CHAPTER 3- Could it Be True
After an hour of talking with the guys, they had a few things to take care of. Since my car had yet to be towed I was kind of stuck. The guys said I was more than welcome to hang out for a while or one of them could give me ride home. I decided to hang out for a while. Everyone went to do club business or to work in the shop.
I decided to go walk around town a little, plus I was hungry. Juice offered to give me a ride but in a way I needed to clear my head a little too. I walked down to a small café to get some food. I sat in a booth in the far back corner. An older man wearing a white tank top and had a ton of tattoo's sat alone; until the deputy chief of police sat in the booth with him. I could hear them talking as I started to eat.
"What do you want Darby?" The officer looked annoyed.
"I heard a few things while I was in Stockton, and you may want to hear what I have to say since it involves the sons." Darby kept his voice low.
"I'm listening" the office seemed more interested now.
"According to a few sources; the son's are going to be doing a big run to Oakland in two days. The Niners are trying to hold the Mayan's off their turf so they order some big guns that the son's are bringing to them." Darby looked around almost paranoid.
"Oakland is out of jurisdiction." The officer rolled his eyes.
"My sources tell me they have the guns at Teller-Marrow." Darby looked at the officer intensely.
"I can't get a warrant to search without a probable cause." The officer started to get up.
"I know that but you could pull them over on their way out." Darby slid and envelope to the officer. "They are using a black van to transport the guns out-of-town; if you can find a reason to pull it over and search it. You'll be able to put the Son's of Anarchy away for a long time."
"You want us to take down SAMCRO so you can bring drugs into Charming." The officer took the envelope and stood up. "Thanks for the information Darby." Then he left.
Darby waited a few minutes before leaving too. I had to tell Jax or Clay. I quickly paid my bill and made my way back to TM. When I walked into the clubhouse there was a bunch of girls cleaning and setting stuff up for a party. The guys were in "Church" which was basically a club meeting and only for club members. Half Sack was only a prospect, which meant he wasn't yet a member but trying to become one.
"Can I help you?" A blonde skinny woman walked over to me. She looked like a porn star to me.
"I'm just waiting to talk to Jax." I sat on a bar stool.
"Well when he's done in there he has plans. You might want to go home and reconsider being a crow eater." She laughed as another blonde curly-haired girl walked up next to her. Half sack walked out of the kitchen then went to back into the kitchen.
"First bitch I am not a crow eater! Second I don't care what you have to say. Lastly get out of my face before I break yours." I stood up and walked toward hers.
"Bring it Bitch" She took a swing at me and missed horribly.
"Is that all you got?" I laughed. "Go back to making porn instead of picking fights you can't win."
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" She swung again and I moved one step and she missed again.
"I'm your worst nightmare, whore" I swung and it landed right on her jaw. She fell but got up and started to swing when Tigs came up behind her and grabbed her by the waist.
"What the hell is going on out here?" Jax walked up between her and me.
I looked at Jax and rolled my eyes. "Clay I need to talk to you."
"Sure baby girl; come in here." Clay was laughing at the girl who Tigs was now yelling at. He told her to not mess with me again because I was SAMCRO family.
I walked into the meeting room which had a large redwood table with the SOA symbol in the middle of it. Clay sat at the head of the table and I sat on his left. Jax walked in just as we sat down.
"What the hell is going on?" Jax yelled at me.
"I came in asked where you guys were and she called me a crow eater. Then she swung at me twice before I deck her." I rolled my eyes at Jax. I was still a little hurt by his whole being married thing. "Clay I was at the café getting food when I saw a guy named Darby with the deputy police chief." That made Jax sit down to listen. "He told the cop that you guys are running some guns to Oakland in two days. He told him about the Niners wanting a large shipment and that you guys had it here. The cop said he couldn't search here. Darby told him to pull you guys over as you leave town in a black van."
Clay looked to Jax and back to me. "Thanks Z. That's a big help."
"I figured I needed to tell you Clay." I got up and walked out to the main room. Once I spotted Juice I asked for a ride home. I didn't want to be here with the porn queens and Jax.
I grabbed my sunglasses out of my purse as I walked outside. Next to my sunglasses were my cigarettes. I decided to have one while I waited for Juice, he had to get his keys and stuff.
Tigs sat next to me on the picnic table. "Hey baby girl" He smiled.
"No one has called me that in years." I laughed. It was a name the original SOA use to call me when I was younger. It was nice to hear the name again and know I was still part of this very dysfunctional family.
"We looked at your car today." Tigs looked worried. "Not only did someone slash your tires but they also cut your brake lines and put a hole in your fuel lines."
I was shocked. "What! Who would do something like that?"
"I don't know baby girl" Tigs put an arm around my shoulders. "Until we do, we are going to keep you safe. Juice will take you home and stay there until one of us can get out there."
"I don't need a babysitter I can take care of myself." I was a little hurt that Tigs thought I couldn't handle myself.
"Oh Zoey don't be difficult; do this for me." Tigs shook his head, I reluctantly agreed. "One other thing" He pulled a gun from his waist band. "Take this, just in case."
"Don't worry Tigs I have one." I pulled mine from my purse.
Tigs inspected it with a smile. "Nice, no serial numbers, can you use it?"
"I lived in LA; come on." I joked. "Yes, I know how to use it."
Juice walked out. "You ready?"
I hugged Tigs. "Thanks Tiggie. Let's go Juice."
We made our way over to Juice's bike. He handed me a helmet and I put on my sunglasses. Just as I hopped on the bike I saw Jax standing next to me.
"I'll be there in a few hours." He looked at me.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." I shook my head still upset with Jax. "Go back to your porn star."
"Z it's not what you think." Jax sounded annoyed and upset.
"I don't think it's anything. Let's go Juice." I wrapped my arms around Juice's waist.
"Take her home and I will be there shortly." Jax ordered Juice.
Twenty minutes later we walked into my kitchen. I offered Juice a drink while I made some food. I started making a big batch of Chili. While it was simmering Juice and I sat on the couch and talked about life and the MC. Juice was very loyal to the MC and that was his family and his life. His father took off when he was little and his mother died when he was sixteen since then he has been under Clay's wing. I was glad he found the MC since I knew what it was like living without family and friends. Juice was a very sweet guy and extremely smart. I liked him and from what I could tell he like me too.
"So are you planning to stay in Charming for a while?" Juice asked.
"I want to but there are some complications." I admitted, I could see Juice was about to ask me about the complications. "I don't really want to talk about that right now."
"I know what you mean about complications." He smiled shyly.
He looked so cute and shy. I leaned in and kissed him, I didn't even realize I was doing it until it was happening. He was a great kisser too. He put his hands on my hips as I moved closer to him. Then I wrapped my arms around his neck as we continued to make out. The longer it lasted the more I wanted to be closer. I couldn't do much more since I had only just met him but there was defiantly something between us.
About ten minutes later we heard a bike pull into my drive way. Juice pulled away quickly and stood up. We went into the kitchen and I started making us each a bowl of Chili as Jax walked in. I made him a bowl too and the three of us sat down and ate. Juice seemed a little nervous and I wasn't sure why. When Jax's bowl was empty he rinsed it out and placed it in the dishwasher. Then his phone rang and he went outside to answer.
"Juice what's wrong? You seem nervous about something." I asked once Jax was out of the room.
"Clay said your SAMCRO protected. That means what we did was bad for me." He whispered.
I understood what he meant. "Don't worry Juice I won't say a word."
Jax walked into the kitchen. "Juice Clay needs you at the clubhouse. Gemma needs help for tonight."
"Oh yeah… I will see you later Zoey" Juice smiled and left.
"Ok Bye" I got up and started cleaning up the kitchen." I watched Juice hop on his bike and leave from the kitchen window. When the kitchen was done I turned to face Jax who was sitting at the table.
"Gemma's got a party planned tonight at the clubhouse; you're supposed to come and then we are taking you to the cabin to keep you safe." Jax stood up but didn't move.
"I don't need your help. I can take care of myself. Tell your mom I was busy tonight." I walked into the living room and started picking up a little.
"Why are you doing this Z? We just want to help you; to protect you." Jax was angry now.
"I don't need your help! I can take care of myself I have done it since my mom died. Whatever happened to my car is my problem not yours." I went to my room and sat on the edge of my bed fighting the tears that burned my eyes.
Jax walked in and looked at me puzzled. "Z, if something happened to you I would never forgive myself."
I looked into his gorgeous blue eyes. "The last time we were together you said you didn't care what happened to me."
He shook his head. "That was only because I was pissed you said you would never come back to Charming."
The memory played in my head of the last time we were together. Jax came to LA for my seventeenth birthday. He used to come out every year for my birthday and that year was no different. The last day he was there he asked me come back to Charming with him. I couldn't go back, I felt out-of-place there. Plus with the loss of my mom hurt a lot and going back to Charming would bring all those feelings back. Jax got angry and said he would never come back to LA and that he didn't care what happened to me. He also told me that he didn't love me.
"You said some very mean things that day." I whispered unable to be angry since it was my fault.
Jax fell to his knees in front of me as he took my hands in his. "Zoey, I never meant any of that."
"You didn't come back. You left and I never saw you again until I came here." Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't fight them anymore.
"I'm sorry. I went to your aunt's place the weekend after your birthday but the place was empty." His head fell. "I thought I lost you forever."
"Carrie moved me to my apartment the day before my birthday. She couldn't wait to get rid of me." I touched his chin and he looked into my eyes.
"Z, do you still love me?" He looked into my eyes.
I wasn't sure how to answer. I did still love him more than anything but he was married. I looked into his eyes and the truth fell from my mouth. "Yes, I always have and always will." He leaned in and kissed me long and hard but I pulled back. "Do you still love me?"
"Forever and Always" He promised as he kissed me again.
Things became heated quickly. He laid me on the bed and before I knew it our clothes were crumpled on the floor and he was making love to me slowly. It felt better than anything I had ever felt before. The surge flowed through me and I welcomed the feeling. It lasted only forty-five minutes. I laid my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Jax, what about your wife?" I had to know. I couldn't be the other woman.
"We filed for a divorce six months ago." He admitted
I looked up at him. "Why didn't you tell me that before?"
"It's more complicated than that. We were trying to reconcile but I don't love her. Then you came to town and I knew I couldn't be with Wendy anymore." He looked at me expressionless.
"So I'm the reason you're not reconciling with her?" I hated the thought of me breaking them up.
"No Z" He sat up and looked me right in the eyes. "Two months ago we tried to reconcile. She was a big drug addict, but she was clean for like three weeks. I tried to be with her but I couldn't. We fought all the time and she was still shooting up so I told her about a month ago I was moving to the clubhouse. Since then we haven't spoken to each other. She's been trying to get my mom on her side and get me back but she's not the one I want to be with." He looked at me and I could see he was being completely honest. "Then you came to town and I knew her and I weren't meant to be together."
I wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to be with him too but I wasn't sure I could handle being someone's old lady. "I better shower so we can get to that party."
"Need some help?" He joked. I took his hand and led him to my bathroom.
An hour later I was on the back of his bike as he took me to the clubhouse. He said I could stay at the clubhouse instead of the cabin. I didn't want to hide but I knew they were just looking out for me. I liked the fact they care about me but it bothered me that they didn't think I could take care of myself.
The party at the clubhouse was pretty rowdy. Clay, Bobby, and Tigs talked about when I was little which was kind of embarrassing. Gemma was actually nice to me all night long. She said she was happy I was back. At about four in the morning Jax showed me to a small bedroom with attached bathroom. This was going to be my place for the next few days.
Jax spent the first night with me to make sure I was comfortable. It was nice to sleep next to someone and be with someone I trusted and loved. He ended up getting up before me. When I woke I took a shower and got dressed, before heading to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
"Oh hi Gemma" I was surprised to see her at the clubhouse so early.
"Morning Baby Girl" She smiled using the name only the older guys called me. "Would you like some?" She held up the coffee pot.
"Yes, please" I walked over and held the cup while she poured.
"It's good that your back Zoey. I haven't seen the guys in such a great mood in a long time." She sat at the bar and I sat beside her.
"Yeah, I'm happy to be home." I looked around.
"So are you staying for good?" She sipped her coffee not meeting my eyes.
I could tell by her tone she was fishing for something. I wasn't sure what though." I don't know; maybe."
"Make me a promise Zoey." She looked directly in my eyes.
Nervously I nodded. "Ok?"
"Promise if you go first you won't take Jax and that you won't break his heart again." She pleaded.
"If I go I won't take anyone. Wait when did I break his heart?" I was so confused by her.
"The last time he came back from LA, he was so upset. He even debated on moving there to be with you. Clay and I talked to him and he stayed but his heart was broken." She explained. "I can't lose my only child."
"Gemma I am so sorry I never meant to hurt Jax. I never wanted him to move to LA. I know Jax belongs here. He belongs to SAMCRO. I would never try to change that." I hated to say the words but they were all true.
Gemma smiled and hugged me. "I'm glad you can say that and mean it. Sometimes I worry about losing him." Gemma confided in me.
"Gem he loves you and would never do anything to hurt you purposely. He's always gonna be here for you." I promised her.
We sat and talked for a while then Gemma asked me to run some errands with her. She needed to restock the bar and get groceries for her family dinner tonight. I agreed happily to go with her. I was always told to keep people I didn't trust close to me. I loved Gemma for being around when I was little but I knew she plotted and schemed her way through life.
I went with Gemma to her house around five to help make the family dinner. At about six the chief of police (Chief Unser) showed up with the deputy chief (David Hale). I was surprised to see David since we grew up together. I hadn't realized he was the one talking to Darby at the café.
"David?" I looked at him puzzled.
"Zoey Mason? When did you come back to Charming?" He hugged me with a huge smile.
"I've been in town a few days." I lied hoping he didn't recognize me from the café.
"Wow, I thought you would never come back here." He chuckled.
"Well, I have to get my mom's place ready to sell. It needs a lot of work." I wasn't sure how to act around him. I had always hated most of the Charming Police Department; except for Chief Unser who had always treated me like a daughter.
"Zoey why don't you and David go talk outside." Gemma winked and I knew that meant her and Unser had something to talk about secretly.
David followed me outside to the porch swing. "So how long are you in Charming?"
"I don't know, at least until I get my mom's house done." I let out a long breath.
"What's bothering you?" He knew something was up.
"Promise you won't say a word to anyone." I gave him my serious look.
"I promise Zoey." He looked at me intensely.
"I found my birth certificate in my mom's storage. According to that one of SAMCRO is my father. I don't know what to do about it." I explained honestly.
David thought for a long moment. "Wait, we have all the guys DNA on file. If I can get yours I can run it and see if what is on the certificate is true."
"Really you would do that for me." I gave him my flirtiest look.
"Of course I would." He smiled. "Are you free one day? I can take your DNA right at the station."
That gave me an idea. "I'm free tomorrow. How about around noon?"
"Yeah sound great." He smiled shyly.
"Then we can get lunch or something." Just then I heard bikes coming close.
"Come on Hale we have police work to do." Unser walked out. "It's great to see you Zoey."
"You too Unser" I hugged him before they left.
I helped Gemma set the table as the all the guys walked in. Bobby hugged and kissed the top of my head before he sat down; along with Clay, Tigs, and Piney. Opie tickled me from behind and Jax smiled as he pulled out a chair for me. I sat to the left of Clay and Gemma to the right. Jax made sure he sat next to me. It was nice to have a family dinner with a family who truly cared about me.