Her phone beeped again, the roar of the motorcycles from their escorts almost drowning out the text alert.
The three of us. To clear the air.
At the second text, Kendall reached for Fee’s phone. Instead of relinquishing it, she threw it in her lap, gripping the steering wheel with both hands.
“Eyes on the road,” Kendall commanded. “Stop being so fucking stupid. Texting and driving is beyond dangerous. If we get into an accident, you’ll be at fault.”
“Sorry. However, don’t call me stupid. I may be careless but I’m far from stupid.”
“Whatever.” Kendall drummed her fingers on her thigh. “We both know how sincere your apology is. Who is that anyway?”
No chance in hell would she give Kendall more ammunition to use against her when the time had run out for her Daphne games.
“What do you mean?”
“Who are you texting? Is that more understandable?”
“Just a friend. He wants me to meet up with him later tonight.”
“Really? Do tell. Does Outlaw know them? Oops! I mean him.”
“No,” Fee said without missing a beat, not surprised that Kendall detected her deceit. “That’s all you’ll get from me.”
“Stop acting like a fucking brat.”
“A brat?” Fee couldn’t believe Kendall’s self-righteous indignation. “Excuse me if I protect myself from blackmail.”
“I’m your friend and I’ve apologized.”
“You apologized for Thursday’s behavior, not for blackmailing me.”
“Wrong. I apologized for blackmailing you the day I did it. I did what I had to do for me. I won’t ever do it again. Just trust me.”
“You used my secret against me and broke my trust. Your apology doesn’t mean shit. Surely, you understand that.”
“You’re not very trusting if one minor injustice causes these problems. Besides, your brother needs to come off his high horses. He expects to be instantly obeyed and has everyone, except me, intimidated.”
“Christopher runs the club. If he didn’t demand respect, there’d be mayhem. For all of that, he’s really fair-minded. Everyone knows that. You’re alone in your grievance against him.”
“He’s your brother, so I understand your defense. I even understand his protection of you. I didn’t have anyone to look out for me, so cherish his interference.”
How did Kendall make even a compliment sound like an insult? She was such an enigma. A good friend one moment and a mortal enemy the next. “I appreciate Christopher, but I’d like to be able to make my own mistakes.”
“That’s the stupidest fucking sentiment. Why go through heartache if someone who’s already been there can save you from experiencing it?”
“Is stupid the only word you know? Being my boss doesn’t give you the right to insult me. If that’s the only comment you’ve got, keep it.”
“I’m sorry, but sometimes people learn about life by listening to others’ experiences.”
“Listening and experiencing don’t have the same effect,” she insisted. “I can listen for days about your heartbreak. Unless I go through it, I don’t know how it feels. How can I grow, gain any wisdom, know that I can pick myself back up during adversity, if I only live based on what you’ve gone through? Or all the bullshit you create?”
“You can’t, so I won’t waste my breath and tell you anything other than to be careful.”
“I’ve already learned a valuable lesson with you, so I’d say my way is effective.”
“I’m done talking to you, so fuck off.”
Fee hadn’t meant to be so sharp or harp on Kendall’s actions. Everyone had a right to their opinion, something Kendall seemed unaware of, especially if that opinion didn’t match hers.
Other than Kendall offering directions about where to enter the interstate or Fee asking for the right exit once on the 205, they rode the rest of the way in silence, with only the muffler of the bikes cutting through the SUV.
Forty minutes later, she put the Navigator into park in front of the door to a bricked mansion with huge columns and a wide balcony. Mount Hood rose in the distance and stately trees surrounded the property. Topiary shrubs sat in the middle of the circular driveway. It was beautiful and peaceful, the land around the home offering an isolated feel.
The roar of the three bikers gliding to a stop, their actions synced with each other, was almost criminal in the tranquility.
“I’ll wait here,” she announced, intending to use the time to answer Cash.
“No.”
Kendall was being so difficult today!