Page 160 of Restless
A deafening roar drowned out his words, followed by cheers, claps, and whistles. Digger and the others joined in. Turning, Mort saw Prez carrying Meggie, flanked by Rebel and CJ. As crowded as it was, everyone had parted like the Red Sea.
Mort had completely forgotten Meggie’s vow to check herself out. He’d never been so happy to see someone in his entire fucking life. He joined in the whistles and catcalls.
She started wiggling in Outlaw’s arms, and Mort grinned.
“Ain’t puttin’ you the fuck down, Megan,” Prez grumbled. “Ain’t wanted to stop at this motherfucker.” He sat in his usual seat, and she snuggled against him.
Rule walked up to his parents and settled a blanket over Meggie, then made the sign of the cross and backed away.
Glaring, Rebel opened her mouth, but Meggie shook her head.
“The bitches at the house, Meggie,” Val said, sipping his beer. “Waiting for you.”
“A patient of Jordan’s went into labor,” Cameron Baptiste put in. “She might not make it over.”
“Roxanne didn’t know until she called me after she made it home from the hospital,” Knox added.
Meggie bolted up and would’ve stood if Outlaw hadn’t tightened his hold on her. “What’s wrong with her?”
Axel darted up to her. “Lolly’s fine. Harley got her ass beat.”
“WHAT?”Meggie said. “Omigod—”
“Remember that fuckin’ ass beatin you lil motherfuckers escaped?” Outlaw growled, wrapping his arms around Meggie to keep her in place. “Say one fuckin’ more thing to your ma about shit that upset her and I’m fuckin’ you up.”
“I’ll do it, Daddy,” Rebel volunteered, snatching Axel and shoving him toward Ransom.
“Ow!” Axel hollered. “Sleep with your eyes opened, Rebel.”
“Sleep with your body in a fucking cast, Axel,” Rebel retorted.
Laughter rose around them, although Outlaw glared between Rebel and Axel.
“Welcome home, Meggie,” a female voice called from the crowd.
Meggie smiled. “Thanks, Vicki,” she responded. “I wanted to stop in to thank you all for your flowers, food, prayers, card, calls, and well-wishes. I’m so happy to be back home with my friends and family.”
“How’s Baby Jo?” Mack, one of the newer members, asked.
“Beautiful,” Meggie said with a soft smile. “She has a long road to go, but she is getting stronger every day,” she said around a yawn.
Outlaw frowned. “I told you we should’ve gone straight home. CJ, come get the blanket Rule gave your ma.”
Rule hurried from where’d he’d been standing next to CJ. “No one else can touch it but Mom and me. I’ve prayed over it and blessed it with holy water.”
Rebel rolled her eyes. “How the fuck can you make something that’s supposed to be good sound so fucked up?”
“He has a knack for it, Reb,” Ryder said with a snort.
Rule’s face fell. CJ placed his hands on the little motherfucker’s shoulders. “Ignore Lucinda, bro.”
“If I’m the devil’s wife, dickhead, what is Rule?” she demanded.
Meggie sighed. “Enough—”
“You all stressing your ma out. Shut the fuck up or deal with the fuckin’ consequences.”
Order restored immediately.
