Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“Lucky for you, I’ve been on at least one. I also know how much Anthony has been crushing on you. If you turn up looking like a sack of potatoes, you won’t have to worry. He’d dig you.”

“Tabitha, this isn’t funny,” Daisy said.

They entered the kitchen and like most times, Angel was there.

“Hey, girls.” Angel came over to Tabitha and within seconds, she was being pulled into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Tabitha laughed, stepping back. “Of course, you are. What are you doing?”

“Ah, the guys have another mission to go on. It’s going to be a tough one. I’ve got the hotel rooms ready, and some medics on standby. Lash told me it was going to be intense. I’m getting lunches ready for them to take. What’s fun?” She turned her smile toward them.

Considering all the crap that had happened to Angel, she’d remained this sweet, nice person throughout it all.

“Anthony and Daisy are going on a date tomorrow night.”

“Oh,” Angel said, her lips going into a perfect O before returning to a smile. “Are you excited?”

“I … am, I think. I’ve never been on a date.”

“What does Anthony like?” Tabitha asked.

“You know Anthony, he likes what he likes.” Angel laughed. “I better get back to lunches. Help yourself to some sandwiches.”

Anthony was such an anomaly, his own mother didn’t understand him at times. Tabitha had to wonder if the hospital got it all wrong and accidentally swapped the wrong child at birth. That there was some sweet kid with weird parents.

After grabbing a couple of cheese and pickle sandwiches, she and Daisy headed out of the clubhouse again.

“Your house or mine?” Daisy asked.

“Let’s go to yours. Mom keeps asking me constant questions. It’s freaking me out.”

“Why?”

“Because she wants so many answers. I think she’s worried Simon and I had sex.”

“Did you?” Daisy asked.

“Not you too.”

“What? You think I don’t know for a fact you keep things from me as well? I do.”

“Daisy, you’re my best friend.”

“I know, but even BFFs have secrets. Don’t worry, I’m not mad or sad, or anything. I accepted it long ago.” Daisy finished her sandwich, brushing her hands. “I think my mom’s working at the salon, and Dad is doing something. We’ve got the house to ourselves.”

“No, we didn’t have sex. In case you were wondering.”

“I wasn’t exactly thinking about it, you know,” Daisy said. “It wasn’t on my need-to-know basis.”

“Shut up, nerd,” Tabitha said, hitting her arm.

“What? You think it’s impossible for me to go a day when I wasn’t thinking about you or sex, or Simon?”

“That’s a lot of someones,” Tabitha said.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love you and I missed you, but not enough to want to hear about all the nasty stuff you’ve got going on.”

“Of course you want to hear about all my nasty stuff.” She nudged Daisy’s shoulder. “Let’s stop talking about me and my love life. We’ve got to get you ready for your date tomorrow night.”

Daisy groaned. “No, we don’t.”

“Yes, we do. You’ve got to look sexy and cute, and I can’t wait to dress you up.”

“No dresses.”

“I wore a dress.”

Daisy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I should have asked Anthony out on a date.”

“Why not?”

“Because, I mean, we’re best friends. Isn’t that going to be odd for the group?”

“You’re asking me. The girl who is dating one of our own.”

“But he’s not one of our own, is he?”

Tabitha stopped.

“I’m sorry,” Daisy said.

“No, you’re right. Maybe I have been going about this all the wrong way. I didn’t mean to, but think about it. I’ve been treating him as if he is a Skull. He’s not. We’re completely different.”

“And that’s a good thing,” Daisy said.

“Is it? I mean, really?” Tabitha ran her fingers through her hair. They were outside Daisy’s house.

Her best friend grabbed her hands. “Stop.”

“But—”

Daisy covered her mouth with her hand. “No, stop. You are going to listen to me. Yes, you’re going to have to make a decision. The club or Simon. I get it. It’s going to be tough. You don’t have to make that choice today, or tomorrow, or next week. Not even next year. If Simon loves you like you say he does, then he’ll be happy to wait until you make that decision for yourself. Not a moment before. Got it?” Daisy asked. Her hand was still over Tabitha’s mouth. “Got it?” she repeated more firmly.

She nodded her head. “When did you get all bossy?” she asked when her hand was gone.

“Since you were gone and I realized if I didn’t, Miles was going to treat me like crap.”

“My brother?”

“Yep. He seemed to think with you gone, it instantly put me and him on bestie terms. It didn’t. I put him in his place. You would have been so proud of me.”

“I am proud of you.” Tabitha hugged her friend close. “Come on, let’s go inside. We’ve got to prepare for your date and I’m going to have to give you some pointers in case he kisses you.”