Page 28 of Ruptured

“All you ever worry about is CJ,” Christopher growled. “You got other sons, too.”

“CJ just had his own medical crisis and he’s walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

“Whose fucking fault is that?”

Meggie stiffened. Unfortunately, it made her ribs ache. Releasing Rebel’s hand, she dragged herself back to her bed and slid in. “Yours,” she said flatly. “And you know why, so shut up.”

“How the fuck is itmyfault when the lil’ motherfuckeryourpotato?”

“You brought him into the club prematurely.” Meggie held up her hand. “That conversation is old. He’s blaming himself for this situation. It isn’t his fault.” It was hers, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words to Christopher.

Obviously, her husband was running on fumes and needed to decompress.

“If you would’ve allowed me to finish talking, I was about to say all our boys are traumatized by CJ’s overdose and this latest family crisis. Don’t let them walk into this room without preparing them. Especially Diesel.”

“What the fuck you mean,especially Diesel?”

“You’re looking for an argument, Christopher,” Meggie said in exasperation. “We don’t need to dredge up drama. We have enough without manufactured disagreements. I meant nothing by what I said, so relax.”

She meant more than she wanted to, considering CJ’s conversation, which annoyed her to no end.

“If you suddenly changin’ your fuckin’ mind about Rebel and Diesel, flip that motherfucker back, Megan. I will fuckin’killDiesel before I ever let him and Reb be together.”

“Rebel’s going to be fifteen in six weeks. I am not changing my mind about them now. But suppose they want to be together when she’s twenty-one? Then what?”

Christopher’s face reddened and his hands balled into fists, his body a rigid tower of rage. “Reb almost fuckin’ died, so you suddenly decidin’ whatever the fuck make her happy, she gettin’, huh, baby?”

She threw him a sour look.

“Diesel my motherfuckin’ son. Ain’t nothin’ changin’ that. Ain’t no goin’ back. If hewasn’t our kid, I’d fuck him up cuz the motherfucker don’t have a fuckin’ conscienceora heart. Sometimes, he ain’t even got a motherfuckin’ brain and I ain’t too sure about a goddamn soul. He touch Rebelnow, I’m dismemberin’ him while he still breathin’. He touch Rebelthen, I’m just fuckin castratin’ him and decapitatin’ him, since both fuckin’ heads would guide him in the wrong direction. Hear me, Megan? Get that thought out of your head. Otherwise, Diesel will be mydeadmotherfuckin’ son.”

“I’m not feeling well enough for this conversation, Christopher,”

“You can be ready to ride in the fuckin’Tour de France, and this conversation ain’t goin’ no different.”

“Talk to the boys before you allow them in here,” Meggie said, changing the subject. Diesel would eventually divorce Tabitha anyway because of another girl. The point was probably moot.

“As usual, your focus on the wrong fuckin’ thing,” Christopher grumbled. “Rebel datin’, when it should be on her fuckin’ recovery.”

“You’re right,” Meggie said quietly. She glanced in Rebel’s direction again but quickly looked away. Her daughter needed positive energy, not tears and arguing. “I’m sorry.”

Christopher grunted, his feelings still out of control, because of his helplessness.

Kendall stuck her head in. “Christopher…” She glanced at Rebel and her eyes widened; she walked fully into the room. At Rebel’s bedside, she smiled tenderly, then bent and kissed Rebel’s forehead, tall enough to do so. Unlike Meggie. She straightened and looked at Meggie. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Sucking her lip between her teeth, Meggie nodded, afraid if she spoke she’d burst into tears.

Kendall hurried to Meggie’s bedside. “Why don’t I call your nurse for some pain meds?”

Meggie swallowed another sob. Her throat, along with her head, throbbed. “I’ll be asleep when CJ returns and I don’t want him to worry.”

“I’m gonna take him with me to see Rule,” Christopher said.

Kendall turned to him. “That’s what I was coming in to tell you. Father Wilkins is waiting, and I think Bailey and Zoann are on the way there. Would you and Meggie like to read over the documents before signing?”

“I’ll read them,” Christopher said, then glanced at Meggie long enough to acknowledge her with a nod. “Let her get pain meds, so she can rest.”

He turned, and walked out as Kendall pressed the call button for Meggie’s nurse.