After hours of driving around southern California, Lexi knew she had to face her family eventually. She sped past the "Welcome to Charming" sign and sighed. She knew it was a mistake leaving but she had to at least try. She began to replay that day, the disapproval in her fathers eyes and the lack of any emotion in her mothers.
Suddenly a flash of red and blues behind her and a loud WHOOP of the siren. "FUCK!" Lexi yelled slamming her fist on the steering wheel. She hit her hazards and slow rolled to the nearest turnoff. Just what she needed to start off her time back in Charming. She grabbed the insurance from the glovebox and her license from her backpack.
"Holy. Shit." he said lowering his Aviator sunglasses to the edge of his nose. "I was wondering who the hell was driving." he added with a sly smirk.
"Jesus David. Don't you know better than to pull over a pretty lady?" Lexi toyed.
"I know you've been gone awhile but I know you better than that Lexi. You're no lady." he leaned against the open window. "Your father know you're back?"
Lexi rolled her eyes behind her Raybans. "Nope, not yet. I was just headed over to TM."
"Well shit. You better get going." he stood up straight and fixed his sunglasses on his face. "I'm sure the boys will be glad your back." Hale started walking back to his patrol car when he stopped in his tracks. "And Lex? For god sakes, slow down."
Lexi raised her hand as a thank you and took off again. David Hale knew better than to tell her to slow down. Lexi behind the wheel was almost as bad as the boys on their bikes and David knew that.
A short while later Lexi made the turn into TM. It was 3pm and she knew it was going to be a full house at the clubhouse. Lexi backed into a spot and sat and watched the boys. Other than a few new additions, everyone else was there. Jax sat with Chibs on the picnic table, cigarettes hanging from their mouths. Clay paced back and forth on his burner, clearly angry about something. Tig, horny as usual even at 3pm on a Sunday, had a croweater cornered against the clubhouse wall.
"Jackie boy, we got a visitor." Chibs said pointing to the unfamiliar blue car parked, but still running. Jax turned and squinted, hand on his pistol that was holstered tightly to his rib-cage.
"Why does that car look familiar?" Jax said making his way to his feet and turning directly towards the unknown visitor.
Opie walked out of the clubhouse door throwing back the rest of his beer. "What is everyone looking at?" he asked oblivious to the now silent camaro at the edge of the parking lot. He tossed his bottle in the trashcan and turned.
"No way." was all he could muster as the car door opened. The lone female emerged, curly brown hair in a messy bun, a white off the shoulder crop top, ripped denim capris and red converse sneakers. "Someone go get my dad." Opie said eyes still locked on her. "NOW!"
"Hey big bro, long time no see." Lexi smiled hoping her brother wouldn't leave her to fend for herself. Opie stepped forward embracing Lexi in a bear hug.
"Dad is going to fucking kill you" he said swaying back and forth still embracing his little sister in arms.
"Yea, well. Wouldn't be the first time he tried." she said letting go and stepping back. Opie laughed and nodded in agreement. Jax took Opies place in front of Lexi and smiled.
"Good to see you Lex. Been a long time." he said embracing her and quickly letting go.
"You're telling me. When the fuck did Hale make Deputy?" she spat, the guys laughed and took their turn in front of Lexi to embrace her in a much needed hug.
"Alexis Lorain Winston..." the formed crowd parted from where the voice traveled from. Lexi took a deep breath and turned. In front of her was the only man who always saw the good in her, who wished she would have stayed. His oxygen bottle swinging from his hip, Piney stepped forward.
"Surprise!" Lexi threw her hands up in a sarcastic manner. She knew he was going to be pissed she hadn't called in 6 months but she also knew she was going to be welcome after an ass chewing. Piney stepped aside and pointed to the clubhouse door.
"Inside, Now." he commanded in a typical Piney fashion. The crowd let out an ohhh and ahhh.
"Lexi's in trouble!" Tig called from the back of the crowd .
"Go fuck yourself Trager!" Lexi yelled back. Reaching for the doorhandle.
"That's not even funny! I already did! Twice!" he hollered. Lexi couldn't help but smile. God it's good to be home.
