you, buddy,” Aunt Bunny said finally. “Meggie will want one.”

“Then Meggie should’ve brought her little ass here,” Uncle Digger said.

“You not getting motherfuckers ignoring you so you’d shut the fuck up, huh, son?” Uncle Mort asked in exasperation.