Page 97 of Relentles
“Your ma having surgery, too,” Dad added. “As soon as Jo is stable and on the mend.”
Mom bounced Gunner harder. “I’m holding off.”
Either she’d rattle the fuck out of Gunner’s brain or toss him into the ceiling. Before either event occurred, CJ stood and went to her, lifting his little brother away.
“What the fuck you mean?” Dad growled. “You changed your mind about your hysterectomy?”
That couldn’t be. CJ would lose his fucking mind, worrying about her and Dad would be a basket case. He sounded like one now.
Clenching her jaw, she stared at Dad, and the look on her face even stole the anger rising in CJ.
Dad reached for her, but Mom got to her feet and walked to the Christmas tree.
“I don’t want more kids,” Dad said. “I want you happy, baby. I’ll doanythingfor you to be happy. Except that. I can’t, Megan—”
Mom kept her back to him, kneeling and gathering presents. “It’s my body,” she said dully.
“It’s gonna be yourdeadfuckin’ body if another baby get in it,” he snarled. “I almost lost you this time. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
It was the same thing CJ had asked her in the coffee shop a few days ago.
Dad was staring at the back of Mom’s head. CJ saw his mind whirling. Then, he nodded and cocked his head to the side. “Johnnie talked to you?”
She was silent. Then, “About?”
“Answer the fuckin’ question, Megan.”
“If you have more babies, we’re feeding it to the bears, Mom,” Axel announced, his motherfuckery marching on. “First Gunner now Jo. I’m putting my foot down.”
CJ wanted to do the same, but judging by Dad’s purpling face, he kept his opinion to himself.
Diesel got to his feet and nodded to Axel. “Let’s go to the kitchen—”
“No, it’s time to open presents,” Mom said.
Rebel looked like she’d been punched in the gut. Mom’s illness had been so hard on her. She glanced at Rule, who was staring at Mom as pale as CJ had ever seen him.
Needing a respite, CJ snatched his phone to text Harley. Until it hit him. He couldn’t.
They always texted and talked during upheavals. Mainly, it had to do with their siblings. Not that it mattered. She always knew what to say to ease him.
He’d never missed her as much as he did in that moment.
“Momma?” Rebel called.
“Megan, answer me,” Dad ordered.
Mom pushed a stack of gifts near the coffee table. “Yes, Reb?”
“Aunt Kendall let Uncle Johnnie return home right before Daddy and me got to the club,” she said.”
Another stack slid next to the first one. “That’s nice.”
“Mattie told me,” Rebel said. She fisted her hands on her hips.
Mom shrugged.
“She said Aunt Kendall is going to get the recipe for the pasta dish you brought to Uncle Johnnie at noon.”
