“Babe, none of this is bothering me. You’re talking to the guy who actually wants to marry you. I’d have you as my old lady right now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ll ask my dad.”
“As much as I’d like to, we both know our dads would pitch a giant fit if we let that happen.”
“Let what happen? We’re not pregnant.”
“I know. Let’s give them time.”
He took her hand, rubbing the finger where an engagement and a wedding band would go. “When you’re eighteen?” he asked.
“What?”
“We don’t have to ask them for permission. When we’re both eighteen, you’ll be my wife.”
She licked her lips. “What if you change your mind?”
He snorted. “You think after all this time I’m going to change my mind?”
“We don’t know what is going to happen in the future,” she said.
He cupped her face, tilting her head back. “I know what’s going to happen. You and I are going to be a team, no matter what.”
“The clubs?”
“We’ll figure it out together. Tell me, make a pact with me right now. Both of us are eighteen, we’re married. No doubt?”
Her smile lightened up his whole world.
“Yes. You can count on it.”
He held her hand and they walked toward the cafeteria. Eddie and Dean, along with a couple of others, sat at the tables. He stood in the line with Tabby. She grabbed a salad, some pizza, and a pudding bowl. He loaded up with burgers, fries, and cake.
Simon didn’t allow her to pay and carried her tray to their table, putting it down before his own. He couldn’t help but think of when he was younger and telling his dad he intended to marry this girl.
“Hey, Dad, did you catch the bad guys?” Simon asked.
Devil entered the hospital room and pointed at him. “Why are you in Tabs’s bed?”
“She has bad dreams.”
“Oh, you do know that it stops when you get out of the hospital?” Devil asked.
“You sleep with Mom all the time.”
“That’s because your mom and I are married.”
“Then I’ll marry Tabitha. She’s going to be my girl, anyway. It’ll be cool.”
“Son, you’re not marrying. You’re not even ten.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Lucky for me, it doesn’t have to be fair.”
Before he could respond, Tabby had woken up.
“I’m sorry, Devil, the nightmares were bad. I dreamt of bullets and stuff. It was scary.”
“It’s okay, sweetie, I hope he chased the demons away.” His dad had looked so tortured as he spoke.
“He did, and he told Gavin what for as well, which was really funny.” Tabby looked toward him with a smile and he couldn’t help but feel so proud. That big guy had been scary, but he hadn’t been afraid. No one would come between him and Tabby.
Simon pulled out of the memory. That felt like a lifetime ago.
“You’re the entire talk of the high school,” Eddie said. “Wherever I go, you’re there.”
Tabby tucked her long hair behind her ears before sliding her jacket off. It was raining outside, otherwise, he would’ve taken their lunch out there to be more private.
“Yay, I’m miss popular at the moment. I won’t be around long. I don’t know what the big deal is. Don’t you have new kids coming and going all the time?” Tabby asked, stealing one of his fries.
“You’d think so, but no. Piston County has got a lot going for it, but the whole MC element, they don’t like it.”
Tabby laughed. The sound filled his senses.
Simon watched her. She picked up her pizza and took a large bite, wiping some tomato sauce at the corner of her mouth.
“Believe me, they’re wasting their time on me. I don’t get involved in the little cliques.”
“Babe, you’re in your own clique, don’t forget that.”
“I guess you’re right. I never thought of it like that. We’ve got a couple of civilians on our squad as well.”
“Civilians?” Dean asked.
“Non-MC kids. They’re good people.”
“Dean wants to prospect for the Chaos.”
Tabby winced. “Good luck.”
“Okay, you and Simon have both said stuff like that. He’s got to prospect as well.”
“Yeah, but he’s like MC royalty. His dad’s the prez, which is like a big deal. The same goes for my brother. My dad was the previous prez. My point being, they know what the deal is. They’ve grown up around all of it. They’re not uncomfortable getting their hands dirty.”
“And you think I am?” Dean asked.
Tabby reached across the table, taking hold of his hand. Simon didn’t like her touching other people, but this was his own jealous, possessive personality, and he wasn’t going to push it on Tabby.
“Look at these hands. They’re soft. You can feel mine. I work hard. I will never prospect for the club because I’m a girl, but I will earn my place to be one of them. It’s who I am. You need to know what you’re getting yourself into. There’s no crying about it, and there’s certainly no trying again if you can’t hack it the first time.” She dropped Dean’s hand.
“Okay.”
“Not trying to scare you off. A couple of guys are thinking about doing it. I gave them the same warning, but they don’t all have rich parents. It’s second nature to them.” She shrugged. “Want a bite?” Tabby asked, offering up her pizza.
Simon couldn’t resist, watching her as he took a bite. She was going to be one hell of an old lady.
A girl cleared her voice and Simon tensed up as he turned to see Amber standing there, a couple of her friends nearby. What was with the popular kids and having a little entourage?
“Hi, Simon. Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing. I do.”
“Amber, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend,” he said, wrapping his arm around Tabby and pulling her close. “Tabby. The love of my life.” The cafeteria had gone silent and he slammed his lips down on hers, kissing her hard.
“Tabby, is that like a cat?” Amber asked. “Please, you can do so much better than that.”
“Excuse me?” Tabby asked, getting to her feet. Simon stood, as did Dean and Eddie.
“You heard me. You’re scum. Nothing but a fat, ugly cat. It’s pathetic.”
Tabby smiled. “Oh, you seem to mistake me for someone who gives a shit.”
“Simon’s mine. He and I are together.”
“In your dreams,” Simon said.
“You’re so cute, but it’s time for you to run along with your little whores.”
“Do you have any idea who you’re speaking to?” Amber asked, arms folded.
No one stood up to Amber, at least none of the girls Simon knew of.
Tabby got into Amber’s face. “Do you know who you’re dealing with? You may rule this school, but, girl, I’m not a coward. You and your little girls mean nothing to me. I’ve gone up against guys that are twice your size and they’ve gone squealing to mommy. Back off before I break your face and give your parents something they do need to spend their money on.”