Page 122 of Ruptured

He’d shown her the only thing he could. Himself. And that had been enough.

Although Diesel had gray eyes, Kaia noted his black hair, his athletic physique and his brooding air. Maybe Rebel liked him so much because of his close resemblance to Diesel. She’d admitted to her crush.

In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter. Mrs. Caldwell presented him with a chance to better himself. Perhaps that was the only way he could win Rebel.

“I don’t understand what you suddenly have against me, Diesel,” Kaia said, considering how Diesel called him out of the blue to party with him. “I met Rebel because that’s how you, CJ, and Outlaw wanted it.”

“It was CJ’s idea. Not mine.”

“He still gave the order, and I followed it.”

Diesel scowled. “You weren’t supposed to get into her, asshole.”

Seriously, what the fuck was Kaia missing?

“What’s it to you, dude?” he asked in frustration. “Your attitude goes beyond fucking brotherly concern. You sound jealous.”

That was a wild notion. Diesel was nine or ten years older thanKaia, which made him over a dozen years older than Rebel. However, Diesel offered zero denial.

It was as if he’d set up Kaia to sleep with Fia and then have Rebel find out because he saw her as his possession—

Kaia’s gaze flew to Diesel’s.

Oh.

Anger and resentment brewed in those stormy gray eyes.

Kaia’s prevailing thought:Ew.

Ryan inviting CJ and Grant to hang out was as shocking as CJwantingto do it. Between Kaia and Diesel, he was madder than a motherfucker and like Grant pointed out, it wouldn’t doMom, Reb, and Mattie any good to see him in such a state.

Aunt Zoann greeted them with a smile, hugged and kissed both Devon and Ryan, then excused herself to look at some work files. While CJ ordered pizza and Ryan got beer, Rory and Harley walked in.

Judging by his cousin’s expression, he hadn’t invited Harley. He’d run into her and walked with her since they both had the same destination.

An awkward silence descended on them, and CJ couldn’t help but wonder why she sat on the sofa when no one engaged her in conversation. CJ was the only one who told her ‘hello’.

She looked so utterly miserable, and he hated his pang of sympathy. He sipped his beer and eyed her. “Uh, what, uh, where were you coming from?”

She dropped her gaze to where her hands rested in her lap. “A costume fitting.”

He wouldn’t point out it was a Sunday. If that was her story, he’d roll with it. “Excited about your theatrical debut?”

Her flinch surprised him, but she nodded. “I can’t wait.”

Out of small talk, CJ glanced among his cousins. No one added anything, not even Ryan, which annoyed the fuck out of CJ.

“Can you make it to the play?” Harley asked, the hope in her pretty eyes matching the look on her face.

“You won’t miss me,” he said, just to be petty. “I’m sure you’ll be heartbroken if Ryan doesn’t go.”

“Plays bore me,” Ryan said, barely looking at Harley. “I don’t care if you want a turn with her, CJ.”

Mortification spread over Harley’s face, and CJ glared at Ryan. But he refused to insert himself back into her life. And he didn’t want to reignite the rivalry with his cousin because of her.

CJ never considered Harley’s location when he accepted Ryan’s invitation. He didn’t want to be in her vicinity, so he finished his beer and stood.

“Please, CJ,” she whispered. “It’ll mean so much to me if you come to the play.”