"You smell disgusting." Juice's nose wrinkled.
"Probably."
"Like... worse than you normally do after training with Sack for five hours. Worse than him even," his face became thoughtful, "You smell like... wet cheetos, rotten bananas, and Bobby's seat after a run."
"Even better than I expected."
"You smell like Opie's beanie. And that guy never showers."
"Beanie?"
"That knitted hat thing he always wears. The black one."
"You mean his toque?"
"The fuck is a toque?" Juice cackled.
"It's what it's called!" Maxine tried to look annoyed. Instead, it was a relief to argue over stupid things with her friend again. Things like what to call a knitted hat. Their friendship seemed to be numbered by periods of total silence, and after three days of not talking, she'd already missed him.
"Juice!" Jax yelled as he walked by them. "Garage, now! We've got a tow."
"See ya later, Smelly." Juice ruffled Maxine's hair affectionately. "Take a shower." He wiped his hand on his work pants, and muttered "gross" under his breath as he walked off.
Cassidy watched them with interest, leaning back against the boxing ring.
...
"Hey, Max, want to do something today?"
"What?" Maxine was surprised to see her. She decided to just ignore what had happened and be friendly. Nothing wrong with that, she told herself.
"Woah, you smell really bad." Manicured nails pinched her nose shut, Cass' face contorting.
"I've been told. I was compared to Bobby's bike seat." Maxine smirked.
"What the hell were you doing? You definitely didn't smell like this last night when I –"
"Working out," Maxine said quickly.
...
Emerging from her office with eyes narrowed, Gemma strode over towards the pair, interrupting their conversation but unconcerned. Everything that went on at TM and the clubhouse was her business. And Maxine was still on thin ice, as far as Gemma was concerned. She greeted them, raising an eyebrow at Maxine's disheveled appearance and offensive body odour, but chose not comment.
"So, sell that bike yet?" Gemma gave Maxine an appraising look.
"Uh, haven't really had much for real offers..." Maxine swallowed hard.
"Hm, strange considering all the calls I get inquiring about it." She held Maxine's uncomfortable gaze. "Gonna have to start changing you a bigger storage fee. My time isn't free."
Maxine sensed she wasn't kidding.
"Oh, and Cassidy, dinner tonight at 7pm. Juice begged to bring you as a guest." Gemma's face was stony as she looked at the porn actress. "Don't make me regret my charitable nature."
"She's gonna eat me alive," whispered Cass to Maxine as soon as Gemma was out of earshot. "Come on, take a shower. We need to go shopping.
Hair still wet, Maxine looked morose as Cass excitedly dragged her around a mall in Lodi for two hours. Cass put together an outfit for dinner that made her look nothing like herself – gone were the tight, brightly coloured, and small pieces of clothing – and everything like Gemma. Dark wash flared jeans, a chain belt of silver medallions, and a tight black top with crystal accents. Unable to muster more than thumbs up, Maxine sighed inwardly when her new friend dropped her off at her apartment. Maxine wasn't sure what to think of Cass – the friend you make out with? Who also happens to be your best friend's date for family dinner at Gemma's? Turning the key in the lock, Maxine wondered how the evening would play out and felt almost glad she wasn't invited.
The apartment was empty. Not that it was really a surprise considering Maxine hadn't done much to it aside from add a couch and a bed. The walls were stark white, the rent was cheap, the floor was grey linoleum, and the neighbours minded their own business. The only real decoration was an 80s style crystal chandelier that hung low from the ceiling and didn't even work. Assessing the room with a critical eye, she wondered if she hadn't invited anyone over because she was embarrassed. Even the clubhouse, while obviously not a designer's dream, was full of memories and life. Her apartment was barren and stoic in its functionality. Maybe I should get curtains? Or those pointless little pillows? A decorative bowl of fake fruit?
She pulled open a squeaky cupboard, and set to making herself a meal. As she slurped a bowl of (instant mix) soup, and munched on a stale cracker, Maxine realized how alone she felt.
Gemma surveyed the crowd that was collecting in her living room. Club members, old ladies, children, and Juice's new porn star toy. She noted with wry amusement the girl's attempt at flattery by imitation. She didn't like former-junkie Maxine very much, but she'd still prefer Juice hanging out with the smelly girl who refused to sell her bike than the porn star that was trying to dress like her.
The club may be trying more legitimate ventures, but it didn't mean Gemma was going to have open arms for the fake-titted baggage that came along with that decision.
"Hey baby," she said, kissing Jax's cheek.
"Hey ma," replied Jax. "Thanks for inviting Cass, I know you didn't have to do that." Sometimes it seemed like her son could read her mind.
"Just wanted to get that tattooed idiot off my back; I hate when he makes those puppy eyes at me."
"Is that the trick to getting my way with you?" Jax flashed his signature grin.
"No baby, you've already got that damn smile." She placed a loving hand on his cheek and gave him a kiss. "Now go be VP, I have casserole in the oven."
As dinner was served, Gemma eyed the girl who sat to Juice's left. He happily chattered away, as usual, while she nervously sipped glass after glass of wine. After the meal, which the paid pussy barely touched, she tottered around and hung off of Juice's arm like she was drowning. Gemma decided to play the gracious host and ensured to offer drinks to all the guests... one in particular. The night culminated with a stumbling Cass, babbling loudly to Juice and anyone within earshot, proclaiming that she felt unwell and suddenly vomiting behind the large potted fern in the living room. Things wrapped up quickly thereafter. Juice's carried Cassidy outside to finish retching, while the prospect cleaned up the stain behind the plant. Hearty laughs were had at the expense of the CaraCara actress, and a bike roared off outside, with Cassidy presumably on the back.
Carpeting was just a casualty of war, Gemma thought silently. That girl was no good for Juice. Maybe the glorified crow-eater would learn her place wasn't at family dinner and was instead back at the porn studio.
Maxine didn't ask Sack about family dinner the next morning at practice, but got an earful anyway, right down to the consistency of Cass' vomit. She noted that Juice didn't show up to work on time at 6am, and when he did finally show, 45 minutes late, he was lacking the bounce in his step and sported large black bags under his eyes. His arrival was met with jeers, and Juice met the heckling with total silence.
After the requisite 2 hours of practice with Half-Sack, Maxine left to shower and make something actually nutritious for lunch, planning to return talk to her friend in a few hours and get his side of the story.
"Hey," she greeted Juice cautiously.
"Hi," he replied, sounding tired.
"So-o-o," she prodded. Juice answered her unasked question.
"It was fucking awful. She puked in my bed too; I don't even think I got even two hours of sleep. And she wouldn't stop crying." Juice rubbed a tired hand across his face and gave his mohawk a scratch. Maxine held dug into his shirt pocket for him. She knew it was where he always had at least a joint or two hiding. Holding it towards him, she found a lighter and placed it in his mouth.
"Tanks," he mumbled out through a mouthful of smoke. "Gem'll ream me out for smoking on the job if she catches us. C'mon."
Maxine and Juice lay back on the bed in his room at the clubhouse, passing the joint back and forth, inhaling and exhaling. She decided that right now he needed her as his smoke buddy more than she needed to keep up her self-imposed sobriety. Sobriety had been failing a lot lately as is with all the drinking and a few cups of coffee, but it wasn't like she'd touched a needle.
"Maxie, how do I manage to fuck everything up?"
"This wasn't your fault, Juice. She just had too much to drink, got nervous."
"I was no help though, I didn't..." he stared at the ceiling, counting tiles. "I shouldn't have invited her. I've barely known her a week. Gemma's probably so pissed at me."
"Mistakes happen, and it's over now. It's not like she did something horrible; the carpet is cleaner if anything. Gemma should be happy for the favour." Maxine turned her head, and gave him a small smile. Juice let out a faint chuckle, smiling for the first time that day.
"Guess so." Juice shuffled his body so that he could rest his head on Maxine's stomach. She could hear his breathing slow, the poor guy was obviously exhausted. She gave him a nudge.
"Juice? Your lunch break is gonna be over soon."
"M'not going back," he murmured sleepily. She let him be, realizing it'd be like trying to wake a bear from hibernation at this point. Her nails lightly dragged through his short cropped hair as she watched the sleeping man, his heavy arm draped across her waist. Maxine felt herself grow tired at the sound of his snores. She fell into a calm sleep.
...
When Maxine stirred, the room was shadowy with late afternoon light, and her body was held by strong arms. She didn't remember falling asleep in this position but she was in no rush to move. It felt safe. Rubbing her eyes, she realized someone was watching her. Juice's liquid brown eyes were open.
"Hey," his voice had a hoarse, sleepy timbre. "Sleep okay?"
"Um... slept great, actually." Juice murmured in assent, kissing her forehead. Maxine felt strange when he kissed her – perhaps it was their proximity or her just-woken state – but she liked his soft, warm lips. Even though they were both awake now, Juice hadn't freed her from his grasp. Maxine pushed against his chest, creating some much needed space between them.
"Do you feel any better now?" she asked.
"Feel great, actually." Juice smiled and Maxine couldn't help but smile back. She liked when he was silly and parroted back her answers.
"So what are you gonna do about Cass?"
Juice's smile faded and he relinquished his hold on her body. Maxine wanted his arms to return to their former position all curled around her, but she reminded herself that she wasn't looking at her man. He was with Cassidy, more or less. He'd liked her enough to beg to bring her to a family dinner after barely a week of knowing each other, after all. There was something there.
"Juice?" Maxine wasn't going to let him get away without answering.
"I dunno. I guess I'm gonna break it off."
"What? Juice! You can't give up over a few too many glasses of wine. It's obvious you like her."
Juice frowned and cracked his fingers.
"I'm just not good with the whole girlfriend thing. I barely know her anyway, all we do is fuck."
Maxine winced inwardly. More things she didn't want to know. "Then why don't you work on getting to know her? I like her, she's really nice." And really sexy, she added silently.
"You like her?" Juice looked surprised.
"Yeah, I mean, I met her at the party before you guys got there. And she came by my apartment the other day," she replied. "I think... she'd be good to you." Maxine was honest, even though she knew this might mean losing her best friend. He'd disappear into the world of old lady; attentions completely taken up with thoughts of dates, marriage, and eventually babies. It had happened to Half-Sack practically the second Cherry stepped into Charming's city limits.
"Do you mean that?" Juice's eyes watched her, but seemed to be searching somewhere beyond the surface. She could swear those big, beautiful brown eyes were the world's nicest x-ray machine.
"I mean that."
"Thanks Max." He kissed her forehead again, reawakening that nice feeling from before. Groaning, he stretched and hopped out of bed, offering her a hand up. "Guess I've got a girl to get back then."
Silently, Juice wondered if he was getting back the right one.