A couple of days later
“Fancy meeting you here,” Daisy said.
Tabitha held her hand up in a wave at her friend. She was out near the forest, sitting on a patch of earth she’d once snuggled up against Simon with. That seemed so far away right now. Of course, the moment had been lost when Luke and Ryan arrived, assholes.
Daisy dropped down onto her knees beside her. Her best friend wore a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Her brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. “I thought you’d be here.”
“Yeah, I needed to think. I would have called you last night.”
“It’s fine. A lot’s going on in your head right now, right?”
Tabitha nodded. “I guess.” She tore out some grass, holding it within her grasp.
“So you spend all of this time with Simon and you’re officially more miserable than ever. Want to tell me about that?” Daisy slid her legs out from beneath her and crossed them.
“I don’t know if I can do it, Daisy,” she said.
“Do what?”
“Be his old lady. Be what he needs me to be.” Rubbing at her temple, she groaned. “Forget it.”
“You mean leave Fort Wills indefinitely and go and live life as his old lady.”
“Yeah, that’s what I mean. You know, I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not stupid.”
“Yeah, I am. All this time, I thought our parents were just being jerks about this whole thing, and look what’s happening.”
“So you’ve had a bit of a reality check. That’s not a bad thing.”
“It is a bad thing.” She looked away. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Hey.” Daisy put a hand over Tabitha’s clenched fist. “I get that you’ve been away for some time, but don’t shut me out. That’s not fair. I don’t do it to you, so don’t do it to me.”
“Oh, yeah, what about your dad?”
“We’re not talking about that. Stop with being a bitch to me, okay? I get it. You’ve got to make this big tough decision but no one is forcing you to do that.”
“Devil, my dad!”
“They’re not telling you to make it now. They’re making you aware of the decision you’ve got to make. They are trying to help you.”
Tabitha pressed her face into her hands.
“You’re making this a lot harder than it needs to be,” Daisy said.
“Oh, that’s easy for you to say. The love of your life is like a ten-minute walk away.”
“First, I haven’t even asked Anthony out, and don’t think I’ve forgotten our little agreement there either. I haven’t. If he turns me down, bikini dancing is in your future. Second, I don’t even know if he feels that way about me. I know you keep on saying it but it doesn’t mean it’s actually true, does it?”
“Oh, please, I know what I’m talking about.”
Tabitha screamed as Daisy suddenly launched herself at her, wrapping her arms around her.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Tabitha asked.
Daisy held her even tighter. “I’m holding on to you so you stay grounded. Remember, it’s what you told me to do? If you ever feel like you can’t cope, I can just hold on to you, and then all the bad stuff is going to go away.”
Tabitha wanted to fight her. To let all of her anger and pain out, but Daisy wasn’t the person she was angry at. No, she was mad at herself for thinking this would all be an easy choice for her. It wasn’t. She was fighting everything and everyone.
Letting go, she cried and Daisy held her. Lying in the grass, she didn’t let her friend go, not wanting to.
“I love you,” Tabitha said.
“I love you too,” Daisy said. “But I’ve got to know, how much did you want to hit me?”
“A lot. A whole lot.” Tabitha laughed. “I don’t hate you though.”
“Come on, you can’t hate me. I’m awesome.”
“You really are. I’m sorry for being a bitch.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve covered the whole bitchy season myself. I may have been mean a time or two.”
“Make it three or four,” Tabitha said.
“Rude, totally rude.” Daisy patted her arm. “It’s good to have you back. I know you’ve got to make the ‘big decision.’” She lifted her fingers up to make quotation marks. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
“I am too.”
“Is that why you’re so angry,” Daisy asked. “You figured you would want to leave home and be with Simon?”
“You got it.” Tabitha blew out a long breath. “I thought I would hate this place so much that it would just be me getting up, waving goodbye, and getting on with my life. Now, ugh, this is my home.”
Daisy chuckled. “Try to say it without looking like you’ve given yourself a death sentence.”
“I haven’t. I missed you so much.” Tabitha hugged her friend close and they got to their feet. “Come on, it’s getting way too cold out here.”
“Angel’s at the clubhouse. She’s got a lot of leftovers she’s making a pie with.”
“Are you still going without meat?”
“Yep, so is my mom. You should see my dad. He keeps trying to tempt her.” Daisy laughed.
“And if Anthony is there, you have to ask him on a date.”
“I was thinking we’d save it ’til summer,” Daisy said.
“Why summer?”
“You and a bikini. I don’t expect you to wait around for me to forget. You are dancing.” Daisy pointed a finger at her chest.
“I will dance and I’m so confident he’ll say yes, I will dance in the cold.”
“And get grounded your first couple of days back.”
Tabitha opened her arms wide and took a little bow. “I’m that confident you will be eating your words.”
“You know what, I’m just going to go ahead and do it. To hell with all of this waiting around.”
Tabitha winked at her. They headed back to the clubhouse. For some reason, she felt like someone was watching her, and she turned back to see Luke coming out of the clearing. He’d been there all this time? She didn’t let Daisy know. Turning away, she focused on going home to the clubhouse.
Linking her arms with Daisy, they walked through the town. A couple of people welcomed her back, which made her so happy. This was the life she loved. Back in Piston County, no one knew her. She’d been a stranger, and rather than love the freedom, she’d only been made aware of where she didn’t belong.
Arriving at the clubhouse, she saw Lash out front, working on his bike. Nash, his brother, was there. Much to Tabitha’s surprise, so was Anthony. He wore a short-sleeved black shirt over his jeans. His arms were folded.
“He’s right there,” Tabitha said.
“How about we do it tomorrow?” Daisy asked.
“I’m not going to wait around. Yo, Anthony, Daisy wants to talk to you.” Her friend hit her in the chest. “Ouch.”
“That serves you right.”
Anthony approached.
“I hate you right now.”
“You love me, Daisy.”
He stopped.
“Hi,” Daisy said, her voice high-pitched.
Tabitha tried to contain her laughter.
“You’re back,” he said.
“Yep, in the flesh. I am real.” She offered him a wave.
Anthony’s gaze turned back to Daisy. Her friend’s hands shook.
“So, I wanted to talk to you. Right. Of course. Er, do you like food?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I like food obviously, and when two people like food, they eat it.”
A snort came out. Pressing a hand to her lips, Tabitha quickly apologized.
“This is stupid,” Daisy said. She took a deep breath. “Would you like to go out with me?”
“Yes.”
“See,” Daisy said, looking victorious, and then she frowned. “Wait, what?”
“Yes, I’ll go out with you. Tomorrow night, I’ll take you to the diner. I know you like their garden burgers.”
“Oh, er, oh, yes, of course.”
Anthony nodded and walked off.
Daisy’s mouth was open.
Reaching out, Tabitha placed a finger beneath her chin. “You might want to close that. It’s catching flies.”
“But what does that mean?”
“It means you have a date tomorrow night. What are you going to wear?” They headed inside the clubhouse.
Tabitha breathed in the familiar scents of leather, beer, food, and The Skulls. Home.
“But I’ve never been on a date.” Daisy grabbed both of her arms. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Lucky for you, I’ve been on at least one. I also know how much Anthony has been crushing on you. If you turn up looking like a sack of potatoes, you won’t have to worry. He’d dig you.”
“Tabitha, this isn’t funny,” Daisy said.
They entered the kitchen and like most times, Angel was there.
“Hey, girls.” Angel came over to Tabitha and within seconds, she was being pulled into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
Tabitha laughed, stepping back. “Of course, you are. What are you doing?”
“Ah, the guys have another mission to go on. It’s going to be a tough one. I’ve got the hotel rooms ready, and some medics on standby. Lash told me it was going to be intense. I’m getting lunches ready for them to take. What’s fun?” She turned her smile toward them.
Considering all the crap that had happened to Angel, she’d remained this sweet, nice person throughout it all.
“Anthony and Daisy are going on a date tomorrow night.”
“Oh,” Angel said, her lips going into a perfect O before returning to a smile. “Are you excited?”
“I … am, I think. I’ve never been on a date.”
“What does Anthony like?” Tabitha asked.
“You know Anthony, he likes what he likes.” Angel laughed. “I better get back to lunches. Help yourself to some sandwiches.”
Anthony was such an anomaly, his own mother didn’t understand him at times. Tabitha had to wonder if the hospital got it all wrong and accidentally swapped the wrong child at birth. That there was some sweet kid with weird parents.
After grabbing a couple of cheese and pickle sandwiches, she and Daisy headed out of the clubhouse again.
“Your house or mine?” Daisy asked.
“Let’s go to yours. Mom keeps asking me constant questions. It’s freaking me out.”
“Why?”
“Because she wants so many answers. I think she’s worried Simon and I had sex.”
“Did you?” Daisy asked.
“Not you too.”
“What? You think I don’t know for a fact you keep things from me as well? I do.”
“Daisy, you’re my best friend.”
“I know, but even BFFs have secrets. Don’t worry, I’m not mad or sad, or anything. I accepted it long ago.” Daisy finished her sandwich, brushing her hands. “I think my mom’s working at the salon, and Dad is doing something. We’ve got the house to ourselves.”
“No, we didn’t have sex. In case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t exactly thinking about it, you know,” Daisy said. “It wasn’t on my need-to-know basis.”
“Shut up, nerd,” Tabitha said, hitting her arm.
“What? You think it’s impossible for me to go a day when I wasn’t thinking about you or sex, or Simon?”
“That’s a lot of someones,” Tabitha said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love you and I missed you, but not enough to want to hear about all the nasty stuff you’ve got going on.”
“Of course you want to hear about all my nasty stuff.” She nudged Daisy’s shoulder. “Let’s stop talking about me and my love life. We’ve got to get you ready for your date tomorrow night.”
Daisy groaned. “No, we don’t.”
“Yes, we do. You’ve got to look sexy and cute, and I can’t wait to dress you up.”
“No dresses.”
“I wore a dress.”
Daisy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I should have asked Anthony out on a date.”
“Why not?”
“Because, I mean, we’re best friends. Isn’t that going to be odd for the group?”
“You’re asking me. The girl who is dating one of our own.”
“But he’s not one of our own, is he?”
Tabitha stopped.
“I’m sorry,” Daisy said.
“No, you’re right. Maybe I have been going about this all the wrong way. I didn’t mean to, but think about it. I’ve been treating him as if he is a Skull. He’s not. We’re completely different.”
“And that’s a good thing,” Daisy said.
“Is it? I mean, really?” Tabitha ran her fingers through her hair. They were outside Daisy’s house.
Her best friend grabbed her hands. “Stop.”
“But—”
Daisy covered her mouth with her hand. “No, stop. You are going to listen to me. Yes, you’re going to have to make a decision. The club or Simon. I get it. It’s going to be tough. You don’t have to make that choice today, or tomorrow, or next week. Not even next year. If Simon loves you like you say he does, then he’ll be happy to wait until you make that decision for yourself. Not a moment before. Got it?” Daisy asked. Her hand was still over Tabitha’s mouth. “Got it?” she repeated more firmly.
She nodded her head. “When did you get all bossy?” she asked when her hand was gone.
“Since you were gone and I realized if I didn’t, Miles was going to treat me like crap.”
“My brother?”
“Yep. He seemed to think with you gone, it instantly put me and him on bestie terms. It didn’t. I put him in his place. You would have been so proud of me.”
“I am proud of you.” Tabitha hugged her friend close. “Come on, let’s go inside. We’ve got to prepare for your date and I’m going to have to give you some pointers in case he kisses you.”
****
The following night
“I’m nervous. Is this normal?”
“Totally normal.” Tabitha ran the brush down Daisy’s hair as Lacey came in with some mascara.
Daisy wrinkled her nose. “No, Mom.”
“They’ll make your eyes pop.”
“I think I’ll be happy with them staying firmly in my head.”
They all paused as the doorbell rang. “Holy crap, that’s him. What do I do?”
“Don’t worry, your dad will open the door,” Lacey said.
“No, he’ll give him the talk, won’t he? The one he used when Sally started dating.”
“And she’s now happily married and has a couple of kids.” Lacey cupped her cheek, smiling. “Your father’s a matchmaker. You should be so happy.”
“Why?”
“You and Anthony could be walking down the aisle in next to no time.” Lacey kissed her cheek and left the room while Daisy turned wide eyes toward her.
“How the hell does one date become married? I don’t know if I want to marry him.”
“Don’t worry about it. You think Lacey doesn’t have a job to do? Her daughter is going out on a date and she’s nervous.”
“We’re not going to do anything.”
“I know that.” She didn’t. She knew a lot about Anthony but not necessarily all the good parts.
“Daisy, your date is here,” Whizz said.
“I can’t do this.”
“You can.”
“Why did I ask him out on a date?”
“I don’t know. You wanted to?”
Daisy pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“Breathe. It’s a date. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“You’re going to be here when I get back?”
“Count on it.”
“Good. Okay. Good.” Daisy looked toward the door and whimpered. “I guess we better get this show on the road.”
Tabitha giggled and followed her friend downstairs to where Anthony stood by the door, waiting. Whizz was there, arms folded, all of his ink on display. She tried to contain her amusement.
“Before midnight, clear?” Whizz said.
“Clear.”
“Good. No funny business.”
“Dad, you know him. Stop.”
“And if you so much as touch her, I will break every single bone in your body.”
“Dad, please stop.”
“Have fun,” Tabitha said.
Anthony actually smiled at Daisy. A real, lips lifted, showing teeth and not in a crazy serial killer way, smile.
She watched her friend tense up and then slowly relax.
They left after Daisy kissed her dad’s cheek.
“She’s all grown up. Why do they have to be so grown up?” Lacey hugged tight to Whizz’s side. “I remember when I was enough of a date for Daisy and she’d just color and we’d eat meatballs and spaghetti.”
“Do you mean you ordered them in?”
“Stop it,” Lacey said.
“You want to come down?” Whizz asked, looking up at her.
“Nah, I’m going to go and study. Is that okay?”
“It’s not a problem at all. We’re down here if you need us.”
Tabitha nodded and turned on her heel, heading back up into the bedroom. She didn’t close the door. Pulling out her cell phone, she used the video app on her phone to call Simon.
“Hey,” he said.
“Are you outside?” Tabitha asked, hearing the wind.
“Yep. I decided I needed to freeze my butt off. What about you?”
“I’m in Daisy’s room. They went on their first official date today and get this, Anthony smiled.”
“Get the fuck out. You’re lying.”
“Am not. It was an honest-to-god smile.”
“Creepy?”
“No. I did wonder if he’d been practicing in the mirror.”
“We’re mean, aren’t we?”
“The worst. So how are you?”
“You know, the same. Missing you.”
“Your mom was getting some tests, right?
“They’re going to do some more tests. She needs more chemo as well, just to be on the safe side. It sucks. It’s draining her a lot more now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“How are things back there for you?” he asked.
“Odd. It’s strange but good. I like being home.” She nibbled on her lip.
“I get it,” he said.
“You do?”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
Tabitha licked her lips. “I do miss you as well.”
“I know. Look, I’ve got to go. Dad’s calling me.” She heard his name being shouted in the distance.
“Okay, well, I’ll be here if you need me. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t. Love you.”
He’d already hung up by the time she went to say bye. Pressing her lips together, she turned the app off and leaned back against the bed. This was hard. Guilt filled her as she did love being home, but there was a giant hole.
Simon would never come to live here, not for any reason.
She reached for the necklace she always wore. This has been a gift from Simon so long ago. It meant a great deal to her.
“I got you something,” Simon said.
She giggled at the same time she squeezed out her hair. “You don’t have to get me anything, Simon. I’m fine.” She pulled out the band keeping her other bunch of hair up, and then gave that a squeeze. The kids had totally lost this time with the water fight, but that was fine. They’d win one soon. No one beat The Skulls’ kids. That was what they were. She glanced across the play area and saw Anthony brushing out Daisy’s hair. Her best friend was trying to reach for the brush, but Anthony kept it out of reach.
“I wanted to give you something so that every time you saw it, you’d remember me.”
“I’m not going to forget you. We talk all the time.” She rested her damp head on his shoulder.
“Please, take it.” He held out a box that she saw had been hand-created with a card. Taking it, she opened the lid as she knew he wanted her to do this. She saw a silver chain, and there in the center was the insignia of Chaos Bleeds. “I know you’re part of The Skulls, but you’re always going to be my girl.”
She stared at the necklace. It was delicate, and as she lifted it over her head to rest on her chest, she looked at it. He was right. It did remind her of him. “It’s really pretty.”
“Do you think you could wear that for me all the time?”
“Yeah. My dad will pitch a fit, but I love it.” The Skulls was the only club she was ever going to be part of, and she knew there was going to come a time when she’d have to make a choice. The Skulls were her family. Simon took the box and then her hand.
“We’re only here for a couple of days.”
She rested her chin on his shoulder.
“It’s hard leaving,” he said.
They were nearly twelve years old now, and she knew that he loved her without a doubt. Whenever he did come to visit, he’d always get moody because he’d have to leave her again.
“We’ll write all the time like always. I love reading what you’re doing, and I do think it’s great that you kick ass with bullies.” She stared down at their hands and snuggled against him. “You’re going to be my big bear.”
He turned and stroked a curl behind her ear. This time, he lingered, caressing her cheek.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. I just like being with you.”
She laughed. “I’d drive you crazy in school. Daisy’s always having to remind me to keep my head down and focus. I’m always looking out the window, thinking of other things. School is so boring. Now they’re talking about what you want to be when you grow up. I don’t know. Older, I guess.”
“I’m going to take my dad’s place. Chaos Bleeds is going to need a hero someday.” Simon pushed his chest out. “That’s going to be me. Total badass.”
She couldn’t stop laughing. Pulling out of his hold, she stared at him, popping the gum she’d been chewing. “You’re not a badass.”
He stood up, and she took a step back. “I am.”
Tabitha shook her head. He was finally smiling again, and she liked that. She hated it when he was sad.
“What are you two doing?” her father, Tiny, asked.
“Nothing,” Tabitha said. “But The Skulls rule, Chaos Bleeds … drool.” She winked at Simon, letting him know she was doing this on purpose.
“That’s my girl!” Eva, her mother, called out.
While Simon looked toward where their parents were, Tabitha took a step toward him and placed a hand on his chest. She didn’t know if he felt that spark or whatever it was when she touched him, but she felt it all the time. It was like a constant hum between them. Moving toward his ear, she whispered the words. “Tag, you’re it.”
Reluctantly, she pulled away and began running away from Simon. He gave her a couple of seconds, and she ran around the swings, watching as several of The Skulls were now facing off with the Chaos Bleeds. Simon wasn’t interested in anyone else though. He was on the other side of the swings, and she smiled at him. “You’re not going to chase anyone else?”
“No one else I want to chase.” This just made her smile at him. She couldn’t help it. Simon made her feel even more alive. As she rushed one way, Simon followed, and she quickly changed direction, running across the park and heading toward the small garden that Angel liked to maintain while she was there. She didn’t get far as Simon grabbed her and spun her around. They both collapsed on the ground, and she was laughing as he landed beside her.
“Tag.”
“You caught me.”
Simon stared into her eyes, and it almost made her forget to breathe. “I’ll always catch you, Tabby. You’ll never have to fall again, and if you ever do, I’ll be there with you.”
Silence fell between them, and she was breathing hard as she stared at him. Simon always offered her the world, and her mother had told her to be careful. There was only so much that she could do. She was a Skull, and Simon a Chaos Bleeds, but she loved him. She didn’t care what her parents said. She knew she was in love with Simon, and no matter what, she belonged to him.
“Food!” The spell was broken. Simon stood and held his hand out. She took it, knowing she always would, no matter what.
Pulling out of the memory, she felt an equal measure of happiness and sadness. Even then, she’d known a choice needed to be made and it would have to be her to make it. Running a hand down her face, she decided to take Daisy’s advice and not think about it. Instead, she opened up the books Daisy had left for her and got some studying in. After an hour of looking through all of Daisy’s notes, she headed downstairs to get a drink. Lacey was in the kitchen, attempting to make a sandwich.
“You want one?”
Seeing the amount of mustard on one slice of bread, she shook her head.
“I know I can’t cook, but I can order takeout. I think that is what Whizz and John are getting.”
“It’s fine.” John was Daisy’s adoptive brother. Whizz and Lacey had taken him in a couple of years ago. Where Sally and Daisy had been older and knew they weren’t their real parents, John didn’t know the truth. There were a few times she’d babysat with Daisy, but Lacey liked to do everything herself, or at least as much of it as possible. Tabitha took a sip and watched as lettuce was placed on the bread, along with large slices of tomato.
“I know it’s tough, this thing you have going with Simon. It’s a hard decision to make.”
Lacey was once part of a different MC that was completely wiped out, burned to the ground. Their name ceased to exist.
“I know.”
“I picked Whizz,” she said.
“You’re telling me to pick Simon?” Tabitha asked. “Over the club?”
“I know it was easy for me. I didn’t have any family and the club died, and I’m not going to delve into that. What I’m trying to say is even before all of that, I did pick Whizz. I know you’re supposed to be loyal to the club, but what is loyalty if after a time you become so resentful of them?”
Lacey stopped making a sandwich. “We’re your family and I get that there will possibly be a chance that trouble will fall between all of us at some point. You’ve got two hard-assed Presidents. It’s going to happen, but that doesn’t mean between Chaos Bleeds and The Skulls, they can’t work it out at some point. Don’t give up on him just yet.”
“I won’t,” Tabitha said.
“I figured you’ve had your mom and the men telling you their point of views. I figured an outsider perspective would help.”
“There is no way you’re an outsider.”
Lacey laughed. “I was once. Don’t forget that. I’ve got a wealth of knowledge that doesn’t include any of The Skulls.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. For helping Daisy. I know she’s had a tough time of it and I’m just so happy to see her smile again. It means a lot to me.”
“She loves you, you know. You and Whizz. She loves you both.”
Lacey’s eyes filled with tears. “Well, thank you.”
She walked past Lacey and gripped her arm, hugging her. “Also, the bread is off. There’s mold on it.”
“Wait, you can eat that stuff on cheese.”
“It’s completely different on bread.”
Poor Daisy. Lacey didn’t know the first thing about food and cooking.
After making her way back upstairs, she got down to studying. The time ticked on by and before she knew it, Daisy was back.
She stood at the top of the stairs. Daisy looked fine. There was nothing off about her. Whizz and Lacey bombarded her with questions.
“I’m fine. The date went well. It’s school tomorrow. I’m going to take a shower and get ready for bed. Goodnight.” She kissed Whizz, then Lacey before heading upstairs.
Tabitha followed her back to her room. “Well?”
“Let me shower first.” Daisy removed her jacket, looking at the bed. “Did they help?”
“I don’t care about them right now. Come on, tell me.”
Daisy rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay, let me get a shower, okay?”
She disappeared to the bathroom.
Cleaning up the books, Tabitha changed into her own pajamas and climbed into the bed.
She waited. Twiddling her thumbs.
Daisy finally entered. Her hair was curled up in a towel but she wore a pair of flannel pajamas.
“So, how was it?” Tabitha asked.
She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. “It was good.”
“Did he sit in silence? Did he speak? Did he even eat? Did he stare at you? Come on. A girl needs to know answers right now.” She reached out and touched her arm. “Please.”
“We talked about everything and nothing. He was … totally different.” Daisy frowned.
“He was? Good different? Bad?”
“I … it was nice,” she said. “Yeah, I was nervous and he held my hand and we talked about school. He asked me about my plans once we graduate. Where I want to go to college. What I want to do. We laughed about Miles and his antics. He had the same spaghetti as me.”
“Did he kiss you?” Tabitha asked.
Daisy’s face heated up and Tabitha gasped. “He did!”
She covered her face and Tabitha reached out. “Come on, tell me.”
“You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
“No, I’m not. Nothing about this is stupid. My best friend got her first kiss.”
“It wasn’t exactly a first kiss.” She winced. “Okay. His lips went right here.” She touched the corner of her mouth. “He cupped my face, gently, told me that I had no idea how precious I was, and kissed me there.”
“Oh,” Tabitha said. “Are we happy about that?”
“I … he was sweet. Like crazy sweet. I can’t, this is crazy. I’m so happy right now.”
“So we’re putting this in the awesome pile?”
“We’re putting this in the hell yeah and I want to go out with him again.” Daisy climbed off the bed, removed the towel, and left to put it in the laundry basket. She returned, grabbed the brush, and started to comb through her hair.
“Will you go on a second date?”
“I don’t know. We didn’t say anything. I don’t want to push. Tonight’s date was so amazing. I can’t even tell you how amazing. He’s a great guy. I know that he’s a little strange, but people don’t know him, at all.”
“He doesn’t give people the chance to get to know him, Daisy.”
“I guess, but even I wasn’t expecting what I got. Wow.” She dropped the brush and flopped to the bed. “Tonight was amazing. Thank you for helping me get ready.”
“It was my pleasure. We always made each other promises when we were little to always be there for each other. Do you realize if you marry Anthony and he does become President of The Skulls, you’d be his old lady?”
“And you’d be Simon’s old lady for Chaos Bleeds. I suppose if we look at it like that, two besties besides their men, we could make it work for each other and for them.”
“Not through manipulation or anything.”
Daisy shook her head. “No. I don’t mean anything like that. I meant, reminding them of who they were. The fact we’re friends.” Daisy reached out to stroke some hair back behind her ear. “Did you think about it tonight?”
“I called him. I think he’s pissed at me.”
“Because you’re back home?”
She nodded. “And I’m happy to be back home.”
“If I know Simon, he won’t stay mad at you for long. It’s impossible to do.”
“You promise to never stay mad at me for too long?”
“Promise.”