Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“Come on.” She took Simon’s hands and they walked over to the swings. With all the kids being born, the small park that had been installed in the clubhouse had never gotten old. As she sat on one of the swings, Simon lowered himself down on the other.

“Do you know what’s going on?”

“I know what happened. You can tell me.”

She listened as he told her what he’d heard and what he knew.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“Do you know what is worse?” he asked.

“No.”

“I feel guilty because my mom…” He stopped, shaking his head and rubbing at his eyes. “No, Lexie. I’m angry because Lexie was given the all-clear and I can’t be there to celebrate it. Everything I know is one big, giant, fat lie.”

She rested her head against the chains. “It’s not a complete and total lie.”

“It is.” He pressed his lips together. “My mom was another woman. Lexie’s sister.”

“Simon, it doesn’t stop the fact that Lexie is your mom.”

“You’re going to take her side?”

“I’m going to make sure you don’t jumble this mess up inside your head. I know you’re hurting right now and I get it. I really, really do, but she’s not the bad guy.” She took Simon’s hand. She expected him to pull back, but he didn’t.

“I’m so fucking angry.”

“I can tell.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me.”

“I just, I can’t stand the fact I’ve been lied to all these years. I thought she was my mom.”

“She is. Please, Simon, no matter what, you’ve got to give her credit there. She loves you so much. She even sacrificed a great deal to be with you. Your dad, he does love her.”

“I don’t know who I am anymore.”

She got to her feet and stepped toward him. “You’re Simon. My very crazy boyfriend.” She tucked some of his hair behind his ear. It had grown out since the last time she saw him. “What’s your plan, anyway? You ride all the way here and what?”

“I had to see you. You’re the only person I have.”

“That’s not true. You’ve got all of your brothers and sisters, Dean, Eddie, the Chaos crew. Your parents.”

He snorted.

She gripped his chin, forcing him to look at her. “Hey, don’t ever do that. Look at Daisy. Her real parents never wanted her and there is no way she would ever think less of Lacey and Whizz. They are her real parents and she loves them. Don’t ever act like that.”

“Wow, you really are bossy.”

“I learned from the best.”

He put his hands on her hips. The prospect cleared his throat.

Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Seriously, get a life. You see what I’m having to put up with here?”

“Lash broke your phone?”

“Yep. Stepped on it, crushed it. He did the same to Anthony’s and Daisy’s, and the others’. We’re on a complete lockdown ban.”

“You haven’t left the clubhouse.”

She looked behind her to see the prospect was still paying attention to them. She leaned down, her lips close to Simon’s ear. “I didn’t say we didn’t get out.” She pulled away. “We have our ways. I think I know a good place we can go. It might help you to get whatever this is out of your system.”

He nodded. “I’m sticking around for a while.”

“You think your dad will let you?”

“If he knows me, he’ll let me cool off.”

“Come on, I’ll take you inside. Miles is the guy we see to make our escape tonight.” She took Simon’s hand, and all of the guys rushed to hug him and shake his hand. Daisy even kissed his cheek. They were all happy to see him.

Lash came in, clearing his throat. “All of you back to work. You as well, Simon. There’s space.”

Tabitha sat down at her desk while Simon lowered himself down.

“In silence.”

They all shut up. Staring down at her book, she knew they only had half an hour to go. The time went by way too slowly. Each time she looked up, she caught Simon watching her.

“Work.” She mouthed the word, not making a sound.

“Okay.” He lifted up his book and she couldn’t help but laugh. He was being a total goofball.

She loved him so much and just having him here, well, it reminded her of all that she’d been missing for too long.

Their time was up. Lash came back and ordered them to their rooms. Simon was escorted by Nash.

“Wow, this is like an actual prison, isn’t it?” Simon asked.

She chuckled. Daisy rushed to her side. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“How is he?”

“I don’t know. We need to go to the Quad. I think it will help.”

Even if Simon was keeping his shit together, she knew it wouldn’t last long before he exploded again, and she didn’t want him to have to go through that alone.

After heading upstairs, she closed her door and sat down on her bed. As she ran her fingers through her hair, it was a matter of minutes before Miles was there, opening the door.