Page 50 of Rebellious

“I’m not having an affair,” Kendall said with force, a liar and a manipulator to her soul. “I wish you’d stop putting that out into the world.”

“I can put what the fuck I want wherever the fuck I want it. You’re pretending I’m forcing you to my will to give you a fucking excuse for your bad behavior. You and Mortician have always had a thing for each other.”

“I love him, motherfucker. Platonically. I understand that’s hard for you to wrap your head around because you aren’t acquainted with either concept. Companionship or romance. Unlike Mortician.”

Johnnie stiffened. “Are you really comparing me to him?”

“He’s incomparable so fuck you. You compared me to Meggie for years, so suck up your wrong assumptions and asshurt feelings.”

Blinded by jealousy, Johnnie hoped to frighten Kendall into compliance. “You’ve just signed his death warrant.”

She shoved him. “If you harm one hair on his head, I will fucking kill you,” she warned, low. Aggrieved. Unhinged.

He raised his hands and heaved in a breath. “Are you taking your meds?” he asked carefully.

“Fuck you. What does it matter to you?”

He thought it prudent to change the subject. His nerves were raw and his temper frayed. “Where are you going on your overnight trip?”

“Not to have an affair.” She swiped at her wet cheeks. “More’s the fucking pity. At least I’d have the choice.”

“You have the choice now,” Johnnie told her in that same soothing voice, suddenly frightened he’d fucked up completely and lost her for good. “I love you, Kendall.”

“No, Johnnie,” she said, hoarse and pitiful. “You don’t,” she reiterated, seeming convinced, her sad resignation alarming him. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t do any of what you’re doing. You would’ve been happy that Chris…Outlaw accepted me. You would thank Mortician for looking out for me. You wouldn’t have t-t-told me about Ch-Charlotte…” She covered her face and sobbed again.

He hadn’t told her most of what Charlotte had done.

“I love you, Kendall,” Johnnie croaked, hoping to undo whatever damage he’d done. “I love you.”

“Stop spouting that fucking lie!” she shouted. “If you loved me, you’d fucking respect me. You don’t.”

“Christopher does?” Johnnie asked, his hackles rising again. “Mortician does?”

“Yes! Mortician has gotten annoyed with me over the years, but he’s never turned his back on me. Never. He’s been my friend since I met him.”

“Is that why you’re rewarding him with pussy?”

Kendall looked so tragic. Still beautiful. Still naked. But heartbroken. Devastated over Charlotte’s death. Fed up with him. Just a smorgasbord that didn’t bode well. “I’m not sleeping with him!”

“You’re a goddamn liar.”

“Keep it up and I will become one,” she said darkly. “I’ll fuck him in every room in this house. I’ll set your picture on the nightstand so you can watch us fuck. Stop fucking with me.”

He threw her a putrid look. “You want to sleep with him?”

“My God, motherfucker, you’re insane and are determined to drag me down with you,” she yelled. “Am I fucking him or fantasizing about him?”

“You tell me.”

“I am! I am not sleeping with Mortician.”

“But you fantasize about him.”

Wiping the last of her tears away, Kendall smirked at him. “From what I heard, he’s an exceptional lover. Kind. Attentive. He doesn’t force himself on women.”

“Stop with that bullshit!”

“Fuck you, motherfucker. I will never fucking forgive you for what you’re doing to me.”