Page 35 of Remorseless

Scowling, he stalked off, leaving Harley humiliated.

“Come on, Harley,” Rory said grudgingly. “Walk on my right, since we have topass the table where Reb’s at. We don’t want her to snatch you.”

Harley sniffled and nodded, following Rory’s directions without a word.

Chapter Six

It was a miracle Rebel made it to school. After her nighttime foray into the forest ended with confrontation between her and Rule, she didn’t sleep a wink once she returned to her room.

She remembered how mean she’d been to her twin before Momma delivered Jo. Coupled with his fear for Momma and Jo, he’d probably felt as if Rebel deserted him too. In all fairness, he’d started to pull away long before they discovered Momma’s pregnancy. Diesel had also moved out and forgotten her existence.

Instead of understanding it wasn’t the end of the world, she’d hated everyone. Momma’s and Jo’s emergencies showed her what was truly important. In the months before,however, she believed Rule and Diesel deserted her and her parents would stop loving her because of the new baby. Self-imposed isolation tormented Rebel. She’d turned against her twin first. Rule had always been more sensitive.Hertreatment pushed him over the edge. Maybe, if she offered a specific reason for her apology, he’d forgive her and return to normal.

When her alarm clock went off, she wanted to stay in bed and ponder her dilemma over both Diesel and Rule.

Even if she never ended up in Diesel’s arms again, she’d been so very close to him this morning and she’d never ever forget what that felt like.

She’d agonized all night and could’ve used hours more sleep.

However, she had no excuse to miss school. She couldn’t announce the reason she was so exhausted, so she’d stumbled through her shower and morning routine, somehow attending her classes.

Just as she and Mattie sat down to eat, Kaia Riggs texted her. She hadn’t heard from him in almost a week. His message cheered her up. Until CJ walked in with motherfucking Harley and stole her slice of happiness.

Now, her brother guided Leta, Freda and Harriet to their table. Kayce and Devon brought up the rear.

Glaring at CJ, Rebel nodded to where Harley stood at the lunch counter. “I’m beating that fucking bitch to the ground.”

CJ bent and kissed her cheek. “Hello to you, too, Reb.”

“Hey, CJ,” Mattie said, before Rebel responded.

Her cousin sat across from her. At one time, Harley would’ve been at the table with them. They’d been three peas in a pod.

“Reb and I have the same schedule,” Mattie explained, referring to her early transfer from the Middle School to the Upper School.

CJ smiled. “I’m glad it’sworked out.”

Rebel rolled her eyes at Mattie’s shy smile. It seemed no girl was immune to her big brother.

“Behave, Rebel,” CJ warned. “I want to introduce you to my new friends.”

“I know who they are. Who doesn’t?” she grouched.

“That’s exactly what I said,” Jaleena announced, stopping next to CJ and smiling at him.

CJ glared between Rebel and Jaleena.

Meanwhile, humiliation covered Leta’s, Freda’s, and Harriet’s features. Rebel didn’t have time for Jaleena’s bullshit.

“Fuck off, Jaleena,” she scoffed. “They are in the fucking math club. They kick ass. That’s what I meant.” She looked at the three girls and tried to swallow her annoyance. “Have a seat,” she grumbled.

“Reb, I can get you raw meat,” Axel called. The little fuckhead sat with them at the same table, along with some of their younger cousins. He and Kaleb Banks served as the dividing line. “It might calm you down.”

“Burn, bro,” Ransom said.

Axel preened at the compliment.

“Take that, Blonde Viper,” Ryder said, folding his arms.