“I doubt it. Our nephew isn’t a pushover,” Kendall said. “He’s much more patient than his father, but when it comes right down to it, he’ll stand up for himself.”
“I love that kid so much.”
Kendall nodded. “Me, too. You love all the kids.”
“Not all the kids,” Mort grumbled. “I can think of one I don’t ever have to fucking talk to.”
“Ryan?”
“I plead the 5th, baby.” He removed his arm from around her, so Kendall sat up and he stood. “I got to get the fuck. Johnnie another motherfucker I don’t ever want to talk to again in fucking life.”
“Why do you keep your hair queued nowadays?” she asked, totally relating to Mortician’s comment right now. Until Johnnie acted like he had fucking sense and gave her more false hope. “You look so sexy when your dreads are flowing around you.”
Mortician smiled. “Flattery can open a lot of fucking doors.”
She lowered her lashes. “Is it working on you?”
Shaking his head, he sat next to her again and presented his back to her. “Take the fucking hair tie out.”
Kendall quickly tugged it down, then combed her fingers through his hair and arranged his dreadlocks in her favorite style. He even turned toward her and stayed still while she draped his hair around his shoulders. He’d cut his dreads completely off some years ago. Otherwise, they would’ve been so much longer.
“There’smyMort,” she said once she was done. “How about I give you a massage?”
“Kendall, exactly what you trying to do, baby? Have Johnnie find us together to make him jealous? To have me fuck him up? Or for us to sleep together?”
All good questions that stole Kendall’s momentary peace. She really didn’t know what she wanted. “I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts. When Roxy was here earlier, I just wanted a chance to think.”
“What are your thoughts telling you now?” he asked gently.
“A bunch of things.”
“Are they saying to hurt yourself?”
Kendall shook her head. “I could never do that to my children.”
“I know how much you love your kids. They would be so fucking lost without you.”
“If not for them, I might just throw in the fucking towel.”
“Your children your priority, but Roxanne and Meggie would be heartbroken. Know who else? Me. I would be so fucking devastated if I lost you.”
Kendall wasn’t sure how to respond to the intensity in his voice or on his face. She knew what she wanted to do, but she also knew she’d be crossing so many lines. “Maybe you and Johnnie should wife swap. Him and Bailey could live in fuckingmisery for a week or two and you and I could live in bliss and harmony.”
Mortician laughed. “I never know what the fuck you going to say, Red.”
“You didn’t say you’re opposed to the idea.”
“You saying that because you want us to fuck, which would solve nothing.”
“I disagree.”
Smiling gently, Mort took her hand in his. “We just fucking had this conversation a few days ago. You always been so fucking stubborn, though, wanting what you want. It was what drove Prez so fucking crazy.”
Kendall tugged her hand away. “I’m sorry. Roxy would hate me if she knew.”
“She could never hate you, Kendall. And you got more of a chance to make me forget my fucking wedding vows than any other woman. But you love Johnnie and I love Bailey. We both hurt and I don’t know if we really attracted to each other or if we just familiar and safe.”
“Maybe both?”
