Page 34 of Ruptured

Ember rocked on her feet, her pretty face reddening. Unlike the night he’d seen her at J’s, she was dressed in her teacher wardrobe, boots, a long skirt, and a turtleneck sweater with her hair in a tight bun. “H-how are you? H-how’s Miss Caldwell?”

“I could be better,” he told her. “Rebel is awake from what I’ve heard.”

She frowned. “You don’t know?”

Despite his suspicions toward Dad, CJ hated his relief the relief he felt that he hadn’t seen Rebel yet. He imagined going into her room and finding her hooked up to a million machines, clinging to life with bags of medicine on her IV pole. Just like Jo had been. As hard as it was to see Baby Jo that way, CJ couldn’t imagine looking at Rebel in that state. Whenever that fear creeped in, CJ reminded himself that she was okay, expected to make a full recovery.

“Dad hasn’t allowed us in yet. Rebel doesn’t feel like being bothered.” Pure speculation. Unless… “Suppose she’s asleep again, Ember?” Her given name fell from his lips by accident. But he needed comfort and reassurance. Ember’s interruption saved him from a monumental mistake with Harley. However,he didn’t want one moment of intimacy to destroy Ember’s life. “I keep seeing her unconscious and Mom so beaten with Axel leaning against her in tears.”

Unbidden, she sat in the seat Harley had wanted. “Rebel has always been a strong, opinionated young lady. I believe if you don’t visit her soon, you will face her wrath.”

CJ smiled. “Definitely. But—”

“Not buts, CJ. I know you’re hurting and if you need to talk, if you needanything, I’m always here for you.” The look in her eyes backed up her words. She’d provide whatever he wanted, including another blowjob or even the comfort of her body.

His nostrils flared and he closed his eyes. Seeing Harley in his arms instead of Ember. His sudden headache didn’t surprise him. Since his overdose, they’d plagued him.

Snickers rose amongst their captive audience. Sighing, CJ opened his eyes. Ember blushed, but didn’t retract her words.

Ryan and Diesel walked up, stopping on opposite sides of the table. CJ hadn’t seen Diesel since their argument, but he didn’t seem angry, so he’d either thought about the conversation or ignored it.

Ember’s eyes shifted from Ryan to Diesel, and her cheeks grew redder.

Straightening in his chair and folding his arms, CJ sighed.

“We were wondering where you were,” Diesel said.

Ryan scowled at Harley, then glared at CJ.

“Shut the fuck up, Ryan,” CJ warned. “Harley came to check on me.”

“Interesting,” Ryan started coldly, directing an evil stare at Harley.

The fuckhead couldn’t be jealous whenhe’dtaken CJ’s girl.

Before he lost his shit, CJ clenched his jaw and studied Harley. A seismic shift seemed to have taken place within her in the span of hours. Though she wasn’t in tears, she still looked sovulnerable, almost broken. But he couldn’t, hewouldn’t, allow her to pull him into her drama. Especially with Ryan. Though his relationship with his cousin still wasn’t the best, they’d made progress toward tolerating each other. If CJ believed in Harley, he probably wouldn’t care about his fragile bond with Ryan. However, the minute he angered her, she’d turn on him.

“I’m not in the mood to hear a fucking lover’s quarrel,” he growled, glaring between them. “Take it the fuck away from me.”

The words startled both Ryan and Harley. CJ didn’t care.

“Let’s go upstairs, little brother,” Diesel said gently. “We can talk privately.”

“I’m fine, Diesel,” CJ swore, unable to focus. His thoughts ran in all directions. “I’ll be up in a minute. How’s Rebel?”

“I haven’t seen her yet. I stayed in the hallway when Kendall and Mortician were buzzed back. I figured they’d want to talk to Aunt Meggie.” Diesel shrugged. “I saw the doctor going back there as well, but I left before Uncle Chris came out and said I can finally see her.”

CJ glanced up at Diesel’s tortured tone. His red-rimmed eyes, uncombed hair, and unshaven jaw indicated his devastation.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I want her to be happy and laughing, and instead I’ll find a girl distraught by a motherfucker who betrayed her trust.”

“She’ll want to see you,” CJ said.

“I can say the same about you, little brother. Rebel adores you.”

“What can I tell her? We failed both you and Rule? Rule needed help and you needed protection?” It was part of the reason he was so angry with Rule—because he was furious with himself. “I don’t know what to say, Diesel. I don’t know how the fuck I can look my little sister in the fucking eye and excuse my part in this. We joked about that fuckhead’s sanity insteadof getting him help.” CJ swallowed, his eyes burning. Making light of Rule’s saneness, or lack thereof, had been wrong, too. “I should’ve told Dad. Or Mom—”

“Uncle Christopher wanted to get help for himnow,” Diesel said bitterly. “Aunt Meggie—”