It wasn't long after Roxy and Coco's decision that things started progressing and feeling more official. It was Friday night and most club members were scattered around the clubhouse, beers in hand, relaxing and hanging out. Roxy joined them, taking advantage of her weekend off, and let herself really unwind.
"Here, hold it like this," Coco spoke into her ear. He positioned her fingers on the dart and guided her arm forward. She threw it, with his help, but got nowhere near the bullseye. "Hate to see you with a gun," he mumbled.
"Whatever, darts just isn't my thing," she shrugged.
"Pool ain't either," Coco reminded her.
"Uh, no, Creep is just a shitty teacher," she complained.
"What about when EZ tried to teach you blackjack?" Coco asked her with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "He's good at almost everything."
"He's too good," she huffed. "You know, he's too smart to explain it to a normal girl with a normal brain."
"Creative excuse," Coco laughed.
Grabbing her wrist, he pulled Roxy against him and they started dancing in their little corner of the clubhouse. At first it was playful, they joked and laughed, but soon their dancing became sexual and their laughter was silenced by their kissing. Nothing was too overt, they were in the shadows and a good distance from the others, but Roxy managed to get a grip and pull herself away.
"You want another beer?"
"I want something," he growled as she walked away.
Roxy glanced back at him and winked just as Bishop made his way over to the corner. "I'm out," he told Coco. "I was talking to Alvarez, he said he wants the bike show to be a family thing so you should ask Roxy."
"Me?" Coco seemed uncomfortable with it.
"Yeah," Bishop said with some heavy attitude. "He wants to see Mateo, he's bringing his wife and daughter. Like I said, family."
"Sure," Coco nodded. "I'll tell her."
"He doesn't want her to know he's checking up on her," Bishop said quietly, "And you."
"You told him?" Coco asked, surprised Bishop wouldn't want to see that conversation in real time.
"No," Bishop laughed. "You're fucking adults, Coco."
"Then why's he checking up on me?"
Bishop dropped the jokes and became a little bit more sincere for a minute. "It's not that serious. As long as you treat her right he won't give a shit what goes on between you two."
"But she said," Coco said with confusion.
"She says a lot of stuff to keep assholes at a distance," Bishop told him. "You picked a pretty mixed up chick, carnal."
"I didn't pick her," he shrugged. "Just trying to live my truth and she's it."
Bishop smiled at that and pointed off toward Angel and Gilly just as Roxy strolled by on her way back to them. "Don't let those two do anything stupid."
"I'll try," he chuckled.
"What?" Roxy asked, looking at them both as they shared a laugh.
"Nothing," Bishop said with a smile. "Don't let her do anything stupid either," he added.
"Hey!" She feigned offense.
Bishop winked at her and sauntered away and out of the clubhouse for the night. Roxy and Coco made their way toward the others after deciding they had been antisocial enough.
"We're going to a bike show next weekend," Coco said casually. "Alvarez and some other local crews are going. We're making a thing of it, some old ladies, some kids. You should come with Mateo."
Roxy was clearly surprised by the offer. "Really?"
"Yeah," he chuckled. "Take off work and come with us."
"I uhh," she chuckled anxiously. "I mean sure, I guess."
"It'll be fun," he assured her.
"No, I know," she laughed. "I'm just," she shrugged, "You know."
"Yeah I know," he said. Coco leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on her thigh, and gave her a little smile. "It's not a bad drive, about four hours."
"Four hours? Where is it?"
"Arizona," Coco said. "You ever been?"
"Years ago," she laughed. "It was uhh, not a good weekend."
"We'll make this one a better memory," he squeezed her leg, "I promise."
The Next Weekend*
"Come on, Teo," Roxy called out. "It's time to go."
"Mom," he complained.
"Oh my god, kiddo, come on," she groaned.
EZ scooped the kid up and carried him over to the car for Roxy. Mateo was laughing the whole way, being a fan of EZ over all the other guys, and happily got in his car seat.
"Thanks," she huffed. "Little punk."
"Uhh hey." Letty appeared behind them looking anxious. "Is my dad here?"
EZ looked at Roxy then Letty and shook his head. "Not yet."
Roxy looked at Letty and forced a smile. "I'm Roxy, uh your dad's girlfriend."
"Ew, weird," Letty complained. "I'm Letty."
"Yeah, very weird." Roxy gestured to the car. "This is my son Mateo."
"Shit, do I have a baby brother?"
"No," Roxy laughed loudly. "No, no, no. Mateo's father ran out on us when I was pregnant."
"Does sound like my dad," Letty huffed.
"Huh?" Roxy knee the situation was Letty was more complicated than what she thought happened with Esai.
EZ groaned. "Jesus."
"Oh. Sorry," Letty shrugged. "My dad has other kids, two sons I think."
"E, tell me I'm not being too psycho right now? I know I'm usually psycho but I have a right, don't I?"
"You two got psycho in common," EZ said. "Thank God," he muttered. Seeing Coco pull into the lot EZ was able to make his escape.
"Hey," they both said in unison
Once he parked and got over to Roxy and Letty Coco could already tell he was in trouble. "Hey."
"Hey Dad," Roxy huffed.
"Uh hey." He was sure why she was upset but she was.
"I didn't know," Letty said to him sadly.
"About what?"
"That you walked out on two women," Roxy snapped.
Coco looked at Letty who grimaced. "My bad."
"Look, Rox, it's a real fucked up story. I'm sorry. Can we not do this shit?" Coco pleaded.
Looking at Coco Roxy could see how upset he was. She'd never seen him like that, in all the years she'd known him, and it softened her anger.
"We'll talk," she said coolly.
"I'm sorry," he said. Taking her hands he pulled her a few feet away and kissed her. "I was young and stupid," he tried to explain.
"Don't do that," she warned him. "Esai and I were young too."
"It ain't like that," he huffed.
Roxy was on the verge of tears. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was scared you'd hate me cause of Mateo," he admitted.
Coco inhaled sharply. "I got two boys too. I send them money, I told their moms I didn't want kids, they were cool."
"This is like a thing for me," Roxy reminded him.
He nodded. "I know. If you met my mom, you'd get it." Coco pounded his fist against his chest and shook his head. "Nothing good comes outta this. If I split they don't gotta worry about me infecting them."
"Jesus, Johnny," Roxy huffed. "You're not some disease. Good does come from this." She pressed her palm to his chest.
Grabbing her hand he brought it to his lips. "Thank you." Before he could kiss her hand she pulled her hand away and slapped him, it wasn't full strength but it was enough to prove she was serious.
"Don't lie to me again."
"Hand to God," he said. Coco blessed himself, kissed his thumb, pointer and middle fingers then pointed to the sky.
"Go talk to your daughter," Roxy said to him. She kissed the spot she had slapped and walked back to her car.
Coco watched her go before following and giving Letty a hug. "Sorry."
"I think she gave you enough shit for both of us," Letty smirked. "Sorry I fucked shit up."
"Nah that's on me," he sighed. "You good?"
"I got in a fight with Celia," she huffed. "Bolted. Thought I could cool off here." Letty looked around. "Looks like nobody's staying though."
"Bike show," he explained. "I'd bring you but it's out of state, if Celia wanted to she could have my ass locked up for kidnapping."
Letty rolled her eyes. "That crazy bitch would."
"Exactly." Coco nodded. "You can stay here though." Reaching in his pocket he handed her a wad of cash. "Here, if you need anything."
"Really?" She took the money and looked at him with uncertainty. "You sure?"
"I'm sure." Coco hugged her tight. "Stay outta fucking trouble."
"Will do," she laughed a little. "Bye Dad."
When the caravan arrived in Arizona most of the men kept on down the highway while the wives, girlfriends and kids stopped at the hotel. Roxy was surprised to see Coco pulling in with her.
"This is weird. All these bikers pulling into a damn hotel for a weekend away."
"Last rally we all passed out wherever we were," Coco laughed. "Padrino wanted it different this year."
"I'm assuming most of you guys will continue the pass out anywhere tradition?"
Coco laughed. "Yeah, I'll be back here though."
"Good." Roxy watched as Coco grabbed her duffel bag from the truck. "I'll check in."
"I'll grab the kid," Coco offered.
"You don't have to," she said quickly.
"I want to," Coco assured her. "Go check in."
Roxy checked in and made it up to her room but before she could relax after the long drive Mateo's grandmother was knocking on the door.
"Diana," Roxy said warmly. "How are you?"
When Mateo peeked around the door Diana squealed with delight. "Oh I'm wonderful now!"
Diana grabbed Mateo and hugged him close, the child laughing uproariously. It was as if Roxy and Coco weren't even in the room.
"You two?" She asked with a sly grin.
"Yeah," Coco said happily.
"I was wondering when you'd settle with someone. I'm just glad he's one of mine." Diana smiled warmly at Coco.
"It was an easy decision to be honest," Roxy said nonchalantly.
"Good. Not go," she said eagerly. Diana pushed Roxy and Coco toward the door. "I only came to this damn thing to see my conejito."
"Oh, no, really I think I'm going to rest before I head out with the guys," Roxy said timidly. She was always reserved around Marcus and Diana, trying to be as sweet and innocent as she could.
"Go," she said forcefully. "I'm sure you don't get many hours of free babysitting. Enjoy it."
Hours later Roxy and Coco were gathered around a massive fire with the Northern and Southern Cali Mayans, SAMCRO and SAMTAZ. Seeing an open opportunity and feeling more relaxed thanks to all the alcohol, Coco left Roxy and made his way to where Bishop, Alvarez, Packer and Chibs were huddled.
"Can I get a second?" He asked Alvarez, Bishop grinning behind his beer bottle.
Alvarez looked at Coco disapprovingly but nodded and strolled away from the group with him. "What is it?"
"Just thought I'd let you know me and Rox are together now." Coco was confident but respectful. "Wanted you to hear it from me before you saw something or heard a joke."
"Carnal," Marcus smiled. "I appreciate you coming to me, man to man."
They shook hands, Chibs, Packer and Bishop watching for any sour turn or a fight to liven up the evening but they were disappointed.
"What's that?" Chibs asked Bishop when it was clear no one would be brawling right then.
"Coco and Rox," Bishop said.
"Shite, he's in for it," Chibs laughed.
Bishop shrugged. "It's been a long time coming, I think he can manage her."
Once Coco felt he'd done his duty he and Roxy really started to indulge. Everyone was enjoying themselves, smiles on all their faces, beers in hand and more than a few joints being passed around.
"Thank you for asking me to come," Roxy said to Coco.
"You didn't come yet," he growled into her ear. Gripping her waist tight he pulled her against him and kissed her, any minor inhibitions either had were dashed.
"Rox!"
The gruff voice cut through the noise and called her attention. Roxy turned to see Happy, Tig and Ratboy.
"Hey," she giggled. "You guys are late!"
"We has some business," Tig said cryptically.
The men greeted each other as usual but Happy waited, saving Coco for last. Roxy watched carefully as Happy pointed at him then her.
"This guy?"
Roxy rolled her eyes. "Yep."
"Alvarez know?"
"Jesus, Hap," Tig cackled. "You blew it, they're adults. Take your blue balls somewhere else."
"Alvarez knows," Coco said. He was growing cocky now.
"You're such a goddamn contrarian," Roxy spat. "You're not in love with me, you're not my son's father, and let's be real, you two are the exact same kind of man. You just want to start shit."
Coco laughed. "Damn, mami."
"She's not wrong," Tig laughed. "Cuome on, there's gotta be some pretty boy wannabe around you can fuck up." He grabbed Happy and roughly pulled him away from Coco.
"Sorry," Ratboy grumbled. "After Bobby then Jax and shit Hap's pretty angry a lot."
"Don't blame him, I was too," Roxy admitted. "Leaving Charming for Santo Padre helped with that but none of those guys are leaving. Ever."
"Never," Ratboy agreed. "I'll see ya, Rox."
"Bye," she said quietly.
"I didn't kick the shit outta him for you," Coco told her. "Now I think you owe me."
"Mm-hmm. Let's head back, huh?"
Coco glanced back at the party for a second before nodding at her. "Yeah, alright."
They wobbled back to his bike and, stupidly, both got on despite being drunk. Coco was safe, for the most part, but a missed stop sign brought red and blue lights.
"Coco," Roxy groaned. "You're an idiot."
"My bad," he shrugged. "It's fine. I'm good."
"License and registration, let me see your ID as well, ma'am," the officer said. "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"I missed the stop sign," he said clearly. "Sorry Officer, my girl had too much to drink. I'm just trying to get her home safely before she pukes on me."
The cop cracked a smile and took their licenses and Coco's registration. "Let me run these, I think I can let you off with a warning."
The cop went back to his cruiser and Roxy giggled into Coco's back. "You're good. How can you be so chill?"
"I'm always chill," he said smugly.
The cop returned with his gun drawn. "Ma'am, I need you to step off the bike."
"What?" Roxy whimpered and held Coco tighter.
"Now."
"What's the problem?" Coco said, giving her a hand as she finally did what she was told.
"Are you Roxanna Teller?" The cop asked, ignoring Coco's question.
"Uh, yeah," Roxy stammered. "What's going on?"
"You have a warrant out from five years ago, felony robbery and assault. You're under arrest."
