Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“We can talk about it anytime. I’m a phone call away unless you’re coming home soon?” she asked.

He heard the hope in her voice and he hated the thought of disappointing her.

“No, I can’t. Not yet. There are a few things I’ve got to do first.” He ran a hand down his face, clearing his eyes from the tears.

“O-okay, well, I’m here, always. Go easy on your father. He misses you, and he was only ever making the right decision for you.”

He said his goodbyes and hung up.

“You can hate me all you want to, son, I don’t mind. Never, ever take it out on her.”

He nodded his agreement.

“How are things going with Tabitha?” Devil asked.

“You’re not going to be a grandpa yet.”

Devil laughed. “So long as it stays that way.”

“It will.”

“I’m going to head back. You sure you don’t want to come?”

In his mind, he saw Tabby, Luke, and what he hoped to do come her eighteenth birthday.

“Not yet.”

“You’re sure?” Devil asked.

“I’m sure. I’ve got things I need to do.”

“You’re still wearing the colors,” he said.

“Because there is no other club I could ever want.”

“Good answer.” Devil stepped toward him and Simon was surprised as he hugged him. “Thank you.”

He slapped his dad’s back, feeling the emotion clog his throat. He didn’t want to cry and he felt like such a fucking loser for it.

Tabby came to join him as he saw his father and the crew off. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he held up his hand, waving them goodbye.

“You okay?” she asked.

“I will be.”

“You didn’t go back with them.”

“I’m not ready to leave.”

“Good,” she said, kissing his neck. “I don’t want you to leave.”

****

“I can’t believe you’ve been on dates and you haven’t told me about them,” Tabitha said, flopping down on the grass beside her best friend.

Daisy sighed. “Just be silent and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.”

“That is your way of not getting me to talk,” she said. “I see your game. I do.”

“Tabs, it hasn’t been a big deal. It’s been ice cream and not a lot else.” Daisy rolled onto her side. “What is it you want to know?”

“Have you kissed?”

Daisy’s face gave the game away.

“You have. Was it good?”

“Tabs, you kiss Simon like all the time.” In the past couple of months, Simon had gone back home a couple of times. She always expected a call from him to say that he was staying at home, but he continued to surprise her by returning each and every time. She loved him being around.

Of course, it meant a lot of sneaking. He stayed with Lash most of the time. They’d set him up in a bedroom as a permanent feature for him. Of course, he didn’t always stay in his bed as he snuck out all the time to come and sleep with her.

“Yeah, I know, and now we can talk about our boys’ kissing.”

“I don’t know if Anthony is mine.”

“He is totally yours. Now, tell me, is he a good kisser?”

“You tell me, is Simon?”

“Hell, yeah, of course he is. I love it when he starts at the corner of my mouth. His tongue tracing, and okay, I can go into graphic detail.”

“No thanks. I don’t want to hear about him. Hearing about Simon is kind of like a brother.”

“Simon is no brother, believe me. Anthony is kind of like it but I need some material to tease him with. Is he good? Bad?”

“Anthony is awesome,” Daisy said.

“You’re only saying that so I don’t tease him.”

Daisy shrugged. “You can’t tease him. He’s like amazing. I don’t think there is anyone in the world who is going to beat him in the kissing department. I’m sorry. But I can officially say I got the best boyfriend in the world.”

“Not possible,” she said, laughing.

Daisy joined in and they collapsed to the ground, chuckling. “Damn, this is so much fun.”

“Yeah, we’ve got to do this more often.” Tabitha took her friend’s hand. “Can we make a pact or a promise to each other?”

“What kind?”

“The kind that says no matter what choices we make in life, or if we hate each other, we’ll always be best friends and it means we can hate each other for a little while but we’ve always got to stick together?”

“You’re going to follow Simon to Piston County, aren’t you?” Daisy asked. “It’s why you want to make this pact.”

“I love him, Daisy. I know he would give up the club for me and I’m not going to do that.”

“What about you and this club?” Daisy asked. “We’re your family.”

“And I will always be your family no matter what. It’s not like I’m ever going to be a patched-in member, is it? I’ll wear the property patch of my dad and then onto my husband, even if I was to stay here. I love Simon. He is my entire world and I know that now. I see it. It’s all clear.”