Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

Simon thought about her twin. “What about Miles?”

She groaned. “No, he doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader. Besides, he’s screwing everything he can get his hands on. It’s sick.”

“Sick?”

“Yep.”

There was a knock at his door, and seconds later, Lexie poked her head around the door. “Dinner’s in ten.”

He nodded.

“You got to go eat?” Tabitha asked.

“Yep, and I’m starving, but I can eat it cold.”

“Don’t be stupid. Go and eat. Call me when you’re done.”

“Will do. Love you,” he said.

“Love you too.”

“Bye.”

He hated hanging up and often didn’t hear her say goodbye. As he climbed off his bed, Lexie had a large laundry basket on her hip, which he took.

“You don’t need to do that.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Dad would be pissed to know you’re doing everything. You need to relax.”

“How did I get so lucky with you?” She cupped his cheek with a smile. They headed downstairs. Elizabeth and Josh sat at the kitchen counter. The scents of tomato and garlic were heavy in the air. His mouth watered.

“Hello, loser,” Elizabeth said.

“Takes one to know one, Squirt.”

His sister stuck her tongue out.

“How’s Tabitha?” Josh asked.

Simon glanced at his brother. He knew his brother had a bit of a crush on Tabitha, not that he’d admit to it.

“Fine, grounded.”

“Of course she is.” Josh went completely red in the face.

“Maybe next time you can go to Fort Wills and ask her out on a date,” Elizabeth said.

“Enough,” Lexie said, giving her daughter a pointed look.

“Oh, come on, this is so lame.”

“Coming from the girl who has the biggest crush on Drew.”

Elizabeth’s face turned red. “Loser.”

“Bitch.”

“Simon, enough. Please, enough.”

“What is going on?” Devil asked, entering their home. He had a large bag of groceries in his arms.

“Ice cream?” Lexie asked.

“Only the best for my woman.”

“I love you.” Lexie grabbed Devil’s face and kissed him hard. “So freaking much.”

“If it was only this easy to get in your good books, woman. I’d give you ice cream every single day.”

“The kids.”

“Ignore them, I do.”

Simon snorted. He started to put away the groceries. They had a big family and it meant weekly shopping.

“How have you been feeling lately?” Devil asked, touching Lexie’s cheek softly.

“Fine. Just a little tired. I’ll be fine. You know me.”

“I do.” He gripped the back of her neck. “Take it easy.”

“Always. One day at a time. It’s what I do.” Lexie pulled away. “Now, wash up. Dinner, kids.”

Simon finished putting away the groceries and stopped, looking at his mom as she stirred the sauce into the pasta, adding some cheese as she did.

“Are you okay, Mom?”

“Of course, honey.”

“It’s just Dad never worries unnecessarily.”

“I know. He is just the kind of guy to worry about everything. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be more than fine. Trust me.”

He did trust his mother, but … he couldn’t help but feel they were hiding something from him. Lexie was always the kind of woman to do everything. She never wanted a nanny, even though there had been a short time one was in the house, but that was a long time ago.

“Will you pick up the costumes from Natalie tomorrow? She put some finishing touches to them and I totally forgot to ask her to bring them on by.”

“I can do it tonight if you want?”

“Nah, it can wait until tomorrow. We’ve got plenty of time between now and then to get everything ready.”

“Do you think we need to take them trick or treating? It’s kind of lame.”

“Lame or not, it’s what I want to do. I love Halloween. I do appreciate you doing this for me. I know you like to sneak off to Tabitha’s.”

“It’s fine. She’s got something going on at the high school.” He shrugged.

“How is she handling the grounding?”

“You already spoke to Eva?”

“Yep. Tiny was waiting for her when she snuck in.”

Simon laughed. “She’s doing fine. She hates being grounded but who doesn’t?”

“Simon, I hope you know if I ever catch you sneaking out and back in, you won’t be able to leave the house for thirty-plus years.”

“Is this because you don’t want to be a grandma?”

“I want to be a grandma,” she said. “What makes you think otherwise?”

He raised a brow.

“Devil,” she said. “Of course. The idea of becoming a grandpa seems to freak him out. Oh, well, just take care. I know we live in a good neighborhood, and the town is somewhat safe, but you know the risks.”

“I know. I get it. I do, Mom.” He hugged her. “I’ll carry this in for you.”

He took the food to the table. Elizabeth and Josh were already fighting and Devil merely watched while he put the cutlery down.

When Lexie came in, everyone was silent as she served up. Extra cheese was passed around to sprinkle on the top.

Simon took seconds, listened as his parents talked about school, and what some of the teachers had said. For all of Elizabeth’s good-girl routine, she’d gotten into a few fights at school. Of course, he’d been there with a couple of other Chaos kids, but seeing as he was the oldest, he never meddled in their mess.