Page 36 of Ruptured

“You didn’t even look at the message.” Ryan narrowed his eyes, resentment flashing over his face. “How the fuck would you know who it is?”

For the first time that morning, tears rushed to Harley’s eyes. “I h-have a special tone for him.”

CJ straightened, remembering her behavior after Willard assaulted her. “Harley—”

“That’s the same fucking tone I heard when some girl from school texted you the other night,” Ryan replied, interrupting CJ.

She lifted her chin. “It’s N-Nardo,” she said flatly.

Ryan studied her, then glanced away. CJ drew his brows together, unsure why the scene bothered him so much. Fuck! He was searching for a reason to confront Ryan out of jealousy.

“Bro, if talking to Nardo upsets you that fucking much, ignore him,” Mattie said.

“I-I…” Harley looked from CJ to Ryan. “It’s my business what I do with him,” she announced, turned, and ran out of the cafeteria.

CJ studied Ryan watching Harley’s frantic escape. Problematic in and of itself. Ryan’s demeanor, however, was even more fucked up. The pain could be attributed to his own bout of jealousy. CJ knew how soul destroying it was. But he swore Ryan had guilt mixed in, almost akin to his look every time someone mentioned Molly.

If Ryan was fucking over Harley…Fuck, nope! CJ couldn’t immerse himself inherbullshit because she was stupid. Not until his latest family crisis ended.

Ember shifted. “I probably should go.”

“Thank you for coming to check on Rebel,” CJ told her.

“Can I talk to you alone for a moment, Mr. Caldwell?” she asked.

Laughter snorted from Mattie. At CJ’s warning look, she clapped her hand over her mouth, though amusement lit up her brown eyes and her shoulders shook.

Snickering, Ryan wagged a finger at their cousin.

Ember’s mortification grew by tenfold. She couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze, barely met CJ’s. If she turned any redder, her color might be permanently altered. Taking pity on her, CJ got tohis feet and nodded, indicating she stand. “I’ll walk you through the gauntlet of nosy motherfuckers.”

She stood, her face flushed. CJ imagined how pretty and pink she looked underneath her clothes. He felt no embarrassment or guilt, even though he really didn’t wanther. All because of Harley, who he couldn’t seem to get over. Even after her lover’s quarrel with Ryan, after she’d run off supposedly because of Nardo and knowing she’d turn back into a super brat if Molly ever returned, CJ wanted her almost more than he wanted to breathe. Because, yeah, he’d been a lying motherfucker when he said heneededher but didn’t want her.

It was both.

Except he’d gnaw off his goddamn arms before he ever admitted that. He’d die on that hill of denial.

Ember, on the other hand, made him feel nothing but lust. He only wanted what she offered. A fuck and a dick suck. Fucked up but true.

“I’ll text you later,” he whispered, close to her ear, trying to remain casual so he wouldn’t draw attention to his erection.

“I’ll be waiting,” she responded quietly.

Standing firmly at her side, CJ escorted her to the hallway, ignoring how his captive audience followed his every move. He didn’t want further scrutiny, so he kept it simple and bade her farewell. If he walked her to the parking lot, they’d have even more spectators. He didn’t want that for her. The more people witnessing their interactions, the more she risked herself. Whenever he talked to her again, he’d remind her of the importance of discretion. Not for him, but for her.

By the time CJ returned to the table, Diesel had taken his seat. He wouldn’t make a big deal about it. Obviously, the fuckhead was suffering.

Once CJ pulled over another chair and sat, he leaned across the table and grabbed his untouched coffee, donut, and banana. The coffee had grown cold and he’d lost his appetite.

“If you don’t want that donut, cuck, I’ll take it off your hands,” Ryan offered.

“You can have the banana, too,” CJ said.

“I’ll take that,” Mattie inserted, swiping the banana before Ryan could.

“What was LeBan doing here?” Ryan asked around a mouthful of donut.

“Checking on Rebel,” CJ said.