Page 246 of Ruptured

“Not really. We were never anything to each other.”

“If he was, he’d watch you rehearse every day. That’s what men do for their women. Sit through boring shit.” Axel squirmed. “And this right hereisboring shit. It’s so quiet.”

Herlifewas quiet now.

“Are you hungry? I have an extra candy bar in my book bag.” He slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Oh brother, I think I laid it book side up. The candy is probably smushed.”He started to turn. “Wait here. I’ll go break into another teacher’s class and find you a fresh one.”

Shooting from her seat and ignoring the script as it slapped the floor, Harley grabbed Axel’s arm and halted him. “Don’t do that!” she gasped. “Stealing is different from cursing. You’ll be suspended. Why don’t you put it on your expense account or use your debit card?”

“That’s not no fun. Diesel is on retainer as my personal attorney for any trouble I get in.”

“YoupayDiesel to represent you?”

“I almost offered him a dollar, but I thought it was too low, so he accepted five dollars a month.”

The curtains on the stage fluttered. Harley thought Ms. Mendez had finally arrived, though lunch was almost over, so it would only be to dismiss Harley.

Nardo swaggered into view, and Harley tensed. The small bit of peace she found in the last few minutes disintegrated.

He hurried down the left staircase and barreled to where she and Axel stood. It took all her determination not to flinch.

Grabbing a handful of Axel’s jacket and shirt, he lifted him up, ignoring Axel’s yells and wild punches. Nardo held Axel too far away to be touched.

“No, don’t!” Harley rushed to Nardo and laid her hands against his chest. “Don’t hurt him!”

“Put me down, motherfucker!” Axel screamed. “Or you’ll be sorry!”

“Don’t hurt him,” Harley begged.

He looked between them, a sneer twisting his lips. “This CJ’s little brother.”

And NardohatedCJ.

“He’s a small kid. He hasn’t done you anything.”

His expression darkened at her pleading tone. Instead of setting Axel on his feet, Nardo lifted him higher, heightening Harley’s panic.

“No! Hit me instead. Don’t hurt him.”

“Motherfucker, if you like your eyeballs in your head, you set my little brother downnow,” Ryder said, coming into view, holding a slingshot.

“Make—”

A rock connected with Nardo’s forehead before he got the words out. As Nardo fell back, Ryder snatched Axel, hugged him, and set him on his feet.

“You stole my favorite slingshot,” Axel accused, none the worse for wear. “I’ve been looking all over for it.”

“Yep.” Ryder smirked. “I needed to practice. I can’t carry a bat or a bow and arrow to school.”

“You can’t carry those motherfuckers nowhere, stupid.” Axel held out his hand. “Give me my slingshot.”

“You aren’t thanking me for saving you?”

“Not until I get my stuff back. A man got to stand on principle.”

Ryder pocketed the slingshot. “Then you’re not getting it back.”

“That’s not fair—”