Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“We miss you,” Tabby said.

“I know. I miss you as well.” He sighed. “Wish you were here.”

“I wish I was there as well. I’d show you how to have a good time.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and our clothes would stay on,” she said.

“There you go spoiling it. Hey, Tabby, can I ask you a question?”

“Simon, this is what we do.”

“I know, but, never mind.”

“Talk to me,” she said.

“Okay. It’s stupid.”

“It’s only stupid that you’re not telling me. Stop being a dick and just tell me.”

He laughed. “Love you too.”

“Simon.”

“Fine, does your mom have pictures of her pregnant with you?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“Are there any with my mom?”

“Not that I know of. I’d have to go and check, why?”

“I asked my parents about it and they each gave me a different answer,” Simon said.

“What do you mean?”

He told her the two different stories.

“Simon, it was so long ago, I imagine they’ve forgotten.”

“Would they, though?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m their first kid. Removing that memory, it’s got to suck, right? You’d remember losing something so close to you.”

“I guess. It could be that the memory of losing stuff is too hard. Shoot, Dad’s home and he’s been pissed. I’ve got to go. Don’t overthink this, Simon. There’s probably some kind of explanation that puts it all into perspective.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“I’ll talk to you later?”

“Yep.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” He hung up just as Eddie and Dean arrived in a car. They didn’t own bikes and as they climbed out, Simon couldn’t help but laugh. They had some dress pants, a crisp pink shirt, and a vest over the top.

“Come on, man, don’t laugh.”

“I can’t help it. You both look like nice boys.”

“You’re a dick,” Eddie said.

“We hanging out or what?” Simon held up the cash. “My treat.”

“I need pizza,” Dean said.

“You start and I’ll follow.” He climbed back onto his bike and followed them just out of Piston County to one of the best pizza places in town. It wasn’t as good as Mia’s, but he couldn’t expect her to cook for him whenever he wanted it.

There were a couple of cars he recognized.

“Really, you want to come here where the jocks and their groupies hang out?”

“They’ve got the best pizza. Come on, man, it won’t be too bad,” Eddie said, slapping him on the chest.

Simon walked inside with his boys, and there was a spare booth. He clocked the jocks, including Amber. Giving them a wide berth, he took a seat, and the waitress was already there, ready to serve.

They ordered a couple of large pizzas, garlic bread, extra fries, and he was starving, so he had a couple of additional toppings on the side.

“Amber’s watching you again,” Eddie said.

“Yeah, she can watch all she wants, but she can’t have.” He ignored her.

“Simon, I want to ask you something,” Dean said.

“Ask away.”

“To get into your club, what do you have to do?”

Simon looked up, a little taken aback. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“You want to join Chaos Bleeds?”

Dean nodded. “I can’t take this shit much more, man. I’m…” He stopped, looking around the room. “They’re organizing my wedding. I can’t, fuck, I want my own life. I thought I could act with this shit, knowing I’ll be able to make it out on my own, but that’s never going to happen. I’m not going to get my chance.” Dean ran a hand down his face. “I can’t stand this shit. I just want a clean break from it all. Is it too much to ask?”

“It’s not too much to ask, but being with the club, it’s more than wearing a leather cut and riding a bike. It’s family, man. It’s about giving your life to them, trusting each other. Having each other’s backs and shit like that. It’s deep. It’s not some quick decision you make.”

“I get it, man.”

“Do you? It’s life or die.”

Dean nodded. “I’ve watched you guys for years. I remember the first time I saw you all in the café, years ago. I was like five years old. My parents were so uptight and pissed. They have this superiority thing where they believe they count, but others don’t. They’re greedy and like to control. You can’t be controlled. I need this.”

He stared at his friend, who looked almost desperate. “Are you sure?”

“I don’t want to get married at eighteen. If I do ever get hitched, I want to have some say in the woman I marry.” Dean shook his head. “I can’t, I’ve been thinking of getting emancipated.”

“Well, shit,” Eddie said.

“Is this happening with you?” Simon asked, seeing them both dressed the same way.

Eddie shook his head. “I had a family dinner.”

“And you’re still eating pizza?” Simon laughed.

“Did I say I ate it? My grandparents were down and when they are, we have to deal with proper protocol.”

“Right,” he said.

“It’s just what happens.”

“I don’t know how much longer I can take,” Dean said.