Misfit(243)
“I…thanks, no, Zoann. I don’t think I can keep it down.” She drew in a sobby breath. “Please don’t hate me. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt any of you. You, Christopher and your families are all I have left in the world. Please, forgive me.”
Zoann rushed to her and drew her into her arms. “Stop it. I’m very angry, but I could never hate you. That bitch took advantage of your trust and fucked you royally. I understand the dilemma you found yourself in.”
Not really. She’d just guessed that Kendall would’ve just as easily screwed with Val. She hadn’t known for sure. “Then…then you forgive me?”
“Yes. I love you. You’re my baby sister.”
“Do you th-think Christopher hates me?” The thought devastated her. She’d been so focused on Cash and Stretch, so wrapped up in wanting to believe Kendall, she’d given a cursory consideration to the consequences of her actions. “Will he ever forgive me?”
“He’s pissed beyond reasoning,” Zoann admitted. “You let that bitch fuck with his marriage. That means you fucked with Meggie.”
Fee bowed her head. “I’m so, so sorry,” she whispered, tears cascading down her cheeks.
Val walked next to Zoann. “Don’t cry, babe. Outlaw will get over it. Meggie will make him understand your side.”
Nodding in agreement, Zoann bent to hug Fee. “My God! You’re burning up.”
“I don’t feel so good.”
“I guess not,” Val told her. “Up all night crying doesn’t do anybody good.”
Zoann hugged her again. “I’m cancelling my appointments for the day and getting you in to see your doctor. You’re still recovering and this can cause a major setback.”
“I’ll be fine,” Fee responded. “Stick to your plans. If I rest, I’ll feel better.”
Zoann’s brow furrowed.
“I’ll watch over her, Puff,” Val said, ending the indecision. “If she gets any worse off, I’ll call Outl…I’ll get her to the hospital myself.”
Val’s slip-up started Fee’s tears all over again. Flushing at Zoann’s warning glower, he guided her back to her room. “If you need me, just call me on my cellphone,” he instructed, before leaving Fee alone with her miserable thoughts.
She’d just cried herself to sleep when she was shaken awake. Turning, she met Meggie’s unreadable gaze.
Fee bolted up and held out her hands, knowing Christopher had told his wife about how she’d helped Kendall.
“Meggie, I’m so very sorry. Please, accept my apology.”
“May I?” she responded, nodding to the edge of the bed, next to Fee.
She scooted over. “Of course.”
Sitting beside her, Meggie grabbed Fee’s hand. “You do feel warm. Val called and told me you might have fever.”
She felt like crap, too. “I’m fine.”
“I’ll come back later, when you’re feeling better.”
“No! Please. Stay. I’ll never rest if you leave now. How’s my brother?”
“Christopher’s very angry.”
“I know! I’m sorry I gave in to Kendall’s demands. Don’t hate me.”
“Of course I don’t hate you. I’m angry with Kendall more than I am with you. I went to talk to her, but Johnnie said she’s gone.”
“G-gone? What does that mean?”
“I suppose it means he’s hiding her from Christopher,” she said with a sad sigh, releasing her hand. “As upset as she has me, I pity her more than scorn her. What sane person throws fuel on my husband’s temper? What logical woman goes out of her way to get another man’s attentions when she has a husband who loves her as Johnnie does? She doesn’t even see that because she’s so fixated on Christopher.”
She was just as fixated on Meggie, but Fee held her tongue.
“She can’t see that she’ll ruin our family if she drives Christopher to kill her. My family is her family. The woman is impossible.” Meggie tipped her chin down, her shoulders wilting. Nine times out of ten, she found a positive spin on everything. Today, tension, fatigue, and sadness surrounded her.
“I didn’t know what to do. I went to Johnnie,” Fee admitted, knowing Meggie wouldn’t hold it against her, though she’d never confess Kendall’s role in her stabbing. That was a secret she’d take to her grave. “I told Cash and Stretch, but they were as afraid of Kendall as I was.”
“You could’ve told Christopher. Yes, he would’ve been angry,” Meggie added quickly when Fee opened her mouth to interrupt, “but he wouldn’t have been betrayed as your brother and your boss.”