This is a short chapter, but the chapters will be getting longer soon.
Thanks again for all the reviews and follows...you guys rock :) Enjoy!
Most of the guys were out on a day run, but Juice had stayed behind to get some work done. He was updating some of their security programs and needed to concentrate to get it done correctly.
He grabbed a beer and plopped down in front of the computer, scanning the security camera quickly. He stared out into the parking lot. Abby's car was still sitting there. Her part had come in and Jax fixed it, but as Jax was getting ready to call her Bobby told him that she wanted to leave it in the lot for a few days. According to Bobby, she had a few days off work due to some painting being done at the shop so she was holing herself up to study. Juice's overacting mind took over and he immediately wondered if she just didn't want to see him.
It weighed on him for that whole day. When night came, the normal party activities started up and Juice found himself drinking more than usual. There was a girl who kept looking him over from across the room. At some point, Tig sent her in Juice's direction so he could steal the girl's friend away.
Juice was so wasted that he couldn't recall anything that had come out of his mouth. All Juice remembered was ending up in the bathroom with the girl, making out. When she went for his pants he froze. He looked at the chick, eagerly pulling at his belt and he stopped her. He just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. The girl cursed him out and stormed out of the bathroom, leaving him to think about how pissed off Abby must be and how she was clearly avoiding ever coming in contact with him.
That was two days ago and he didn't feel any better about things. The car was like a ghost lingering over him, reminding him of her presence across town. He downed some more of the pale ale sitting in front of him and logged into the security program. He needed to immerse himself in what he was doing to get some peace inside his head.
He was startled by a honk from the parking lot. He glanced at the camera giving a full view of the area to see Gemma's car. Aside from two prospects and a few crow eaters, he was the only person there.
He hustled out to the lot so he wouldn't keep Gemma waiting. As he neared the vehicle, he slowed down as Abby slid out of the passenger side. From the way her lips were pursed he could tell she was less than thrilled to see him. Her eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses so he had no idea what hid behind them, but something told him he didn't want to know. He had to take a breath to calm himself because despite the look on her face, she looked beautiful. Her hair was flowing over her shoulders, shining in the sun. This was the most dressed up he had seen her. Her white sun dress showed off her athletic legs and freckles on her chest. He wondered if she had more freckles on her shoulders, but her jean jacket was covering them.
He got knocked out of his daydream when he heard Gemma call from the window. "I have to get to the post office before it closes, can you get Abby her car?"
"Sure thing," he answered with a nod.
"Thanks, Gemma for taking me to Oakland for some much-needed shopping therapy," Abby called.
"No problem, baby," Gemma said.
Juice couldn't help but notice how Gemma's voice changed with Abby. It was soft and motherly. Gemma talked to Abby like she was talking to Jax. It was obvious that Gemma saw Abby as a daughter.
The lot was quiet as the two stood not saying a word. Finally, Juice broke the silence. "So, I can go get your keys. They're in the office."
She nodded and started walking along beside him. He was beyond nervous. He was scared shitless as they got closer to the office door. He heard her walk in behind him. His heart was out of control inside his chest. He started rustling through the papers, trying to find the right one so she could sign for her car.
"So, have you always been the kind of guy that preoccupies a girl's mind?"
He dropped the keys he had in his hand and casually brought his eyes up. She had taken off her sunglasses and he was able to see her green eyes twinkling slightly.
"If I am that kind of guy, I've never been told about it."
"Then I guess I'm the first," she rebutted.
"Excuse me for a second, but I'm really confused here. You don't want anything to do with me."
"I don't remember using that exact wording, per say," she answered with a small laugh.
He watched as she leaned against the glass between the office and the garage. His eyes kept darting around, but the prospects were busy working away on an order. "So, what are you getting at because I have to get back to my computer?" He was trying to put a wall up so she wouldn't see right through him that she had consumed his mind, too.
"Tara Knowles and I became fast friends because of our desire to leave Charming," she paused and laughed again. "It's what kept us bonded."
Juice started shifting nervously in his spot, keeping his eyes peeled in case his brothers returned. "Abby is thereā¦" He trailed off as she put her hand up and smiled brightly at him. He was curious about where this was going, but he was trying to act like he didn't care. He felt like a complete schmuck for pissing her off so he was trying to keep himself from screwing up again.
"It has been drilled into me for as long as I can remember that I'm to become a lawyer," she sighed and slipped out of her jean jacket. "It's exhausting."
He swallowed as he saw that the freckles that were on her chest did continue onto her shoulders and down her arms. "So, why are you doing it?" he asked, gaining composure.
"I don't know what else I'd do and I don't want to disappoint my uncle. He wants to know that he honored his brother."
"I'm really having a hard time understanding where this conversation is going." Juice walked around the side of the desk and handed her the keys to her Explorer. "I really need to get back to work." He put his head down and started to walk to the door. A jolt hit him like a bolt of lightning as he felt her soft, petite hand touch his forearm.
"I don't know what it is about you, but I'm willing to look past the fact that you're a Son," she paused and smiled. "At least for now."
He stared at her in disbelief. This was not where he thought this conversation was going. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, that until I can figure out what I want, I'd like to continue to hang out together," she said bluntly. "I'm going to keep studying for the bar, but I'm going to do a little soul-searching while doing it. I'd like to explore other options for my life."
He swallowed hard, hoping it would calm the stirring that was starting in his body. "What will Bobby say?"
"We're not going to tell him," she let go of his forearm and ran a hand through her hair. "We're not going to tell anyone. If we do, everyone is going to have an opinion and do whatever they can to push their agenda. I need to sort this out for myself without any outside influence." She let out a loud laugh. "The last thing I need is Gemma to start planning my wedding."
He chuckled at the thought because deep down he knew that's exactly what she would do. "Okay, well as long as you think you can do that then I'm cool with it." He was more than cool with it, he was elated.
She brushed past him and opened the door. "I'm going into work for a few hours. I get off at six. Would you be interested in meeting in the park, same bench as before?"
He nodded, not saying anything. He still felt like he was in some sort of dream. As he watched the door close behind her, he eased over to the window facing the parking lot. A smile spread across his face as the Explorer disappeared away from the garage.
