Page 72 of Never the Best

“Good,” I murmured, but before I could say more, I heard someone mention Pearl.

“Oh, Pearl,bless her heart,” Dixie May said, loud enough for half the guests to hear. “She can’t hold a man, can’t hold a meal. It’s tragic.”

Luna stiffened.

Rage searedmy insides.

Josie, Caroline, Dixie May, and Birdie were holding court in a little circle of snide smiles, two tables away. Their laughter carried across to me like nails on a chalkboard.

Alice was nearby, sitting at their table with her phone. She was scrolling through it, clearly trying to escape the social hellscape Caroline had dragged her to. She glared at Dixie May and was about to get up when I caught her attention and shook my head. She sat down, but grudgingly, looking militant.

“She’s always been such a drama queen.” Birdie Beaumont, Pearl’s fucking mother, entered the melee, and spoke as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. According to Aunt Hattie, she had called to check up on Pearl, only to complain about how she’d become the talk of the town with her ridiculous disease.

The laughter that followed was sharp and cruel.

I saw Josie smirk as she added, “At least she isn’t fat any longer.”

I didn’t even realize I was moving until I was standing right in front of them, my jaw clenched so tight it felt like it might snap.

“Stop,” I said, my voice cutting through their laughter like a blade.

Josie turned, her perfect, practiced smile faltering when she saw me. “Rhett,” she said, blinking up at me with wide, feigned innocence. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong,” I snapped, “is the fact that you’re tearing down someone who’s been through hell, as if it’s some kind of sport for you.”

The room quieted, heads turned toward us, but I didn’t care. Let them all hear.

“Pearl almost died.” I was taking no prisoners tonight. “You know this, Josie, because Maddie told you. Did you know Pearl nearly lost her life because of what this disease did to her? Because of the years of cruelty and judgment she endured from people like you andme?”

Josie’s face paled, but before she could stammer a response, I turned to Birdie.

“And you,” my voice hardened. “You’re hermother, and you have no compassion for your child who almost died and is struggling with a dangerous disease? How many times did you tell her she wasn’t enough when she was young? That she wasn’t thin enough, pretty enough? How many times did you make her feel like her only value was in her appearance?”

Birdie’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. However, her expression said,the nerve.

I scanned the women. “Where the hell is your decency? You’re standing here making fun of Pearl like she’s a joke. You sayshe’spathetic. I have news for y’all. The only pathetic people I see here areyou.”

Caroline stepped forward, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Rhett, that’s enough,” she snapped, her voice sharp.

“Not nearly,” I retorted. “People like you keep getting away with tearing people down so you can feel superior. Well, enough is fuckin’ enough.”

“Rhett, control yourself.” Cash used hisI’m a Big Manvoice.

I ignored him.

I looked at Dixie May, who didn’t look as smug as she had moments ago. “Do you even hear yourselves?” I demanded. “Do you realize how vile you sound? Or are you so far gone you don’t even care?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

I turned, letting my gaze land on Cash, who stood by his wife. He was puffing up his chest to let me have it.

Well, I got first dibs, asshole.

“And you.” I literally pointed a finger at him. “Your sister almost died, and you didn’t even notice. How does that make you feel?”

Cash’s mouth opened, but I cut him off. “Save it. We all know you’re not the concerned brother since you’ve allowed your mother and your wife to take potshots at Pearl. Does that make you feel like more of a man?”

“Hey, behave yourself,” someone else said, “You can’t just?—”

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