Misfit(80)

“You, Meggie?” Kendall pressed.

Meggie cocked her head to the side, suspicion in her eyes. “No. Why? Do you need them for anything?”

“I was just asking. All the guys are here, even Digger. It’s sweet that he’s upstairs with Bunny as she’s looking after Ryder for you.” Kendall gulped more of the frozen pink drink. “Never really one of us, right? We’re all here enjoying ourselves and she’s upstairs babysitting. I don’t know what I’d do without Charlotte. She sent Jane and Ella to me. She’s the only one I can count on through thick and thin. Some people leave town, go back to New Orleans, and forget I exist.”

“Leave Momma out of this, Kendall. I haven’t heard from her in weeks,” Bailey said sharply. “I’ve called her. Lucas has, too. Grandma says she’s busy, so lay off.”

“I’ve tried her, too,” Meggie added. “I talked to her, once, two weeks ago, for five minutes. She said she’d call me back and hasn’t yet.”

“Five minutes?” Kendall sneered. “She talked to me for one minute before saying she’d call me back. Obviously, she’s had time if she talked to you, Meggie.”

“Lay off the Pink Panties, Kendall,” Zoann advised, referring to Meggie’s drink of pink lemonade, vodka, ice, and cool whip. “You’re fucking smashed if you see a problem with that.”

“I agree. I haven’t spoken to my mother in at least a month, and I’m not begrudging her talking to Meggie.” Worry crossed Bailey’s face before she held up her nearly empty glass and attempted a smile. “I need a refill of my drink. This is so delicious.”

Fee picked up on Bailey’s attempt to change the subject. “It looks like a strawberry milk shake.”

Grinning, Meggie stood and took Bailey’s glass. She went to the blender on the bar and buzzed it on for a quick second to mix in the layer of foam that had floated to the top. Once she refilled all of their glasses, she turned on the second blender to repeat the process with her drink, Pink Panties minus the alcohol. Or, as Fee called it, Pink Pantlettes.

Kendall gazed at Meggie through her lashes. “I would’ve thought you’d be gone after the way Outlaw humiliated you yesterday.”

Unable to believe Kendall, Fee gave her an incredulous look.

“I wasn’t humiliated,” Meggie snapped. “Besides, whatever I was is between Christopher and me.”

“I’m so concerned about you,” Kendall insisted. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You can shut the fuck up.” Zoann drained her glass. “That would help a lot.”

Twirling her hair, Kendall made a face at Zoann.

“I admire your unyielding faith in Christopher.” Zoann tapped Meggie’s foot with her toes. She relaxed on the chaise lounge part of the sectional, with Zoann stretched out near her, and Bailey at the other end. Kendall curled up on the love seat and Fee occupied the recliner. Pine floors, taupe colored walls with white molding, built-in bar, and pretty furniture blended Meggie’s feminine side with Christopher’s masculine tastes.

“In the same situation, I might’ve cut Val’s dick off, then debated on his guilt or innocence.”

Fee knew that, despite how much her big sister adored the man she’d married. Hearing that let Fee know she’d chosen the right couple for Kendall’s schemes. Zoann would never have shown Val the trust Meggie had with Christopher.

“I also want to thank you,” Zoann went on, then bowed her head. “You’re the only one who’s ever stuck by him through thick and thin. The only one who’s ever had such unconditional love and loyalty to him.”

Exactly what Fee wanted with Cash and Stretch, though she feared she’d never have it.

“We could all take lessons from the two of you,” Fee added before Meggie responded.

“Maybe, you can,” Kendall said crisply. “But I have no need to. Johnnie and I are writing our own love story, by our own rules, without having to look to anyone else for pointers.”

“We all are perfect for our husbands,” Meggie chimed in. “Kendall, you and Johnnie were made for each other. You’re both so tall and beautiful. Sharp and snarky.”

“Of course we are,” Kendall said, drinking again. “that’s why he belongs to me and me alone. I have the look and height of a mature woman, instead of resembling a thirteen-year-old waif who’s been used by a barbaric pervert.”

Anger flashed across Meggie’s face and she narrowed her eyes. Fee swore she heard her teeth grinding.