“Same with her. If this about Rebel, I still ain’t agreein’ with her and Diesel,” he said, choosing his words very carefully. If those motherfuckers got ahead of him, he said anyfuckinthing. “Diesel not right for her, baby.”
“It isn’t really about Rebel. It’s more about Tabitha and the fact that I told Diesel not to move Jana in until his divorce was finalized.”
“What the fuck you said?”
“When I was in the hospital. I thought I told you I didn’t want her here right now.”
Had she said that? He’d been such a motherfucker, not really listening to her, just mad that she’d almost diedagain.
“So, Thumper disrespected you and Diesel ignored what the fuck you said to do? Who the fuck else?”
“Leave Diesel alone. It’s done. We’ll deal with Tabitha when the need arises.”
“And Thumper?”
“I don’t really care. As much as you don’t want to hear it, we have to figure out a way for Rebel to accept Jana.”
An idea popped into Christopher’s head, but he quickly dismissed it. He didn’t want to bring up shit better left in the past.
“You have an idea,” Megan said, her eyes touching on every angle of his face. “Tell me.”
“Baby—”
“Tell me,” she coaxed.
“I was thinkin’ maybe we should make Rebel and Jana spend the day together. Go shoppin’.”
In the ensuing silence, he wasn’t sure what went through her mind. He was still vulnerable, his defenses completely down. She didn’t seem to understand just what her leaving did to him.
She took his face between his hands. “Christopher,” she whispered. “I love you. I. Love. You. Get that through your head. I didn’t leave you because of the essence of who you are. I left you because of who you were turning into. I love your mind. I love your charisma. I love your audacity. I love you. Do you understand me?”
“Yeah, baby,” he said, then changed the subject. “So whatcha think of the idea?”
“While it isn’t ideal and the circumstances are completely different, maybe a shopping expedition can be a bonding experience. I think Rebel will give me a lot of push back.”
Christopher touched his forehead to hers. “She still kinda mad at my ass. Let me be the bad motherfucker. I’ll make her go.”
“Your relationship is damaged enough.”
“If she think both of us against her, she might shut down. At least she got you to confide in, Megan.”
“You’re right,” she conceded.
He kissed her and she eagerly kissed him back.
“You got to see Rule?” he asked when they drew apart.
“I did. He is better than he has been in a while. He looks so much healthier.”
“Saner?”
She poked his chest. “Stop it.”
He snickered at her mock outrage. “I love you, Megan. So fuckin’ much.” He wished he had her blue diamond. He’d give it to her right there, but it would be another week before it was ready. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. If only you knew how much. I love our kids. Our life.You. My Christopher. My man. My Outlaw.”
He tucked her against him. “Ima try to get the cabin scheduled before your surgery.”
