They looked at each other and grinned. “Reb Elle,” they chorused, giggling.
Harley frowned. “Isn’t that what Molly called you?”
“Yeah.” Rebel gave CJ an apologetic look. “I regret being so mean to her. I just wonder…” She shook her head. “I don’t want to wonder.”
“Me, neither,” Mattie agreed. “I keep hoping someone says they found her.”
“What…what happens if she is found?” Harley squeaked. “A-alive, I mean.”
Ryan smirked at her. “I get my girlfriend back.”
Harley swallowed, and tears rushed to her eyes.
Fuck.
“No one’s interested in your fucking tears, Harley,” Ryan said flatly. “Stop already. Jesus, shouldn’t you be fucking dehydrated by now?”
“You’re so mean!” she cried.
“Says you,” he replied. “Whose opinion I don’t give a fuck about.”
Harley raised glistening eyes to CJ. “He hates me, CJ. Do something!”
“What the fuck do you wantmeto do, Harley?”
“You’re my best friend. Don’t you care that I’m under his roof and he’s…him.”
“Not a fucking bit,” CJ said in a hard voice, meaning every word. “I didn’t invite you down with us to become involved in your drama. It’s bullshit I don’t give a fuck about. I. DON’T. CARE. Either shut the fuck up or get the fuck out. I’m not finished with what I have to say.”
“You don’t care?” Harley echoed. “You don’t care that he had sex with me and then stopped talking to me?”
“Nope. Still don’t give a fuck. Your body. Your fucking choice.”
“You fuckedRyan?” Rebel asked, appalled. “Jesus Christ, I took you for a lot of things, but not fucking desperate.”
Harley stared at CJ, then transferred her ferocious stare to Rebel before balling her fist and punching his sister’s jaw.
The hit stunned everyone into silence. Even Rebel. But only for a moment. Her gaze turned to ice.
“Oh fuck,” CJ started. “Reb…”
She sank her hands into Harley’s hair, fisted a handful, then flung her so hard, she flew across the table. It happened too fast to stop Rebel. By the time CJ reached her, she had jumped onto the table and dive-bombed Harley, landing on top of her.
Ryan, the fucking miserable asshole, was laughing, instead of joining CJ, Rory, and Devon in dragging Rebel away from Harley, who was knocked the fuck out.
Chapter Eighteen
When Meggie went to the man cave to tell Christopher she was taking Gunner outside to swing, Roxy, Tabitha, Zoann, Bunny, and Ophelia had full glasses of Meggie’s newly concocted cocktail that included dark rum, mango and peach syrups, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. By the time she returned to the den, their glasses were empty, so she served a second round of rum sours.
This time, Kendall accepted a drink, although Bailey still declined. As a matter of fact, Bailey sat on the white leather recliner and barely spoke.
Meggie’s phone buzzed. She withdrew it from her pocket and saw a message from Christopher telling her Gunner was upstairs in his nursery and he’d bring the baby monitor as soon as he got the guys and headed to the den.
Responding with a thumbs up emoji, Meggie settled in a spot betweenKendall and Bunny.
Because her kids were older—except Gunner and Jo—during Meggie’s last redecorating, she gave the den a more sophisticated feel. Rather than follow trends, she chose traditional décor. The oversized white sectional, matching loveseat, and one plush chair required regular cleaning. Sometimes, Meggie questioned her decision, especially after Poop Gate. But it was what it was and, if she didn’t like it, she could always redecorate. Hopefully, she’d soon close the deal on the chandelier for the entrance hall. Afterwards, she’d reassess her home projects on a case-by-case basis.
“How are you, baby?” Roxy asked.
