Page 245 of Ruptured

Sitting in one of the auditorium seats, Harley looked at the script, not seeing the words. Not seeing anything except her life disintegrating in front of her eyes.

Somehow, Pillar of Earth got Nardo’s phone number and sent him one of her videos. It was only a matter of time before the whole school saw.

She wished she could tell someone, but she didn’t thinkanyone cared. Though she enjoyed spending time with Aunt Zoann, she was afraid to lose her support. The school worked like a well-oiled machine. Anything regarding the Dweller kids were quickly seen to. Someone must’ve alerted the administration that Aunt Zoann was currently responsible for her. Harley had never been questioned about why neither of her parents signed documents or even checked in with her teachers.

That was the least of her problems. Running away crossed her mind, but she didn’t want to leave. She missed Mommie and Daddy; she missed her brothers, Lolly, Grant, and Pop.

And she was thoroughly lost without CJ. She wanted back in that exclusive club that only she, Mattie, and Rebel belonged to, the rare girls among a sea of Dweller sons.

Harley couldn’t rouse herself to visit Rebel and Aunt Meggie. Mattie told her they were home. She’d promised she’d see them, but it took too much energy.

“Why are you sitting here all alone?”

At Axel’s question, Harley shrugged. “I was practicing my lines.”

“Nuh uh.” His little face came into view as he leaned his upper body on her lap. “You were looking at the same spot. I don’t think you was reading nothing.”

She swallowed. “I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“I’ll stand up if you promise to look at me.”

“Promise.”

Axel kept his word. For a kid infamous for his mischief, his uniform was pin neat most days. Even his black hair was perfectly styled.

Noticing her scrutiny, he puffed out his narrow chest. “Diesel says attorneys dress well.” He tugged at the knot in the necktie even girls were required to wear. “Dad showed me how to make my tie look nice without that motherfucker squeezing my neck.”

Harley glanced around in case Ms. Mendez had arrived.

Axel followed her gaze. “Who you looking for?”

“My teacher. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“I won’t,” he said with certainty. “Cuz I said motherfucker, huh?”

She nodded.

“Only CJ got enough honor to want to follow rules at school. Me and my men don’t.”

“My men and I.”

Axel scowled. “You understood what I meant?”

“Well, yeah—”

“Then don’t talk about the way I talk.”

“Fair enough. However, attorneys talk a certain way. You should practice so it becomes a habit.”

“I’ll think about it.” He eyed her with suspicion. “What’s the matter?”

A lot. Nothing she could tell him, so she ignored his question and asked the obvious. “Why are you here?”

“Ryder and Ransom sent me,” he confessed. “They saw you walking here, looking like a zombie. They said that. Not me. Zombies are gross motherfuckers. You aren’t. You’re really pretty. When Ryan fucks over you, you can be my girlfriend.”

Once everyone saw the videos, no one would want her. She glanced away, unable to meet Axel’s eyes, unsure how to answer his joke.

“Motherfucker already fucked over you, huh?” he fished.