“Hi, Tabitha,” Josh asked.
Simon watched his younger brother as he came closer. The redness of his face gave away his embarrassment.
“Hey, Josh, you’re sure growing up fast.” She ruffled his head.
His brother ran away and Simon winced.
“What did I do?” Tabby asked.
“He’s got a crush,” Elizabeth said.
“Elizabeth!” Lexie snapped her name.
“What? He does. Tabitha should know. Ugh, what is the big deal with everyone?”
“This coming from the girl who has a thing for Drew?”
This time, Elizabeth stomped away.
“She does?” Tabby asked.
“She does. Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
Tiny cleared his throat. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m sure she knows the way to the bedroom.”
“Dad, please, trust me. We’re not going to be having crazy sex or anything,” Tabby said.
“Honey, we have kids who don’t need to be repeating words,” Lexie said.
Tabby winced. “Sorry. Trust me, Dad. I won’t disappoint you.”
“It’s not you that I’m worried about,” Tiny said, looking at him.
“It will stay in my pants, sir.”
Devil clipped him around the back of the head. “No grandbabies are being made in this house, Tiny. Believe me.”
Simon laughed as he finally got to take Tabitha away from the driveway and showed her where she would be staying. What he didn’t expect was Miles to be hot on the heels.
“Go away,” Simon said.
“No can do. I’m sharing a room with Tabs,” he said.
“No,” Simon said.
“Can’t change it, I’m afraid. Dad is much happier with this arrangement. There are two beds, and don’t worry, I won’t spill the beans that she’s going to be sneaking into your bedroom like you do every sleepover,” Miles said. “Now, are there any decent chicks in this town?”
They entered Tabitha’s room, and of course there was now a second bed. Simon hadn’t even realized a second one had been put into this room. He was going to kill his dad. There was going to be murder.
She dropped her bag onto the bed.
“I figure me being all nice and everything, Tabs, you’ll unpack for me. I’ve got some hunting to do and besides, laundry is woman’s work.”
“I’m going to kick your ass,” Tabby said.
Miles was already long gone.
“Woman’s work. Remind me the next time I see him to knee him in the nuts. I’m going to stop him from ever fathering children.”
“Consider it done.” He moved over to Miles’s bag and tipped out all of his clothes. “Your brother’s a slob.”
“And you’re much better?” Tabby asked.
“Hell, yeah, I mean, look at this. At least when I pack, I fold shit neatly.”
Tabby chuckled. “You sound so posh when you say stuff like that. Especially because I know your mom packs everything for you. You’re just trying to get in my good books because of the whole woman’s work.” She moved to him, putting her hands on his chest. “Do you think this is all woman’s work?”
“No, and you’re wrong.” He put his hands at her waist. “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.