... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

“Do you want some food?”

“Yeah, I’m starving.”

“Didn’t they let you eat?”

“No, I ate, but try cleaning a toilet that has over ten men pissing and shitting on it.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Nah, I’ll just stick with the nasty visual.”

“If I was you, I would.” He rubbed his hands down his thighs. “I’m going to take a shower. Do you think I can go and see him when I’m done?”

“Sure. Of course. I’ll cook you something.” She made to walk past him but he captured her. “Ew, please tell me you washed your hands.”

“Scrubbed them.” He dropped his lips down to hers and after a few seconds, she slowly melted against him. “See, we can do this.”

“Go and shower. I’ll feed you.” She walked away and he watched her leave. Her ass was a nice distraction.

He found the bathroom, stripped out of his clothes, took the quickest shower known to man, and then wrapped a towel around his waist. He didn’t have any clothes, so he had no choice but to wrap himself in her bathrobe before going to see his son.

The first bedroom was Tabby’s, and he smiled looking at it.

The scent of her filled the room. Rather than stay in her room, he went to the next one and found a small light on and Nathan curled up. He had his thumb in his mouth. A book was on the floor beside the bed.

He walked into the room, being quiet as he lifted the book up from the floor.

“Daddy?” Nathan asked.

He peered over the book and saw Nathan rubbing at his eyes.

“I’m here.” He knelt on the floor, holding his son’s hand. “I’m here. You don’t have to worry.” He smiled at him.

“I … I thought you’d left again. Mommy said you’d come back.”

“Of course. I’m back. I just had work.”

“Club stuff?”

“Yeah, club stuff.”

“Grandpa Tiny always said club stuff is important and when I hear it, I have to stop listening. I shouldn’t be listening.”

“That’s okay. Grandpa Tiny is kind of stuffy and weird. You don’t have to stop listening, what you’ve got to do is keep it a secret.”

Nathan nodded. “Mommy said that. She said no one is to know club stuff. It’s not important for them to know.”

“Mommy’s right.”

“She says that too. She’s right all the time.”

He chuckled. “Yep, and we as her boys have to learn to listen. Do you think you can go to sleep?”

Nathan nodded.

“Great.”

“I love you, Daddy,” Nathan said as he pulled up the blanket, settling it around him, getting him comfortable.

He paused and waited. “I love you too.” He leaned down, kissing his head. “Hey, Nathan, does your mom ever sing to you?” He didn’t know why it had just entered his head, but Tabby hadn’t sung since he’d taken her or been in her life, not like when they were kids.

“No, Mommy doesn’t sing. Night.”

“Night.”

Nathan was back to sleep even before he left the room. Watching him for a few seconds, he smiled.

This kid was so damn smart and sweet. His woman had done a good job with him.

Stepping out of the room, he saw Tabby in the hallway. Tears were in her eyes and she tilted her head to the side, looking at him. She opened her mouth, closed it.

“Thank you,” she said, mouthing the words.

He closed the distance between them, cupping her cheek. “What can I do to make this better?”

“There’s nothing. I’m not sad or angry. I’m happy. I heard him. I heard you. You love him?”

“Yes.”

“Even if there’s a chance—”

He silenced her with a kiss. “I don’t give a flying fuck what any piece of paper says. He’s my son. He’s part of you and I love you. He’s a good kid.”

She pressed her lips together but gave a nod. “Thank you.”

“I mean it, but I’ve got to ask something, Tabby.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Why don’t you sing?”

“What do you mean?”

“When we were kids, you used to sing, Nathan hasn’t even heard you sing.”

“Simon, really?”

“Yeah, really.”

She looked past his shoulder and released a breath. “I guess I just don’t want to and don’t have a single reason to.” She shrugged and it broke his heart to know he’d affected her so badly.Chapter FourteenTabitha made Simon sleep all night on the sofa. It wasn’t like it was a bad sofa. Devil and Lexie had fully furnished the house with all the nice things money could buy. There were no complaints from her.

Holding her jacket together, she watched Nathan as he got higher and higher on the swing. There was a time he had a fear of heights but little by little, he’d slowly learned to conquer it in order to find fun.

It was so damn cold, but she’d promised him a trip to the park if he finished all his homework. He was settling in so much better than she thought he would. She hated that a little part of her had hoped he wouldn’t so she’d have some excuse to move. Not that living in Piston County was a bad thing.