A/N: Before I continue, I just wanted to say to all those who have been with this story from the beginning, your reviews have inspired me, made me laugh and they are very much appreciated and loved. To all those who are just joining us, please sit back, relax and enjoy!
Gemma raced in and out of the house all morning. She looked frazzled and tired. After a week, Jax was able to move around the house but with his arm in a sling, his movements were limited.
The annual SOA: Brotherhood Biker Bash was tomorrow and Gemma was in charge of putting it all together. The committee was filled with old ladies and prospect old ladies, so she had help, but it was still a lot of work.
They rented out the entire Days Inn. The cops were paid not to interfere. The hotel had a huge field behind it. Typically the built a huge fire outside, drank, and slept with so many women it all became a blur after a while. But before the fun part, they were forced to listen to speeches being made by all the Presidents of the charters.
They ate food in the hotel ballroom and were made to dress up. Most of the older members grumbled and came in their leather vests and jeans despite the strict dress code. They were too set in their ways. But the majority came in suits and ties. Their dates often looked gorgeous in their gowns and make up. And they were often forgotten once the real fun began. It's not something Jax was proud of.
It's just the way it is.
Rummaging through his mother's garage he found a box with his father's name on it. Pain still made his heart ache at the thought of his father. He lost him too soon.
Old photos and dusty magazines filled the box. What caught Jax's eye was a binder, old and worn. He opened the first page and shock filled him. It was dedicated to his brother and himself. To Jackson, may he never know this life of chaos. Too late.
He began to read.
Brotherhood, the root of the word being brother. What does it mean to be a brother? The club is filled with them. It is a bond made for life. You know him better then you know yourself. But would you lie to your brother? Would you purposely deceive him? Would you be set out to destroy any contrary opinion?
What does it mean to be a brother? Certainly not what I've seen time and time again. The club is filled with them. But it is also filled with so much more that's being left unsaid. Next time you look your brother, try to really see him. You may come to realize you don't know him at all.
Jax dropped the binder. Funny he would find this now because he felt the same exact way.
"Jackson!" His mother yelled from the kitchen. He ran inside to help her.
"This bash is going to be the end of me." He smiled at his mother, hiding the binder behind his back, and kissed her on the forehead. She always complained about putting it together, but she always pulled it off flawlessly.
"How are you feeling today? What is that behind your back?" She smirked.
"Nothing. What are you talking about?"
"Jackson, you're my son and you're not very good at hiding things. Especially from me. Now, what is it?"
"Nothing mom."
Gemma frowned and was about to yell at him when the door opened and Wendy walked in. She held in her hands two gowns. One made of silk gold material. The other a black halter that left nothing to the imagination.
"I've got the dry cleaning! What else do you need…Oh, hey Jax." Wendy smiled. He frowned.
"Hey Wendy."
"Did you hear? I'm on the committee now. You're mom anointed me yesterday."
He glared at his mother. She grabbed the dress and left the room.
"So, um… do you have a date for tomorrow?"
"Not yet." Jax said, Wendy's eyes filled wide with delight.
"Well, I was thinking, we could go as a… family?"
"No kids allowed to this Wendy. Remember?" He knew she remembered.
Wendy had been his date countless times. And countless times it had been a disaster. He had no intention of bringing her. His mind was already set on a certain doctor that he knew would say no. But it was worth a try. If not, he'd go solo.
"I gotta go Wendy. Good luck helping my mom. She's in a mood today."
He left Wendy standing at the doorway pouting. It didn't have the effect she wanted it to. It just reminded him again why they were divorced. And why he was so in love with her complete opposite. He got on his bike and drove away. He took a deep breath. Jax felt free, uninhibited and happy.
While he let his guard down, he didn't notice the black sedan the followed.