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“You think he would?”
Anthony moved toward her. She didn’t back away. “Would you be able to look at the evidence of what happened to your woman? How you failed? How she was hurt every single day? Simon and Tabitha are strong. They could overcome this. But what if they can’t? What if he learns the truth and walks away? She’s been through a lot. I’m not going to put her through anything more. She’s our friend. I’m taking care of her.”
“And what if the truth comes out one day? It did with Simon.”
“If the truth comes out, then he would have had a chance to influence Nathan. He’d have the opportunity to love him without that dark stain. Give them that. Besides, only a few of us know the truth. There is no physical evidence lying around. Just human word unless he demanded another test.”
“I wouldn’t tell. Ever.”
Anthony put his hands on her neck, his fingers dancing across her pulse. “I know.”Chapter SixteenTabitha climbed out of the car at the Chaos Bleeds clubhouse. She and Devil had made a stop, along with Lash and Tiny, for a quick nap. Exhaustion hit her hard. All she wanted to do was go and collapse on a bed.
“Mommy,” Nathan said, running to her. She picked him up, spinning him around. Simon was there, as were Anthony, Miles, and Daisy. She held her son tightly and he wriggled out. “Grandpa Tiny!” He giggled as he threw himself at her dad.
She tucked some hair behind her ear.
“Hello, my little bug,” he said. “Have you been strong?”
“Yes, I have.” Nathan lifted his arm and flexed. She smiled, watching them, aware of Simon’s gaze on her. She’d feel him anywhere. “Can you take me to the park?”
“Not today, scamp. I’ve got to head back.”
Nathan groaned and pouted. One day that wouldn’t be so cute.
“But you just got here.”
“I know. How about Thanksgiving? You come back home and we can spend the entire day at the park?” Tiny asked.
“Actually,” Tabitha said. “We’re not going to Fort Wills for Thanksgiving.”
“Tabs?” Tiny said.
“I know, Dad, another time.”
“Nothing bad is going to happen.”
“I know. I do know that, but I’m not…” She looked toward Simon, the Chaos Bleeds crew. “This is my home now. It’s time I become part of it. Simon’s back and we’re going to be here, with his family.”
“Tabby,” Simon said, but she held up her hand.
She’d already come to a decision. For a long time, she’d been holding on to the illusion that Fort Wills was her home, and in a way, it would always be. It was the home she grew up in, but she wasn’t a child nor was she a teenager anymore. The time for looking back had long passed.
She was a full-grown woman and it was time for her to make her own choices, and that wasn’t about going back. It was time to move forward. “Maybe next year,” she said.
Nathan wriggled out of his arms and she moved to stand beside Simon. He wrapped his arm around her.
Silence met her decision.
Lash clapped his hands. “Devil, we’ve got to talk, but right now I’m thinking we should do that tomorrow. See how the lay of the land is.”
Devil and Lash shook hands. “Thank you,” Devil said.
“No.” Lash turned toward Tabitha. “Thank you. You … you put it back into perspective for me. I won’t let anything cloud my judgment again.”
She leaned against Simon, wanting more than anything to go to sleep.
Daisy came to her, hugging her close. “I’m going to miss you. Call me.”
“I will.”
She hugged Anthony and kissed Miles’s cheek.
Finally, her dad. She walked toward him and hugged him. Her mom was there with tears in her eyes.
“I don’t like leaving you here,” Tiny said.
“You’re not leaving me. We’re saying goodbye until the next visit.” She pulled away. “I’m not going to cry.” She swiped at her cheeks. “I’ve spent way too much time crying. I’m determined to stop it. It’s a bad habit I want out of.”
“We’re a phone call away,” Eva said. “All you’ve got to do is pick up the phone.”
“I will, Mom. I promise.” She held her mom tightly.
Stepping back, she went to Simon. Sleep was what she needed right now.
She waved at them, watching them disappear out of town. Rather than be sad and alone, she knew it was the right decision. Fort Wills was the past.
“You look dead to the world and I know that feeling,” Lexie said. “Come on, sport.” She held out her hand to Nathan. “He and I can have some fun.”
Tabitha chuckled. “It’s fine. Really.”
“Tabitha, you’re with family. Go and relax. Simon, take her to your room.”
Simon lifted her up in his arms and she let out a little squeal. “I can walk.”
“I’ve been given orders from my mom. I’m not going to let her think I’m disobeying her.”
