Misfit(16)
“Hurry, Daddy!”
“I gotta find dry clothes,” he reminded his son.
“I help,” CJ promised, not releasing his hand.
He’d miss CJ when he started school in the fall, so he wouldn’t balk at the offer. He’d take all the time he could get with his son, before he began the next chapter in his young life.
“Have fuckin’ fun, baby.”
“I will. I love you,” she added, as she always did.
“I love the fuck outta you.”
It didn’t matter that they said those exact words at least twice a day, it never got old. Life changed on a dime. Although shit had gotten good again with the extinguishing of all their enemies, he’d still take no chances. If he was fucked up in the next minute, he never wanted Megan to fucking forget how much he loved her.
Fee sat at the desk, remembering the mistake she’d made by not walking out the moment Cash laid down his ultimatum. He had a lot of gall, expecting her to fall into line. On the other hand, he must’ve detected the high bar on her bullshit meter.
Without considering her, or Stretch, Cash spelled out his terms. When Stretch hadn’t put up an argument, Fee knew she couldn’t either, not trusting he wouldn’t find a way to remain in Cash’s life, if Fee exited the relationship.
Lately, the push and pull of their triad felt more like a triangle, one where she had to stick it out for the long haul to come out the victor. The only time they were all ever on the same page was with sex. This time, Cash had resisted. Well, as much as he could, which wasn’t much at all.
He’d been too happy to get rid of her when another woman came along before Fee had even left. He’d made an obligatory call to her, a few minutes after she arrived home, to check on her safety, then hung up.
Stressing over the situation, and still not finding a solution, bruised her self-esteem. Cash needed to sort things out in his head to realize what a real relationship entailed. In the meantime, if he stayed stuck on stupid, she’d move on.
“Fee!”
Kendall snapping her name forced awareness into Fee’s brain and she turned to her cousin-in-law.
“Meggie will be here in about thirty minutes.”
“For your weekly brunch, right?”
Sliding Fee four envelopes, Kendall smiled. “It is Monday, isn’t it?”
“If yesterday was Sunday, then today is Monday,” Fee responded.
Dressed in yoga pants, Kendall brushed some of her red hair behind her ear. “In that case, you know it’s the weekly brunch, silly.” She pointed to the envelopes. “Those are invitations. I’ve marked off the party Johnnie and I will attend. Please RSVP with an acceptance. There’s two to decline. The fourth one doesn’t deserve a response.”
She walked across the room to her desk and sat, firing up her computer, while Fee got to work.
“Once you’re finished, I need you to research a precedence for the case I’m working on.”
Fee had been looking for a position and Kendall offered her the job as her assistant. Christopher dented Fee’s intentions to refuse by asking her to take Kendall’s offer and report back to him any suspicious goings-on. He especially wanted to know if she stopped her meds, which she was, as far as Fee knew.
Not having a legal background, Fee had hesitated, but capitulated at Christopher’s and Kendall’s insistence. Kendall didn’t know the role Christopher played in Fee’s decision. All for guaranteed tuition for college when she had yet to decide if she’d ever go back to school.
“Mother!” Rory called.
Kendall looked up from her work. “In here, son.”
A moment later, the little boy rushed in, somewhere between running and walking. In contrast to Kendall’s fiery red hair, Rory had blond locks. He looked so much like his father, Fee giggled every time she saw them together.
“Mother, CJ is at the park.” The excitement in his words gave away his anticipation.
“Sorry, Mrs. Donovan.” Ella bustled in. “This one got away from me while I was putting Matilda down for her nap. He’s been talking about CJ all morning. He thinks that little ruffian is setting foot in this house.”
Kendall darted her gaze between her nanny and Fee. “Fee’s here.”
“Oh, goodness!” Ella placed a hand on her chest and laughed. “CJ’s a lovely boy. He’s just a little rambunctious.”
“I want CJ, Mother,” Rory whined, turning a pleading gaze to Kendall.
“Father is going on a playdate with you.”
He bowed his head. “Yes, ma’am.”
Slamming her laptop closed, Kendall huffed. “CJ will be there.”