A/N: My beautiful people, thank you all for reviewing, favouriting and following the story. Seriously, you rock :D Welcome all the new people, hope you like the story so far.
Reviews: I read all your reviews, every single one. Your support means so much. And the fact that you are enjoying the story makes me sooo happy :3 I need to address a few issues:
I've seen some of you were confused and saw Jax's encounters with Tara as stalkerish LoL... Just to make it clear: Those were all accidental encounters! The one from the grocery store was inspired by the scene from 1x1; He had no idea who she was.
I'm so so so sorry if the last chapter creeped you out. I know it was a tough read. Believe you me, it was even harder to write it. But, I needed something, some horrible event(s) in her life so that I could explain Tara's discomfort around men and her harsh attitude towards them. Also, I figured, her background (which wasn't all that pretty) was what drew her to Abel in the first place. As the story progresses you'll see what I mean.
I've always believed that Jax was drawn to Tara because she was unlike all the other girls that surrounded him. That will be the case here as well. Don't be surprised when something happens... But, it will not be easy and they will not be head over heels in love with each other immediately. But sparks will fly :P
I changed Tara's occupation because I didn't want there to be a reason for her to hang around the MC. I believe that was one of the reasons why she had ended up the way she did. (*sobs uncontrollably*)
Also, this is AU, I'm trying to do something different than expected. Hopefully, I'm doing it well.
That said, she will come across MC's business in the future, but I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable enough to write about all their businesses, gangs they're related etc. Sorry, but I'm afraid I'll screw something up if I start writing about it.
Happy reading and fangirling :3
Well, Hello, Mr. Teller
Tara was still in disbelief.
Of all people, all the freakin' bikers that could have been the notorious Mr. Teller, it had to be the blond Apollo.
Did she just refer to him as the Greek god?
Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat, she recovered and managed to put on a brave face, though this guy genuinely scared her. Or was the fact that she didn't know him, but still found him attractive enough to be in her dreams what scared her?
But she had to keep it professional. Her personal feelings towards the blond biker had to be set aside. After all, he was here as a father of one of the kids.
"I assume you're Mr. Teller."
She mentally slapped herself. Of course he's Mr. Teller, Abel just called him his father.
"I'm Ms. Knowles, a substitute teacher."
He gazed at her, still keeping the smirk on his face, drawing Tara's attention to his lips.
They were full, and that beard only made them look more perfect. Tara lifted her gaze to his eyes only to be drowned in their depths.
"Hi. I'm Jax. Does Ms. Knowles have a name?"
Oh, he was cocky! Tara wished nothing more than to wipe that stupid grin off his face. Well two can play that game, Teller.
Rolling her eyes, she almost said something obscene, but remembered that Abel was right there.
"She does, but Ms. Knowles will suffice," - Tara smiled.
"Abel, honey, will you do something for me?" They boy looked at her and nodded.
"Can you go play over there for just a few minutes? Your daddy and I need to talk."
She pointed towards the area of the classroom with dozens of toys scattered all over the floor. Abel obeyed, trotting toward his favourite toy truck, leaving his daddy alone with his teacher.
Tara gestured for Jax to sit on the couch by the window while she sat on the chair opposite him, crossing her legs. Jax's attention was immediately drawn by the move, his eyes following her long legs until his gaze reached the edge of the skirt. He cussed internally, wishing she'd worn something shorter...
Jax sat as close to her as possible, leaning against the couch and caressing the armrest, looking at her with those baby blues...
"You know, there's enough space here for both of us."
Tara gulped, looking at his hand. Can one be turned on by someone's hands?
His long fingers trailed up and down the arm rest and Tara started imagining all sorts of things he could do with those fingers... What is wrong with you?
"I'm fine here, Mr. Teller. I called you here because I wanted to talk to you about your son."
At the mention of his son, Jax leaned forward, eyes wide, "Did somethin' happen?"
"No, Abel is fine. I just... I wanted to talk to you about your family status."
Jax visibly relaxed, returning to his previous position.
"Why?"- he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Tara felt uncomfortable, like she was intruding their privacy. However, she had to do it for the sake of the child.
"I ask because I've notice some things about Abel. He is not very social. He keeps to himself mostly. Hardly ever interacts with other children. He doesn't speak much. I'm worried about him,"- Tara said honestly.
Jax didn't know what to say.
Being completely truthful, he wasn't around much to notice those things. Being the SAMCRO President wasn't easy and it took a great tool on his family life. He felt ashamed for not paying better attention to his son. But in most cases, by the time Jax came home, Abel would already be asleep and Jax didn't want to disturb him.
"I didn't know that. What can I do?"
Tara sighed, "for starters, tell me about your family."
Jax rubbed his beard in a nervous manner before he spoke.
"His mother's a junkie and he doesn't see her much, and his father is... something. His grandma looks after him most of the time."
Tara realised that it was hard for him to talk about his family. His brows furrowed as he spoke, and a look of embarrassment passed his face before he put his mask on again.
"I'm the President of MC Sons of Anarchy. Maybe you've heard of us? Anyway, that takes up a lot of my time."
Jax wanted to excuse himself, but it seemed that he only made things look worse.
Tara arched her eyebrow at him, "Mr. Teller, that is no excuse to neglect your own child!"
Jax watched her with wide eyes. He was not used to people calling him on his bullshit.
He knew very well that it was a shit of an excuse, but he wanted to, for some unknown reason, look good in her eyes. He didn't want her to think he was a dick of a father, even though he was.
Tara continued, feeling like she just got started.
"You are his father. Abel needs to have a healthy relationship with you. He needs to know that you are there for him at all times. Your parenthood can't be based on seeing your son in passing or talking to him for five minutes a day. He needs to see you as a constant in his life.
Since his mother is not present in his life as much as she should be, it is on you to step up and work twice as hard to make his life as normal as possible. And a grandma is no replacement for a mother.
See if you can integrate your wife in your son's life, at least to make him feel that he is not alone. Talk to him, read him stories before he goes to sleep, ask him about his day... These might seem as trivial things, but believe me; they will make an immense change for him."
Jax listened to her, mesmerized. He felt like a child being scolded by his teacher for his bad behaviour. A hot teacher for that matter, but still. It would've been embarrassing, hadn't it involved Abel.
His son meant the world to him and he was prepared to do whatever it took to assure his son of his love. Ms. Knowles was right. He needed to become more involved.
"I will do whatever I can on my part to integrate him in this little society. He needs to play and interact with children his own age."
Jax nodded. In that moment his cell rang. Taking it out of his pocket, he took a quick glance before he said he had to go.
They both stood up.
Since they sat close to each other, when they stood up, Tara almost bumped into him. She could smell cigarettes, motor oil, and some other scent which she couldn't place. She found herself inching closer to smell him better, but quickly realized what she was doing so she took a step back.
Jax took notice of what she was doing and wished she would just come closer. But then she stepped back and he found himself disappointed because of that.
It was better that way, anyway. Who knows what he might have done had she been just an inch closer...
She bit her lower lip and his little friend twitched. Who could have imagined that this pretty teacher could be such a challenge. And such a turn on...
He moved, wanting to make some distance between them before he did something stupid...
"Abel, we have to go now," - Jax called and the toddler came running towards them.
"Bye Tara. See you tomorrow." - Abel said and hugged her legs.
Tara felt overwhelmed by this. She laughed and hugged him back. Abel went to fetch his jacket and his backpack, and then came back to them.
Jax offered his hand to Tara and she shook it. Though it wasn't a normal handshake. Jax casually brushed his fingers on the inside of her hand, as if he had somehow read her previous thoughts.
She blushed and Jax gave her a wide grin with that mischievous spark in his eyes,"until next time. Tara."
He turned and left with Abel, leaving Tara even more blushed.
Her name sounded so beautiful when he spoke it. He pronounced it in a very different way than everyone else did.
Somehow, it made her smile.
