Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

Simon laughed. “You were too busy telling your best friend how much Anthony has a crush on her.”

“I’m not wrong. He does.”

“Yeah, well, she clearly is afraid or doesn’t want to see it.”

“I know, which I don’t get. Anthony dotes on her. He protects her all the time.” Tabitha put her cell phone down, climbed off the bed, and unwrapped her hair. Running a brush through it, she looked over at Simon who was smiling widely at her. “What?”

“Nothing, I just can’t believe you’re here.”

“I know. I meant what I said. I’m not going to break any one of his rules,” she said.

Simon sighed and moved to her bed, climbing on in. “I’m not breaking any of his rules. I must be the most boring boyfriend on the planet.” He lifted the blankets. “Are you coming in?”

She slid beneath the covers, snuggling up against him. “You’re not boring. You’re the best.”

“The best kind of boyfriend would try to get a sneaky feel.”

“No, he wouldn’t. You respect me to not push my boundaries and like I’ve told you before and I will keep telling you, I love you even more for it.” She gripped his face between her hands and kissed him, hard. “Love you so much.”

“Love you too.” His hand went to her back and she moaned a little. “We better get some sleep.”

“Yes, a lot to do tomorrow.” She switched off the light, snuggled in against him, and knew she would be here for him, no matter what.

****

Simon loved having his girl at school. She wasn’t in any of his classes but walking into school with her on his arm felt fucking amazing. Of course his brother Josh, bless him, struggled with her presence.

Tabby hadn’t said anything to Josh about his crush. She was too sweet to bring too much attention to it.

“This is your locker,” Tabby asked, running her hand down the metal.

“You never seen a locker before?” Dean asked.

With the emancipation now going ahead, Dean was currently renting a motel room while he looked for a possible apartment. His dad and the lawyer were handling it. If he needed anything though, Simon was there for him.

“Yeah, we totally have them back home. I’m just basking in the moment.”

“She’s taking the piss, as I’m sure Adam would say,” Simon said, referring to the British patched-in member of The Skulls.

“You got that right.” She popped her gum, hands on hips. “Anyway, I’ve got to get to reception. If I in any way shirk my studies, my parents will kill me, and we all know they know how to hide a body. Walk me there?”

“You got it.” He slammed his locker closed, fist-bumped his friends, and took off.

“It must be odd, being the oldest Chaos member,” Tabby said. “I never thought about how lucky I am. For some of us, there are only a couple of months, and then there is always Miles.” She wrinkled her nose. “I try not to think too much about that. Sharing a womb with him was way too much even for me.”

Simon laughed. He walked down the corridor, his arm across her shoulder. People moved out of their way, all apart from Wayne, the douchebag football jock.

Tabby had her arm around Simon’s waist.

“Move,” Tabby said.

More of Wayne’s jock friends stood at his back.

“Simon, you didn’t tell me the people here didn’t understand English.”

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” Wayne said. “You’re the new girl and you can do so much better than spending time with the likes of him.” He offered out his hand.

Tabby stared at his hand and then burst out laughing. “Oh, that is a good one. Seriously, the likes of him?”

Simon kissed her head. He fucking loved this girl.

“Wow,” Tabby said. She pulled out of Simon’s hold and spun so they could see her leather jacket. Devil had agreed to allow her to wear her patched member jacket claiming her to be the property of The Skulls. “I am his kind, asshole, but thank you for clearing that up. Now, move, or I move you, simple as that.”

Wayne looked a little startled but instantly masked it. “I see.”

“Yeah, keep on throwing the names out. You think I don’t hear them on a daily basis? Do they make guys like this in some kind of factory? For a jerk son, please apply?” Tabitha asked.

“Not a clue,” Simon said. “I suggest you back off. She’s not like your little groupies. She’s more likely to cut your dick off than suck it.”

He hadn’t seen Tabitha fight in a long time, but he’d also promised his father. Stepping forward, he got in Wayne’s face. “Or are you and I about to have a throw-down? I would kill to snap your leg right now.” Thoughts of cancer, of his mom’s pain, and of what his family was going through filled his head. He wanted to hurt someone. To do as much damage as possible.