A/N: Might be a couple days before I get to upload the next chapter since I think I'm going to be without internet access until Saturday. As always, thanks to everyone who is reading and extra special thanks to everyone taking the time to leave a review. Enjoy!
Meanwhile, just outside of Oakland, Opie, Koz, and the rest of the Sons were having their first meeting with the new True IRA contacts. Things were a little tense. It was a new relationship after all. Trust with the Irish as iffy at best. Even though everyone wanted the best out of this new gun dealing situation, emotions couldn't help but run high. Things had gone so bad thanks to Zoebelle, Stahl, Cammy Hayes, Jimmy O, and Kellan Ashby that trust was in short supply. Luckily Opie's stoic personality, combined with Koz' affable friendliness and the steady presence of Jury and a couple of the Rogue River guys put the Irish at ease and things went smoothly after the first several minutes. The last of the transport issues were ironed out, and the Sons and the Irish were back in business once again. Miles, Little Stevie, Red, Badger, and Chibs stayed in Oakland to make sure things went smoothly the next morning, while the rest of the guys headed back to Charming. It was going on 1AM when they rolled back into town.
Although they all ended up at the clubhouse, except for Opie who decided it wasn't that late and went home, there wasn't much of a party going on. A couple croweaters had hung around, desultorily shooting pool and drinking beer while waiting to see if any of the bikers returned at a decent hour. A few of the visitors grabbed beers and mingled with the women. Koz went straight to his room, took a shower, and went to bed. He was tired, knew it was likely to be a busy day at the shop tomorrow, and was committed to helping Courtney finish her yard work once they'd finished their respective shifts at Teller-Morrow. He just hoped everything would go smoothly with Chibs and the rest so he wouldn't have to break his promise to Courtney.
Monday was hot and humid. The flow of customers to Teller-Morrow was steady, but had evened out a bit from the craziness of the previous week. Courtney had indeed found her footing in the office, and made sure things on her end were working smoothly. Her confidence carried out to the shop, and the mechanics were all at the top of their game. The five who had stayed in Oakland were barely missed, although Courtney soon realized that she found herself listening for Chibs' accent and felt a little off that she wasn't hearing it. She, Koz, Opie, and Lyla ate lunch together at one of the picnic tables; sandwiches, chips, and sodas ordered from a local shop that Lyla had picked up and brought over for them. Once they had finished eating, they sat at the table awhile longer, conversing idly. Courtney rested her head on Koz's shoulder, half-asleep. She was a little tired, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her back and his arm solid around her waist and just relaxing against him while he and Opie chatted about something that she paid no real attention to. It was pleasant, and she wished they could stay like that forever. Then Piney called to her in his raspy voice asking about an invoice, and with a smile for Opie and Lyla and a kiss for Koz; Courtney's lunch break was over and she was back at work.
Although it was hot outside, the little T-M office was comfortable thanks to the A/C. Courtney made another pot of coffee, needing a caffeine boost to keep her going. She had gotten plenty of sleep the night before, but was still a little drained from everything. Thinking about the yard work ahead of her once the day at the garage ended, she sighed. It wouldn't be so bad, but she knew Tuesday would be crazy, with everything from Idaho being delivered, along with the new bed. Courtney felt a brief moment of regret for taking on so much at one time, and then she added an extra spoon of sugar to her coffee and gave thanks for the blessings that far outweighed the work she'd be facing. Once she was settled in at the new place, things would calm down and she just had to keep that in mind and everything would be fine.
Koz followed Courtney to the house. They were on their own; Milo had club tasks to take care of for the night that took precedence over helping Courtney. She changed out of her work outfit into a pair of shorts and a tank top, while Koz went straight to work in his jeans and t-shirt. They worked in comfortable silence for the most part; chatting amiable from time to time. After 20 minutes, Koz stripped off his shirt. Courtney tossed him a tube of sunscreen. He gave her a cocky grin, but then applied a healthy layer to his face and torso. Two hours after they had started, the last plant had been moved to its new home. Courtney watered all the plants liberally, while Koz ordered Chinese to be delivered for their dinner. He collapsed on the hammock that Courtney had had delivered by Gustafson's; the company had done an admirable job of setting up the patio furniture on the deck. Once Courtney shut off the water and coiled the hose, she settled in on top of Koz, kissing him as they balanced precariously.
'I hope you told the delivery guy to come around to the back; we'll never hear the doorbell back here.'
'You should open the patio doors so we can hear,' was his response.
'That means moving…'
'I guess we could go inside.'
'At this point there's more furniture outside than inside. And all the floors are hardwood now. That's not too comfortable.'
'Right. I can move something inside. A couple chairs. Or the loveseat thingy.'
'I'll just open the sliding door. It's a nice night, we can eat outside.'
'Mmmm, sounds good.'
Courtney quickly opened the glass door, and then settled back into Koz's embrace. They were both tired and hungry. Sweaty and a little dirty from working with the plants, and having put in a full day of work. They kissed and cuddled while waiting for their dinner to be delivered. Enjoying the time being completely alone, not having any goal in mind other than being together and waiting for their food to arrive. Koz teased Courtney about ordering extra crab Rangoon. Courtney teased back that she ran enough to burn off the calories, but how much boxing would he have to do to work off the calories if she decided to share. It was the kind of conversation that new lovers could carry on forever, while anyone listening in would cringe at overhearing within 15 seconds.
Koz listened to Courtney chatting with the delivery guy. It didn't surprise him at all that the conversation lasted longer than it would have if he'd answered the door. Courtney had a way with people, and he was learning that meant she'd spend as much time as she wanted talking to anyone and everyone, including him. As long as it didn't get her in trouble with any club enemies, it was a trait he admired. You could learn a lot in a casual conversation, and something Koz had learned over the years was the more natural and casual you were talking to people, the more they'd relax their guard and tell you more than they intended. Maybe someday Courtney's natural affinity for people would come in handy for the club. For now, he just enjoyed listening to her voice as she mentioned being new to town and being excited to try their food for the first time while the guy responded telling her how authentic their cooking was. He'd moved to the new outdoor love seat and was sitting there when Courtney finally made her way back outside, having snagged a couple beers to go along with the food.
They ate in companionable silence. Both tired and hungry, willing to forgo conversation for sustenance. Eating from each other's containers, trading bites of the different dishes they'd ordered. Enjoying just being together, nothing else needed from the other person to feel validated. Food forgotten now and then while they kissed instead. All in all, it was the perfect way to spend an evening. Courtney sighed contentedly after swallowing the last bite of her last crab Rangoon.
'I could stay like this forever.'
'I know, right? Perfect night.'
'Yeah, it really is.'
'You and Miles going to be able to handle everything coming here tomorrow?'
'I hope so. I'm expecting a lot from the moving company I hired. If they're what I think they are, we'll be good.'
'A'ight. I think you should kiss me again.'
So Courtney kissed Koz again. They were sprawled out on the patio love seat, food containers forgotten on the ground. Courtney's tank top and bra soon joined the discarded food. Koz was in the process of removing her shorts when the insistent buzz of the doorbell finally registered on his consciousness. He pulled her shorts back into place and tossed her the tank top before heading to see who was at the door. But before he reached the patio door, Opie and Lyla came through the gate into the backyard.
'Hey, figured you guys were back here and couldn't hear the doorbell. Saw your bike and Courtney's car and knew you had to be around.'
'Yeah and you didn't stop to think we might be occupied in something that didn't want interrupting?' Koz asked with frustration obvious in his voice.
'Sorry Bro. Just wanted to see if you were still working on the yard and needed some help,' Opie shot Courtney an apologetic look. 'Sorry Courtney.'
'It's okay; it was thoughtful of you to offer. We finished about an hour ago, I guess. What do you think of the final result?'
'It's lovely, Courtney. And I really like the patio furniture you bought.'
'Thanks Lyla. It's pretty comfortable too. Have a seat. Would either of you like something to drink? There's still beer and soda left from yesterday,' she offered, putting a gentle hand on Koz's shoulder, pressing down lightly to encourage him to sit back down on the love seat. 'You want another beer, Koz?'
'Sure. Might as well.'
Courtney grabbed the empty food containers and her bra to take in the house with her. She knew Koz was angry that Opie and Lyla had interrupted them, but she was grateful for it. She'd been totally oblivious to anything but Koz, barely realizing they were about to have sex on the patio, in full view of any neighbors who happened to be outside or look out their windows. Not exactly the impression she wanted to be making in the neighborhood. She grabbed four beers and a couple bags of chips to take back outside.
The two couples spent a couple hours drinking beer and playing euchre with a pack of cards Lyla had in her purse. Koz had recovered his good humor by the time Courtney had returned to the back yard. He and Opie had always gotten along, but hadn't really spent much time together before now. He found that he liked Opie's quiet, dry sense of humor. Lyla was a sweet girl, and she seemed to get along really well with Courtney. The four of them had a good time together. It was a relaxing way to spend an evening. Not as relaxing as having sex would have been, but Koz realized how lucky he was anyway. It was amazing how everything had worked out perfectly to allow him and Courtney to meet in the first place. Koz had never thought much about fate but he was starting to wonder if something had been at work to bring her into his life.
Opie and Lyla had to leave at 9:30 to pick up the kids, who had gone to a movie with a friend of Kenny's. Courtney wanted to get to Tara's by 10, which would be about the time the doctor got home from her shift at the hospital and then picking up Abel. Koz was resigned to spending another night at the clubhouse, hanging out with whoever was around before heading to his dorm room alone. He kissed Courtney good-bye, keeping it light since he wasn't in the mood for more sexual frustration
