A/N: haha I see someone has seen my dislike for Clay. After watching the later seasons I decided I hate him haha. See how we go from here, thanks for the reviews.
"You talk to my sister before?"
Juice sat down next to Jax at the bar.
"Yeah. She's uh, not having a good time I guess."
"Shit. Clay was way hard on her before. I should probably go find her." He started to down the rest of his beer.
Juice panicked a little. He didn't want Jax finding out about the kiss right now. Not until he knew what exactly was going on.
"No offence Jax but maybe this one needs a woman's touch? Maybe call Harley to go see her."
Jax looked at his beer bottle then to Juice. "Yeah maybe you're right. I need to talk to her anyway. Can't believe they all split up and fucking left her there with that sleazeball. Harley knows Roxy ain't smart like them when it comes to this shit." He signalled to Sack to bring him another beer before pulling his phone out. "Meant to say thanks as well for tracking her down last night." He patted Juice on the shoulder.
"Yeah no problems man. What I'm good for."
"How come she's got your number anyways?" Jax smirked and cocked an eyebrow. He hadn't missed the little chats and the way Juice looked at his sister.
Juice was immediately flustered. "Uh. Well. She threw her phone and broke it. So I uh. Fixed it. For her. And she didn't have anyone's numbers so I put them all in. Chibs and everyone."
Jax chuckled, winding up Juice and Half Sack were everyone's favourite past time in the club. They were both as awkward as each other and combined with their eagerness to please they were easy targets.
Jax took pity on him. There were worse people his sister could hook up with. Although Juice was a bit of a man whore with the crow eaters and sweet butts he was honest and Jax could tell he just needed someone. That same loneliness led him to his marriage to Wendy and their current situation. At least Roxy was better for Juice than Wendy ever was for him.
"Relax bro. Appreciate you looking out for her man." He clapped Juice on the shoulder.
"Oh." Juice visibly relaxed. "Yeah any time man."
Jax got up and pulled out his phone. "And hey. If you end up putting the moves on my sister just make sure you're prepared to face Clay." He smirked at Juice's surprised expression, pressed Harley's number, and walked off.
Juice was stunned, looked around to see if anyone else had heard before deciding to head back to his dorm and figure this whole Roxy thing out.
xxx xxx
It had been a week and a half since Roxy and Juice's rooftop kiss and she'd successfully avoided the clubhouse the whole time. Juice had messaged her two days after to see if she was ok and to apologise for kissing her. Roxy insisted it was her mistake and apologised saying she just couldn't get involved with the club right now.
It disappointed her to do so, because Juice was really nice and good looking and that kiss was dreamy. But she couldn't bring herself to get involved. She could see herself really falling for Juice, but she knew what being the woman of an MC member was like. She'd seen the fights her dad would sometimes get into with her mum, she knew he cheated frequently when he was on the road and she knew how submissive her mum was to him despite how strong she was. Roxy didn't want that kind of relationship and it would break her heart if she ended up like that with Juice.
So she resigned herself to distancing herself from the guy who had been plaguing her thoughts.
Sitting down to her coffee and breakfast Roxy let her thoughts drift to the good news she had in the last week. She was successful in joining the social work team at the hospital and would be starting next week as a youth worker and counsellor for youth who had been admitted to the hospital. And on top of that had been successful in getting that apartment too! She would be moving in at the end of next week so she had lots to get before then. She still hadn't received her stuff from Matt nor had she heard from him so she figured she'd have to bite the bullet and just call him again, but Roxy decided to put it off a while longer as the apartment was mostly furnished and all Matt had of hers were just personal effects.
So today she was off with Harley to find some bits for the apartment. Roxy had managed to distract herself most of the week by hanging out with Harley and messing around. She'd even had that dinner with Wendy which went surprisingly well, although she still wasn't 100% sure if she was on the straight and narrow. The one person she was yet to see was Opie, but according to her brother he had been avoiding the club as much as she had since he'd recently been released from Chino.
"Morning baby." Gemma sauntered into the kitchen 100% made up and ready for the day and cast an eye over her daughter's lack of effort.
"Morning Ma." Taking another sip of her coffee Roxy watched her mum pull out a joint and settle in for her morning smoke.
"So, I have a little proposition for you." Gemma smirked from behind her coffee mug.
Roxy groaned and turned her head to her mother. "And what might that be?"
Knowing her mother it could be literally anything.
"Your dad has some Irish associates coming over and the younger guy, Jack, might like some company. Someone to show him round. They don't like associating at the clubhouse and the older two guys have somewhere else to go but we figured it might be nice for him to have someone his own age to hang around."
"Really Ma? You guys want me to play hostess to some Irish gangster?"
"Don't be so dramatic Roxy. He's not a gangster. He's going to take you out for dinner tonight."
"For gods sake." She paused. "Yeah so this is more of an order than a request."
"Whatever way you wanna see it baby. It'll make Clay happy for you to have someone. Someone the club approves of." She emphasised this point in reference to Matt. "Plus I've heard the Irish are good looking and he might be one of the ones moving here permanently."
Sensing she wasn't getting out of this she got up. "Fine. What can one date hurt?"
"That's what I like to hear baby. He's picking you up at 7."
Roxy rolled her eyes and left to get ready for her day of shopping for the apartment.
xxx xxx
Unfortunately that evening came far too fast. Gemma took great pleasure in dressing Roxy up for the night. She was currently standing in her red skater dress paired with some black heels and a black jacket. Gemma helped Roxy curl her hair and supervised her makeup application and now she was ready to go.
When she came down to the living room Clay was standing with a young dirty blond haired guy, who Roxy was assuming was Jack.
After the introductions were made Clay patted him on the shoulder and told the pair to enjoy their evening before he and Gemma retreated to the garage to make their way to the clubhouse.
"So, where are we off to tonight?" She asked.
Jack shyly rubbed the back of his head and Roxy couldn't help but notice his attractive features, green eyes, chiseled jaw and easily styled bed hair. He was wearing some nice dark wash jeans and had a dark blue and black checkered shirt on. As he stretched Roxy could make out a slight bulge on the side of his pants and figured he must be carrying. Roxy didn't know much about the club's business other than their only connection to the Irish was gun running for the IRA. She assumed Jack, being here on business, would have to be on alert most of the time.
"Your da told me about some nice restaurant in Stockton. Figured we'd head over there. I've got me self a car so I've already had a drive round the place."
"Sounds nice. Shall we?" Roxy offered him a polite smile, despite the awkwardness of what was essentially a blind date she was starting to look forward to the night. Jack seemed like a nice guy, good looking and an accent to die for. She couldn't wait to tell Harley about this.
"Ladies first." He held the door open for her and they made their way out to the car.
xxx xxx
Clay and Gemma arrived at the club ready for some drinks and socialising while they waited to see how Roxy's date went. Being a Wednesday night things were quiet but most of the guys were at the clubhouse shooting pool or playing cards.
Clay sat next to Juice and Jax at the bar while Gemma wandered off to see how Tig was going at poker with Chibs and Bobby.
Jax looked around. "No Roxy? Don't tell me she's still moping round the house."
"Nope. Not moping. She's out on a date with Jack. McKeavey's guy."
Jax rolled his eyes. "Really Clay? Y'know the more you two force her on someone the more likely she is to leave again."
Juice didn't want to listen to any more. It's been years since he'd actually liked a chick and now he remembered why he didn't bother. He scanned the room looking at the few sweet butts that were there and figured getting his dick sucked would help take his mind off it.
He excused himself from Jax and Clay and made his way to the dorms signalling to one of the blondes along his way.
Jax noticed Juice's sudden departure and wondered just what the hell went on with him and his sister. Turning back to Clay he asked what Roxy thought of the whole thing.
"She actually seemed quite into it tonight. It's good to get her out the house and with someone who's not an asshat this time. What she saw in that Matt guy I'll never know."
"Saw him as her way outta the club is what I'm thinkin." Jax took another gulp of beer.
"Unfortunately for her there ain't no way she's getting outta the club. It's in her blood as much as yours."
Jax nodded his head, he couldn't disagree with Clay there. Both he and his sister were tied to the club through their fathers and that was not an easy bond to break. Jax just hoped Roxy would end up finding happiness in that bond.
xxx xxx
Surprisingly for Roxy the date had been a success. Jack was actually a decent guy, he had a great sense of humour and they managed to get along like a house on fire. Roxy had been sure to begin with that conversation would be awkward or Jack would in fact be a great deal older than her. But it turns out he was only 29 and that suited Roxy just fine.
"So uh, sorry it's a little bit high school. Y'know dropping me back at my parents door. But I'm finally moving into my apartment next week so I'll feel like an adult again."
Jack chuckled and leaned over to her. "Wouldn't be a high school date if I didn't get a kiss in the driveway."
"God you're smooth." Roxy closed the gap between them. "I suppose I can manage that."
Roxy felt his lips on hers, soft and inviting and figured she'd throw caution to the wind and pulled him in closer. She let her hand rest on his thigh as he pulled a hand into her hair and slid the other down her arm to her waist.
After their brief make out session Roxy excused herself and said good night. Although she kind of wanted to she thought it might be a bit much to invite him inside, especially as she didn't know when her parents would be back.
xxx xxx
Friday night was to be a family dinner at the Teller Morrow household and Roxy could not be any less pleased if she tried. Family dinner meant all the guys from the club would be there. Including Juice, whom she'd successfully avoided for the last 2 weeks.
However there was no hope she was getting out of this one as her mum declared it was to celebrate Roxy's new job and had also kindly thought to invite Jack to come along too. Because, you know, nothing would make things any more awkward than waving this guy right under Juice's nose after she'd basically just told him she wasn't looking for anything. God he was going to hate her.
Roxy smoothed the loose, silk, burgundy top over and fixed her hair. Jack had messaged not long ago saying he was on his way so she figured she had best make herself presentable and head down to the kitchen.
Luann, Harley and a couple of crow eaters were busy helping Gemma in the kitchen so Roxy set about helping with the potato salad. Tonight was chops with all the trimmings.
"So, sexy Irishman is coming by tonight is he?" Harley sidled up to Roxy with two glasses of wine.
"Yes he is. Not at my request though."
"As if you're disappointed."
"I guess I'm not." Roxy smirked.
"Well it's good to see you enjoying yourself. Especially after I stuffed it up the other weekend."
"Stop stressing about it Harley. It was as much my stupid fault as anyone else's." Roxy patted her friend's arm and moved to answer the doorbell figuring it must be Jack given the rest of the guys would just saunter in.
Jack gave her a wide grin as she opened the door. It reminded her of Juice's but it didn't reach his eyes quite the same way. She moved to let him in but he stopped to give her a quick kiss before moving past. Roxy could swear she was blushing but she gestured towards the dining room where Clay was sitting and made her way back to the kitchen.
They were just finished serving up the good when they could hear the rambunctious noise that was Chibs, Tig, Bobby, Jax, Piney, Happy and Juice make their way inside. Clay introduced Jack to everyone and the two crow eaters got everyone beers.
When they were all seated the ladies brought the food through and the guys started helping themselves.
Roxy was sitting between Gemma and Jack across from Jax, Chibbs, Bobby, and at the end Juice. She could feel him looking at her but didn't want to meet his gaze.
Jack managed to keep her attention most of the night and between joking with Chibs and chatting to Jax he slipped his hand on her thigh. Roxy was taken aback at first with the casual touching but by the end of dinner she was at ease with the gesture. She slowly rubbed her foot against his leg and he tightened his grip on her thigh and moved his hand slightly higher.
Ignoring the glare she was receiving from Juice, Roxy played in to the touch and openly flirted with Jack as everyone got up to have a smoke and sit in the living room. Roxy kind of felt bad for flaunting this in front of Juice. But she knew that Jack was the safer bet. And at the end of the day she'd only known Juice for a month he couldn't be in that deep for her. She had to stop flattering herself.
Everyone else had made their way to the lounge room but Roxy pulled Jack's arm and gestured to the back deck.
"Kinda hard to get a moments peace with that lot huh?"
Roxy laughed. "Yeah they're not exactly a quiet bunch." She offered him a smoke which he accepted.
They joked and laughed for a couple more minutes while they finished their cigarettes before throwing them in the ash tray.
Roxy wasn't sure if it was the wine or her new confident attitude but she turned to Jack and started to kiss him, knowing they'd be out of sight of the others.
Jack ran with the opportunity and turned so they were pinned to the wall. Roxy moaned into the kiss as his hand travelled up her side to cup her breast, softly squeezing as his tongue tangled with hers. She used one hand to grip the back of his head and allowed the other to travel down his back. She could feel him pushing onto her and couldn't help but grind back but knowing they'd have to cool it soon as there was no way she was inviting him up to her room with her parents in the house. She may be an adult but that shit is weird.
They sprung apart when the patio door opened and Juice came out on his cellphone. He'd been wondering where she'd gone but when he had to step out for the call he wished he'd gone round the front so he didn't have to see them pushed up on each other.
Sensing the tension Jack wisely told Roxy he would get them drink refills and meet her back inside.
Roxy was about to follow him but Juice hung up his call and made to intercept her.
"So, how are you?" She tried breaking the tension as she awkwardly attempted to avoid his stare.
Juice scoffed. "Really? Correct me if I'm reading too much into this but we seemed to get along great, had a pretty awesome kiss which made you avoid me for two weeks, you tell me you're not ready for anything and now you're out here with him?" He sulkily folded his arms across his chest as he leant against the railing.
Roxy was a bit taken aback by his response. She had no idea he felt like this. Yeah they kissed but she'd seen him with more sweet butts in the month she'd been here than she cared to count.
"Yes. I'm sorry Juice I didn't mean to like lead you on or anything. I told you the kiss was a mistake and I also told you I couldn't get involved with someone from the MC." She tried to meet his gaze. "It's honestly not you. It's just I don't think I can handle a relationship like my parents and what the MC dictates."
"I already told you I'm not like that." He huffed. "Plus your alternative to the MC is literally to get in bed with the IRA? Coz that'll be so much different."
She rolled her eyes. "Why are we even having this conversation?" She hissed. "Because last time I checked we-" she flicked her hand between the two of them- "weren't in a relationship."
He stood up straight at that. She was right. They weren't in a relationship. Fuck Juice hadn't been in a relationship in years. Not a proper one anyway. He'd briefly dated some chick called Yvonne last year but for all her positive energy he just never could get close enough.
"Yeah you're right. Enjoy being with yet another asshole." He stormed inside and shut the sliding door forcefully behind him.
Roxy stood confused for a second. Why was she arguing with Juice about relationships?
What the hell?
