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

“I made you cry?”

“Yes.”

“I feel like this is a big deal for me. I made you cry. You, the queen of no emotions.”

“Wow, you’re such a bitch. I cry. A lot actually, and it pisses me off.” She moved quickly to the bathroom, grabbing some tissue.

Daisy followed her. “I’m not saying your feelings aren’t relevant here or that you have to forgive him or move on. What I’m saying is, you’ve got a whole lot of time together to just throw it all away. I get that you’re hurting and as your best friend, I’m on your side.”

“But you’re not going to tell me how I should pick this.”

Daisy hugged her tightly to her. “I’m not the one who’s going to be with him for the next fifty-plus years, or alone. I don’t want to see you alone. You’ll never be with anyone else. It’s not in your nature. If it had been, you would’ve been dating a lot sooner. You’re not.” Daisy ran her fingers through her hair.

“We’re back,” Miles said, calling out to be heard.

“I’ll go and take care of them. You compose yourself, okay?”

“Thank you.” She hugged Daisy close. “I love you so much.”

“You’re becoming soft. I remember a time you were so hard.” Daisy chuckled. “You’ve got this. I have no doubt.”

Daisy left the bathroom. Wiping at her eyes, she turned toward the mirror. Her face was a little flushed and her eyes were red. She needed to get a grip on her emotions. It wasn’t good for Nathan to see her so miserable.

She wanted him to be happy.

Why were The Skulls in town? Was it to discuss family matters or something more important? She wasn’t sure what was going on, nor did she know if she wanted to. For so long, she’d cut herself off from the club and being part of their world.

Splashing some water onto her face, she joined them at the table. Nathan and Miles were talking about their adventure to get pizza. She laughed, thankful no one pointed at her swollen eyes. After a short time, she just enjoyed her friends and her crazy brother.

Time ticked on by and Nathan yawned, letting her know she had to put him to bed. She waited as he had a bath and she picked out his pajamas.

Once he was dressed, she tucked him into bed, kissed his head, and went to join Daisy and Miles.

Their conversation stopped the moment she was inside.

“Okay, now that makes me nervous,” she said. They were doing the few dishes they’d made while eating the pizza. The box was nowhere in sight so they must have taken it down to the trash.

“It’s nothing,” Daisy said.

“I’m not stupid.”

“We never said you were.” Miles finished washing his hands on the towel and turned toward her.

“What’s going on? You guys are here and it’s nearly ten. I know Simon has all of his prospecting duties, but I know there are five more guys who have taken the patch as well. Something is going on. Out with it.”

Miles and Daisy looked at one another.

“Look, I can kick your asses, do you understand? Out with it.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Miles said.

“You’re supposed to keep me here? Is that it?” she asked. “Keep me distracted? This wasn’t a family visit?”

Daisy shook her head. “No, it was.”

“But what?”

“Nothing,” Miles said. “Damn. We came here because you’re our friend and my sister. The Monster Dogs, they want to talk to Simon. Lash has been approached. Tiny as well. They came by the clubhouse a couple of weeks ago making demands. Lash had a sit down with them, and then we came here. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it could be arranging a meetup.”

Tabitha shook her head. “No, fuck no.” She stepped away from her friends and grabbed her jacket.

“Where are you going?”

“You two are staying here. Keep an eye on my son. I’ll be back real fucking soon. I’ve got to go and talk to some assholes about what will and won’t happen.”

She slammed out of the apartment, anger rushing through her veins.

****

Simon stared at Anthony.

“You’re looking buff,” Simon said.

“I could say the same thing about you.”

“Yeah, being out on the road will do that for you.” He glanced across the room. His father’s door was closed. He couldn’t hear shouting. “You think they’re killing each other?”

“No, it wouldn’t be contained to one room,” Anthony said.

“You talk a lot more now than you ever did before.” He shrugged. “Just saying, you know. You’re, er, you talk. Words come out of your mouth.”

“I could always speak, asshole. I chose not to. There is a difference.”

“Of course, there is.” Simon chuckled. “You chose not to. You were silent on purpose.”

“You know I was and you’re trying to hide the fact you’re nervous.”

This time, Simon did burst out laughing, drawing attention from a couple of the guys.