Mackenzie slammed the car into park and let her head fall onto the steering wheel. Her red hair stuck to her tear soaked cheeks as she tried to breathe and stop the sobbing. She was worn out from the long drive from Texas to California, but she knew she had to be here. She had to get away from him or she would never live past twenty-five. Hopefully he couldn't find her here. She'd been careful to check the car for bugs and leave no trace of her plans behind. For the first time in years, she could almost feel a sense of calm. A light shone in the driver's window, panicking her. Putting a hand in front of the light, she could make out a badge and a radio.
"Are you alright, miss?" Came a warm male voice. Mackenzie rolled the window down a couple inches and inhaled deeply.
"Yes, I think so. Just a little tired." She tried to smile but regretted the sharp pain it sent to her temple where he had hit her the night before. The officer lowered his flashlight and leaned down to eye level.
"I can understand being tired, but you can't park here honey. Why don't you follow me to our hotel and I'll just make sure you get checked in okay?" the man asked softly. Mackenzie smiled back at him, noticing he was a caring looking older man with thinning hair and a warm smile. She nodded and sighed with relief.
"Could you tell me where exactly I am sir? I know I'm in California, but what city?" The sheriff chuckled as he stood straight, grimacing with some level of discomfort. "Miss, I wouldn't go as far as calling our town a city, but as Sheriff, I welcome you to Charming, California." Mackenzie laughed openly and happily at the irony of the name as what she had just left was anything but Charming.
A short drive through the center of town brought her to a two-story motel that looked in need of patrons. She thanked the Sheriff as she came out of the little office with a room key. He waved her off, "No need to thank me. If you need anything at all you just let Marta in there know. She can point you anywhere you need to go and loves to listen." He said with a pat on her hand. "I'm Sheriff Unser and my deputies and I are only a call away should you need us. Welcome to Charming!" He nodded a farewell and got back in his patrol car, pulling out into the darkness of the night. Mackenzie made her way to the hotel room and looked around. It was your basic cheap hotel with a bed, bathroom and small television, but she couldn't be more thankful. Without changing out of her clothes or even taking off her shoes, she curled up on the bed and fell asleep.
Mackenzie woke to the shrill ringing of the phone on the little side table. Groggily, she answered. " 'Ello? Who is it?"
"This is Marta, dear. I was calling to see if you might want some breakfast. We don't have much but I'd be more than happy to make you some toast or something." Mackenzie rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. Eight o'clock on the dot. She groaned and sat up. "Yeah, thanks Marta," she said with a yawn. "I'm going to freshen up first but toast sounds great." Marta yipped with glee and hung up after telling Mackenzie to take all the time she needed.
After a quick shower and blow dry, she went to work on covering up the bruise by her temple. It was healing, slowly, but it looked horrible with shades of dark purple and green. It took a lot of delicate application of concealer and powder, but she had a lot of practice and it was hardly noticeable by the time her hair was down and her mascara on. She grabbed her backpack and prepared to leave, getting back on the road shortly in order to make it to Washington as soon as possible.
Marta seemed let down that Mackenzie was leaving so soon, but graciously gave her a large serving of toast and orange juice. Marta talked about the weather and her family as Mackenzie stayed mostly silent, enjoying the company of the little older lady. After a half hour or so, she stood to leave and say goodbye, but Marta surprised her by giving her a big hug. Mackenzie jumped as a sharp pain from her broken ribs. Marta let go quickly and apologized. "Oh, sweet heart, I'm so sorry. A silly old woman shouldn't go around hugging on broken girls like that! Here, now you take this aspirin. You don't have to go just yet now. You're welcome to stay here and heal up a bit." Mackenzie's eyes started to swell with tears that were fighting her to flow down in cascades. Mackenzie took the aspirin but shook her head, gently rubbing Marta's shoulder. To keep from crying, she left with out another word.
Mackenzie thought about Marta's words as she drove back towards the highway. She knew she was banged up, but for a stranger to see her as broken made her realize just how damaged she was. Tears flowed down her cheeks, causing mascara to blur her vision. In a split second, she wiped her eyes and saw a motorcycle coming right at her. She had veered off into oncoming traffic from her lack of vision. She yanked the steering wheel to the left, slamming hard into the dirt quite a few inches down from the asphalt. Just as she thought she was safely out of the way, her tire blew, spinning her car into the guardrail and to a crashing halt. Her heart was racing and her hands were gripping the steering wheel so tightly it was painful. Her passenger door flew open as a man with graying hair and deep scars on his face reached for her. She panicked and scurried against the drivers' door.
"Damnit, woman ya've got to get out of the car before it blows." Said the man in a heavy Scottish accent. Mackenzie looked through the spider-webbed windshield and saw heavy black smoke billowing out from under her hood. She scrambled for the seatbelt and her bag as the Scotsman grabbed her under the arms and yanked her out of the car. He drug her back away just seconds before the car erupted in a ball of flames. Her ribs screamed with pain as the man pulled her up to her feet. "Are you okay, missy? Ay! Look at me, are you okay?" he brushed her hair from her eyes, unknowingly scraping his leather glove across her injured temple. She winced and bit her lip.
"I think so." She whispered, her voice shaking with shock and pain. She looked over to her car and her knees gave out. Luckily, the man caught her and lowered her slowly to the ground. "I'm so sorry! I could have killed you!" She sobbed. The man stood up and shook his head as he raked his hair back from his face. "Don't worry about that, okay? I've been through a lot worse. Just breathe and sit still for a second." He walked towards his motorcycle and stood it up before pulling out his cell phone. He punched in a few keys and waited. "Ay! Juicy boy, where are you? Aye, well bring the lift out to Highway 16 about five miles northa town. No, I'm fine it a girl. Her car's exploded. What? No, just, I'll tell ya when ya get here." He snapped the phone shut and shook his head as he walked back to Mackenzie. She hadn't moved at all and had a blank look on her face. He sat down in the dirt next to her and looked at the burning car. "So, um. Do ya need to go to the hospital? You seem pretty banged up." He questioned her as she still sat silently, only shaking her head no in response. "Right then." He said.
They sat in silence until a black tow truck pulled up behind them. Mackenzie stood up slowly and looked at the truck as a tan man with a Mohawk and tattoos on his head jumped down from the cab. He jogged up to the Scottish man and slapped him jokingly on the shoulder. "What the in the Hell, Chibs?" Mackenzie raised an eyebrow slightly at the curious name. Chibs, shoved the driver slightly and turned towards the car. "Well, Juice, like I said her car blew up. She was swerving to miss from killing me and this shit happened." Mackenzie didn't really know what to think about the names these men had, but just stayed still, staring at the now smoldering remains of her car. "Uh, were you wanting me to tow the car in?" Juice asked Mackenzie slowly. She turned to him and shrugged, "Is there any point? Can it be salvaged?" Juice cocked his head and looked over the wreckage. "Nope." He said after a moment. "But if we tow it, it will save you littering fines and since you succeeded in not killing Chibs there, we'll tow it for free." He smiled brightly and looked at Mackenzie for permission. She let out a long breath and looked up at the sun. "Yeah, okay. Can I get a ride back to Charming?" Chibs looked over at Mackenzie. "You staying there?" he asked with surprise. Mackenzie explained that it wasn't her choice but she was out of options. Chibs nodded and helped Juice get the car loaded up and secured. She climbed in the passenger side of the truck and waited for Juice. He and Chibs stood outside of the truck talking for a few minutes. Mackenzie noticed Chibs look up at her every so often, but decided she didn't have the energy to care why. A few minutes later, Juice hopped in and they headed back to Charming. He made a couple attempts at conversation, but politely gave up when Mackenzie responded with vague, short answers. As they pulled into the garage, Mackenzie sat up. She looked around and noticed the same grim reaper and scythe on the building across from the garage and on Juice and Chibs' leather kutte.
A mechanic came out of the garage and helped Juice unload the car as Chibs invited Mackenzie into the building with the kutte symbol on it. She hesitated for a minute, but followed him inside, figuring she had nothing else to lose, and she really wanted out of the hot sun. Inside she found pool tables and a large bar across from a wall of what looked to be mug shot pictures under a sign that read Sons of Anarchy. She had never known anyone in a motorcycle club, but Chibs and Juice seemed nice enough, so she took a chance and sat down at the bar. A dark haired girl in tiny denim shorts and a black shirt walked over and took asked for her order. "Oh, I'm sorry I don't have any money I just wanted to sit down." Mackenzie said with embarrassment glowing on her cheeks. Chibs waved his hand over the bar, "Ay, Jessie, get her anything she wants, she's had a rough day." Jessie smiled and nodded as Chibs walked outside. "Try a rough year," Mackenzie muttered, "I'll take a double shot of Jack." Jessie raised an eyebrow but turned to make the drink. "Damn, they forgot to stock the bar, I'll be right back hon." Jessie said setting an empty glass and napkin in front of Mackenzie. As she waited, she laid her head on the bar and thought about the mess she was in. No car, no plan, nothing. "Son of a bitch." She said out loud. She heard a chuckle, "Well, I wouldn't let her hear you call her that. Usually people just call me Jax though." a smooth voice said as the man sat down beside her. She slowly raised her head and looked over at him, "No, I was just," she started to say, but stopped short. Next to her was yet another leather vested man, but he had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. His blonde hair fell into his eyes as his lips parted into a bright, mischievous smile. Mackenzie's heart fluttered for the first time in ages. "Darlin, I was only playing." Mackenzie blushed, "Um, I'm Mackenzie. Broken girl that almost killed Chibs." Jax laughed and leaned back in the bar stool. "You wouldn't believe how many people could say they've almost done that, so don't feel to bad you didn't succeed." Mackenzie laughed and her eyes lit up for a moment like they used to before she met Bryan. She smiled, "Sorry to run but do you have a restroom? I'm sure I look like hell." Jax nodded and stood up. "Follow me, you can use mine" She thanked him as he led her down a hallway past a beautiful blue Harley. She entered a small bathroom through a bedroom full of posters of half naked women and more club patches. After pulling her hair into a ponytail, she splashed some water on her face and cleaned up the trails of running mascara. When she opened the door, Jax was standing at the bedroom door holding a glass of whiskey. He offered it to Mackenzie who downed it in a single drink, causing him to raise an eyebrow and grin. "That didn't last long," he said. She shrugged and walked past him and out to the bar.
The room was more crowded with several new men and a few women as well. Chibs walked over to Jax and drew him into a hug, slapping him on the back. "Jacky boy! Glad you're back brotha" he said with his charming thick accent. Mackenzie sat the glass back on the bar and signaled for two more from Jessie. The bartend obliged and poured herself one as well. As new to motorcycle bars as Mackenzie was, she was no stranger to whiskey, relying on it several times before to calm her nerves or loosen her thoughts. She noticed Jax watching her from across the room and started to wish she had worn something cuter than blue jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. After the third glass of whiskey, she started looking back at Jax every so often. He grinned when he caught her looking and she held his stare. He was surrounded by several of the club members, laughing and seemingly enjoying the night. She finished two more whiskeys and made her way over to him. "Hey, where was that bathroom again?" she held his gaze in hers as a grin grew on his face. Juice snorted as Jax offered to show her where it was. He took her by the hand and led her down the hall to his room again. He walked in and turned on the light for Mackenzie, who proceeded to turn it off and walk up to him.
"Kiss me." She said, taking off her hoodie, leaving only her bra covering her chest. He moved in and kissed her aggressively as he wrapped his arm around her waist. She moaned with pleasure as he pressed her up against a chest of drawers. The pain in her ribs panged a little even through the whiskey but she ignored it. She hadn't had this much fun in years, even if it wasn't the most responsible thing she'd ever done. Jax grabbed her up from the floor and moved over to the bed before dropping her down beneath him. She winced a little, but he didn't notice as she was removing his belt and pants. She felt him smile as she stroked him over his boxers. From that point on she threw caution to the wind and enjoyed a few rounds of hot, powerful sex before passing out in his bed.
When she woke up a few hours later, he was sitting up in bed, half naked, smoking a cigarette. She groaned as the exercise and activity of earlier ached in her ribs now that most of the whiskey wore off. Jax looked over at her and sat his cigarette across a beer. "Is that from the wreck?" He asked gesturing towards her ribs. She looked down and touched them gingerly. "Something like that," Mackenzie said, pulling the sheet up to cover the discoloration. Jax shook his head and sat forward to look at the other side of her face, "and that to? It looks a little older than a few hours. I guess that's why you wanted to lights off." Mackenzie looked at him and shrugged, "What does it matter? Maybe I just like to hook up with the lights off." Jax shook his head and picked his cigarette back up and resumed smoking. She took a few deep breaths as he waited. "Look, it doesn't matter. I was headed up to Washington from Texas so my fiancé couldn't find me again." Jax stopped smoking and turned to look her in the eyes. "Darlin', he's not going to find you in Charming and if he does he'll be worse off than you are now." He slid his arm behind her shoulders and pulled her closer to him, letting her fall asleep feeling safe, at last.
