Page 44 of Boundaries

“Did I just have a stroke or is there a McKenna in my kitchen?” I rattled moodily. “What the hell ishedoing here?”

Those dark McKenna eyes of his narrowed dangerously at my choice of words and Jenna flinched at the harshness of my voice. Nixon McKenna could fuck the hell off, he didn’t scare me. And what the hell was he doing by the sink? Did he even know what it was? He was probably about as domesticated as me. Although he’d cooked breakfast,apparently. Miracles existed.

Nixon placed the dishcloth he held on the kitchen counter and leaned back against the sink; his eyes assessing as they roamed over my face. He looked mildly amused, which was a totally different expression from the last time I had seen him.

“That isn't very sisterly of you, Amy,” he said in that devil’s voice of his.

My spine became so rigid, it should have snapped in half.

“I don’t consider myself to be your sister, Nixon. I don’t consider myself to be your anything,” I sneered, my voice dripping with disdain.

“Please Amy, don’t,” Jenna said weakly, looking like I’d just drained away all her joy. I watched as she rubbed her temples with her fingertips. I so hoped she wasn’t getting one of her headaches.

Deciding she hadn’t earned my sympathy, I shot her a scowl. “If Dad finds out, he’s been here, Jenna. It will kick the hell off again,” I informed her with a sharp look.

“He won’t find out and I’m only staying for the week,” Nixon cut in, taking control of the conversation, something he always did when I tried to reason with my sister. His face plainly showed just how much he disliked me. Yeah, well, back at you, buddy! With fucking bells on.

“You’re joking. Onehourof your company is enough. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold down the contents of my stomach any longer than that,” I needled. My inner bitch gliding to the surface. My heatstroke was now long forgotten.

He watched me in brooding silence and Jenna fiddled with her wedding rings.

“Nice tee,” Nixon suddenly complemented, it lacked conviction. “I’m surprised by the wording, though.”

Looking down at the ‘You Wish’ wording on my T-shirt; I could feel his insult, even though it wasunspoken.

“Shouldn’t it say, The Jenna Taylor-Joy Appreciation Society,” Nixon drawled with a curl to his lip. My mouth dropped opened, I hadn’t expected that. My grimace was almost painful it was that strong.

“Nixon!” Jenna scolded sharply; her perfect brows drawn together. It was a unique look as she rarely got cross, especially with Nixon.

He raised his hands, “Just saying.”

I folded my arms and hooked my chin on him. “So, what’s happening after the week? Are you fucking off overseas again? One can only hope?”

“Nope, Jenna is moving back in with me. Where she belongs,” Nixon drawled like the conceited ape he was. “I’m here to help her pack and we’re moving things over in stages.”

I looked at him like I thought he was full of shit, but my hands dropped to my sides in defeat. I felt like a balloon that someone had just stuck a pin in. “You’re out of your mind Jenna.”

She opened her mouth to reply but I cut her off, holding up my hands in surrender, “But I promised myself that I’d stay out of it. And I will.”

To be honest, with everything that had happened lately, I had my own drama to deal with.

Nixon was unimpressed by my revelation when he should have been happy. “I doubt you’ll be able to keep your nose out for long. Why don’t you try and get yourself a life and then you don’t have to try and take over your sisters.” His words grated along my nerves, fraying the edges of an already ticking temper. How dare he lecture me? It stung that he was right, until lately, I’d had very little to focus on.

“And, your father probably wouldn’t give a shit that I’m here. He’s come to terms that I’m Jenna’s husband. We’ve had an adult conversation now. When you grow up, you’ll be able to see what that feels like.”

“What about Mattie, what does he think about our little visitor?” The word little to describe any of the McKenna men was borderline ludicrous.

“He’s fine about it, Amy, he has his own stuff going on. Chrissy is fine too. She was quite happy for us.” Jenna replied. Yeah, whatever, the little suck-up.

Nixon itched his jaw before saying, “Mattie’s seeing someone now. So, he’s concentrating on his new relationship. Surely, you’re aware?” he sneered. His words took a beat to digest and I barely held my anger back. Was he suggesting that he’d known my brother was seeing my boyfriend behind my back? The bombshell hit me like a wrecking ball.

I glared up at him whilst trying not to lose my fucking mind. Nixon’s expression was all out patronising and I wanted to smack him in the face but Jenna cut in.

“Nixon, that’s unfair,” she whispered with a sad look.

He didn’t like that he’d upset her and he apologised. I almost swallowed my tongue. “You’re right love. I apologise Amy.” His sorry didn’t necessarily go as far as his eyes but it would do. I didn’t give a shit about what he thought he knew anyway.

Jenna started to wring her hands together, something she did when she was nervous. “Look, I’ve invited Nixon to stay with me, Amy. Please respect that and play nice,” she said, her doe-like eyes searching my face. She had her hair down and looked so beautiful. She really did brighten up the room. And at that moment it was thoroughly needed with a McKenna giant standing there, draining away all the light with his man bulk.

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