Page 34 of Remorseless

Once Harley walked into the hallway, he said, “Where’s your knapsack?”

“In my locker.”

“After lunch, we’ll stop there. I need to switch books for my next class.”

“Your backpack is big enough to hold books for three or four classes.”

He started walking and Harley fell into step beside him. It didn’t escape her that he adjusted his pace to hers. He was still kind…stillCJ.But he was different, too. No longer so carefree and easy going.

“If I was interested in carrying them, you’d be right. Since I don’t even want to be at school, I keep my books in my locker.”

“Is it because Molly isn’t here?”

He snorted. “As if you give a fuck.”

Harley deflated. Even in anger, she cried, but at least fury guarded her from the pain of other people’s words. Now, she felt alone and vulnerable.

“I’m sorry, CJ. I’m so sorry.”

“So you’ve said. You revert back to bitchery the moment I accept your apology. Spare us both. The pretense is just a waste of our time.”

Ever the gentleman, he held open the door to Lewis Hall. From this entrance, they stepped into the cafeteria. The door on the opposite side would’ve brought them to a hallway with vending machines, benches, trophy cases, and bulletin boards.

Attention instantly fell their way. Girls. Boys. Teachers. Cafeteria workers. Janitors. Anyone around who noticed his entrance.

Harley noted three overweight girls huddled together at an otherwise deserted table. She related to the longing on their faces as they looked at CJ. Jaleena sat a few tables over, staring at him, too. She smirked at the three girls who Harley recognized from around school.

“Come on,” he told her, heading in their direction.

CJ arrived at the table and the girls sat up straighter, their eyes widening. Harley expected them to topple over in a dead faint.

He smiled at each of them. That smile, those lips, the emerald eyes, should be classified as weapons of mass destruction. One gaze, one smirk, endangered any girl he focused on.

CJ held out his hand to a dark-skinned girl who must’ve weighed two hundred fifty pounds. She had braids that Harley envied. She’d taken hers down but since Mommie and Lolly were mad at her, she had no one to redo them.

“Hey, Leta. I don’t think we’ve met, but I’m CJ.” He pointed to Harley. “This is a friend of mine. Harley Banks.”

Harley barely processed the fact that CJ once again referred to her as his friend, because he didn’t pause.

He went to the other two girls—Freda, even heavier than Leta and who had oily blonde hair and milky skin covered by red pimples; and Harriet, heavyset, tall, dark-haired and swarthy-skinned with thick glasses covering her dark eyes.

He straightened, looked over the students, pointed to some and beckoned to others. One by one, Kayce Riggs, Rory, and Devon joined them.

CJ introduced everyone before Rory said, “Lunch is almost over. Let me get your tray, CJ.”

“That isn’t necessary,” CJ said. “I can get my own fucking tray, Ro.”

“Yeah, no,” Devon said, shaking his head. “Rebel saw you walk in with Harley. She’s waiting for her. Talk to Reb while Rory gets your lunch.”

“Fuck.”

CJ placed his hand at the small of Harley’s back, and a shiver went through her. No one made her feel as giddy as CJ just by a smile or a touch.

He didn’t notice her reaction, urging Harley toward Rory.

“Take her with you so she can get lunch, too.”

“You’re cryingagain?” Devon asked with disgust.