Rebel
Christopher: Meet me in your office. I want to show you something.
It took Meggie a few minutes to calm down after her run in with her husband and sons, but by the time Christopher’s latest message came through, her anger had faded.
Instead of responding, she brought her luggage to the foyer, then made her way down the west hallway to her office where Christopher sat on her sofa.
“Hey,” she greeted, plopping down and leaning against him.
Drawing in a deep breath, Christopher wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I talked to Reb.”
The words pleased her, but she’d hold her opinion until he told her what they discussed.
He tightened his hold on her. “I’m so fuckin’ lucky to have you as their ma and I’m so fuckin’ sorry for the way I handle shit. I react and I know it’s not always the best way.”
“It isn’t,” she agreed. “You’ve got to stop manipulating me. You should know how much I love you without you having to twist whatever just so you’ll feel better. That isn’t how this works.”
His entire body wilted. “It always did—”
“It isn’t working today,” Meggie said. “You took my birth control pills.” He’d deny it for the rest of his days, but, deep down, she knew it was him. She didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Diesel set Rebel up because he is a jealous idiot.”
Releasing a harsh breath, Christopher got to his feet and stalked to her desk, then yanked open a drawer. “Your pills there. I ain’t took those motherfuckers. You must’ve put them in there and forgot them.”
“Do you understand why I’m so angry?”
He glowered at her. “If I took the fuckin’ pills, you’d think I was oversteppin’ my boundaries. I thought you belonged to me.”
“I do, but my body bears the burden of pregnancies. My psyche wrestles with the fear of death for me and the baby. All the uncertainty.”
“Not alone. I’m scared, too. And how the fuck we still stuck on fuckin’ pills that’s not missin’ when I ain’t too sure what the fuck I’m gonna do until you get back?”
“Do you really believe Diesel’s explanation?”
“That motherfucker didn’t kiss Rebel,” Christopher answered, evading her question. “Kaia did.”
Sniffing, Meggie folded her arms.
“Fuck, Megan. Kaia wasn’t supposed to really want to be her boyfriend.”
“Has it ever occurred to you that some things can be aboveboard, my love?” she asked gently.
“I still maintain CJ could’ve introduced them honestly, instead of going through such an elaborate set-up.
Your daughter isn’t stupid. You all tell Kaia to jump and he has to jump or else.
It feeds her suspicions that she was setup yet again, this time by you, CJ, Diesel, and whoever else you all chose to bring in. ”
Instead of addressing any of what she’d said, Christopher stared out the windows, the panoramic view revealing the mostly cloudy day.
“I love you so fuckin’ much,” he said quietly.
He looked at her and smiled, but it was dim, sad, and his emerald eyes lacked their usual sparkle.
“The minute I walk in the house, I feel your presence. The way you been talkin’ about leavin’, the way you just decided to leave…
” He shook his head. “I’m so fuckin’ scared you ain’t lovin’ me no more. ”
“You and your schemin’, your low moves, taught me a lot, Christopher.
I won’t say I don’t enjoy them because I do.
I match wits with you and I think you’re brilliant.
The trauma of the last few months made me realize I need some boundaries.
It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I adore you.
You’re my world. I live for you and the children. ”
Christopher sat in her desk chair and faced her. “What boundaries you settin’?”
“First? My birth control is off limits. Don’t ever do that again.”
“I ain’t done it,” he said stubbornly.
She wouldn’t win that argument. Since he’d put them back, she dropped it.
“How you go from not rememberin’ where they were to insistin’ I took them?” he asked.
“I know you as well as you know me. It’s something you’d do. You got an entire vasectomy reversal without telling me. If you put yourself through that torture, of course you’d take my pills.”
He didn’t respond, so Meggie got to her feet and went to her husband, stepped between the vee of his thighs and pressed her lips against his. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, taking over and leading Meggie to where she wanted to go.
Standing outside and wondering if the sun would peak through, Rebel tossed her cigarette, waiting for Momma, Axel, and Kaia. Beyond escaping all the fuckery, she wasn’t sure what she was anticipating more—shopping or visiting Rule.
Daddy’s visit freed something inside her, made her feel a little less lost, although nothing would truly take away her embarrassment except time. A few months ago, she never thought Rule would ever love her again, but time was healing him—them. It was a lesson she’d never forget.
The entrance door opened and Rebel turned, expecting to see either Momma, Axel, or Kaia, if not all of them. Instead, it was Torrin and Narci.
Narci’s blond hair was a long, well-kept mane that he took pride in and kept in a ponytail or a man bun.
He was handsome, as sought after as Diesel, and adored himself.
Torrin was handsome, too, but not as charming with dark hair and stormy blue eyes.
Since CJ’s overdose, she didn’t have much to say to them, so she stepped aside to give them room to walk by.
“Diesel’s sorry, Rebel,” Torrin said, not moving. “You should talk to him and ease his mind.”
“Not. Why should I ease his mind if it pollutes mine?”
Narci smiled. “We hate to see our boy in so much pain, Little Reb.”
“That makes two of you. Me? I hope lightning strikes him and he writhes on the ground like the slimy eel he is.”
Torrin’s lips thinned. “Look at it from his perspective and stop acting like a spoiled fucking brat.”
“What exactly is his perspective?” Rebel demanded, interested in hearing it. Curiosity was a motherfucker and she was that stupid fucking cat.
“You’re his little sister,” Torrin said sharply, “who always pitch a jealous fit when you see him with another woman. You stalk the man, torment him, and acted like a complete little cunt at his birthday party.”
Rebel flipped him off. “You don’t know the full story and I’m not interested in sharing.” She nodded toward the pathway. “Be gone.”
Narci whistled. “You’re doing everything except calling us peasants.”
“Peasant never crossed my mind. Fuckface-jackass-motherfuckers, though?” she said sweetly. “That sums you two up to a ‘T’.”
“Diesel doesn’t deserve your treatment,” Narci insisted. “You can ease his mind.”
“You’ve done your duty. Came and pleaded his case,” she told him. “In vain, but you can report back to him. Tell him I’ll consider your arguments and make my decision in the coming days.”
“He didn’t ask us to talk to you,” Torrin said. “We saw you out here and seized the opportunity. He’s a good big brother.”
“He’s a fucking psycho. Ask him what he did to me—”
“We already know,” Narci said. “We heard all about it.”
“So you think I’m wrong for hating that motherfucker after he lured me to the scene of the crime because he was jealous of me and Kaia?”
“Only in your mind, baby doll,” Narci said. “Your implication is disgusting and delusional. He doesn’t want you that way. One day, you will get that through your head.”
Rebel understood why Narci and Torrin couldn’t believe Diesel wanted her.
Until recently, she’d felt the same way.
He’d specifically told her he intended to make love to her when she turned eighteen to get her out of his system.
Obviously, he’d kept that bit of fuckery to himself.
As much as she hated that fuckhead, she wouldn’t destroy his sterling reputation as the best big brother ever.
Those fuckheads wouldn’t believe her anyway.
“He made a mistake,” Torrin snapped. “He should’ve told your father instead of teaching you a lesson about your naivete.”
“My…?” Rebel stiffened. “Why did that motherfucker say he fucked with me?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Torrin said. “Any good chick would overlook that and give him another chance.”
“That motherfucker isn’t making a mistake at my expense, Torrin,” she said sharply. “No, that isn’t even the issue. It’s him not knowing exactly what he did to me. And if being a good chick means being a pushover, than I’ll never be good.”
“I understand, Little Rebel,” Narci said. “When I’m bad, I’m so much better.”
“That is so fucking lame,” Rebel said darkly.
Narci’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re too young to understand the undertones.”
She wasn’t about to debate what she was too young for. “If you wanted me to know that Diesel made a mistake, message received. Thank you. Anything else?”
“We know you love Diesel,” Torrin started. “Want to marry him.”
“He’s marrying Jana,” Rebel said. “So sorry to disappoint you.”
“That don’t mean shit,” Narci asserted. “I’ve told Tennysee to kick fucking rocks when I need a break from her clinginess. She loves me so she keeps shooting her shot.”
“Good for her. She and Jana can exchange notes on how to let fuckheads walk all over them.”
“Why bring Jana into this, sweetheart?” Torrin asked, his Cheshire grin unsettling her. What did he know? “She’s a sweet girl. Perfect for Diesel.”
Unlike Rebel. Torrin hadn’t said it, but Rebel heard it loud and clear.
“Kaia’s perfect for me,” she said with stout conviction, believing that to the depths of her soul.
The door opened again. Still not her travel companions. Ryan walked out and halted at seeing Torrin and Narci.
“You two fuckheads want to die.”
“We’re just talking to Rebel,” Torrin barked. “What the fuck’s it to you anyway?”
“A lot. Diesel will fucking torture you if you fuck with her.”
“We’re on his side, Ryan,” Narci argued.
“There’s no fucking sides when it comes to her with him,” Ryan retorted.
Although Rebel thought he exaggerated slightly, she appreciated his defense.