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

“He did?”

“Yep. It wasn’t a bad date.”

“I don’t know. I have this feeling that if you date someone who owns a bank, he’ll be talking stocks and shares, and boring you all through the meal.”

“He was a gentleman. He did talk about work, but it wasn’t too boring.” She leaned back. Her face was still bruised. Dropping Nathan off today at school, she’d gotten a couple of weird looks from the mothers.

She’d been good at ignoring glares and unwanted looks. It was what she did.

“So, come on, tell me what the fight was all about.”

Tabitha explained what happened. How they were having a nice walk, talking, and she’d been enjoying herself. The fight had merely called to her, and before she realized she’d volunteered, she was in the mat, and well, the fight had begun.

Silence met her explanation.

“Daisy, you still there?”

“I’m here. I’m wondering, though, if you purposefully went to the fight to have one? You looked more like yourself that night, Tabs. I watched you. I haven’t seen that smile or that fight since high school.”

“As you know, a lot has happened since then. I’ve had to grow up a lot.”

“I get that. I guess I just didn’t realize how much you’d changed until I saw what that fight did to you.”

“It didn’t do anything to me, Daisy. I just, I don’t know what it was I needed, but it gave me something.” Not that it had stuck around for long. She’d been crying in her apartment when she called, but Tabitha kept that little piece of information to herself. No one needed to know what she was thinking or doing.

“You know I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.” Everyone was always available if she needed them. It was always the same old story. Forcing another smile to her lips, she realized no one was around for her to pretend to.

“Look, Daisy, I’ve got to go. I’m settling into the apartment. I want to make Nathan his favorite dinner. Can we take a raincheck and talk about this another time?”

“Sure, sure. Call me anytime. I’ll pick up.”

“I will. I promise.”

She hung up the phone, dropping it against her chest and releasing a breath.

It’s fine.

Everything’s going to be fine.

Tabitha only hoped she took her own advice.

****

“She’s falling apart,” Lexie said.

Devil sat on the edge of the bed, removing his boots. “I know.”

“How could they not see it back at home?”

“It’s not our place to judge.” He put his boots on the mat his wife had put out for him. She hated it when he brought dirt into the bedroom, unless it was the right kind of stuff. He slid his jacket off and placed it on the chair in the corner. His wife’s clothes were already neatly folded.

“It has only been a few weeks, but I can see she is hurting. I know Eva told me that Tabitha is strong, and I know she’s strong. I can see it. Did you see her face?”

Devil went toward his wife, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her deeply. “I saw everything.”

Lexie held on to his shoulders. “We’ve got to do something.”

“I’ve spoken to Lash and Tiny. They all say she’s a fighter and that allowing her to have her own space will help.”

“They clearly don’t see what’s happening.”

“Honey, we don’t know what’s going on.”

“We have a very good rough idea.” Lexie groaned. “I’m being judgey, aren’t I?”

“You’re worried. Do you think we need to be concerned about Nathan?”

“No, she loves her son. I can see it. I’ve, you know, gone and checked on them a few times. She takes him to the park regularly. Of course, they’ve been around town as well.”

“You’re spying on them?”

“I don’t have a choice. It’s not like she accepts any invitations I give out,” Lexie said. “Has she even been by the club?”

Devil shook his head. “No. I heard she got a job at the coffee shop. The new one that just opened at the edge of town.”

“It’s like she’s trying to get as far away from us as she can.”

“Can you blame her? She’s here because of Simon,” Devil said. “She’s not here because she wants to be and if the girl has any sense, she’ll be pissed at my son. I know I am.”

“You can’t be angry at him.”

“Yeah, I can. I taught him better. Killing that little prick the way he did, it was selfish.”

“Even after what he did?” Lexie asked. “I don’t want to have this conversation.”

“You as well as I know that kid had to die. Simon, he wanted it dealt with. He’s smarter than that, and since then, that girl has been alone. She hasn’t had anyone. Sure, her family is there, but we all know the real person she needed couldn’t be found. Now, once again, her life has been changed to accommodate him. It seems to me all she does is help Simon when she can. It has to stop.”