... and Forever

by Sam Crescent

  “So it will be good for you.”

  “Dad, really?”

  “Come on. You’ve got nothing to lose, and dating could be fun.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Please?” he asked.

  “Fine. I’ll go on a date. If that will make you happy. I’ll prove to you I’m doing fine.” What her father didn’t know was she had no intention of enjoying the date. She didn’t need any of that to make her happy.

  No men.

  No dating.

  She was fine and happy. Why couldn’t they see that?

  “How about tonight?” he asked.

  “Not happening. It will have to be after the fair.”

  “Fine. Deal.”

  “Deal.”

  ****

  Nathan giggled as he grabbed hold of a big, fluffy teddy bear that she’d won for him.

  She’d been able to shoot a gun for a long time and the guy manning the stand had been so cocky that taking the biggest prize from him had thrilled her. She got to wipe that smile off his face and her son got a teddy.

  This was why she loved the fair.

  She could give Nathan a whole host of toys and a good time. He just loved it.

  “Where to next, darling?” she asked.

  “I’m hungry.”

  “Of course, you are. Let’s see.”

  “Baked potato,” he said.

  “That’s what you’re wanting?” she asked. “A baked potato?”

  “Yep. Lots of cheese.”

  She chuckled. “Let’s go and get you one.”

  Tabitha spotted Daisy right up ahead. Rather than avoid her friend, they both walked to each other, Nathan keeping up with her strides, and they hugged.

  “I’m so sorry for being a bitch to you,” Tabitha said.

  “You’ve always been a big bitch. I accept. Damn, I don’t want to ever fight like that again. Promise me we won’t?”

  “We won’t.” She hugged Daisy close.

  “We’re all eating over there. I saw you and I had to come and get you.”

  “I want a baked potato,” Nathan said.

  Daisy laughed and picked him up. “Wow, you’re getting to be so big. I don’t like this at all. You need to stop growing.”

  “Mommy says that all the time.”

  “I know. She’s always very bossy,” Daisy said.

  “Hey.”

  “There’s a baked potato stand over there. You coming?” Daisy asked.

  She glanced at Nathan and smiled. “Of course we are.”

  Heading over to where a large cluster of The Skulls stood and sat eating, she went to the potato stand, ordering what her son loved and one for herself. After walking over to the table, she sat next to Nathan and put the tray next to him. He took the fork and started to break up the potato, mashing it as he went. She couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. He was so darn cute.

  She ate a few bites of her potato, very much aware of Daisy watching her.

  “Are you going to keep freaking me out?”

  “You don’t eat a whole lot. I worry.”

  “I eat a great deal.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to stop being a worrywart.” Past Daisy’s shoulder, Tabitha spotted the woman she’d been wanting to have a private word with for a little while.

  Taking another mouthful of food, she watched her move. When the woman went to the bathroom, she returned her gaze to Daisy.

  “Will you keep an eye on Nathan?” she asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Great. I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” Getting to her feet, she left her potato on the table. One of the guys would eat it. She wouldn’t have to worry about the waste.

  Entering the bathroom, she closed the door and saw there was a lock on the inside. She flicked the lock into place, slowly, so as not to alert the woman who’d entered. She removed her heels and walked down the stalls, checking underneath. Only one was in use.

  Putting her shoes back on, she leaned up against the sinks, waiting, watching, anticipating the woman coming out.

  She gripped the edge of the counter.

  The bathroom door opened and Miss Andrea came to a stop. She let out a little gasp. “You startled me.”

  “Good.”

  Andrea paused, her hands lifting slightly as if to ward her off. “Do I know you?”

  “You know me and you’re very much aware of why I’m here.”

  Ever since Simon had left her, she hadn’t hurt anyone. Not threatened. She’d been the good mother, the standup citizen Fort Wills loved. She hadn’t done anything to hurt anyone. The days of beating girls up or taking on guys, it had all stopped.

  All she’d been granted for herself was the pain in her body, the memory of being a hard ass, and nothing else.

  “Look, Tabitha, I know you think I was being hard on your son.” She let out a cry as Tabitha wrapped her fingers around the woman’s neck.

  “My son was ill. He was sick. He wasn’t faking it to get attention. He told me what you did. How you talked to him. So I did a little digging. I hear you’ve been trying to worm your way around The Skulls. Well, that ends today. None of the guys will ever be near your rank, bitchy pussy. They’ve got a lot better in their club. You know why? I’m Tiny’s daughter.”

  She saw the realization in the woman’s eyes. Slamming her back against the door, she didn’t let her go but loosened the hold to help her to breathe. “The next time my son is ill, you will send him to the receptionist. He will call me the very fucking second he even whimpers. Do you understand? I’m one of them, Miss Andrea, and believe me, I’ve got no problem hitting women, especially sluts like you!” She threw her into the bathroom stall. The woman crashed to the floor, collapsing around the toilet. “Have a wonderful time.”

  Flicking the lock, she stepped out, walking back to where her son was still eating his baked potato.

  Her heart raced but she made herself look toward the restroom. Miss Andrea came out and Tabitha kept her gaze on her until she was out of sight, stumbling away as she did.

  Returning her attention to the table, she saw Daisy watching her.

  “I’m guessing she deserved whatever happened in there,” Daisy said.

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  Daisy snorted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that look on your face.”

  “What look?” She tried for innocence but probably failed miserably.

  “You’re not a very good liar.”

  “I don’t have a clue what you mean.”

  “Of course, you don’t. Who would?”

  “Mommy, can I go on the bouncy castle? Uncle Anthony is going to take me.”

  She looked toward Anthony. His brow rose as he waited. He was giving her time with Daisy to properly make up.

  “Sure, of course. If you want to.”

  “I do.”

  Daisy had stepped away from the table but returned holding a couple of drinks. “He’s not very subtle, is he?”

  “Who, your boyfriend?”

  Daisy sighed. “Now tell me. What is this I hear about you agreeing to go on a date?”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “I’d say it is. You’re assaulting teachers, offering to go on a date. Tell me what has happened to the sweet, quiet Tabitha, or was that all a lie?”

  “None of it was a lie.” Tabitha took a sip of the hot coffee. It was bad, but it was a drink, and she needed it. It wasn’t alcohol.

  “And what’s going on now?” she asked. “Do you want to go on this date?”

  “No, I don’t. You should know me by now. I don’t want to date.”

  “You’re still hung up on Simon?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Did they tell you the news?”

  “About his latest sighting? Yeah, they told me. Dad stopped by. It was around the time I kept saying I was fine and he wanted me to go on a date to prove it. You know, all of these ‘sightings.’” She air quoted the last
word. “It makes him sound like some kind of alien.”

  “I think, in a way, he kind of is.”

  “How?”

  “He disappeared into the night, and if you think about it, there have been rare occurrences where he just pops up.”

  “You and I both know they didn’t exactly put in a great deal of effort to find him.” She took another sip of her coffee.

  “Why do you think that?”

  “We both know this club. When they want to find someone, really find them, they do.”

  “Their hands were tired with this one.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She shrugged. “I’ve accepted that I’m alone.”

  “You’re not.” Daisy reached across the table. “You’re far from alone. I’ve always hated it when you thought you were. I’m here. I’m always going to be here and that’s not going to change.”

  That was true. Her best friend had opted for a local college rather than get out of Fort Wills.

  “Can I ask you something?” Tabitha sat up, trying not to show she cared or that the answer mattered more than it did. This was very hard for her, but she needed to know the answer.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “I know there have been a lot of sightings with Simon. What makes this one so different?” This one had warranted her father coming to see her. He’d stayed for dinner, helped to tuck Nathan into bed, and they’d talked. It had been nice.

  Looking back, she’d realized there had to be something important that she was missing when it came to Simon’s latest appearance.

  Usually, she got a nice little text or a phone call. Most of the time from Lash or from Angel, depending on where he was.

  This was different.

  Daisy sighed. “I don’t think I should tell you.”

  “Now you’re going to start keeping secrets for the club?”

  “It’s not about keeping secrets. It’s where he suddenly appeared.”

  Tabitha’s heart raced. “Where?”

  “I don’t think I should tell you. It’s not going to give you any kind of real closure.”

  Tabitha gripped her friend’s hand and held it tightly. “Please, tell me. I know, I get it. You want to protect me. To spare me the pain. You’re the only person I know who won’t sugarcoat this. Just give it to me real. Please. It’s all I’m asking.”

  Daisy licked her lips and she saw how uncomfortable her friend was.

  “Simon … he’s in Vegas.”

  Tabitha froze.

  “More importantly, he’s been spotted by one of Butch’s crew. He was fighting at Ned Walker’s place. One of the underground fights.” Daisy frowned. “Look, I only know this because I overheard, okay? I also happened to hack into the computer. I know Ned likes to keep security footage of the fights. He has a lot of important people who bet on the life and death of his fighters. It’s his insurance.”

  “I get it. I know what my grandpa is capable of.” Ned Walker was a very old man but nothing seemed to be slowing him down. He wasn’t much older than Tiny, and her dad was starting to show his years.

  Clearly, Ned Walker had lived a lot better and more peaceful life than her father. Either way, how was she supposed to deal with this?

  “Wait, he was fighting?”

  “Yes. Simon was fighting and, Tabs, it got real ugly. Simon is … he’s a machine. I mean, I barely recognized him.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean? How did you know it was him? It might not be him.”

  “He had your name inked on his heart. Tabby. I saw it. I could read it. He’s the only one to call you that. It’s him. No doubt.”

  He was in Vegas fighting, killing people, while she was in Fort Wills, living a nice peaceful life, trying to stay out of trouble. This was his way of dealing with killing Ryan. She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. When they were younger, all he wanted to fucking do was settle down in Piston County so he could prospect at Chaos Bleeds. There was a time she wanted to travel to explore the world. That had all changed, but it was so ironic to her now. He’d gone off to travel and do whatever the hell he wanted to do, while she had to stay at home and take care of everything.

  She let out a laugh. “I guess this is the way he deals with what he caused, huh? Excuse me.”

  She got to her feet but didn’t get far before Daisy hugged her. Her best friend hugged her tightly, trying to help her, but she didn’t need help. There was nothing out there that was going to help her.

  All the tears had been cried. The pain, it was still there but now, she felt anger. A bitter rage rushing through her body, ready to explode at any minute.

  He could do whatever the hell he wanted. He was in Vegas fighting. She knew what was in that city; her grandpa who was known for his fights. Not only did he invest in the legal kind, but he also ran the illegal fighting ring in the city. He was a deadly fucker and the men who fought for him, well, she would never want to meet them on a good day.

  Simon was there.

  He wasn’t getting over killing but doing more of it. He’d rather kill than be with her.

  She was done with him. Through.

  Simon wouldn’t ever come near her again. While he was taking the time he needed, she’d fucking show him.

  Chapter Three

  Tabitha wanted to kill her parents.

  She’d murder them both in their sleep.

  She wasn’t an idiot. They both knew what they’d done.

  Niles Walsh. A very nice, very straight-laced man who worked at the bank. No, he didn’t just work there. He was the person who ran it and didn’t he like to let everyone know it. The moment she opened her door to his smug face, she’d wanted to punch it. This wasn’t a good way to start a date.

  A deal was a deal. She’d grabbed her coat and now they drove, side by side.

  “You know, you didn’t have to go to so much trouble,” she said, glancing over at him. A part of her wished Tiny had asked Luke. At least then she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable and she’d be able to drop the fake niceness.

  Niles had shown an interest in her years ago. She’d been standing in a long line and he’d singled her out to help. There had been older people and gorgeous women waiting in the long line, but he’d helped her. He’d opened up a till, been nice to her, only to close it once they had finished.

  The next time, she’d gone to the bank with Nathan. He’d given her the same treatment, but he’d been more polite, constantly looking down at her finger.

  She was still married.

  Simon hadn’t divorced her ass yet.

  Maybe now she should file the papers. The thought shot a pain through her body, but why not?

  Simon was out fighting, getting over killing a man by killing other men. She’d gotten Daisy to show her the footage. It had taken a couple of bribes and the bonds of sisterhood and friendship, but it had been worth it. She’d stood with her best friend and watched Simon.

  He was bigger, harder, more muscular, but there was no mistaking who that was or what he was doing. He was a fighter. He’d found some kind of peace in fucking killing people. All this time she’d been waiting for him to return, taking each day at a time, waiting, wondering when he’d come back, and this was her payment. So much for waiting for the love of her life.

  They were supposed to be together forever and always. That was their thing.

  “You are going to love this Italian place. Their Bolognese is just the best.”

  She glanced over at him. This date was going to be a disaster. He’d picked an Italian place, just like Simon had for their date. She didn’t want to make comparisons, but she couldn’t seem to help it.

  “So Tiny tells me you like gardening.”

  Her father had seen her in the garden once, and that was to try to organize her on this date. She didn’t like gardening at all. It was a necessary evil. “Yep. Don’t like weeds growing in my yard.”

  “Is that what you want to do as a professional?”

  “No. I like to keep my yard
tidy and it keeps my son happy.” She didn’t want to talk about her son. Unless it got him off her case. If he told Tiny the date was awful, her father would back off. It would be a win-win for her.

  Folding her arms, she released a sigh. “Are we there yet? I’m starving. I forgot to eat earlier. I made Nathan some pasta. I’m not big on the whole Italian. Nathan farted in—”

  Niles started to laugh, which she didn’t like. As she stared at him, he didn’t stop. “Want to tell me what is so funny?”

  “Your father. He told me that you’re not the easiest woman to get along with. He also advised me that you might try to be a bit of a pain.”

  “And you still wanted to go on a date with me?” she asked.

  “I doubt it escaped your notice that I’m always on the main floor when you enter.”

  She had seen him. “You’re a stalker.”

  “No. I’m not a stalker. I like you, Tabitha. I just didn’t know how to approach you.”

  “Look, I want to be straight with you. I didn’t want this date.”

  “I know. You don’t have to make it bad for either of us.”

  “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. Believe me. There’s no chance here.”

  “Is this because of Nathan’s father?”

  She didn’t know who Nathan’s father was. Simon or Ryan. Both were the same problem. “You could say that.”

  “I’m not a bad guy. Yes, I am a pompous ass. I make a good living and I’m a workaholic. My life has been in that bank, but when I look at you, Tabitha, I see a great deal and I just, let me at least take you on this date as friends. Can you give me that?” he asked.

  She wanted to tell him no. “You’re not … you’re not going to assume that if I say yes that it will mean we’re going to be dating all the time?”

  Niles laughed. “You certainly know how to make a guy feel special.”

  She thought of Luke. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I don’t see this going anywhere. I have a son. A whole lot of issues with his father. To be frank, if I get my hands on him, there’s a chance I’m going to beat the crap out of him.” Tabitha nibbled on her lip. “You and I, we don’t mesh well.”

  “Then let’s have a nice meal between friends. I won’t expect a second date and you can be assured I will enjoy the food and the company, but not expect anything else.”