Page 95 of Remiss

And another attempt failed.

“Why scold your mom, Mattie?” Rebel said as if Harley hadn’t spoken. “Why not ask Aunt Gypsy if she was the celebrated beauty why did she allow Derby to disrespect her?”

“Because love is a complicated emotion, Rebel,” Meggie said flatly. She leaned forward and met Gypsy’s gaze. “Do you have an estimate for the surgery?”

“I’ve had consultations in Portland and Seattle. With the tech billionaires in Seattle, it’s more expensive, but also more prestigious. I checked the cost of an apartment and for skilled assistance for the first week, way out of my price range. But I’ll be fifty-five in two and a half months. I have eight thousand dollars for the vaginal rejuvenation.”

Every eye turned to Gypsy.

“Vag-i-nal,” Axel pronounced, old enough to sit at the table with them even though he protested vigorously at having Winnie next to him. He thought the little girl should be in the nursery with Ella, Blade, and Gunner. “V-a-g-i-n-a-l. V-a-g-i-n-a.” He gasped. “Vaginal has vagina in it.”

“A vagina is a hoo-ha,” Winnie blared, then grinned at Ophelia. “Right, Momma?”

“What’s a rejuvenation, Mom?” Axel asked, ignoring Ophelia’s flaming face.

“A type of makeover,” Meggie answered calmly.

“Are you sure you want to do that, Gypsy?” Bunny asked, inserting the question before Axel regrouped.

“Of course!” Gypsy cried. “Derby’s mine. I’m tired of the back and forth. To fight equally, I have to have a level playing field. My pussy was once prized. It made Derby a lot of money. Johnnie and Mortician loved fucking me.”

“Gross,” Mattie complained.

“Ew,” Harley said, recoiling.

Zoann settled an arm around her shoulder and the girl leaned into her.

Gypsy met Kendall’s gaze and looked at her through her lashes. “I’m not trying to cause a rift.”

“Then what the fuck are you trying to do?” Roxy demanded. “You sure the fuck trying to cause something with your fucking bullshit. You want that motherfucker? Good for you. We all know he won’t keep his dick in his pants even if you turned into Aphrodite. You’re here because we thought you needed a break, so don’t try to bring these girls to your level of fucking misery.”

“I’m sorry,” Gypsy said, not fucking sorry at all.

“Before this gets any more out of hand, how about this?” Meggie intervened tightly. “When I get back, you and I meet and go over what you need? It’ll be my birthday present to you. All expenses paid.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“As far as I heard,youdidn’t ask her,” Zoann snapped, “so get the fuck off your pity train and take the fucking gift.”

“What did I do to you, Zoann?” Gypsy demanded.

“Not a fucking thing. You see Kendall’s in a bad place right now and you’re bringing up what you did with Johnnie. If you mention Val, I will fucking punch you in your fucking mouth. Not because I don’t know he fucked you. Old news. It’s because you’re here being a messy, miserable bitch and I don’t have fucking time for that. So take the fucking money and shut the fuck up.”

“But it’s in the past,” Gypsy said. “I wasn’t trying to make anyone feel bad or jealous. I’m so focused on my own misery–”

“Unfocus,” Zoann retorted. “You don’t have to put up with that motherfucker. Derby was lucky to have you then and he’s lucky to have you now. If you can’t see that, then nothing wesay will help. You can spend a million dollars turning yourself into Aphrodite–” she nodded to Roxy– “orBarbie, if you don’t change your mindset, it won’t fucking help.”

“You’re right,” Gypsy said morosely, bringing the fucking mood further down. “Maybe, I need to fuck Diesel again.”

In the scheme of things, the announcement was innocuous, consenting adults taking pleasure in each other. Aside from the fact that Diesel fucked anything and Gypsy was just fucking desperate, it shouldn’t have been a big deal. Yet, Rebel’s crush on Diesel was well-known, rumored about in the club and analyzed among friends and family.

Rebel paled and jumped to her feet, ignoring her napkin as it fell from her lap. “What?” she cried, tears pooling in her eyes.

“Reb–”

“No, Momma,” Rebel said around a sob, tripping away.

Meggie stood.