Chapter 27

I winced when Aleah dabbed at the worst cut on my face. "Sorry… I'm sorry." She apologized using the cotton ball a little bit more gently this time.

"Yeah." I shut my eyes when she moved away to grab more. "Me too."

If I'd ever felt like a pussy in my entire life, it was right now. No one… and I mean no one in SAMCRO had ever had their cut stolen. Until me. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and pissed off with myself for letting that shit go down. I'd been so fucking stupid to get inside that van. I was an easy target for other clubs, the young guy. Easy to overpower. Now my cut was gone, our drugs were gone, and the money.

"This one might sting." Aleah said softly pressing something wet against my cheek.

It did sting. I hissed a little, keeping my eyes squeezed shut. "What the hell is that?"

"Benadine." She was ripping open a bandage, I could hear the wrapper crinkling. "We're almost done, I swear."

Aleah's finger pressed my skin together, pushing little butterfly stitches in place. I had the shit kicked out of me, my back was sore but she didn't think anything was cracked as far as my ribs went. I held still letting her finish up before I opened my eyes up again. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Aleah smiled throwing everything in the trash before slipping her gloves off.

"For bugging you at work because I got fuckin jumped like a dumbass." I sighed pulling my hoodie back on. "Embarrassing you in front of your family."

Her nose crinkled when she made a confused face. "You haven't embarrassed me."

I slid off the exam table slowly, moving in motions that wouldn't jar my body too much. "Yeah I did. I got my fucking cut taken. Your Pops is ready to tear me into pieces."

There had been no missing the death glare Clay sent me when I told him my cut was taken. He was more pissed off about it than I was it that were possible. Aleah glanced at the face of her phone for the time. "I get off soon. Will you be at home?"

"No, we got a big vote to put it in tonight." I told her sighing, I was dreading it. "You coming by the garage?"

"Yeah, I have to take care of the drawer for Dad, Piney always forgets to make the deposits." She explained sliding her arms around my waist. "I can hang around, wait for you?"

I nodded in response taking in a deep breath of her shampoo. "Works for me. Maybe we can make some time for ourselves."

"Hope so. You're going to be leaving me soon." She pouted giving me her sad face.

"I know… Don't remind me." I sighed hating to think of prison on top of the millions of other worries I had running through my mind. "I'll see you later ok? I gotta finish up some stuff."

I leaned down brushing my split lip against hers not wanting to get blood on her in case I was still bleeding. "Love you Lee."

"Love you too." Aleah leaned up to kiss my cheek before moving her arms back off of me.

Aleah's POV

Completely content was how I could describe what I was feeling, waking up in a tangle of naked limbs with Juice. "Baby…." I whispered touching his cheek bone. "Juice…" His phone's alarm buzzed again from the nightstand on his side of the bed.

Juice turned his head away from my hand, still snoring loudly. I tickled his ribs gently not wanting to make his injuries hurt. His hand grabbed my wrist suddenly. "You better be waking me up for something good." He mumbled barely opening his eyes up.

"Your alarms going off." I told him moving my leg from his hip. "Time to get up."

"What if I say no?" He was fully awake now, still holding my wrist.

"Then I think a gang of angry bikers will come crashing down our door." I kissed his chest, the closest thing to me. "And you won't have any breakfast either."

He rolled over to his side looking into my eyes. "I don't want breakfast." He smirked looking mischievous now.

I played into it, pretending to be oblivious. "What do you want then?" I asked coyly using my free hand to rub his side.

"A shower."

I rolled my eyes pulling my arm from him, he'd killed the mood I'd hoped he was going for. "You're a real mood killer."

"Your breath smells like road kill. Brush your teeth then we can talk about some brown love." Juice winked at me. "And maybe I'll even let you in the shower with me."

"No way. You just insulted me!" I shook my head kicking the blankets back off of us. "No love for you. Hope you got enough last night."

"Baby, I never get enough." Juice laughed trying to pull me back into the bed. "Hey, what happened to your arms?"

I looked down, I'd almost forgotten about my encounter with Logan the nut job. I hadn't told anyone so far. "Ohhh… I don't know. Must be from last night." I lied knowing we hadn't done anything for him to have gripped me like that.

"You lying to me?" He asked rolling out of the bed from my side. "What happened?"

I ignored him walking off into the bathroom to start the shower. "Come on or we'll both be late. I told Mom I'd come by before class. Then I have to go check on the garage. Carter's been in and out of there, but Jess is ready to pop."

He didn't take the bait. He grabbed my arm again, looking at the bruises. "What happened?"

"I ran into Logan." I cracked, I sucked at hiding things from Juice. "Yesterday when I was leaving the hospital. I took care of it though."

"Took care of it how?" Juice's eyes flashed. His nostrils were flaring out. "Shit happens, you tell me. I take care of it."

"I just.. Told him to leave me alone. He's been calling my phone, but he stopped since yesterday." And I'd had his number blocked. "Its handled Juice. You need to focus on Abel, not me."

Juice followed me into the shower stall, the hot water hitting both of us. "I am focused on Abel. But I'm focused on you too. No one puts their hands on you and gets away with it"

"Juice…." I started but his fingers pressed on my lips silencing me.

"Let me take care of it. Don't argue. End of discussion."

I could tell he was mad for the rest of the morning before we left. I'd just finished getting ready when someone knocked then opened the front door up. "Yo! Juice!" Carter boomed out letting himself into my living room. "Lets go man!"

I gave him a look, lifting an eyebrow at him. "Mornin."

He gave me a sheepish grin. "Mornin. Sorry about that. I guess I'm used to it just being him here."

Juice walked out slipping his hoodie on over his shirt. No cut. I knew it was tearing him up not to have one. Even Carter the prospect had a cut on. "I'm ready. Gotta make a quick stop on the way."

"Sure thing. We got a few to spare. Anything special?" Carter asked still grinning. He was just such a…. happy guy.

"Yeah. Gotta beat the shit out of that stalking bastard." Juice replied giving Carter a dark look.

Carter glanced over at me, then back to Juice. "What'd he do?"

Juice pointed at my arm, I held it up for Carter to get a better look at it. "Can't seem to keep his hands to himself."

Yep… this was already starting out to be a great day in the Ortiz/Morrow household.

Juice's POV

I looked around the parking lot of the courthouse, waiting. Carter had said Logan was anal about getting to work on time, so any minute that gay ass Lancer would be pulling in. And I was waiting for him. "Looks like he's running late." I told Carter, he was leaning against the building with me.

"There he is." Carter pointed at a dark green SUV pulling into the parking lot. "He's in his Mom's car."

"Showtime." I headed towards the vehicle wanting to do this as discreet as I could in broad daylight. The drivers door opened up just when I got to the side of it. I slammed the door back as hard as I could, a crunch was satisfying to my ears.

"What the fuck?!" Logan screamed falling back into the seat.

I opened it back up, leaning down towards him. "Listen you little prick. Why can't you get it through your god damn head to leave Aleah alone?" I growled grabbing the collar of his shirt while he writhed in pain clutching the hand I'd crushed in the door.

"Get the fuck away from me. Do you know who I am?" Logan's eyes were wild.

"You're nothing. You're the guy without a girlfriend. You're the guy I'm going to kill if he so much as looks in my Old Lady's direction." I snapped throwing him back. "Got it?"

Logan looked at his hand in horror at the blood pouring from it. "You broke my fucking hand you psycho."

I laughed harshly backing away from him. "You haven't saw psycho yet. If I have to do this again, it's the last time."

I nodded at Carter from his spot on his bike waiting for me. He'd declined to come help me rough his buddy up. It showed me just how loyal he was to the club that he'd sit back and watch me do that without trying to stop. I got back on bike grabbing my helmet. "Lets get out of here."

Aleah's POV

My head was starting to hurt from trying to figure out the piles of invoices and random papers the mechanics had thrown across the desk. This place was a wreck without anyone here everyday. I rested my elbows on the desk, rubbing my temples in slow circles. The guys were in chapel so it was just me, Carter, and the normal mechanics over here in the garage. "Jesus… doesn't anyone know how to use a credit card machine properly?" I asked myself looking through the things that needed to be billed.

"Hey Aleah, you think Clay would mind if I took the rest of the day off? Jess called, said she's starting to have a few contractions." Carter appeared in the doorway greasy and tired looking.

I frowned down at the papers in my hands before answering him. "I doubt it. Is it swamped out there or caught up?"

"Pretty caught up. There's three jobs left as long as no one comes in for oil or anything. I just hate to leave her there with my parents as her only ride since you're here too." Carter explained wiping his hands on a red shop rag. "I don't think she's gonna last much longer."

"Me either. She's gotten bigger." I remembered seeing her earlier, I'd dropped her some lunch off when I'd gotten through seeing Mom at the hospital for a little bit. Tomorrow she was supposed to be transported to jail, so I didn't know when I'd see her again.

"Don't tell her that." He grinned throwing the rag into the trash can beside the door. "I'll go check with the guys first."

I tossed the papers down, getting up from the desk. My muscles ached from sitting there for so long. "I'll go with you, I could use a drink."

Carter chuckled walking with me across the lot. "Little early in the day to start drinking isn't it?"

"Not around this place. Piney starts around 7." I grinned remembering the old man teetering around the garage with his tequila when I got there. "Juice likes a joint first thing, so I guess pot is an early riser too."

"Figured that guy started his day out with at least four hits of adder all." Carter grinned his eyes glittering. "Juice isn't…."

"Attentive?" I finished for him laughing some more when we walked through the clubhouse doors.

I took in the scene in front of us, the place was a wreck. Tables, chairs, and couches were knocked over. Pieces of broken wood on the floor. And the guys were laughing and cheering except for two. "Christ.. You guys are attacking each other for fun now?" I asked looking at Kozik's face in awe from his perch on a bar stool where Chibs was dabbing at him.

"Don't even ask." Juice advised giving me a kiss on lips when he walked by. "How's Tm?"

"A wreck." I watched Chibs and frowned. "Here let me do it. You take care of Tiggy."

Tig scowled at me, holding an ice pack to his nose. "I'm supposed to be the favorite here."

I changed places with Chibs picking up a q-tip to poke at Kozik's eye with. "He won't cuss and swing if I hurt him." I smirked at Tig. "Guess that nursing school is starting to pay off huh Dad?"

"Bout time I got my money back out of that." Dad watched on while we got both men bandaged. "You hanging around here today?"

"Ummm.. For a while. I have a class later tonight, but then I'll be back. I came over to see if Carter could go home. Jess is having contractions again." I met his eyes. "So one of us needs to go."

Dad sighed looking over at Carter. "You, get home to your old lady. You answer the phone if we call though."

Carter gave him a dummy salute then waved to the others, taking off out of the door. I looked down at my 'patient' and rolled my eyes when I realized he was taking advantage of being eye level with my boobs. "He'll kill you." I whispered in Kozik's ear pouring a little more alcohol on his bite mark than I needed.

He didn't even wince, just grinned at me. "Nah. I'm bigger than he is. And hotter."

"Mmmmhmmm… But I'm his Old lady." I stuck my tongue at him making him laugh. "You should be good to go. I'm heading back to the garage." I crumpled up the wrappers standing up from my bar stool. "This one's good to go!" I called over to Dad pointing at Kozik. "Think there's some brain damage."

"That's been there." Tig snorted a few feet away. "Can't fix stupid darlin."

Kozik threw Tig a dirty look pulling the TM shirt on that Juice had came back with. "I have work to do. Thanks kid." He ruffled my hair.

"I gotta get back over to TM, get things done before I leave. See you at home?" I asked Juice looking up at him. I knew they were getting ready to leave soon, I wanted to squeeze in just one more night alone if I could.

"Yep… probably late but I'll be there. Call me if anything else happens." He told me with a look that said he meant it. "Might have ruffled a few feathers this morning."

I sighed wondering what in the hell they'd done to Logan now. The warnings didn't seem to do anything but encourage his behavior. "Mmmhmmm… Play nice with the other kids." I warned him going for the door. "Call you when I leave school."

Only I didn't call him when I left school. I called Tara instead, she'd left me a message to call her as soon as I could. "Hey… everything ok?"

"Yeah… well kind of." Tara sounded a little bit flustered. "Can you come by? Or can I ? We need to talk."

"Sure, I'll swing by there." I offered going to the hospital. "You in Mom's room or working the floor?"

I could hear a few noises in the background. "Meet me in Gemma's room. We need to go over something."

"Sure." I hung up wondering what was going in but went to the cardio unit passing the armed guard posted outside of the hospital. I pushed open the door to Mom's room where she was sitting in the bed with Tara on the edge in a close huddle.

Tara looked up the second she heard me enter. "Wow that was…fast."

"I was on my way home from class already…." I explained sitting down beside her. "Soo… what's wrong?"

They looked at each other exchanging a look before Mom spoke up. "I need a favor. A big favor."

I hurried down the hall with the stuffed to the zipper black bag with me, I'd rushed over to my parents packed all of Mom's stuff for the trip, grabbed her medicine from the pharmacy and made sure Dad had stuff to packed all before I went home to do the same for Juice. Today was one of those days I was reminded why I'd became a coke junkie. I had absolutely no energy for anything. I slipped into the room as quietly as I could, I'd used my badge to get past the guard without any questions.

Mom was pacing around as far as her monitors would let her go. "You get it?" She asked whirling around.

"I got everything you asked for, I moved Tara's car around to the back entrance, and stopped by maternity to check on Jess." I threw in the last part with a grin. Jessica had called me a hour earlier to say her water had finally broken when she'd moved from the bed for the first time all day to go see why Carter wasn't answering her when she called for him.

"Baby's coming?" Mom asked raising her eyebrows in disbelief.

I nodded setting the bag down on the chair where Tara could spot it easily. "Yep. Carter's upset to miss the trip but well… I think Jess would kill him if he ran out on her to go bumbling around Ireland."

"And you're ok with your idiot going to bumble around Ireland?"

"If it means I get my nephew back in one piece, and you stay out of jail a while longer. Then yes." I replied with a shrug. I knew the risks they were all taking leaving the country today. Their bail was about to be up, I'd be lucky to see Juice for a day before he went back to prison.

Mom nodded giving me a proud look. "Good girl. The family is what's important. Don't ever forget that. You guys even get a chance to say goodbye?"

"If you mean four hours of bliss in the middle of our living room… then yeah." I grinned knowing I was being extremely blunt with her. "Had to make sure to send him off satisfied. Can't trust the Irish."

"Tell me about it baby." Mom rolled her eyes with a scoff. "Look what that bastard Teller did to me."

Maureen Ashby was what he did to her. Mom had broken down and told me the entire, heartbreaking tale of that piece of Irish trash when I'd walked in on her sobbing in her room after talking to the old slut. "Just keep an eye on him. I want him back alive."

"Sure thing." She glanced at the clock on the wall behind us. "You should get out of here, its almost go time and I don't need you getting locked up for an accomplice. You're all that's left of the family if we're all inside. Tara's good with Abel but…"

"But she's not family." I nodded in agreement understanding. "Don't worry, I have a good alibi." I gave her a tight hug. "Love you mom."

"Love you baby." She hugged me back just as tight. "Now get out of here."

I took off out of the room knowing I needed to be away from what was about to go down as fast as I could get off of that floor. I let myself into the maternity ward giving a wave to Carrie at the desk. "Any change yet?" I asked her pointing at Jessica's room.

"A little. No baby though. Dad's looking like he could tear someone in two." Carrie grinned, she'd been impressed when she saw Carter barrel through the doors demanding they give Jessica something for pain only an hour into her labor pains.

"I'll go check on them."

I knocked on the door once before I let myself in. Jessica was laying on her side her face scrunched up in pain. "She doing ok?" I asked Carter softly.

Carter was standing over Jessica with a cup of ice chips, feeding them to her when she opened her mouth up. "I think so. I don't know." The man had no clue on baby protocol.

"Is anyone else coming?"

"No." Jessica answered me opening her eyes up. "My parents aren't coming. I told him to tell his not to come either. I don't want anyone here."

"You want me to wait outside?" I suggested starting to back away. I didn't want to overstep anything if she was determined to be alone for this.

Jessica glared at me shaking her head. "No, I want you and Carter. Just… no one else. His mom will drive me crazy and I don't think I can control what I say right now."

I could understand that. I'd heard a lot of women screaming so loud at the people in the room with them I could hear them at the desk when I wasn't in the nursery. "Did you grab a bag? Or should I go get stuff for you?"

Carter spoke up, pushing her hair back out of her face. "I grabbed her bag. She's been packed for over a month hoping she'd go in labor. If I knew all I had to do was walk next door for ten minutes I would have done it two weeks ago."

"I'm not that bad." She mumbled shutting her eyes again. "When can I have the pain medicine?"

I fought back a smile, she was barely 4cm according to the latest entry on her chart. "Not for a little while longer. Its almost over though, you're halfway there."

"We're here!" A bright and cheery voice sang out flinging open the door without knocking. Jessica's eyes flew open in horror as a black haired, very tan, very….. Couture woman came in carrying a little arrangement of flowers with a 'it's a girl' door hanger. "We hurried to get here as soon as Carter said it was time."

We, was the woman and a stiff, anal faced, man that looked like he'd rather be any place but the hospital. Carter looked just as surprised to see them as we did. "I told you I'd call when she was here."

Mrs. Jensen ignored him pushing her way past to Jessica. "How are you feeling darling? Can I do anything for you?" She touched Jessica's forehead with her palm.

Jessica gave her a look so chilling I almost shivered. "You can get out."

Carter coughed shifting his feet around. "Why don't we step outside? Let Aleah and Jess have a minute together."

I nodded trying to help him diffuse the situation. "Sure, I can go over a few things with her. Save Carrie some time."

"Shouldn't she have a real nurse?" Mrs. Jensen fretted giving me a look. "Not a…"

"Its fine." Carter said in a firmer tone taking his mom's elbow. "Lets…. Step out."

World war 3 was breaking out in the hospital. Looks like Ireland wasn't the most dangerous place after all.

Juice's POV

"You been takin care of our girl?" Gemma asked me from her own hard, uncomfortable cargo seat. Most of the guys were asleep, trying to rest before we made it to war torn Belfast.

"As much as she'll let me. Doesn't listen so great sometimes." I sighed folding my hands behind my head.

Gemma smirked leaning closer to whisper. "What do you expect? Look at who made her."

I laughed under my breath trying to keep it quiet. "Ain't that the truth? Nah… I love her even if she does push my buttons."

"Good. That girl… she loves easy. She's got a good heart. Really good heart." Gemma patted my knee. "Its going to drive her crazy, us going away."

I didn't like thinking about that. I was worried about leaving her alone for so long with anyone. Not even her mom for support. I didn't have a choice though. "I know. I talked to Carter, said he'd looked after her. Piney and Chibs will too, we know that."

"She doesn't need that kind of looking after." Gemma said quietly. "She needs to know she's not alone."

I nodded understanding that. "I'm trying to get everything set up, make sure she's taken care of financially at least. I can't do much but I don't want to worry about if she's making it or not."

"She won't. She has the garage you know." Gemma pointed out. I hadn't even thought about Aleah inheriting the Morrow side of the TM business with Clay out of the picture. "And she'll be a nurse soon. Glad you didn't stop that. I can't stand an Old Lady that sponges off her Old Man."

"I don't know Gemma… I feel like I stopped a lot of other shit." I admitted thinking on how much Aleah had changed since the day we'd first met. "She should be having more of a social life than a clubhouse party.

Gemma smirked slumping down to try and get comfortable in her seat beside me. I shifted over a little giving her some more room. Huddling up with my girlfriends mom wasn't how I thought I'd be flying to Ireland. "We both know she doesn't mind. She was born into this."

"I just don't want her to sit around while I'm inside, missing out. Because of me."

"C'mon Juice. We both know she wouldn't have it any other way." Gemma stuffed a rolled up hoodie behind her head. "That girl loves your retarded ass."

I smiled leaning against the cold metal siding of the plane. "Yeah… she does."

Aleah's POV

"So how did you and Jessica meet?" Mrs. Jensen asked me from across the waiting room where we'd been sent to wait it out for the baby.

"School. We've been friends since we were kids." I explained with a small smile. I didn't like the woman but I could pretend to be polite.

Mr. Jensen eyed me, something about him creeped me out. He didn't look much like Carter either. I couldn't tell where Carter got his size from but it wasn't from either of them. "Your father's Clay Morrow correct?"

I nodded my fake smile still plastered on my face. "Yes. We own TM garage."

"I've done some work for him. Construction." Mr. Jensen told me with the same fake niceness. "Built a warehouse not too long ago."

Ah… the gun warehouse. Then it was the porn studio. "It actually is gone now. I think Dad decided not to rebuild this time."

"Of course. Things like that get expensive. I guess as long as the garage is still standing he's doing well."

"Very well." I smiled sweetly drumming my nails against the arm of the chair I was in. Geez… I was getting impatient. Jessica had been pushing forever. I did a mental count, the guys were probably still en flight right now. I'd checked in with Tara to make sure Mom got out okay, and the guys left out on time. I knew Unser would come around to question me at some point about everything but I could actually say I had noting to do with it and not lie.

Mrs. Jensen sighed too loudly, crossing her ankles. "She is taking her time. Unless she's had the baby and just has us waiting out here for nothing. She'd do that to me."

I looked at the woman in disbelief. She was acting like she was the new mother, not Jessica. "I'm sure Carter will let us know as soon as he can."

"I doubt it. That… girl has him wound so tight I don't think he breaths without telling her about it first."

I could see why Jess couldn't stand this woman. It was all about her, or 'her Carter'. She didn't seem to admit her son was a grown man even at his age and size. "They love each other."

Mrs. Jensen snorted shaking her head. "She loves something."

Her husband reached over placing a hand on her leg shushing her. I stood up wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. "I'll go peek in the nursery, just in case."

I started walking off just as the door opened to the room Jess was in. Carter stuck his head out jerking his head for me to come closer. "Come on. She wants you in first." He was grinning from ear to ear, eyes glittering.

I felt the excitement bubble in my stomach before I even laid eyes on the beautiful baby girl in Jessica's arms when I slipped into the room. "Oh Jess…. She's perfect." I whispered.

Jessica looked tired and pale skinned but she managed a smile. "I know. Her names Emalee." She spelled it out after she said it. "After the two women in my life that I can count on."

I felt little tears well up in my eyes. "Thank you." I turned dabbing at my eyes when I washed my hands in the small sink in the room. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure. Carter's already had his turn." Jessica smiled at Carter who was still grinning watching us carefully exchange the pink wrapped bundle.

"How's it feel… Godmom?" Carter asked going to stand behind me to look down at his daughter.

Emalee was still squishy faced, bloody, and whining, but I was amazed by her. "Like I need to do some serious talking with Juice." I joked knowing already we wouldn't be having any kids of our own. "Congratulations… Dad."

Carter beamed at the title reaching around me to push the blanket back to see the baby better. "Guess I should go tell my parents."

Jessica yawned softly, watching us through half closed eyes. "Go ahead. Aleah got first hold, that's all that mattered to me."

Carter went out to get his parents, I turned to smile at Jessica again. "You want me to get you something to eat? Drink?"

"Maybe later. I just want to sleep right now. I hurt." She admitted reaching a hand out to touch the soft pink blanket. "Thanks for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed it for anything. You were there for me when no one else was." I reminded her of when she'd taken care of me when I'd detoxed for three days straight. "I'll go home with you, help you for a few days if you want."

"Please." Jessica said her eyes showing she meant it. "I need you."

"That's what friends are for." I smiled passing the baby back to her when Emalee started to whine, tiny hands frailing around.

Juice's POV

Our Irish brothers threw a damn good party. They had music, bonfires, bare knuckle boxing, and booze. What else was there to ask for? Except maybe, to be able to understand them without asking them to repeat themselves slower. I was two beers in, way behind the other guys.

"Hey handsome." A chipper accented blonde smiled at me edging herself down on my lap. "Ya lookin a little bit lonely."

I let my hands rested on her hips, letting her rotate her hips around on top of me giving me a lap dance. It wasn't doing shit for me. I was still limp as a soggy spaghetti noodle. I wanted my girl not this blonde who was taking her shirt off. I was grinning like an idiot though, putting on the show that I was loving every minute of this. "Okay…. that's enough." I leaned down to tell her over the music.

"Enough? I was hopin we could go somewhere and you could show me how the American boys do it."

"Sorry. Not gonna happen." I pushed on her as gently as I could. "Go on."

As soon as she was off of my lap Liam leaned over, the booze pouring off of him so loud I could smell it. "Somethin wrong with our girls?"

I shook my head dragging on my beer, it was some shitty Irish brand. "Nah. Just not interested brother."

"Don't tell me you're one of those whipped Old Men." He clapped my back laughing at me. "No one here will say a word. Swear it."

"Not interested. Thanks." I stood up tossing my empty bottle in one of the cans around the lot.

I walked off to the edge of the party, just by the stairs and pulled the burner out of my pocket. I dialed the number I knew by heart letting it ring a few times before the line clicked. "Juice?" Aleah's voice gushed into my ear.

I sat down on the steps grinning already. "Yeah baby. Its me. What are you doing?"

"I miss you." She sighed, I could picture her laying on the couch talking to me in my sweats. "I'm at the clubhouse playing cards with Tig, Koz, and a few of the girls."

"Good girl. Don't go home alone, not until we're back in town. Can't take any risks with you." I leaned out of the way when Opie brushed past me to go up the stairs. "I miss you too baby."

I could hear a few laughs in the background on her end, tinkling sounds like glasses. "Oh thanks." She told someone, her hand muffling it. "Its Juice."

Aleah laughed, the sound of it made the hair on my arms stand up. "I want you back home." she whispered.

"Oh yeah? How bad?" I asked her glancing around to see if anyone could hear this. "Go to my room."

"Okay… hold on." I could hear her tell someone she'd be right back. "I'm walking…. Ok I'm in."

"Good. Shut the door, lock it, then tell me what you miss. Maybe send me a few pictures."

Aleah giggled, almost whispering when she started talking dirty to me, something I knew embarrassed her. Yep… I was ready to go home.