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

“Does it matter?”

Simon opened his mouth, closed it.

“Think about it, Simon. Does it matter?”

He thought about Nathan. The little boy. He’d looked so sweet.

“No, it doesn’t matter.”

“I don’t know the answer, and you’ve got to ask yourself, do you care? Tabitha loves him, your mother does. I do. He’s a great kid, Simon.”

“I want to meet him,” Simon said, nodding. “I want to be his father.”

“That’s a fast decision without knowing all the facts.”

“What does that mean?”

“Look how you reacted when you found out the truth about Lexie. You ran out of town.”

Simon ran a hand down his face. “I was a teenager.”

“And?”

“I’m not a kid anymore. I know what I want. That boy belongs to her and that makes him mine. I’ll love him no matter what.”

“Then what are you going to do about this?” Devil pointed toward the cabin.

Licking his lips, he smiled. “I need some time with her. She’s … I fucked up. Five years is a long time and she waited for me. I’ve got to make it up to her.”

“Keeping her locked up in a cabin isn’t going to get her on your good side. Being nice to her kid, it could get you some points.”

“And you know the answer to everything?” he asked.

“I know the answer to a great deal of many things, Simon. I’m your old man and I haven’t gotten to where I am by being dumb.”

“If I tried to win her back out there, she would hide from me. I wouldn’t be able to have this with her. At least locked up here, I can win her back. You know how damn stubborn she is. I need this,” Simon said.

“Good, moving on because we can argue about this all day long. What’s going on with the other guys you brought along, and Dean? You going to be prospecting at the club again when you get all of this straightened out?”

“Yes.” The club was part of the life he missed. He wanted his leather cut, to earn his patch.

Once again, Devil smiled. “Then you’re going to have to bring your boys around. I’ve got to vet them for myself. I don’t just allow anyone into my club. Also, when you see Dean, tell him we’ll have his patched party.”

“Patched party?”

“Yep. He earned his patch. I’ve got the jacket ready for him.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve got to continue to prospect and he’ll be patched in?”

Devil shrugged. “You’re alive. He did everything I asked of him. I couldn’t ask him for more.”

“You’re an asshole, Dad, a real big one.”

“Don’t I know it. Your mother is going to want to see you as well. Don’t take too long at this.”

“Does she know I’m here?” Simon asked.

“Of course. She misses you and she hopes you work everything out with Tabitha.” Devil walked toward him and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s good to have you back.”

Simon watched his father disappear amongst the trees and bushes. Anyone else, he’d be worried they’d get lost or die. Not his dad. Devil could find his way out of anywhere.

Turning back to the cabin, he headed on inside.

Tabby was in the kitchen, pouring boiling water into a cup. “Do you want a drink?”

“Yeah, I’m parched.” They weren’t the words he wanted to hear. “Talk to me, Tabby.”

She paused in filling his cup and sighed. “I honestly don’t know what to say to you.”

“There was a time you could talk to me about anything.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “There was.” She handed him the cup of hot coffee. She hadn’t bothered with cream or sugar. He took a sip of the bitter liquid and winced. Getting to his feet, he made the coffee how he liked it.

“Are you saying you can’t talk to me about anything?”

“Simon, I’m confused, okay? I don’t know what to say or do right now. What do you want from me exactly? Tell me and I will try to work on it.”

He took her hand and held it tightly as she took a seat opposite him at the table. “I want you to be my woman.”

“And I’ve asked for a divorce.”

“With how you released on my cock, I’d say you weren’t ready for a divorce.”

She tried to pull away.

“Sorry. That was, fuck, I’m sorry. I’m not good at this.”

“You’re right you’re not good.”

“I love you,” he said.

She lifted her gaze to his.

“It has never changed how I feel about you.” He continued on even as she didn’t say a word. “I’m going to be staying in Piston County. I’ll be prospecting at the club.”

“You’re going to stay?”

“Yes. I’ve got nowhere else I want to be than with you. These past five years, I’ve wanted you.”

Once again, tears filled her eyes and he hated himself. Why did he keep on fucking up with his words?