So I was frustrated with the story and decided to do some re-writes. The early chapters kind of stay the same, it's the later chapters that you'll see the difference in. I hope you like this one just as much. Actually, I hope you like it more. As always, please read and review.
Opie's POV
The screen door squeals and slams, followed by the sound of heels against the tiled hallway. A stunning red-haired woman breezes into the kitchen and heads for the fridge. Her tank-top gives anyone a full view of her ample chest and skinny waist. Her vibrant tattoos covering her upper torso are a stark contrast to her flawless porcelain complexion. She spins around with a bottle of water in her small hand. Her emerald eyes flash with recognition. I lean quietly against the counter, waiting patiently.
"OH MY GOD OPIE!" She shrieks as she sprints across the kitchen.
"Aubrey, how's my baby sister?" A large smile spreads across my face as I sweep her up in a rough embrace.
"When did you get home?" she squeals as I set her back down gently. Donna leans against the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.
"This morning, early. Donna told me you were planning to watch the kids today so I told her to surprise you."
"I'm. . . Oh. . . Does dad know? Is Jax on his way over?" she asks and my smile fades
"Nah, we just want to keep this quiet for a day, maybe two." I ignore the look she shoots me. Donna's face twists in anger. She turns and walks away from the room. She'd rather not tell anyone that I'm home, ever. I run my hand through my beard and sigh.
"Oops, sorry." She smiles shyly.
"No, no don't be. You didn't know. Hell I didn't even know how mad she still is till I got home today. Just hold off on making an announcement. I'll call dad tomorrow morning. Let him make the phone calls to the guys. I'm on paper anyway. I need to keep my head down." She nodded her agreement and we walked to the living room to catch up.
Aubrey's POV
My brother has changed. The time he spent in prison weighs across his shoulders like I've seen many times. His homecoming fills an empty space in so many of our lives recently. Although, his request to hold off on telling the club comes as a shock, I understand why. He needs space. Fixing his family has to come first. Five years is too long.
He drops me off in Donna's car later that evening and declines my invitation to come in. I get why he says no. It's late; no doubt that Piney is passed out. I stand in the yard, staring at the darkened windows, trying to talk myself into going inside. I really don't want to play nurse. Instead, I decide to sleep at Auntie Gemma's tonight. That lady takes me in all the time when Piney is too much to handle for the night.
I knock on the door and the beautifully aged woman quickly ushers me in. She busies herself making me something to eat before shoving a worn out pair of Jaxson's sweats into my hands to sleep in. After placing a kiss on my forehead, she heads off to her own room. I head to the bathroom for a shower before crashing in the guest bedroom. Snuggling under the heavy blankets, I quickly fade into a deep sleep.
The morning sun peeking through the curtains wakes me the next morning. I quietly make my way down the hall toward the amazing smell of breakfast that floods the entire house. I stretch my arms over my head as I enter the warm kitchen. Uncle Clay is already at the table, reading the paper. I cross over and kiss the man's hardened cheek.
"Morning Uncle Clay." I grab an orange and sit down with my knees tucked to my chest.
"Morning Sweetie. You spend the night?" he asks as he drinks his coffee. Gemma walks in carrying plates overflowing with eggs, bacon and waffles. She sets a heaping plate in front of me and pours me a glass of milk.
"Thank you so much." I tell her as she heads to the kitchen. I turn my attention back to Clay. "Yeah, I didn't even want to see dad last night. I'm sure he passed out in the recliner again."
"Well, you're always welcome here, sweetie. Opie used to come here when it got bad too." Gemma tells me as she sits back down with us at the table.
"Oh I know. Who do you think told me all about your amazing breakfasts?" I giggle through a mouthful of delicious eggs. Gemma shakes her head at me.
Jax makes an appearance from around a corner. I drop my eyes to my plate. I'm not sure I can lie to Jax. He can read me like a book. He pulls up a seat across from me and flops down.
"Hey, Piney just called. Opie's home!" he announces to the table.
"Yeah?" Clay says with a huge grin. Jax nods.
"I'm gonna head over. You comin'?" he asks us
"I actually have to work in about . . . 45 min. I better get home and change; wouldn't want to be late. My boss will use it as an excuse to grab my ass." Jax's eyes darken at that comment. He's had to put the fear of God in my boss too many times to count. The creep would back off for a week or two but then he'd forget the threat.
"Come on, we'll give you a ride home." Jax tells me
"Yeah? Ok. Thanks." I run in the room, grabbing my clothes from the night before. I throw a Teller-Morrow sweatshirt on over my tank top and slip my feet into my boots. I rush out the door, kissing my aunt on her cheek.
Chibs and Bobby are sitting on their bikes waiting for Jax. I greet both gentlemen easily and climb on the back of Jax's bike. We speed away, wind whipping around his body against my own. I love the rush. I've been on the back of a bike since grade school. They are my weakness. Jax pulls up sharply into my driveway.
"Thanks Jax!" I call out as I run in to get ready.
When my shift ends at the bar, I drive straight to TM. Chibs and Tig are casually working on Tig's bike in the garage. I make a bee-line for them.
"Sup boys?" I ask as I walk up. Tig gives me the pervy look I expect from him. He loves the tiny shorts and tank top I have to wear for work. Chibs looks at me over his sunglasses, a silly grin on his face.
"Not that Tig. Leave the poor gal alone. Yer gonna give her nightmares." Chibs slugs Tig's arm. Filip has always looked out for me. He helps with Piney when I can't talk the old man into coming home instead of ordering another round. "We're just workin on Tig's baby here. How bout you doll? Heard yer brother was home from Chino. Gemma's got a welcome home bash planned for tonight. You in?"
"Did you forget who you were talkin to? I'm always in for a party. And Big Tiggy, keep your pervy eyes on those dirty crow eaters and any other thing that creeps in here. I'm too clean for you." I smile sweetly as I give him a kiss on the cheek. He bites his knuckle and groans. I shake my head as I head to the office. Jax's ex Wendy breezes past me on the way to her car.
"What'd she want?" I ask as I flop on to the couch in Gemma's office.
"She dropped off some ultrasound pictures from the doctor. She follows up with me once in a while so I don't have to chase her down." Gemma hands me the pictures.
"Awww." I give her a sarcastic grin. "Guess we're gonna have to start calling you Grandma soon."
"Knock it off with that shit. Jaxson can't even get away with that yet. Not funny." I laugh.
"Gem, you don't by any chance need help around here, do you?" I ask
"What about your job?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. I had worked at the same bar for the last 3 years and I hated every minute of it. The skimpy outfits were for my manager's benefit more than the customers.
"Just not what I wanna do anymore. The old man is gross and I'm sick of watching Piney drink the night away there every night." I tell her.
"Yeah honey. You can help me out with inventory and stuff." She tells me. "Come on. Let's go see what we can have you do." She takes me out to the shop floor to show me around.
Chibs and Tig watch us as we're moving around the garage and I'm taking in all the info. I lean against the parts counter while Gemma shows me the computer system. I can feel Tig's creepy eyes on my ass.
"How's that oil change coming Tiggy?" I call out over my shoulder. Gemma turns her head and glares at the pig.
"Tig, sweetie. If you so much as touch my baby girl here, I'll break your dick. Understand me?" She asks. "And that will be nothing compared to the treatment Opie will give you."
"Yes ma'am." He gives her a mock salute and makes a crude gesture to me with his tongue. Chibs slaps him in the back of the head. I smile in appreciation. Chibs makes sure I'm safe. He is the only guy doesn't treat me like Opie's baby sister or one of the skanks that frequent the clubhouse.
After my tour, we head into the clubhouse to start getting stuff ready for the night. I can't wait to have my brother completely back home.