Page 142 of Ruptured
Of course, Johnnie saw it differently. The morning after, when she’d awakened in her bed, he’d been glaring down at her.
“I’ve watched you the entire fucking night, wife,” he’d snarled to her when she asked how long he’d been awake.
The bags under his red-rimmed eyes and his grumpiness backed up his claim.
He’d been red with anger and green with jealousy. They’d argued, but she’d been too hungover to really engage with him. At the end of his tirade, she’d begged him to helpherwith Bash. Aboveboard, instead of in the underhanded manner he wanted her to helphim.
He’d declined and made her life miserable for the past five days. She saw no choice but to seek Mortician’s help. He’d probably expose her intentions, though she understood why, so she’d added another name to her list of people to visit or call.
Christopher. She’d prefer not to poke the bear, but she’d promised him honesty, so she had to stiffen her spine, face him and talk to him about Bash.
If only her sister-in-law wasn’t still in the hospital and so broken-hearted over Rule, Kendall would run to her for advice, girl talk, and a sisterly hug.
Roxy? Well, Roxy was like a mother to Kendall, which was why she found herself sitting on a kitchen stool, nursing a glass of wine hours after she walked away from Mortician. She’d driven around for so long, she’d ended up in Portland. It was only Rory’s phone call and Mattie’s text, concerned about Kendall’s absence, that reminded her she was loved and wanted.
Roxy sat on the stool next to Kendall. Knox Harrington stood on the opposite side, talking to his son. She’d walked in on a serious discussion but instead of asking her to leave, Roxy invited her in.
“I’m more here than there, Dad,” Grant argued. Apparently, he wanted to leave Harvard. “I’m always playing catch-up because of family emergencies. And, lately, when I’m there, I’mwaiting for the next call. I’m tired of Boston and of college. I have a different plan for my life.”
Oh-oh.
“Graduating from Harvard is a Harrington tradition!” Knox sputtered.
Kendall clenched her jaw to keep from interfering. Long ago, she and Knox put their differences aside. They were friendly, but he was still an uptight motherfucker. If Kendall didn’t miss her mark, Grant was about to knock Knox for a loop with his own revelation.
He turned a pleading gaze to Roxy. “Talk to him, Roxanne! Tell him he can’t leave college.”
“This isn’t about you, Knox.” Dark circles ringed Roxy’s eyes and she looked as if she’d lost weight. “It’s about Grant.”
Knox gasped.
And they calledhera drama queen. Rolling her eyes, Kendall sniffed, unable to stop herself.
“What, Kendall? What?” Knox demanded. “Say whatever it is you’re thinking.”
Kendall took a dainty sip of wine, when she only wanted to swipe the bottle and guzzle it the fuck down. “I wasthinkingthat Roxy’s losing weight.”
“What?” Knox snapped his brows together and paled. “Roxanne, baby, are you…?”
How could this unobservant motherfucker ever have been a PI? No wonder he’d been discovered almost instantly.
“I’m still in remission,” Roxy said gently. “I just miss Bailey and Harley. I want to beat both those bitches to the ground, but…” She shrugged and swallowed, gathering her composure and refusing to allow the tears pooling in her eyes to fall. “I miss them.”
Rushing to her, Knox drew her in his arms, took her face between his hands and brushed her lips with his own. “I’m so sorry. What do you need from me?”
“Yeah, Roxy,” Grant inserted, shifting his weight. “Whatever it is, let us know. If you want me to stay in school…if that’ll help, I’ll go.”
Kendall took another sip of wine, her heart hurting, wishing for the same unity and understanding from her husband.
“Sugar, I never wanted you to leave,” Roxy said to Grant, leaning her head against Knox’s chest. “But it wasn’t my place to interfere. I prayed you’d choose somewhere nearby and commute.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Knox asked, clueless as usual.
Like Johnnie.
Blonds alike. Idiots alike.
Grant shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m your son, too.” Uncertainty dropped into his face. “Right?”
