out to find us,” Eddie said, taking his seat back on the wall.
“I was, didn’t actually think you boys would be here.”
“My parents are … being giant pains in the ass. I needed a break and so I came here.”
“Shit, I’ll talk to my dad. Is this about the whole marriage thing?” Simon asked.
“You got it. They’ve got my intended staying with me now. They’ve even put her in the same room. The sooner I get her pregnant, the quicker the wedding, and you guessed it.” Dean shook his head. “I would have called you but you said you got this thing going.”
“Am I missing something?” Tabby asked.
Simon looked to his friend.
For the next five minutes, Dean told them what was going on in his life.
“Wow, that is kind of fucked up,” she said.
“Kind of fucked up? Nah, it is fucked up. It’s not good.” He shrugged. “I’m dealing with it.”
“And Devil hasn’t done anything yet?” Tabby asked.
“He’s got shit going on with my mom. I promise. I’ll talk to him tonight, and I’m going to say our door is always open if you need it.”
“Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
Thunder rolled through the air.
“Looks like we’re heading back,” Eddie said, jumping off the wall. “You want me to give you guys a ride?”
“Nah, we can walk,” Simon said.
“Pleasure meeting the two of you.”
“Damn, I hope I’m there when you meet Amber. I’ve got a feeling she’s not going to like you.”
Eddie and Dean left and Tabby turned to him. “This Amber girl sounds pretty interesting. Should I be worried?”
“Not at all.” He kissed her lips.
“Let’s head back,” Anthony said.
Taking Tabby’s hand, they walked back to his home. Daisy stood close to Anthony the entire time. When the heavens opened up, Anthony removed his jacket, placing it over her shoulders, and she sank into it, thanking him.
“I told you,” Tabby said, whispering.
“Are they together?”
“No. She doesn’t believe he sees her that way.”
“Do you think she wants to be with him?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
When they arrived at his home, Lash waited to take Anthony and Daisy to the motel where they were staying. Tabby hugged her friend close and then Anthony before they got into the car.
Entering his home, he took the jacket from her.
“I’m going to go and take a quick shower. Warm up. Go and talk to your dad. Your friend clearly needs something. The fact he’d rather hang out around the back of a library speaks for itself.” She cupped his cheek, kissed him, and rushed off.
When The Skulls were in their home, they had always been told to treat it like their own. They rarely visited Piston County. Watching Tabby walk away, smelling her on his skin, damn, he felt at peace, which was the first time in a long time.
His mom and Eva were in the kitchen, cooking and baking. Kids were everywhere. He checked the games rooms, the office, and the living room. Finally, he went outside onto the back porch. His dad had a thing for storms. He loved to watch the thunder and lightning as it lit up the sky and made so much noise.
Sure enough, that was where he found his dad with Tiny.
“Hey, Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Tiny got to his feet. “I’m going to go and take a leak. Think about what I’ve said.”
Devil laughed.
“Do I want to know what he said?” Simon asked.
“If you think boarding school is a good idea.”
“It’s not.” Simon looked back at Tabby’s dad, shaking his head.
“I won’t send you to boarding school. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of being a grandpa scares the shit out of me, but I won’t send you away.”
“Good to know you’ve got my back.”
“You’re my son. You can always come to me.”
“Right, I want to talk to you about Dean. The emancipation. Have you had a chance to talk to a lawyer?”
Devil cursed, running a hand down his face. “Not recently, with everything going on. I’ve just, you know, I’ll talk to him.”
“Could you? It’s getting worse for him.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise.”
Simon nodded, thankful. “He’s a good guy, you know, Dean. He wants to prospect for the club.”
“Have you told him what that kind of shit means?” Devil asked.
“Not completely. I know I’ve got to get your permission to be able to talk about club stuff. He wants in. I think he wants to be part of a family, especially after his own has let him down.”
“Prospecting isn’t going to be easy,