Chapter Twenty-Three

Sitting at her desk in her bedroom, Mattie stared at her putrid pink walls. She was trying not to think about what happened at school yesterday. Trying not to remember Wally Byrd grabbing her and yanking her into the boys’ bathroom and forcing his tongue into her mouth.

He’d just ripped away her panties and grabbed the pipe when Axel walked in. Later, he’d reveal he’d come to hide because Study Hall bored him.

Wallace had released her and stormed to Axel, swearing retribution, intending to use the pipe to beat her cousin instead of assault her in an unspeakable way. She’d thought Axel was dead and foresaw her own painful violation and death.

But he’d kicked Wally—karate chopped him—grabbed the pipe and ordered Mattie to take his phone and text Ryder and Ransom.

“Put SOS,” he’d told her.

As Axel defended her, and himself, Mattie sent her frantic text. Within five minutes, Ryder and Ransom were there. They’d beaten Wally unconscious, then waited until the last bell rang and most of the teachers were gone to call Mark JB, Lou, JJ, and Devon. Axel served as lookout, darting around corners, ducking behind trashcans, underneath the stairwell, and in a corner near a vending machine. They’d gotten Wally out of the building and dumped him behind the cafeteria, near the Quad.

She’d had her own marching orders—interrupt the cameras. She’d been so frantic and outdone, she’d almost forgotten how to do something she’d learned from the cradle. She’d always loved computers and coding fascinated her. Over the years as Uncle Val and Uncle Stretch became aware of her interests, they began teaching her what they knew and encouraged her to go beyond their knowledge.

If she hadn’t cut class because she hadn’t studied for the math test, Wally never would’ve caught her. She didn’t have Rebel and Harley around, and most of the other girls didn’t like her. They either thought she was a snob or trash. There was no in-between.

Even if Rebel and Harley still attended the Lower School, Rebel hadn’t been to school in weeks and Harley was on a warpath.

As if Wally’s assault wasn’t bad enough, Daddy wouldn’t answer her calls or her texts. She’d been sending him a text when Wally spotted her in the shadows of the gloomy hallway.

The way her father shut her out devastated her. All along, she’d known what would happen if he ever saw her as less-than-perfect. And she’d tried so very hard to hide her true self, but she wanted to be free to be herself. However that might be.

Momma hadn’t spoken to her about birth control and Mattie was too afraid to ask Aunt Meggie during her daily check-in, something she’d missed so much while her aunt was in the hospital.

“Mattie?” Rory called, a moment before her doorknob turned and he led CJ in.

He’d gotten so tall and…and beautiful that Mattie couldn’t help but flush when she looked at him. Mrs. LeBan asked about him all the time. She was so annoying with that.

“You’re crying,” Rory said.

She swiped at the moisture on one of her cheeks and gazed at her fingertips. They were wet. “I-I didn’t realize it.”

“Does it have anything to do with that motherfucker?” CJ demanded.

“What motherfucker?” she asked faintly.

“Wally. Axel told me what happened. He went to tell Uncle Johnnie last night, but it didn’t work out, so he told me when he got home. He’s worried about you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me, Mattie?” Rory asked.

“I didn’t know what to say,” she whispered, more tears rushing to her eyes. “I was cutting class. I couldn’t focus,” she cried. “I just wanted to talk to Daddy.”

Rory’s shoulders stiffened. “He still hasn’t called you?” Rory asked.

Sniffling and swiping at her cheeks, she shook her head.

“Motherfucker!”

“He hates me,” she said miserably.

Rory hugged her. “No, Mattie. I’m sure he doesn’t. He’s just angry.”

“Okay,” she said hoarsely and disentangled from her brother.

His look severe, he folded his arms. “Do you like any boys at school?”

Her only goal was to stay out of Willard’s crosshairs, so she hadn’t noticed any other boys at school. She shook her head.

Sagging in relief, Rory nodded. He tweaked his earlobe. “Does Reb?”

Although the question was innocuous considering all her other problems, it gave her a sense of normalcy. The boys in the family constantly followed the leads of the men. Meaning, they were all determined to block Rebel, Harley, and herself from normal girl stuff.

Rory glanced at CJ, who nodded.

“Not including Diesel,” her brother added.

She refused to take their bait. As soon as these two jackasses left, she was calling Reb to put her on alert. She studied her nails, then gave Rory and CJ a tight smile. “Not that I know of,” she murmured, folding her arms.

“What do you know about Nardo?” Rory asked after another look at CJ, silently asking for guidance.

“Besides him being a jackass? Nothing.”

“Do you know if he was the reason Harley fought Aunt Bailey and Lolly, and got kicked out?” CJ asked.

Say what?

Mattie gaped at her cousin. She’d been so lost in her own pain, she hadn’t realized Harley was in trouble. “No one called and told me!”

“Mom told Uncle Christopher who told CJ who told me.”

Disappointed, she wrinkled her nose. “Gossip to the third power is considered hearsay. Inadmissible in any court of law.”

CJ’s grin made her heart flutter. “Yeah, I’m going to need you to stop talking lawerly in front of the Triplets. They’re driving Dad fucking crazy.”

“Lawerly?” she said, giggling. “That’s not even a word.”

“It’s my word, Mattie. If Shakespeare could make up motherfuckers, so can I.”

“I agree,” Rory said, back to worshipping CJ. “However, we’re surrounded by lawyers. Mom, Gramps, Diesel.”

“Don’t forget Grant,” Mattie reminded them.

“Lawyers are good to have around,” CJ decided, “but we can’t all be fucking attorneys. The club will need members with diverse interests.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Mattie said. “I want to be a hacker. I plan to study Cybersecurity, so I’ll know how not to get caught.”

Rory’s eyes lit up. “We should call a meeting, C. See where everyone’s interests are and make them commit to that area of study. That way, there’ll always be mechanics, attorneys, bankers, private investigators, doctors, cops, judges, and whatever in the ranks.”

“I’m all for it,” Mattie said, holding her hands up to curtail their protests. “Me, Reb, and Harley have to be included. Mom, Aunt Meggie, and Aunt Zoann have skills that are invaluable to the club.”

“Just as long as you know no girls can join,” CJ said sternly.

“I know,” Mattie said with a dramatic sigh.

“I think Mom and Dad are about to restart the weekly get-togethers. We’ll meet in the basement after dinner and talk about this then.”

Mattie smiled. “Okay.”

CJ started to turn. “I’m going to talk to Mom and Dad. Ask them to have school administrators to review your grades. See if you can get bumped so you can be with Rebel and Harley again.”

“But, mainly, close to us,” Rory said with meaning.

Away from Wally. The fleeting hope buoyed her spirits, though her depression quickly returned. “I’d have to skip two full grades for that to happen right now.”

“You’re like Mom. Super smart,” Rory told her. “If anyone can do it, you can. If your current grades aren’t sufficient, there are tests you can take.”

“Suppose I fail them?” Mattie said.

CJ walked back to her and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Relax, bae. You got this. And, if you don’t, I do. My parents own the school. You will be with us.” Smiling, he kissed her cheek, then walked out, leaving her filled with hope and not as much fear.