Chapter Seventeen

Instead of immediately calling his father or telling D. Elliot about his mother’s car, he decided to eat dinner. One, he needed to find the courage to call home. Two, he’d do it better on a full stomach.

It was a weeknight and near closing, so D. Elliot hadn’t reseated anyone at CJ’s table. After promising water and more breadsticks, the waiter walked away to place CJ’s order.

“Hey, CJ,” a voice purred next to him a minute later.

He glanced over his shoulder and raised his brows.

“I thought my imagination was playing tricks on me. One of my former students out on a school night, when he hasn’t been at school in weeks.”

Grinning, CJ swept his gaze over Ms. LeBan. “How would you know? I don’t attend the Lower School anymore.”

She smirked. “Your brothers talk.”

“I’m sure those three little assholes do,” he said, laughing.

Licking her lips, she nodded at the empty chair where he’d sat earlier. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No, ma’am.”

Amusement danced in her brown eyes. She wasn’t wearing glasses.

“My date got pissed off and left.” After fucking up his mom’s car. He cringed at the thought. “Have a seat.”

Ms. LeBan walked to the other chair, allowing CJ a good view of her. She looked decidedly unteacherly tonight, dressed in tight leather pants, combat boots, and a fitted top that lifted her tits. Though her face was made up, her hair remained in her trademark severe bun. Suddenly, seeing it unbound was a life goal.

“Thank you for sharing,” she murmured.

“Of course, Ms. LeBan,” CJ said as politely as he could when she was staring at him as if she’d undress for him with a crook of his finger.

“Call me Ember. We’re not at school.”

CJ had a decision to make, a very crucial one. He heard the invitation in the teacher’s…Ember’s voice. He saw it in her eyes. If he wanted her, she was available. It was up to him to take the bait and see where it led. Otherwise, he could sit in misery for too many reasons to count.

“Here you are, C.” D. Elliot sat a basket of warm bread and extra butter on the little table. “You lucky you got pull. Alex was pissed because he’d gotten what he thought was the last order of the night five minutes after you left.”

Ember grabbed a piece of the bread and bit into it. At D. Elliot’s scowl, she offered a little wave.

“Is there a private room available?” CJ asked, completely pushing it but he knew his family were there after hours sometimes and they paid the wait staff a separate fee.

“Are you ashamed of me?”.

CJ grinned at the petulant question. “No, bae…er, Ember. I’d just prefer not to have problems arise.” He’d learned a lot from the Torie fiasco. “You’re a teacher at my school. To a passing glance, we look like we’re on a date.”

For the first time, unease slid into her face, and she glanced at D. Elliot.

“My tip will be as generous as I can afford, D. Like Dad’s always is.”

“Fuck, fine, bro. I’m trusting you. If I have a pissed off broad, I’m sending her to you for an explanation. Give me a few minutes.”

“Put whatever Ember ordered on my tab.”

“Will do.” The waiter walked off and headed toward the host station.

“That was a boss move,” Ember said, finishing her bread.

CJ shrugged, not considering it any move other than one that needed to be done to protect all concerned. “You look very pretty tonight.”

“I’m not always the staid, buttoned-up school Marm. I know how to act my age.”

“Which is?”

“Twenty-six two days ago.”

The same day as Jo’s surgery. “So you were out celebrating?”

“Not my birthday,” she said with forced cheer. “I’m celebrating two months’ single.”

An interesting way to look at the situation.

“I finished my dinner and was going to the bar where I intended to order a glass of champagne when I spotted you.”

“J’s offer sparkling wine by the glass. If you want champagne, you have to buy the bottle.”

She poked her lower lip out in an adorable pout. “Really?”

He nodded.

“I really wanted a glass of champagne.”

“Follow me,” D. Elliot said before CJ responded to Ember.

Standing, CJ went around and helped her to her feet, then placed his hand at the small of her back and followed D. Elliot. Dealing with girls was second nature to CJ. He’d had a front row seat to his father’s worship of Mom. Dad placed her so high on a pedestal, he’d forgotten she was a flesh-and-blood woman with normal feelings like jealousy and insecurity.

Fuck, CJ sometimes forgot his mother wasn’t some special deity above human emotions.

Once inside the smallest private room, he led Ember to the mirrored table to two chairs and pulled out one for her, then turned to D. Elliot.

“Bring her a bottle of your best champagne.”

“That costs a thousand dollars.”

Okay. “Your mid-range champagne, then.”

“Six to seven hundred.”

CJ glared at him.

“How much can you pay?”

How much did he want to pay? “Bring her Moet.”

“That’s one hundred sixty dollars,” she gasped.

At the fucking restaurant.

D. Elliot lifted a brow and CJ nodded. “I have enough to cover it.”

Alone again, he took his seat. She licked her lips, drawing him to her mouth.

“You call me beautiful, but so are you,” she said. “You’re so cocksure, even at your age. Most boys would be stumbling all over themselves to have an older woman’s attention.”

She was right, he supposed. “I’ve had all kinds of girls and women after me for a while now. At first, I thought it was because of my dad. I’m his son. I was flustered then.” And he’d almost come in his pants at the almost-hand job last year at the Devils’ clubhouse. He shrugged. “Now, it doesn’t bother me.”

At the time, he’d been panicked because Uncle Mort had been there and CJ feared Aunt Bailey and Harley finding out. That was no longer an issue.

D. Elliot returned, rolling a cart with a silver ice bucket holding a bottle of Moet and one crystal flute. Once he popped the cork, and poured Ember her champagne, he turned to CJ. “Sorry, C. Outlaw not here and I know you’re driving.”

“I don’t like champagne. Mom does. She drinks it on her birthday and her anniversaries.” A tradition she began on her thirtieth birthday and fifteenth wedding anniversary. “I would kill for a beer or a shot of tequila.” CJ gave the waiter puppy dog eyes.

“Anything happen to you, and it’ll be my ass,” D. Elliot said with a laugh.

“I know,” CJ said with a sigh. “The law would get involved and you might be arrested. J’s would lose their liquor license—”

“And Outlaw would fuck me up,” D. Elliot added in the same light tone CJ used. “I can take that other shit.”

“What are you talking about?” CJ said, losing his sense of humor. “My dad’s not a fucking killer.”

“He wears a 1%er patch. I don’t want to press my luck.”

“That means fuck all,” CJ snapped, then decided to shut up. The more he defended his father, the guiltier he’d sound. “Dude, it’s on you to believe whatever you wish. I’m not spending my evening arguing the point.”

D. Elliot shrugged, then addressed Ember. “I forgot to bring you a menu.”

“It’s fine.” She sipped more champagne. “I already ate.”

“Then I’ll leave you two alone until your food is ready.” At the door, he paused. “I take it you don’t want anyone to know about this?”

“Nope.”

“Remember that when you add your tip.”

“Hey, asshole. I’m trying to protect Ember. My dad will have to know because fucking Jaleena keyed my mom’s car and flattened her fucking tires. Remember that when you see your fucking tip.”

In response, D. Elliot slammed the door shut.

Fuck, what was he doing? He needed to call Dad. Stat. Shit was out of control. Instead of being responsible, he was entertaining his teacher and flip-flopping between accepting her lewd invitation or declining it.

Suddenly, she was right there, standing next to him, her tits in his face. CJ’s cock stood at attention. He shoved back from the table, allowing her to sit on his lap.

“If you kiss me, you can taste the champagne on my tongue,” she murmured, taking his face between her hands and tugging his head forward. She pressed her lips against his.

Hands at her waist, CJ opened his mouth and allowed her tongue in. He didn’t hesitate to match her kiss for kiss, absorbing her tiny moans and shuddering each time she rocked her hips against his dick.

She tore her lips away and giggled. “Your mouth is smeared with my lipstick.” Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed. “I was with Chuck for seven years,” she murmured. “I didn’t cheat on him once. He was only my third boyfriend. We were supposed to marry, then two months ago, I walked into our apartment. He was having his cock sucked in our bed!”

For the first time, CJ saw the pain in her eyes.

“He told me I’m a great fuck, but a boring, basic bitch.”

CJ smiled gently at her and thumbed her lips. “It’s okay, bae,” he told her tenderly. “The motherfucker sounds like a fuckbag. He doesn’t deserve you.”

“I try not to love him anymore, but I do.”

“Sometimes, you can’t help whether you love an asshole.” Case in point, Uncle Johnnie. Aunt Kendall loved that jerkoff. Maybe she didn’t want to love him, but she did anyway.

She touched her lips to his again. “Thank you,” she said, running her tongue over his lips before leaning back and removing her top.

Her hard, raspberry-colored nipples tempted him to wrap his lips around one and suck. He alternated between sucks and licks, his mind scrambling to recall the adult movies he watched with Diesel. Sometimes, in the company of Ryan, Rory, Rule, and Devon.

“Take your hair down and unzip your pants,” he ordered her.

She scrambled to her feet, eager to do his bidding, her breasts mounds of temptation bouncing in his face. Unable to resist, he pulled her closer and dragged his tongue between the valley of her breasts, drugged by the scent of her perfume and the warmth of her skin.

The moment she unbuttoned and unzipped her pants, CJ latched on to her nipple again and skimmed his hand across her flat belly. He invaded the leather and found she wore no underwear, offering him easy access to her swollen clit.

She was hot and wet. He slid a finger into her pussy, sincerely wishing it was his cock, and started an in-out motion.

“God, god, god!” she chanted, riding his finger and moaning.

He added a second, then a third finger, stretching her and thumbing her clit.

Her eyes glazed over and she went wild, bouncing on his moving hand and coming all over his fingers. Panting, she dropped to her knees and kissed his jean-clad erection.

“What a beautiful big boy,” she breathed.

He unzipped his fly and pulled his cock out through the opening of his boxer briefs. She licked the head and CJ jerked at the sensation.

Grinning wickedly, she wrapped her lips around his cock and started sucking him. He threw his head back and closed his eyes. When he buried his fingers in her hair, he realized she’d followed his instructions and taken the pins out. Unfortunately, nothing could’ve prepared him for the feel of having a woman’s mouth slurping his cock. Not even porn. Or wet dreams. Or wet dreams with handies.

He came quick, his first real sexual experience over within two minutes.

Fuck.

Clearing his throat, he got to his feet and repaired his clothes while she found her top and covered her luscious tits.

“You should wear your hair down more often.”

It went just past her shoulders and curled at the ends.

“I can lose my job.”

“If anyone finds out. Which no one will.”

She drew in a deep breath. “I want us to do it again. I want you inside of me. I want…I like you.”

It would be wrong to say she didn’t really know him, since she’d just given him a fucking blow job.

“Let me go to the bathroom. I’ll give you my number. If my dad doesn’t kill me over my mom’s car, we can arrange to meet again.”

A relieved smile curved her lips, swollen because of their kisses and her dick sucking.

He turned.

“Do you like knitting?” she asked, drawing his attention back to her. “Or crocheting? I take classes for both. Alternating weeks,” she added.

Okay.What the fuck was he supposed to say to that? “I don’t like either.”

“I belong to a book club about world history and geography.”

Of course she did. She was a fucking social studies teacher.

“You were at the top of my class.”

“We’ll talk about it, bae,” he promised.

Like fuck they would. Geography was fine. He needed to know fucking directions to go on runs, and navigational skills were a must. History though?

Fucking history pushed down his goddamn throat in large fucking chunks.

Absolutely not.

He stalked to the bathroom, took a piss, then washed his hands and threw cold water on his face.

Fucking killjoy. She ruined his first fucking blow job. Goddamn, he hated to agree with her fuckbag ex but the dude might’ve had a point. Punching the button for the hand dryer, he allowed the water to evaporate, then took a few napkins from the dispenser and dried his face.

Now was as good a time as any to call Dad and confess. He was already an hour overdue from the time he’d promised to be home. Shockingly, neither Mom or Dad called.

Phone in hand, he sighed at seeing sixteen missed fucking messages. Harley was really over the fucking top with her…

“CJ?” Ember called as she pushed open the door and stuck her head in. “I’m heading out. The waiter said to let you know that he’s about to bring out your food.”

CJ shoved his phone back into his pocket. First, he’d tell D. Elliot to box his food, then he’d call Uncle Mort and ask him for help.

He walked out. Behind the split hallway was the area that led to a very steep spiral staircase to the second floor and the lone elevator for those who wanted or needed another method.

“Let me walk you to your car,” he said as the elevator doors opened and someone stepped off.

Ember shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’ve called an Uber.”

Glancing at the woman who’d gotten off the elevator, he smiled as she gasped and crashed to a halt. If Jaleena hadn’t fucked up the Vette…Fuck. Him.

“Torie!” he snarled, his eyes almost bugging out of his head.

Jo’s former nurse blinked. She wore a wait staff uniform. He gaped at her, barely registering her stunning beauty.

“Does my dad know you’re back?”

Her eyes darted everywhere, then she stepped closer and grabbed his wrist.

“Bye, CJ,” Ember said softly.

Fuck, he let her go. He couldn’t stop and ask for her number because he wanted to know what the fuck Torie was doing so close to Hortensia.

“Answer me, goddamn it,” he told Torie.

“Don’t talk so loud,” she whispered. “I don’t want Dexter to hear. We’re trying to patch things up.”

“Dex…fuck.” Groaning, CJ grabbed her elbow and dragged her back into the private dining room. “You were married to D. Elliot.”

Her eyes flared in surprise. “No one ever called him that.”

“Who the fuck is Edna?”

“That’s me,” she mumbled. “My first name. I don’t like it, so I use my middle name.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Does my dad know you’re here?” he demanded, not interested in her small talk.

“Of course not, CJ. He made his feelings very clear. He wants her not me.”

“That her is my mom, so shut the fuck up. And even if he wanted you and not her, my sister would fucking kill you.”

“Typical. She’d allow someone else to fight her battles. Not woman enough to do it herself.”

“Leave my mom the fuck alone, Torie,” CJ warned. “I’m sick of you fucking with her…fuck me. You’ve called her, haven’t you?”

She lifted her chin. “Your father let me in. I know a lot. I, we, need more money. Dexter swears not to cheat again, so I’ve sworn to fund our restaurants.”

“By threatening my mom?” CJ asked, appalled.

“I’m not threatening her. I’m threatening your dad. To send him to jail. Obviously, she doesn’t love him as much as she claims since she won’t pay me.”

CJ gaped at her. “Are you out of your motherfucking mind? Stop fucking with my mother before shit gets real.”

“Outlaw wants to fuck me. He won’t hurt me.”

“Uh, yeah, no. My dad won’t ever cheat on my mom. Never. I’ll bet my fucking life on that.”

“Because you’re a sweet innocent kid, CJ.” She shrugged. “Sometimes, I do feel guilty. It was your mom who helped me get the job at Hortensia General. When Dex first started working here, he mentioned that his girl was looking for a nursing position. She offered to hire me at some raggedy home healthcare business, but he told her I wanted something in a hospital.”

“And you repay her by trying to take my dad?”

“I didn’t realize it was her at first,” Torie said defensively. “All I knew was Meggie. Not Megan Caldwell and definitely not Outlaw. It wasn’t until me and Dex started talking about our marriage a few days ago, that I put two and two together.”

“You’re unfuckingbelievable, Torie.”

“I am not. I’m fighting for my life here. I needed a fuck. Dex wanted to see his son and Little Dex was crying for his daddy,” she huffed.

CJ was beginning to get the picture. “Mom put in the good word for Edna Meadows, your first name and your maiden name?”

“No, it was Edna Carter. I switched back to Meadows after my divorce.”

He scowled.

“Have a little pity for my plight. I was floundering in LA.”

“Yeah, because you played yourself with your fucking bullshit. My mom wanted to give you fifty fucking thousand dollars per quarter until your son turned eighteen. But you fucked with her. Mainly because you fucked with my dad and my sister.”

“Fuck both those bitches. One’s violent and the other one is a pushover. Fuck them.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m telling you for the last fucking time leave my mom the fuck alone and don’t bring my sister into this. You need another fucking ass beating from my sister. Do not call my mom again.”

Sniffing, Torie folded her arms. “Fine, I won’t, and it isn’t because of her. It’s because it’ll hurt Outlaw. Fuck her.”

“No, it’s because Outlaw will fucking kill you and I’ll help him, you fucking bitch. My mom has been through enough.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Can you fucking prove it? I don’t fucking think you can.” Another lesson learned. From now on, he needed to watch what the fuck he said and not let his temper get the best of him.

Fuck this evening. He should’ve stayed home.

“Sit, Torie.”

“Dex will wonder why I’m still here.”

He glared at her. “Tell him you just realized it was my mom who got you the fucking job and we were catching up. Now, sit, goddamn it.”

Scowling, she stomped to the table and sat.

He took out his phone and pressed the number ‘5’. “We have problems.” Although he was in a world of trouble because of the Corvette, it was so much easier than Torie’s presence. “Jaleena keyed Mom’s Vette and flattened her tires.”

“Where are you, dickhead?” Diesel asked crossly because when was the fuckhead not cross lately.

“I’m at J’s, Diesel,” he snapped, not in the mood for his bullshit. If he divorced that bitch, his problems would go away. “With Torie.”

“Motherfucker. I’m on my way.”

The moment CJ disconnected the call with Diesel, D. Elliot opened the door and wheeled in the steak dinner. Seeing Torie sitting in a chair, arms folded, and glaring at CJ, the waiter halted.

“You met my wife. Ex,” he added when Torie threw him a dark look.

“What a small fucking world, D.,” CJ drawled. “Torie and me just realized it was my mom who helped get her position in NICU at Hortensia General.”

D. Elliot grinned, either completely clueless or expert liar. “I didn’t know Edna was taking care of your little sister until we talked a few days ago.”

CJ glanced between them. “I made reservations here a little over a week ago, D.” He spoke to the waiter but focused on Torie. “Did you know that?”

“Is something wrong, CJ?” D. Elliot asked in a voice CJ couldn’t read. “Edna—”

“Stop calling me that, asshole!” Torie cried. “You know I fucking hate that name. Yet, you insist on calling me by it. Ugh!”

His mouth turning down, D. Elliot nodded and shifted his weight. “Torie can be a little hard to handle. If she’s offended you, let me apologize. I don’t want it to get back to Meggie, since Ed, er Torie wants me to ask her to put in the good word again.”

Lifting a brow, CJ smirked at Torie. “Let me know how that goes, dude. As a matter of fact, I think you should ask my mom and my dad. Rebel, my sister—” He spared a glance at D. Elliot— “also might like to attend that meeting. She needs to learn the art of bullshit and bitchery.”

Torie sniffed.

“Uh—”

“Just fucking with you, D.”

“By the way, I saw your name on the list earlier today,” D. Elliot responded. “I’ve been off the past five days.”

“And Torie?”

D. Elliot frowned.

Tough fucking shit. Someone had ruined his mother’s car, and CJ wanted the right person to pay.

“Torie started her job two weeks ago, but she was off the past week, too.” D. Elliot glanced between Torie and CJ. “Why?”

“Just curious, dude.” CJ got to his feet and dug in his pocket for his debit card. “Close out my tab and box my food. Diesel’s on his way.”

D. Elliot took CJ’s card, then looked at Torie and cocked his head. “You a’ight? You called Mama and told her we would be late picking up Little Dexter?”

“I wouldn’t have been late if I hadn’t run into CJ, boo. Can you call Miz Carter and apologize for me?”

“Sure thing, baby.” He held the debit card up and nodded to the food. “I’ll be right back, C.”

“He doesn’t know anything about me and Outlaw,” Torie said the moment they were alone again.

“There is no fucking you and Outlaw,” CJ snapped, gritting his teeth at the sound of another text message.

“O-o-or me and Diesel.”

“I beg your fucking pardon? Didn’t you just tell me ten fucking minutes ago part of the reason you got back with D. Elliot is because you needed to fuck?”

Tears filled Torie’s eyes. “I did. I do.”

“But you just decided to fuck Diesel.”

“I thought he’d tell Outlaw how good I was in bed.”

“What the fuck kind of logic is that?”

“While I waited for Outlaw to cave, I thought Diesel would spoil me too.”

CJ guffawed, then abruptly stopped and glowered at Torie. “If you know what’s good for you, get checked for an STD. Diesel fucks everything in sight.”

Fuck You by Lily Allen blasted through the room. Since he’d ignored her text—he hadn’t even read it—Harley upped her game by calling him.

Well, he’d ignore that motherfucker, too. He’d talk to her tomorrow. They’d made up—kind of—at his father’s birthday party. He just couldn’t pretend the past six months hadn’t happened. She’d gone from bad to worse to complete fucking brat.