The VII were known for partying. Loud, many people, and drinks galore. Every circle drive of the boys' mansions had cars packed in it. There were lights and fog machines, and the living rooms were turned into concert halls. The music was always loud, and us even louder. Of course, the parties at the houses were just a warm-up. Afterwards, we would all split, some of us hitting the clubs, others heading to dive bars. Back when we didn't have much, we would hit every dive bar until one of us puked in the parking lot. When we hit it big, we blew it all on alcohol and drugs. We calmed down when we got older, of course, but I thought I knew parties inside and out. I was wrong.
The Redwood Originals were the kings of parties.
It was loud and messy. Almost every female in the building was dressed in bikinis or something not as extreme, but just as revealing. Every guy, of course, was dressed in leather and/or jeans, except for Nero, who was dressed in a nice burgundy button-up and gray slacks with a gold cross around his neck and various rings on his fingers. He never strayed to far from that stereotypical O.G. look.
I noticed quickly, though, that the Old Ladies of the club were dressed more respectfully than the Diosa girls and the Crow Eaters. I was, of course, in my club wear, but I was still dressed more modestly. The Diosa girls and the Crow Eaters never said a word to the club or their Old Ladies unless spoken to first, and I got a small rush of pride when I realized it was all down to rank. Old Ladies were higher on the totem pole, ranking just below the club. I supposed I danced on the line between, but it still made me feel conceited.
"SAMCRO!" someone screamed.
Chibs and I had met the rest of the club one at a time on the road, riding in like a parade. Tig had beat us there, driving Venus' car so he could help her. She had discovered her surprise before we got there, but the party didn't seem to start until we entered the room. Chibs didn't hesitate to keep an arm around my waist.
As the boys moved around and hugged everyone, I broke away to greet Venus and hug her. Her face was looking much better, and she seemed to be in a happy mood. She wore a fake Hibiscus blossom in her hair, a low cut purple top, and tight black jeans. You could see some bruising on her chest and what was exposed on her arms, but all of that was hidden by her smile.
"Hi!" I said cheerfully and hugged her.
"Hello, sweetheart," she said.
I pulled back and smiled.
"How are you feeling? You look a lot better," I said.
"Oh, honey, I am. You can be sure I'm not gonna let something like that hold me back," she said.
Tig, who was sitting beside her, leaned over and kissed her.
"You look beautiful, baby," he said.
She smiled and caressed his face.
"Thank-you, my sweet Alexander."
Everything quickly got too gross for me, and I turned away to find someone else to hang out with. I moved back through the ground, saying hello to Lyla as she passed by. A woman I didn't know, and didn't recall seeing before, with tan skin, long, straight black hair, wearing a Harley Davidson cropped tank and light, low rise jeans walked straight up to me, eyeing me up and down. She was no doubt one of the Crow Eaters.
"I didn't know they were letting women into SAMCRO now," she said.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Is that a problem?" I bit at her.
She laughed.
"No! In fact," she stepped closer to me and lowered her voice, "just the opposite. I'm used to the guys, but this can work, too."
I felt my eyes widen. Oh Lord, she was hitting on me.
"It's too bad ya can't touch this one," a familiar voice spoke up.
I looked up to see Chibs swoop in like a hawk, glaring at the Crow Eater, his expression enough to scare me. His arm went around me and he held me firmly against him.
"Old Ladies are off limits," he said.
The Crow Eater's tan face went ghostly white.
"Oh my God, Chibs! I'm so sorry! I had no idea," she said.
She then mouthed a quick sorry to me before disappearing.
"That was a first," I said.
Chibs laughed.
"These girls think anyone is free. Free dick. Free pussy," he said.
I rolled my eyes.
"Unless, o' course, if ya wanted. I wouldn't mind seein' that," he said teasingly.
I growled and swatted his chest. Chibs laughed and caught my wrist.
"Not my bend, Phil," I quipped.
Chibs playfully shoved me before yanking me back, causing me to break my resolve and laugh.
"I'm guessing they're freebies, though," I said, my tone turning sour.
Chibs' expression softened and he glanced over to the Crow Eater, who was now talking to some other girls.
"Hey," he said, grabbing my attention.
I looked up and he took my face in his hands.
"You'll find that I'm pretty loyal, Callie girl," he said.
I gave him a small smile, but I must have not looked convinced. He leaned down, staring at me directly in the eye.
"You're mine," he said.
I smiled wider and put my arms around his neck.
"Possessive, are we?" I asked, grinning.
Chibs smiled.
"Aye," he said.
I fiddled with the beads around his neck as his hands went to my waist.
"So, then you wouldn't mind if I beat the shit out of the next slut who thinks you're a free dick?" I asked.
Chibs laughed.
"Not at all, darlin'," he said.
Then, Chibs effortlessly tossed me over his shoulder like a caveman and I nearly screamed, if it wasn't for the fit of giggles. He walked us over to the couch Tig and Venus were sitting on before he finally put me down.
"What the hell is this?" Tig asked.
I looked down at Tig.
"Jesus Christ. Why don't you just kiss and get it over with?" he popped off.
Chibs and I exchanged glanced. He shrugged.
"'Kay."
I wished I could have seen Tig's first reaction when Chibs grasped my face and kissed me in front of them and anyone else who was watching. I heard Venus gasp before she burst out hollering. When we broke away, Tig's eyes were bugging out of his head and his jaw looked like it had come unhinged.
"Did…did I just see that? Are you fucking with me?" he asked.
Chibs locked his arm around my waist.
"Would we do that to ya?" Chibs asked.
I smiled and placed a hand on Chibs' chest.
"We're not that mean," I said.
Tig stood up from the couch.
"Nah, this is a prank," he said.
"Tiggy, we're serious," Chibs said.
Tig looked like he wasn't sure what to do with his hands. Slap us? Hug us? Slap himself?
"My dear Alex, I can see the love in their eyes, if they're lying, then I have lost my mind," Venus said.
Tig bit his bottom lip.
"You're serious?" he asked, his tone collected.
We nodded. Tig grinned and yanked us into a hug.
"It's about goddamn time!" he said.
Chibs and I laughed and hugged Tig. Across the room, Happy called for Chibs and Tig. Chibs looked down at me, as if asking if it was okay to split.
"Go ahead. I'm gonna stay here," I said.
Chibs smiled and pecked my lips. Tig started to follow when he gripped my arm and leaned down to my ear.
"Please promise me you're using protection," he said.
It was my turn for my eyes to pop out of my head and my jaw to drop.
"Tigger!" I hissed.
Tig just laughed and kissed my forehead before going after the Prez. Venus held her hands out.
"Come here, baby. Let's talk. We haven't been able to sit down and gossip in a long time," she said.
I gladly sat down beside her and she took my right hand within hers.
"Do you really love him?" she asked.
I smiled shyly and nodded. She patted my hand, her long nails sporting a fresh coat of red.
"I could see it from a mile away. Even back when you stayed with us, I could see it," she said.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Really?" I asked.
"Honey, nothing gets by me," she said with a smile.
I smiled and looked away.
"You're on your way now, sweetheart," she said.
I looked back up at her, puzzled.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She smiled and turned to the side, taking both of my hands in hers.
"Sweetheart, you have reached Old Lady status—or at least, when the relationship has had time to grow and mature. And believe me, baby, it will. You're not only an Old Lady of SAMCRO, but the President's Old Lady. First Lady of SAMCRO," she said.
I just shrugged.
"So?" I asked, not really understanding.
Venus' perfect eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"I don't understand where all of these labels come from. Like, I get the titles within the club, but all of these ranks? We're just people."
Venus' face relaxed.
"Callie, honey, this world is a little bit different. We live outside of the social boundaries. We make our own rules. You're not completely used to true biker culture, and I'm not quite used to it it yet, either, but I understand how this kingdom they've built works. Old Ladies, okay? We are an important and vital force in this world. Our men? They are warriors. Soldiers. You have it a little bit differently, as you are fighting with them. You have the Patch to live up to, your brothers to serve, and your Old Man to love and protect. Plus, you are the President's Old Lady, and that's a lot to hold up on your shoulders."
"Way to lay it on thick," I commented, "I don't really see why it's such a big deal."
Venus smiled.
"Baby, this is the Mother Charter. Okay? Everything that happens winds up back here. We are the face of the Sons of Anarchy, represented by our President. Filip holds the gavel and sits in the throne. He is the king. Any woman at his side is automatically the face of the female force, and the Queen. This club has always been M/C royalty in the great state of California. We are the leaders. The club holds the flag and leads the way. The Old Ladies? We follow them and fight with them every step of the way. When they fall, we pick them back up and we break the necks of whoever beat them down with a fierce fire no one can put out. We are their rocks, Callie. Their backbones. We stand beside them in the sun and we hold them as they break down in shadows. Now, right now, in anyone else's eyes, you're just a Prospect. To everyone in this room, you're a Scout, and you are Filip's girl. However, with time, you will hold the crown that Miss Gemma once wore. I suppose right now, I'm the main matriarch, as strange as it seems, but I know you'll be able to do it with your head held high."
I just nodded, letting everything sink in. Venus put her fingers under my chin, making me look up.
"But we do it for our boys," she finished.
I smiled and nodded.
"Yeah," I said.
Venus touched my cheek and smiled.
"Now, tell me how this came to fruition," she said.
I laughed and gladly explained the details, relieved to have the chance to share.
Chibs and Tig returned about half an hour later with several plates of food, packets of plastic cutlery and beer. Both of them already had one down them.
"Ya wanna beer, babe?" Chibs asked me as he handed me a plate, which was loaded with barbecue that a local restaurant had catered.
"No, thank-you," I replied.
"How about a Coke, then?"
I nodded. Chibs disappeared. Tig sat on the opposite side of Venus and Chibs returned, handing me the can of cola before sitting beside me.
"I hope ya like barbecue," Chibs said.
I opened the packet of cutlery and pulled a fork from it.
"I do. I'm not picky, though," I replied.
Chibs smiled.
"Ya should tell Tiggy about ya gettin' hit on earlier," he said teasingly.
I had a mouthful of potato salad when I looked up and gritted my teeth, making Chibs laugh. Tig sat forward suddenly.
"I'll cut that motherfucker into pieces!" he growled, "Who hit on you, baby girl?"
"A Crow Eater," Chibs replied for me, laughing around a cheekful of food.
Tig burst out laughing. I just rolled my eyes and stabbed at my food. I had a feeling this would be a long running joke. Chibs must have sensed my irritation, because he leaned over and laid one on my cheek.
"Don't be mad, lovely. I don't blame her," he said.
I laughed and stole a piece of brisket from his plate. Chibs scoffed. I just grinned.
"Love you," I said cheekily.
Chibs just smiled and shook his head.
As the party wore on, and Venus made a brief speech, thanking everyone, Tig took her home early, as her ribs were starting to hurt and she was getting tired. Nero had to call it quits too, as he needed to get back home to his son, but the rest of us were still going strong. Every, it seemed, except for Juice.
I had not even thought about him until later on. Shitty, I know, but I was so preoccupied with Chibs and Venus, I really didn't have the opportunity to think about him. I quickly noticed his absence, however, when Tig and Venus went home. I had been at this party since 8:00 PM, and with it being nearly 11:00, I felt like shit for not going to talk to him. I caught up with Rat as I explored Diosa, asking if Juice had even showed. He pointed me in the direction of the bar, telling me that RJ had been scooped up by one of the Diosa girls, but Juice had been planted on the same barstool all night, only getting up once to piss. I felt like someone had taken a knife to my stomach and gutted me, when I spotted the tribal tattoos on a hanging head. I thanked Rat and walked over to Juice. He was sitting still, being quiet. Behaving, unlike most of the people here. Just sitting around and nursing a beer. It worried me.
"Hey," I said softly, touching his shoulder.
Juice nearly jumped out of his skin, but relaxed when he saw me.
"Oh, hey," he said nervously.
I sat on the barstool next to him.
"Did I break you out of a deep thought?" I asked.
Juice shrugged.
"More like a blank thought," he replied.
I smiled.
"What are you doing over here by yourself?" I asked, reaching into my pocket for my cigarettes and lighting one, "I know it's kinda cramped in here, but it's flooded with, apparently, free pussy. For the boys and girls."
Juice smiled and gave me a weird look. I shrugged and flew a stream of the corner of my mouth.
"I got hit on earlier. One of the Crow Eaters," I said.
Juice burst out laughing.
"What did you do?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"Nothing. Chibs swooped in before I could say anything. Not my thing, you know?"
Juice's face fell and he nodded.
"You and Chibs, huh?" he asked.
I shuddered. With all the craziness of Christmas and Venus' attack, I hadn't had much of a chance to talk to Juice at all. He didn't have the faintest idea, even though he probably saw Chibs throw me over his shoulder earlier.
"Yeah," I replied quietly.
Juice nodded. I took a drag from my cigarette and passed it to him. Juice took it and leaned forward.
"Didn't see that one coming," he said.
I snorted.
"Yeah, me neither," I replied.
Juice cast me a sideways glance.
"It just kinda happened," I explained.
Juice passed me the cigarette.
"How so?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"I liked him for a while, but I never said anything. I wasn't going to let my feelings get in the way with the club and everything, but we were drinking one night and he told me how he felt. Everything else is history, I guess."
Juice nodded. I took a drag off of my cigarette and studied him. He kept himself hunched over, not even trying to make eye contact with me.
"Should I be worried?" I asked.
Juice straightened up and looked at me with wide eyes.
"What? No! No, Chibs is a good guy," he replied quickly.
I tilted my head to side, staring at him and wondering what the hell was up with him. He looked to see me staring and shrugged.
"Sorry, it's just been kind of a weird day," he replied.
I nodded and handed him what was left of the cigarette.
"Yeah," I replied, then decided to change the subject, "You wanna go look at bikes after church tomorrow? I don't know if we can find one like mine, but I bet we can get a hold something fast."
Juice nodded, perking up a little.
"Yeah," he agreed.
Across the room, Chibs yelled something at someone we couldn't see, a bunch of the guys erupting in laughter. Juice sighed heavily.
"Are you happy?" he asked.
I looked at him in surprise. His eyes were glued to Chibs. I looked from him to the Prez and back.
"I know it's kind of big step. With what happened to Zero and all," he said.
"Oh! Yeah, yeah. No, I know. I think it was a big step for both us, but it's been a good step," I replied.
Juice smiled and turned to snub out the cigarette.
"Yeah. It's been a long time since I've seen him cut up like this," he said.
I looked over to see Chibs messing with Rat. I smiled. Sometimes it took the aid of alcohol, but it was nice to see him relax and go nuts.
Juice stood up from the barstool and hugged me.
"I'm happy for you, Cal," he said.
I smiled and hugged him back.
"Hey."
Juice nearly jumped out of his skin and looked like he shit himself. He spun around to face Chibs.
"Jesus Christ, boy!"
"Sorry," Juice breathed out, "You spooked me. I didn't know you were there."
Chibs smiled and looked to me.
"Come on. Let's get out of here before I get too drunk," he said.
I laughed and hopped down from the barstool.
"Poor Chibs might have to ride bitch," I teased.
Chibs tried to hold back a smile.
"In your dreams," he said.
I smiled and reached up to kiss his cheek.
"I'm going to say goodbye to the guys and meet you out there."
Chibs nodded and I left him with Juice.
Juice thought he would be okay. Since seeing what he saw at the hospital, he had been walking around in a haze, his mind on automatic and living through the motions. The first day had been hard, but he realized there was no point in moping. He was on Chibs' good side for the first time in years and he still had Callie as a friend. If that was all he could have, then he should be grateful. So, he sucked it up, but found himself not at all in the partying mood when he arrived at Diosa. He wanted to be there. He wanted to see Venus' face, and that had been the highlight of his night. Of course, this was long before the rest of the club arrived. After that, everything went to hell. He tried not to look, but every once in a while, he would see Callie on Chibs' hip and that haze returned. Nothing was fun anymore. He had wanted to drink himself silly, but he quickly lost interest on his first bottle of beer, which he had been holding since he grabbed it. He remained quiet, sticking to the bar. He had wanted to jump in with everyone and put on a fake smile—maybe forget his own woes for a little while. However, he knew the moment he saw Chibs throw Callie over his shoulder that that would prove to be futile.
When Callie came to talk to him, he had a hard time tearing himself away from his thoughts and pretend the woman he had come to love wasn't sitting right beside him, giving him the attention he had not known that he craved all night. He couldn't stop himself from mentioning Chibs. Part of it was sheer curiosity, the other was his sort of strange way of bringing peace to himself. It was like when every other bad thing happened. You want to talk about it—need to speak. Otherwise, it will eat away at you, and Juice knew that all too well. And he was right. Speaking, at first, hurt. It burned his throat worse than any alcohol or cigarette. But when he saw the light in his sister's eyes, the burn faded. Maybe in a different life, he would have had the chance, but he knew that in this life, he would never be able to spark that light. It wasn't for him. Yet, knowing that she was truly happy made the sting lessen. If she was happy, then he was, too.
"Ya get any info on this bastard that attacked Venus?" Chibs asked.
Juice looked up at Chibs and jealousy smeared over him like thick mud. He kept telling himself to cool it, but now that Chibs was taking Callie…back to his house…it made him want to snap.
"No," he said shortly.
Really, he had been doing as much research as he could. He wanted to see the guy slaughtered as much as the rest of them, but he had come up with nothing so far. That didn't mean he wouldn't track him down, though.
"Get on it. We gotta get this guy," Chibs said.
Chibs was about to continue, but Juice let his mouth get the better of him.
"I'm working on it!" he snapped, setting the now warm beer down on the bar and standing up.
Chibs shot him a look.
"I didn't say ya weren't," he said.
Juice cursed himself for snapping, and decided to split before he blew everything to Chibs. Even so much as looking at him would make him spill the beans. He had that power of Juice.
"I'm going," Juice said.
Before he could take a step passed Chibs, the older man grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Juice could do nothing but stare up at Chibs with wide eyes, knowing he knew everything Juice had done. All of this shit he pulled, simply because he did not know any better. The way he was manipulated. The lies and blood spilt. His fragile state of mind—a state he had know idea that Chibs understood. Juice could only freeze.
"Ya okay, Juicey?" he asked, his eyes changing from hard to caring by just a mere pigment change and movement of the eyebrows.
Juice shrugged.
"Yeah. I'm just tired," he lied.
Chibs nodded.
"I'm gonna head home. I'll see you tomorrow," he continued.
Chibs nodded again and patted the boy's shoulder. Juice started for the door.
"Drive safe," Chibs said.
Juice's eyes widened and his shoulders dropped. He threw a half-assed thank-you Chibs' way before bolting out the door. The parking lot was empty. He quickly walked to his bike and mounted it before letting out a shaky breath. As soon as it was out of Chibs' mouth, he wanted to run back to him and hug him. Apologize. He immediately regretted all of the hateful shit that passed through his mind. Through every second chance Chibs had given, he still gave a shit about him. He was ashamed of himself.
He rubbed his face, willing himself to get right. He had to push away this bitter jealousy. He would be happy for them. He would support them. He'd damn sure be there if something were to happen. He would do that for his brother and sister. He could do that.
"I've come to a conclusion, Callie girl," Chibs said as he shrugged off his cut in the foyer.
I turned on the lamp next to the couch, threw my jacket onto the coffee table and lazily flopped down on the couch, landing on my back.
"What's that, sweetheart?" I asked, rubbing my burning eyes.
I was exhausted.
"That either you are scared of that big, loud Harley—"
"Chibs, I used to own one. I'm not scared of it," I snapped grumpily.
"Aha!" he shouted victoriously.
The man nearly skipped over to the couch and prowled over me. I opened my eyes to see him smirking down on me.
"So ya do like ridin' with me," he said.
I smiled.
"What made you think I didn't?" I asked.
He leaned down closer to me.
"'Cause ya had your arms wound 'round me so tight, it could have either been that ya were scared, or ya liked it!"
I laughed.
"You love that shit, dontcha?" I asked, grinning.
"Oh, I think it's bloody fuckin' romantic," he said.
I laughed and reached up to put my arms around his neck. He moved up onto the couch, straddling my legs.
"Oh, you do?" I asked.
He gave me a genuine smile.
"I do," he said softly.
I smiled. The way a man's mind works is often strange to me, but in a way I understood. Especially when it came to the mind of a biker, and after my talk with Venus, I understood a lot better. The only people more important than the brothers are the Old Ladies at their sides, and to show them off, ride with them, knowing the arms locked around your waist belong to someone who loves you more than anything else, meant everything. Zero had always loved it. It seemed to be a guy thing, but I enjoyed it too. This M/C worked more traditionally, with stricter rules than how The VII functioned, but a few of the streams crossed, including riding. I was not one to submit, let the guy take all the glory and letting his ego swell, but when it came to this, I let it go. I actually kind of liked it, knowing how Chibs felt—knowing I was the reason.
"Maybe some time we can go ahead? Just you and me?"
Chibs smiled.
"I plan on it," he replied.
He leaned down and kissed me softly. He then scooped me up and flipped us over so I could lay on top of him. He grabbed the remote control out from under my jacket on the coffee table and turned the TV on. I settled against his side and closed my eyes. His arm went around my waist, his thumb absently rubbing.
"Did Juicey seem a little off to you?" he asked.
I opened my eyes and nodded.
"Yeah," I replied, picking at one of the buttons on his shirt, "He said he had a weird day. You think he's okay?"
Chibs sighed.
"Dunno. He about bit my head off when I tried to talk to him," he replied.
I stared at him in surprise.
"Shit! I wonder why?"
Chibs shrugged.
"He apologized. It's probably like ya said. He's havin' a weird day," he replied, "We'll see if he straightens up."
I nodded in agreement.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow. I told him we could go look at bikes after church."
Chibs looked down at me.
"I'll go with ya," he said.
I perked up.
"Really?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Besides, we have a little pit stop we gotta make. Just me and you," he said.
I watched him curiously.
"What kind of pit stop?" I asked.
He smiled.
"You'll see, love."