Thanks everyone for reading. I've found I'm loving writing this and the support I've gotten is amazing.
Thanks to my incredible beta, Kateriina Sofia.
_-_-_777_-_-_
A broad smile crossed Charlie's face as she left Happy at the bar. She liked the feeling that she could still get a guy's attention even if it was only for a few minutes. She found a table inside the clubhouse and sat down to observe what was going on around her. Gemma walked over and sat down with her and lit a cigarette.
"Looks like you made an impression." The queen said watching the bar. "Clay about had an aneurism at the sight of you two."
"I'm not trying to impress anyone. I'm just enjoying my first night out in forever with some drinking and a little oogling. That's all." Charlie retorted. Sucking down another drag of her cigarette, she turned to the queen.
Blowing the smoke out her nose, she looked the queen dead in the eye. "Why is it such a big deal? It's not like he'd ever be truly interested in anything other than a piece of ass. He's a Nomad, I've seen the patch and I'm not retarded. I passed high school history. I know that means he won't be around. Why would he have any interest in a single mom of a hellish teenager and a kiss ass preteen who carries around enough emotional baggage to fill a barge?"
Gemma watched as she took another drag before slamming her fist down on the table.
"You know for someone who isn't trying to impress anyone, you sure seem to want to impress someone." Gemma said, lightly, calling a crow eater over with nothing but a wave of her hand.
"We need two '78 Camaros." before sending the girl away.
"What the fuck did you just order us?" Charlie asked.
"Yukon, Captain, brandy, Pineapple juice, a little champagne, which they keep just for me, all mixed together," said Gemma matter-of-factly.
"Are you trying to get me shit-faced?" Charlie asked incredulously.
Gemma just laughed, "Lighten up sweetheart."
Jax joined them at the tables.
"How are you lovely ladies doing tonight?" he asked sitting down next to his mom. Charlie just laughed.
"It's a night out. I love it already," she said. Gemma smiled at her.
"I bet. You girls had anything to drink?" He asked looking at the color flushing up Charlie's cheeks.
"Couple shots at the bar." Charlie replied lightly. Jax shook his head,
"By yourself?" He asked. Charlie turned a whole new shade of scarlet.
"What is with you two and thinking I need someone?" She countered. She snatched the drink out of the crow eaters hands before the poor girl had even completely reached the table. Jax and Gemma watched as she chugged half the drink.
"Easy killer. Just asking is all." Jax said a little alarmed.
"She's just testy 'cause she wants Hap's dick and won't admit it." Gemma stated. Charlie's eyes went wide.
"Really?" Jax said a grin crossing his face. "Well that would explain why he's staring over here."
"He's what?" Charlie said, glancing towards the bar.
"Yeah he's been watching this table since you sat down." He said.
"Looks like Charlie's not the only one." Gemma said, smirking.
"I'm not interested in one night stands. You guys know that." Jax and Gemma exchanged a look.
"C'mon darlin' let's go outside." Jax said, standing and looping an arm over her shoulders. His move shoved all her hair to the side and she smacked him lightly on the chest.
"Careful, jerk." She said.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy watched as Jax slung an arm over Charlie's shoulder. He caught sight of a tattoo on the back of her neck as her hair moved, just before Jax's arm covered it. He saw Jax lead her outside before turning back to the bar. Tig approached him as he ordered another shot of Jack.
"Hey man, you up for a round in the ring?"
"Maybe later. Why? Who's pissed?" Happy asked throwing back the shot.
"I am. Pissed that you've got yourself all wrapped up in untouchable pussy." Tig said challengingly. Happy raised an eyebrow.
"Guess we'd better settle it then." He said. A crow eater came up on his left and ran a hand down his arm. He ignored her touch but didn't shake her off. Tig just chuckled and ordered himself a beer. The two men stood in comfortable silence for a while. Neither feeling the need to speak.
Happy was lost in his thoughts. Why is this bitch still running through my head? I know she's sexy as fuck but she's got kids. She can drink like a man but still blushes like a school girl. And what is that tattoo on the back of her neck. I wonder what other ink she's got and where. Ugh! He shook his head violently and glanced up at the clock. It was already ten thirty. He nudged Tig then headed outside.
He walked to the ring and took off his cut. Cheers and hollers erupted around him as he shed his shirt. Tig joined him at the ring. The two quickly shed their shirts before climbing in. Clay and Bobby stood the ringside. Happy bounced on the balls of his feet as he rolled his head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jax bringing the redhead that had occupied Happy's thoughts over to the ring. He smirked at her before focusing on Tig. Tig charged and swung. Happy ducked and landed a shot in Tig's stomach.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Charlie was a little stunned when Jax took her by the arm and led her over to the boxing ring. Her jaw dropped at the sight in front of her. Happy was shirtless and that was a sight no living female could look away from. Her eyes rolled over his body taking in the tattoos, the way his muscles were rolling as him and Tig took shots at each other. Jax glanced at her face before laughing and turning back to the fight.
"Quit drooling midget." He said. She started at his voice, turning away from the fight.
"What?" She asked.
He said nothing, just looked back at the ring where the fight continued on. She blushed and lit up a cigarette, parting her lips to let the smoke roll out. She heard a loud "Oh!" roll through the crowd that had popped up around the ring and she turned to see Happy reeling from the hit.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy dodged another blow from the SAMCRO Sergeant At Arms. He grinned at him, "Come on." He said.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Charlie. She had just started smoking and all he saw was her lips parting and smoke rolling out her mouth. He froze and Tig landed a shot right on his jaw. Happy reeled back head officially back in the fight. He and Tig exchanged a few more blows before Clay sent Bobby into the ring to break it up. Happy and Tig shared a brief hug before hopping out of the ring.
Happy started pulling shirts back on as the crow eaters began flocking around him. He ignored them and pulled his cut back on. He watched Charlie laugh at something Jax said before approaching the two.
"Jax." He said in greeting.
"Hey Hap. What's up?" Jax replied easily. Happy shrugged one shoulder and looked at Charlie who was pointedly looking away from him.
"You owe me a drink." He told her. She looked at him wide eyed. Jax held back a chuckle at the look she gave him.
"I do?" She said, softly.
"Yeah." He said. "Let's go." He wrapped in arm around her waist and led her into the clubhouse. Jax just stared after them. Opie walked up to him and asked,
"What is that about?"
"I have no idea."
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy took Charlie straight to the bar.
"Two bear fuckers." He said to the girl behind the bar. At this point most of the Sons in the room were sneaking glances at the pair. No one had seen Happy like this in a long time. Charlie was a mystery in a lot of ways and no one could ever tell which way her head was going. She could go from self pitying to joyful in a matter of minutes.
The two tossed the shots back and slammed the glasses on the bar. Charlie gave him a shy smile before catching sight of the clock.
"Shit. I gotta check on my kids. Is there anywhere quiet around here?" She asked Happy pulling her phone out of a pocket.
"Yeah." He said, before leading her back towards the dorm room. He unlocked his personal dorm before letting her pass before him. She was already tapping the screen of her phone as he shut the door. She smiled at him as she placed the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Carson? It's mom? Everything going okay?" Charlie asked. Happy watched as she paced the room. He'd never seen anything like it. He never wanted kids. Never felt the need to have them. Never wanted a woman with kids.
"Mom, Azalia's hitting on the guy you left here. He keeps pushing her off but she won't leave him alone." Carson said. Charlie heard a loud thump in the background and Carson burst into laughter.
"He just fell off the couch, didn't he?" Charlie asked, glancing at Happy a smile crossing her face. He stared blankly at her.
"Yeah." Carson giggled over the line.
"Alright baby. Tell your sister to quit tormenting the poor guy." Charlie said, chuckling.
"Okay, momma. I love you." Carson said.
"I love you too, you little kiss ass. Go to bed." Charlie laughed.
"Mom…" She heard before ending the call.
"Everything good?" Happy asked.
"Yeah. Azalia's torturing your poor prospect." She laughed, sliding her phone back into her pocket and perching on the edge of the bed. "And Carson's laughing it up, though he wasn't too happy when I told him to go to bed." Happy smiled.
"Well I wouldn't know what that's like." He said.
"No kids of your own?" She asked, carefully watching from under her lashes.
"Not that I know of. I'm not much for kids. Wouldn't be a good parent or role model for one, I guess." He said, plainly. She frowned.
"Yeah, I know how that feels." She said, breezily. "Being a thirteen year old mom is not ideal. Not that I had a choice in the matter, but I make due."
"What do you mean no choice?" Happy asked.
"OOOkay this conversation just got a little too serious for now." She said hopping up. "Let's go get a drink."
He pulled her back down. "No. What did you mean?"
"Look." Charlie sighed. "I don't know you well enough to give you the whole Charlie Ryzdale Lifetime movie just yet. So let's just get a drink." She stood back up looked down at him.
"Yeah, drink." Happy said. He stood and led her out of the bar area, locking the door on his way out.
"Two bear fuckers." Happy snapped at the girl behind the bar.
"What's with everyone trying to get me wasted?" Charlie asked smiling up at him. Happy looked down and paused just staring at the way her whole face lit up. He just stared at her and her smile shrank as she began to blush.
"What is there something on my face?" She asked looking down shyly. He hooked a finger under her chin and raised her face back up.
"No." was all he said. The girl behind the bar left their shots in front of them before walking away, glaring at Charlie as she went. Charlie reluctantly reached towards the shot glass Happy held towards her.
"Bottom's up." She said tipping it back. Happy followed suit and hooked an arm around her waist. She stared up at him wide eyed. He smirked at her before pulling her away from the bar and out of the clubhouse.
The pair caught the attention of Gemma and Clay who were holed up in a corner observing.
Clay watched with raised eyebrows at the two. Gemma with a look of satisfaction.
"What is that about?" He asked his wife who smiled at him.
"Charlie finally found someone who's caught her eye and Happy found a woman who challenges him enough to keep him interested." She said simply.
"How well do you think this is gonna end?" Clay asked.
"Well that's up to them."
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy walked Charlie out to a picnic table that was empty with a wave of his hand. The hang arounds and crow eaters scampering away. He sat down and forced Charlie to sit down on his lap. He lifted the hair off the back of her neck and inspected the tattoo he had spotted before.
Charlie smiled at the touch of his finger tracing the ink.
"What does this mean?" He asked.
"Morgen is een nieuwe dag. It's Dutch for 'Tomorrow is a new day." Charlie said softly. Happy just traced the individual letters that wrapped around the back of her neck. The movement sent a chill down her spine, one that in their close proximity, Happy didn't miss. A small smile crossed his face.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" He asked. Charlie looked at him, clearly puzzled.
"Movie night with the kids. Why?" She replied. He just looked at her.
"Well I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go out on a ride with me, but if you're busy." He trailed off.
"We could go earlier in the day?" She ventured. " I doubt you'll wanna come spend time with my hellions." She chuckled.
"Earlier in the day sounds good." He said. "Kids, prolly not smart right now." Charlie smiled. That statement made it sound like he was interested in more than just a one night stand. The two stayed that way, just talking for about half an hour before Gemma approached them.
"Charlie? I'm going if you wanna ride home with me?" she asked, eying the two.
"Yeah, better go save the poor babysitter." Charlie said, standing up and stretching. She turned to face Happy, who was still seated at the table.
"You've got my number, just text me tomorrow when you want to head out." She turned to follow Gemma but Happy stopped her. He stood and pulled her up to him before placing a soft kiss to her lips. Charlie's eyes fluttered closed at the contact. He pulled away and her eyes opened to look up at him.
"Tomorrow." He said. She turned and walked towards Gemma, pointedly ignoring the self satisfied smirk on the queen's face.
"Don't say anything." Charlie said, a smile slowly appearing. The queen's laughter rang out over the lot.