Page 102 of Rebellious

“You tell me, Kendall. You didn’t think you should mention to me that you and Mortician went away for a day trip?”

All the years she’d had Roxy’s support and love flashed through Kendall’s head. As hurtful as her underlying anger was, Kendall knew it wasn’t because of that trip. Roxy never had a problem with Kendall and Mortician’s close friendship.

Their brief kiss rose in her head and she flushed, suddenly unable to meet Roxy’s gaze.

“I’m sorry…I’ll talk to Bailey,” Kendall said, on the verge of crumbling. Bailey must’ve discovered the trip and told Roxy. “I was in a bad state and—”

Gnashing her teeth together, Roxy threw her clutch on the desk and sat.

“I should’ve told you before Mortician told Bailey—”

“Mortician didn’t tell her. That lowdown, dirty dog motherfucker you’re married to told her,” Roxy snarled. “Along with everything else that motherfucker has put in my baby’s head, Kendall.”

Each nasty detail of Johnnie’s conversation with Bailey, as Mortician had told Kendall, ran through her mind. Now that motherfucker had fucked with her again. No wonder Roxy was angry.

The silence seeped into Kendall’s brain and she blinked, watching as Roxy grabbed her clutch and pulled out a lacy handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes.

“My baby’s getting the help she needs for all her drinking,” she said briskly, holding the scrap of material against one of her cheeks to catch her falling tears. “Mortician’s a good man, but that boy’s heart is broken. Because of Johnnie. He destroyed my daughter. Why didn’t you tell me about the trip, sugar? I could’ve helped her and made her see it was just friends taking a much needed break.”

Kendall jumped to her feet and hurried to Roxy, then kneeled in front of her and laid her head against her chest. “I’m sorry.”

It felt as if those words had been said a thousand times over the last few days, but there were so many regrets, each ‘I’m sorry’ was warranted.

Roxy hugged Kendall. “Harley’s going through so much right now—”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help out.”

“Besides Bailey, the two people I know Mortician will talk to are you and Outlaw. I haven’t talked to Outlaw yet. Rebel was released from the hospital today and I didn’t want to burden him.”

“I’m glad to hear she’s home.”

“Me, too. They are throwing a welcome home celebration for her. Harley and me cooked. I heard the celebration went well.”

“I’m so glad you and Harley—”

“I’m not here to talk about Harley. I’m too fucking furious with Johnnie.”

“Me, too,” Kendall said hoarsely. “How could he hurt Bailey for no reason?”

“Bailey drank herself into oblivion and now she’s across the country in Maine. Mortician touched down earlier. He went to get her settled in but she doesn’t want to see him.”

“I’ll make sure to tell Mortician I’m here for him and the kids. And you know I’m always here for you.”

“I know, sugar.” She dabbed her eyes again, then tapped Kendall’s shoulder, signaling her to stand. “I have to get going. It’s late and it’s been a long few days.”

Rebel’s departure just about cleared out the clubhouse. Not long after, Fia, Tauriel, and Tennysee arrived, and planted themselves at the table Jana sat at with Diesel, Torrin, and Narci.

The girls ignored Jana as much as Diesel and his friends. A part of her wanted to return to the treehouse and text Kaia, ask him why he’d been ignoring her. But the bigger part of her was so grateful that Diesel hadn’t barred her from Rebel’s welcome home party. He’d even asked if she was enjoying herself. Then, of course, Rebel interfered again.

“What has you over there so deep in thought, Jana?” Tennysee asked, much nicer than most of the girls.

Jana frowned, then saw Diesel’s attention straying to her and shrugged. If she called out Rebel, he wouldn’t be happy. He always took Rebel’s side even when Jana tried to defend him.

“You’re among friends, sweetheart,” Narci promised. “What you say at this table goes no further.”

She glanced hesitantly at Diesel, her mind spinning to come up with an answer that pleased him.

He lifted a brow at her. “Narci’s right.”