Page 63 of Rebellious

She beamed at him. “You think I’m hot?”

“I do. Very,” he added.

“Then—”

“Then listen to what I told you and leave it at that.”

“I’m so tired of Jaleena bragging about how much you liked her and how none of us will ever get a chance with you.”

Maybe Skye’s pushiness came from her quest to best Jaleena. “I’m not a fucking commodity—”

“You’re better than that. You’re CJ Caldwell. Do you know how many girls are in love with you?”

“I’ve heard,” he said dryly. Jaleena had given him a rundown. “But they don’t fucking know me to be in love.”

Most of the girls saw him as a prize to be won. The realization made him crave Harley’s familiarity. Though not all of their history was good, she understood him like no one else. Yeah, he was still a little wary. He remembered the dark days of their busted friendship and his vow he’d never trust her or want her again.

But Harley had always been everything to him. He’d buried his feelings out of self-preservation. Now, he was cautiously optimistic that, perhaps, they could reconnect.

“I suppose I can’t tell Jaleena you gave money to me?”

“I would prefer you didn’t, since I doubt you want her to know the truth about why I gave you the money.”

“That isn’t her business.”

“Then neither is my money and what I do with it,” he retorted.

“I would challenge you, but you…you saved us. Gave us room to breathe, so I can’t repay you by opening my mouth with lies,” she said softly.

Grant blew the horn.

CJ turned and held up his finger. “I have to get going, bae.”

“Who’s with you?”

“My cousins, Grant and Ryan.”

“I don’t know Grant but tell Ryan ‘hi’ for me.”

CJ kissed her cheek again. “Get inside, Skye. I’ll see you at school.”

“Can I text you later? I get lonesome sometimes. I only have cheer. Now that the rent is paid, I might not have to drop out, but I’ll see. Jaleena and the other girls do a lot of expensive stuff and—”

“Text me later. I’ll hit you back when I have a moment.”

She smiled at him, turned and hurried inside, closing the door behind her.

“Took long enough, cuck,” Ryan said when CJ got back in the car.

CJ didn’t respond.

“You planning on fucking her?” he asked.

“Nope.”

“Stop kissing her fucking cheek, beta,” Ryan advised. “You’re giving the girl the wrong fucking idea.”

“Ryan’s right, CJ,” Grant told him. “Every time you kissed her cheek, I’m surprised she didn’t swoon at your feet. Once was bad enough, but twice?”