His mom and Eva were in the kitchen, cooking and baking. Kids were everywhere. He checked the games rooms, the office, and the living room. Finally, he went outside onto the back porch. His dad had a thing for storms. He loved to watch the thunder and lightning as it lit up the sky and made so much noise.
Sure enough, that was where he found his dad with Tiny.
“Hey, Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Tiny got to his feet. “I’m going to go and take a leak. Think about what I’ve said.”
Devil laughed.
“Do I want to know what he said?” Simon asked.
“If you think boarding school is a good idea.”
“It’s not.” Simon looked back at Tabby’s dad, shaking his head.
“I won’t send you to boarding school. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of being a grandpa scares the shit out of me, but I won’t send you away.”
“Good to know you’ve got my back.”
“You’re my son. You can always come to me.”
“Right, I want to talk to you about Dean. The emancipation. Have you had a chance to talk to a lawyer?”
Devil cursed, running a hand down his face. “Not recently, with everything going on. I’ve just, you know, I’ll talk to him.”
“Could you? It’s getting worse for him.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise.”
Simon nodded, thankful. “He’s a good guy, you know, Dean. He wants to prospect for the club.”
“Have you told him what that kind of shit means?” Devil asked.
“Not completely. I know I’ve got to get your permission to be able to talk about club stuff. He wants in. I think he wants to be part of a family, especially after his own has let him down.”
“Prospecting isn’t going to be easy, not even for you. The guys are going to want to test you. To put you through your paces.”
“I’m ready for it.”
“I know, but you can’t come crying to me. When you’re a prospect for the club, it’s the club that rules you. You will always be my son.”
“I don’t expect you to hold back. I know I can hold my own.”
Devil smiled. “I know you can.”
“Dad, what is going on with mom? If it’s not pregnancy, then what?” Simon asked.
His father’s smile dropped. Sadness filled his face and Simon didn’t know how much silence he could take. Devil blew out a breath and for a split second, he was sure he saw tears glistening in his eyes. “I … we don’t know for sure. We’re waiting for a couple more tests.”
“But it’s serious?”
“It could be.”
“Is that why she’s tired all the time? Pale?”
“Son, I don’t want to spoil your Thanksgiving, and I don’t want you to worry too much, but it could be serious. It’s why I’m being careful with her. Why I’m taking my time.”
Devil looked at his dad and said a word he hoped to never say.
“Cancer?”
Devil’s lips thinned. The grip he had on the glass tightened until he put it down. The anger and rage simmering beneath the surface of his dad were very much real. “Possibly.”
Simon gasped. “But you don’t know for sure?”
“They’re running tests. We’re waiting for more results. Don’t say anything, okay?”
Simon nodded.
“I’m doing the best I can, son.”
He knew. Simon knew that if anything happened to his mother, something bad was going to happen, no doubt about it. He looked at his father and couldn’t help but hug him. “It’s going to be okay.”
Devil patted him on the back. “I know. I refuse to believe anything different.”
Tiny came out, and the mask was back in place on his father.
“Dean,” he said.
“I’ll go call the lawyer now,” Devil said.
Simon didn’t wait around to see. He made his way upstairs but before he did, he stopped at the kitchen.
His mom’s head was thrown back and laughter filled the air. Eva was right with her as the two clearly had something fun to talk about.
Stepping back, he didn’t go to his room, but to Tabby’s. She still wasn’t out of the shower, and he sat down on her bed. After kicking off his shoes, he slid back and stared at his socks. They were white but had some staining on them from his boots. Miles wasn’t back yet, but he’d turn up when he wanted to.
Cancer.
It seemed … wrong.
He took a deep breath, rubbing at his chest.
Seconds passed, maybe even minutes and Tabby arrived.
Her smile vanished when she looked at him. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
He licked his lips. “Close the door.”
She closed the door.
Even in a towel, with her hair wet, cascading around her, she was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.
“What is it?”
“What I’m about to tell you can’t leave this room. Not to your parents, Daisy, anyone.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“My mom may have cancer.”
Tabby went to him. She wrapped her arms around him and held on to him. He took her comfort and couldn’t let go. She ran her fingers through his hair. “What do you mean she may have cancer?”