“I do the laundry. I’ve been packing my brothers’ and sisters’ stuff, as well as mine for a long time now.”
Her eyes went wide. “You have?”
“Yeah, I have. I’m damn good at doing women’s work.” He kissed her lips. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” She kissed him, patting his chest. “Come on, I’ve got to do this. Dad will come and check and when he sees nothing done, he will want to castrate you.”
“I don’t even think he would trust me if I castrate myself. When he’s going to realize we’re not going to start screwing each other?” Simon asked.
“He’s never going to believe it. Devil’s still hung up on being granddad, isn’t he?”
“Yep. I think it’s his complex of getting older.” He shrugged. “Who knows.”
“Can you imagine him being a granddad?”
“He keeps saying grandpa as if it’s some kind of disease.” He hung up all of Miles’s clothes, dumping his boxers and socks into the drawer.
Next, he helped Tabby, liking some of the dresses.
They had just finished as Tiny entered the room.
“Don’t worry, Dad, we kept our hands and body parts to ourselves as we unpacked. Miles is a slob, though.”
“Miles should stay here.”
“You trust him,” she said.
Simon decided to not say anything. The last thing he wanted to do was upset Tiny. The man was huge. Even though he was old, he knew for a fact the man could still wipe him clean out if he wanted to, and he certainly wasn’t going to test the man’s skills when it came to fighting.
Tiny glared at them.
“Daisy and Anthony are waiting downstairs,” he said.
“Yay,” she said. “I figured you could show me around.”
“You’ve been to Piston County all the time.”
“I know, but you can like, introduce me to your friends,” she said. “You always keep me to yourself, now you get to show me off. I’m no longer the phantom, imaginary girlfriend. I’m real.” She took his hand and he followed her.
Anthony and Daisy were waiting. They stood close together. Daisy offered him a smile, which he returned.
“I hear condolences are in order,” Simon said.
“No, they’re not. Believe me. My parents want to put me into counseling, I’m sure of it.”
Considering Whizz and Lacey were her parents and the rumors he’d heard about the two of them, that was a shock.
“Why?”
“They told me and I danced. I was so happy.” She giggled. “I know, it’s awful. I’m a horrible person, but I can’t help it. I’m free.”
“Yeah, imagine that. You’re free,” Tabitha said.
Simon looked at his girl, who was staring at Anthony. The two were having a stare-off, and he chuckled. “Okay, now that everything is awkward, let’s go and show you guys off to my boys.”
“You actually have friends that are not us?” Daisy asked.
“Yeah, of course. You think I live my life here wondering about you guys? I can socialize without you.”
Daisy pressed a hand to her heart. “Now you’re killing me.”
Her father’s death hadn’t hurt her at all. She looked happier than he could ever recall seeing her.
Wrapping his arm around Tabby’s waist, he kissed her cheek, her neck, as they headed out. It was cold as fuck, but he didn’t mind. Daisy fell into step with Anthony.
“Are you okay?” he asked, whispering the words against her ear so only she would hear them.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It was a tough trip down is all. Do you have any idea what it was like listening to Mom and Miles argue about who cooks the best turkey? I think I’d had enough.”
“I’m thinking of giving up all kinds of meats this coming year,” Daisy said, suddenly joining the conversation and taking hold of Tabby’s arm.
“Really?”
“Yeah, why not? It’ll be nice to do something different for a change. You want to do it with me?” Daisy asked.
Simon responded with a hell no.
Anthony chuckled.
Tabby didn’t say anything. “Really?”
“Why not?”
“You know it’s going to piss your mom off?”
“Actually, it won’t. Mom’s giving it a try. She’s also getting my dad to eat healthy as well. She’s told him he can be buff all he wants to but she’s now in charge of everything he eats. I think he’s taking puddings from the club, but whatever. It looks like a lot of fun and it will help me lose weight.” Daisy patted her stomach.
“You don’t need to lose weight,” Anthony said.
Simon’s brows rose. The guy could actually speak. He knew he was more than capable but even still, it was a fucking shock to hear him.
Daisy stopped, which made them all