A/N: okay, this is mostly a filler chapter. I've been working on it for like…2 weeks now and just couldn't figure out a good way for her to be reintroduce to the guys. I'm sorry if this chapter fell short, I am not happy with it either. But this is seriously the best version I have :/ But, I've already started the next chapter so the wait will not be long. Thank you to everybody who followed/Favorites/Commented on this story. I'm happy it was enjoyed.
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The black van pulled into the lot of the Teller-Marrow garage, the prospect beside me shutting off the gentle purr of the engine with a flick of his wrist. The roar of the bikes were still a ways away, nearly lost amongst the other noise of the street. I heaved a sigh and pulled my phone from my pocket.
14 unread messages
"Holy fucking hell." I mumbled as I snapped it shut once again, shoving it into my pocket. I already knew what they were gonna say and did not want to deal with that right now.
A part of me was angry. Dallas knew what I was doing. What I was dealing with…to an extent. He had promised to let me be, to deal with this in my own way. But, of course, that didn't last long. His neediness always won out in the end.
But another part of me, a very small part was flattered.
I had a person who cared and loved about me so much that he missed me when I was gone….
The clearing of a throat caught my attention, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Are you happy to be back in Charming?" The Prospect at my side asked when I turned to look at him, an unsure smile on his face.
Small talk.
Great.
"Happy doesn't even begin to describe it." I replied after a moment, my brow furrowing. "Don't I know you?"
His smile was sheepish, his eyes shifting away quickly before returning. "We were in some of the same classes in high school…..hung around the club a lot too."
"Oh yeah," I smirked, pointing a finger at him. "You're the kid that always hung around Jax and Opie."
He chuckled softly, watching as I pulled a cigarette from my pack, thanking me as he pulled one as well. "Still kinda do, I guess."
"How much longer you got, Prospect? " I asked as I flicked my lighter a few times.
"Half sack. Just passed my year mark…so, any day now? I hope." He replied as he shrugged, letting out a lungful of grey smoke.
Half sack? What….the fuck.
"What the fuck kinda nickname is half sack?" I laughed, shifting slightly, the heat starting to get to me.
"I lost a nut when I was in the army. Shit was blown right off." His eyes cast back over to me. "Wanna see?"
Silence.
"Yeah, Imma say I'm good." I relied, wrinkling my nose as I took a drag.
Our short conversation stopped then, dropping into silence as we smoked, a sharp knock on the driver's side window taking us both my surprise.
"Gemma's here," Clay said after Half Sack rolled the window down, a cigar in hand as he gestured towards the office. "I gotta go check on the boys in the garage so just head on in. And Prospect-"
"Yeah, Clay?"
Clay looked at him for a moment, irritation written on his face. "Don't you have some toilets to plunge?"
Xxxxx
'Quaint.' I couldn't help thinking, the door chiming happily as I pushed it open. The sudden, cool air that blasted into my face was welcomed, blowing loudly from the air conditioner crammed into the window above the file cabinet.
Clicking my tongue I continued forward, strolling around the desk and flipping down into the empty chair that stood behind it, spinning myself around slowly as I took in all the old and yellowed nudie pictures stuck up on the wall.
"Well….as I live and breathe," Gemma's familiar voice suddenly said, causing me to stop my movements and turn back around to the door. "Never thought I'd see you in these parts again."
She looked exactly the same as when I left. Her hair the same dark color and length. Her clothes still tight and gaudy….the same smirk plastered across her face.
She opened her arms as I stood, looking up at me as I walked over towards her.
"Looks like you got your dad's height, huh." She chuckled, holding me at arms length before pulling me into a tight, albeit short, hug. "How you holding up, baby?"
I shrugged, glancing out into the yard over her shoulder. "I'm fine….tired."
Silence.
She let out a sigh and dropped her arms. "Dismissive as always." She mumbled, pulling her oversized bag from her shoulder, the smile back on her face when her eyes returned to mine. "I brought you dinner, Clay said you're probably exhausted after your trip up here."
"He said I could stay in the club house." I said, reaching out to take the offered Tupperware, a small gold key taped to it's blue lid.
"Staying in the wolves den…..brave girl."
I shrugged, shifting on my feet. "I have before…."
"Yeah, but….you were a little girl then." Her hand reached up to touch my cheek lightly. "You're not a child anymore, baby. You've got what men want now."
My eyes narrowed as I stared down at her.
She was trying to psych me out.
"I think I'll be fine." I replied, brushing her hand away and moving to leave. "Thanks for the dinner, Gem."
'Bitch.'
Xxxxxx
Never had a door seemed to open so loudly as when I pushed the heavy wood of the door to the club house open, the smell of sweat, cigarettes and spilled beer taking over my senses as I stepped inside, feeling almost as if I had stepped back through the years.
As I rounded the corner I had half expected to see my father passed out at the bar, an empty glass in his hand and vomit in his hair. But instead I was greeted with a flock of scantily dressed Crow Eaters, all half leaning over the dull and dented wood of the bar as the shouted orders at the Prospect.
"Who the hell is she?" I heard one asked, her tone full of distaste, meeting my eyes as they fell on her, holding them as she sneered at me.
"Hey Harley." The Prospect suddenly said, looking up from the drinks he was pouring, flashing me a million dollar smile. I nodded in response as I walked over, leaning over the bar myself, arms curling under my chest.
"Want anything?" He asked when I stayed silent, my eyes drifting around the crowded room. "On the house." He chuckled at his own joke.
"No, probably just going to the dorm…." I replied, nodding my head at him as I started to turn away, only to turn back around seconds later. "Actually…..can I have a Whiskey?"
His smile was wide at my words. "Absolutely." He said as he turned and grabbed a shot glass and a bottle of Whiskey from the shelves behind him. He slid the glass to me first , followed by the drink, the clear liquid inside the half full bottle jerking as it hit my palm.
"Thanks, Prospect."
I pushed away from the bar once again and made my way across the room, the Whiskey held tight against my chest as the couples jarred me as I went, bumping their sweaty bodies into me as they danced drunkenly to whatever music was playing.
I sighed as I walked down the dark hallway, the noise from the common room fading away as I went further, dropping my bag to the floor as I stopped in front of my room, the numbers nailed to the doors dense wood matching the ones scribbled in sharpie on the key.
The smell of stale smoke was worse, I mused, as I kicked my bag in and pulled the door shut, sliding the lock into place with a soft click.
The bed squeaked as I slowly lowered myself down onto it, my body tired and sore from the trip. I opened the bottle in my hands with little effort as my eyes roamed the room.
It was even more of a shit hole than I remembered.
The walls were faded from smoke, unexplainable stains lining the floor boards and cigarette burns in the peach colored carpet were all I could pick out before I raised the bottle to my lips, the harsh smell hitting my nose before the bitter taste found it's way of into my mouth.
I drank in gulps as I fell back onto the bed.
'What a shitty fucking day.' I couldn't help but think as the last of the whiskey in my mouth was swallowed, burning it's way down my throat as I set the remaining on the bedside table. Turning on my side, I closed my eyes and inhaled the clean and soapy smell of the sheets, a slow smile acrossed my lips as I floated away.
I fell asleep that night pretending I was back in Virginia, in my own bed.
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