Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
X
Jax is casually leaning onto the glass display case, which also serves as a counter that stretches across the entire length of the smallish Rio Vista pawn shop, carefully observing the female clerk while she's busy looking over his box full of videogames and movies for the second time. She's been nothing but sweet and apologetic when she's tried to explain to him that they already have too many copies of most of what he's brought in, but Jax is trying anything he can think of to make it that much harder for her to turn him down.
"Really, darlin'?" He practically drawls while he's leaning in closer to her, reaching out with his hand, tugging lightly before playfully twisting a blond strand of her long hair around his fingers, and looking her over with such intensity that it makes the girl blush all over. She's probably thinking that he's checking out her rack in the tiny tank top she's wearing, which he is, a little, but unbeknownst to her he's actually more interested in the name on her nametag, because he's trying to make this conversation that much more personal. "You really can't make an exception for me, Cindy? C'mon, I'd be forever in your debt." He's smirking back at her, his eyes sparkling with suggestive mischief that causes her to blush yet again.
But for Jax it's all just an act, knowing his charm usually works like ... well, like a charm, so he's laying it on thick. Between paying for the last parts he's ordered to finally fix up his bike, which are coming in tomorrow, last night's date with Tara he insisted on paying for, the birthday gift he has practically already picked out for her, and him not getting paid until Friday, he's found himself a little short on spending money, so he's determined to not take no for an answer from the girl standing across from him.
Jax and Cindy continue talking and flirting back and forth for a few more minutes, the infamous Teller charm hard at work at the moment. So much so that Opie can't help but turn away from the scene, because he can no longer keep the are-you-shitting-me expression from his face, when he hears the girl agree at last, downright giggling as Jax continues to flirt with her while she's busy counting out the cash for him before handing it over.
A few moments later the two boys find themselves back in Piney's truck, Opie's already pulling the vehicle onto the road to head back to Charming, when he gestures to the back of Jax's hand, at the scribble in permanent marker that reads 'Cindy 555 0936'. "Good luck getting that off before the party later."
Jax glances down at his hand for just a second, rubbing his thumb across the name and phone number, smirking to himself before he lights the cigarette that's already wedged between his lips, and then says after his first drag. "Shop cleaner will take that right off. Wouldn't be the first time." But then he throws Opie another look, smirking again when he's raising his hand to show the number off. "Unless you're interested and wanna jot it down first."
"No thanks." Opie scoffs back at him, because he sure as shit doesn't need Jax to get a girl's phone number for him, but he then shakes his head in amusement a second later. "Look at you getting all cocky though, ... you realize that just because you actually managed to lock lips with Tara last night, it doesn't mean you and her are a done deal, bro. I mean, shit, I lost count how many times I've heard you tell some chick that 'a kiss is just a kiss' when they were hoping it meant more." Opie raises his eyebrows pointedly at Jax when his friend looks over to meet his eyes, before he points his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the pawn shop they'd just left and adds. "I'm just saying Tara ain't easy like blondie you just conned forty bucks out of."
"Don't I know it." Jax replies on a sigh, remembering how reluctant Tara's been to give him a shot in the first place. But then he's smirking again, his thoughts drifting back to his date last night with Tara once again, because as tumultuous as it had been, especially the very rocky start, it was so totally worth it. Those kisses he'd shared with her had certainly soothed his bruised ego after the countless rejection she'd handed out the week prior.
"So where to next, Romeo." Opie teases, and is instantly rewarded with a middle finger from Jax.
Jax replies without missing a beat though. "Back to Charming. That jewelry place on main street. I already picked it out."
X
Later that night
The party in Lodi is just getting started by the time Tara arrives with a group of her friends in tow. They make their way through the house, with her searching for Jax, wishing and hoping he got the message she'd left earlier with Opie, letting him know that she'd be here tonight.
The further she ventures inside, the louder the bass seems to get, the rhythmic thump of it temporarily drowning out her erratic heartbeat at the thought of reuniting with him after everything that had happened last night.
She keeps getting stopped along the way by people she knows, greeting her and a few that know it's her birthday are even congratulating her. And she still tries to be polite, tries to look interested and happy about the attention, but the truth of the matter is that she's finally realized who her real friends are, who she matters to and who should matter to her, and sadly the majority of these people simply don't belong into that category any longer.
She's caught off guard when a hand reaches out and encircles her wrist, pulling her to a sudden stop and off to the side. Within seconds Logan's hands are on her waist, a once familiar gesture that now seems odd and out of place, and then he leans in to shout-whisper in her ear with a smile. "Happy birthday, Tar."
Tara takes a step back, but the hallway is so damn crowded at the moment with more people arriving, that there isn't much room for her to do that, so she simply braces her hand against his chest to create a bit of distance between them, while she tries to smile back at him in reply. "Thanks."
They remain like that, standing awkwardly off to the side, with his friends and her friends looking on, while neither of them seems to know what else to say for a long moment.
Tara's just about to excuse herself, the words already on the tip of her tongue, ready to move on, when Logan finally speaks up, his lips near her ear again so she can actually hear him over the hip hop beats that are so loud it feels like the walls are shaking. "Can we go somewhere? To talk?"
Tara looks up then, meeting his eyes, trying to gauge what kind of mood he's in. She kind of wants to say no here and now, because she really has nothing left to say to him. Nor does she need a lecture from him about whatever bullshit Emma's told him about Jax and her, but when he smiles sweetly and mouths the word 'please' to her, she relents at last. After all, he might've been annoying last night, but at the end he did back off when Jax had asked him to, so maybe she should just get this over with and clear the air between them once and for all, before Jax shows up and they end up having another awkward run-in again.
"Yeah, okay." She says back, but he can barely hear her, he has managed to read her lips though, and so he nods in the direction of the patio doors that lead out back, a wordless question if she's cool with that.
Maybe she's being stupid, but right now she just wants to get this over with, so she just nods her head in reply, before she turns back around towards her friends a moment later, gesturing with her hands and mouthing words of explanation as to where she's going with Logan, and why.
X
Jax and Opie have fought their way into the house, greeting friends left and right, while the music blares obnoxiously loud throughout the various speakers.
Jax continues to look around, trying to find Tara or maybe even her friends anywhere, but so far he's had no luck.
Opie is scanning the crowd as well, still searching for the cute brunette he had met at the Lake that night, but just like Jax, he can't find the girl he's looking for either.
But just as they step out of the hallway and into one of the main rooms, Opie catches a glimpse of Tara making her way towards the patio door with Logan right beside her, and he quickly nudges Jax with his elbow, jutting his chin in her direction and so Jax notices her as well.
"Motherfucker." Jax curses under his breath, shaking his head in brewing anger, contemplating his options for just a second, but then he's already dodging people left and right to hurry after them as well.
But he's stopped when Rayna, Tara's friend, practically steps in his way, her palm firmly on his chest, blocking his pursuit just as he sees Tara follow Logan outside, the door closing behind them right in front of his eyes.
"Hey, Teller." Rayna's just as short as Tara, and so she's leaning up on her tiptoes, her hand bracing against Jax's shoulder when she practically shouts in his ear. "Relax. She's fine. They're just talking." She pulls back to meet Jax eyes, trying to reassure him with a look that all is still good and he's got nothing to worry about here, but then she gestures between herself and him. "Can we talk?"
His first thought is 'why?', but instead "Right now?" slips from his lips in obvious annoyance, his eyes traveling back to the door that Tara and her ex have disappeared behind just now.
"Yeah, now. It's important." Rayna says, already hooking her arm in his and dragging him along in the other direction with her, while he looks back at Opie for just a second, jutting his chin towards the door, hoping his friend will get the hint and follow Tara and Logan in his place.
The house belongs to the parents of a friend of Tino's, and when they got here she realized that she's actually been here before, and therefore she knows her way around well enough. So she's easily leading Jax down another hallway to some kind of study, filled with a heavy expensive looking desk and filled build-in bookcases that reach from floor all the way to the ceiling of the room, and a big piece of paper taped to the door that reads 'keep out'.
She quickly steps inside, unlike the rest of the house finding this room still empty, and so she carries on through to the big window overlooking the backyard, already working the locks to pry it open.
Jax closes the door behind him even though it doesn't do much to drown out the music, but he quickly follows her to the window, helping her push it all the way open, before they're both lighting up a cigarette at the same time.
"What's up?" Jax speaks up first, a little curious what Rayna could possibly want to talk to him about, but also in a rush to get this over with so he can track down Tara and Lockhart.
Rayna casually brushes her long auburn hair over one shoulder, she's normally the outspoken one, the one who says it like it is, so it surprises herself a little how nervous she suddenly feels about her rather spontaneous idea to confront Jax like this. But she needs to suss him out herself, needs to know she's not pushing her friend onto some asshole that'll only break her heart.
She flicks the ash from the tip of her cigarette into the red solo cup she'd just emptied a few moments earlier, looking up at him after taking one more drag and finally gets to the point. "Listen, Jax, Tara's been through some shit."
"I know. I was there." Jax interjects, before taking a deep drag himself.
But Rayna's not missing a beat, carries on as if Jax hadn't said a word. "She's still kinda going through some shit right now, you know?"
"Yeah, I know that too." He agrees, eyeing Rayna curiously, not really sure where she's going with all this.
But before he can ask that question out loud, Rayna's speaking up again. "Let me ask you something. She told me about the night you spend at her place, what happened between you two, or I guess what didn't happen, ... you know, right before those rumors started."
"Yeah." Jax confirms, raising his eyebrows at her in puzzlement. "So, ... what about it?"
"Well, it just made me wonder if maybe you were the one talking it up? Telling everyone you did her?"
"Are you serious?" Jax asks completely taken off guard, he hadn't seen that question coming at all.
"It's a very guy thing to do. You sure as shit wouldn't be the first." Rayna defends her reasoning for her accusations, her voice gaining more strength now, much to her own relief.
"I didn't." He blurts out in defense, shaking his head, and the expression on his face makes it clear that he doesn't like being accused of having done that in the least, but then his eyebrows scrunch together when he suddenly wonders out loud. "Wait, is that what she thinks? Does Tara think I'm the one who started those rumors?"
Rayna shakes her head at that, much to his relief. "No, she doesn't. This is all me. She doesn't even know I'm talking to you."
"Okay. Well, ... I had nothing to do with that, alright? That shit was fucked up. I didn't say anything to anyone. I'm not like that. I wouldn't fucking do that." Jax quickly clarifies, shaking his head in denial.
"Alright, alright, ... I had to ask, dude." Rayna replies nodding, slowly coming into her own again, her confidence returning. "Just looking out for my girl, you know?"
"Yeah." Jax nods his head, because as much as he doesn't like being accused of such a thing, he can appreciate someone trying to look out for Tara. "I get it." He eyes Rayna curiously a moment later. "'S that it? Anything else?"
"Yeah, actually there is." Rayna nods in reply, clearing her throat for a second. "I know she's probably been giving you whiplash with her back and forth shit. Hot for you one second, then cold the next, am I right?"
Jax chuckles this time at Rayna's description of his turbulent relationship with Tara this far, because it's so spot on. "Yeah, you could say that."
Rayna's not smiling though when she carries on to explain, sounding dead serious when she says. "It's just, I feel like Tara's been under Emma's thumb for so long, and combine that with all the other shit that went down, she's just trying to figure shit out, you know? Who to trust, who to listen to ... who to fall for." She adds that last part with a tad of apprehension, while eyeing Jax curiously for a reaction.
"O-kay." Jax replies, stretching out the word, and even though he's already figured most of this out himself too, it still feels like Rayna's trying to tell him something else with all this, but he's not sure what, or if he's going to like it. "What are you saying? You want me to back off, or something?"
"No, but ..." Rayna examines her cuticles on her nails for just a second, not sure how to say this. "... it's just that some guys can be really cruel. I've been there myself, ... it's hurtful as fuck when somebody you really care for says just what you want to hear, but it turns out that none of it's actually true. Every look, every kiss, nothing but lies." She glares up at him.
"Jesus Christ." Jax blurts out in annoyance, shaking his head, obviously able to read between the lines of what Rayna's getting at now. "Look, I'm not some kind of douche bag that's playing her, alright? I really like her, ... I like her a lot."
"Good." Rayna nods relieved, before she adds. "So then you should know it might seem like she's trying to play hard-to-get or something, but ... I swear she's not. I think she's just trying to figure out if your feelings for her are real."
"They are." Jax confirms instantly, but then he's wondering how he could possibly be any clearer about his feelings for Tara than he's already been.
"Alright. Good." Rayna nods her head again, wanting to believe Jax's words to be true, for Tara's sake. "If you really mean that, then I think you and her could be really good together, ... so just don't give up on her, she's worth it."
"I won't." Jax actually smirks, his eyebrows raised almost to his hairline, shaking his head a little when he adds. "I'm not going anywhere."
Feeling like her old confident self again, she taps her lighter against Jax chest, smirking herself for the first time when she meets his eyes head on. "I'm rooting for you, Teller, so don't make me fucking regret it. 'Cause if you hurt her, I'll hurt you. Got it?"
Jax nods, smirks right back. "Got it."
He means it. He wants Tara. He doesn't want to hurt her, but suddenly this whole little chat with Rayna's got his nerves on edge. Is he getting in too deep?
X
Logan's leaning against the trunk of a tree, shaking his head yet again at everything they've been talking about, but most of all he's still in disbelieve that Tara would fall for a guy like Jax Teller, and he's made that known to her just now.
Tara's standing just a few feet away from him, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring up at him. "Is it really so unbelievable that someone other than you could like me?"
"Shit, Tar, that's not what I'm saying at all. What is unbelievable is you giving someone like him a shot. You're like this ... this sweet, innocent girl, and everyone knows that Teller's kind of a dick."
She takes a step closer, ignoring his comment about Jax altogether and is instead addressing his assumption about her. But she's lowering her voice a little this time when she replies in complete contradiction to the rumors she's been trying so hard to live down. "Look, just because I didn't jump into bed with you doesn't mean I'm sweet or innocent."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Logan eyes her with new concern, because up until now he hadn't believed any of the gossip he'd heard from his friends. "Wait, are you actually sleeping with him? Jesus, Teller's like a walking petri dish, Tar. I really thought you were smarter than that."
Tara shakes her head, ignoring Logan's repeated jabs against Jax, and by some miracle she's not blushing at the mere accusation. "No, I'm not, but even if I was, it'd be none of your goddamn business. We've been broken up for months now, Logan."
Logan swipes his hand down his unshaven face, and Tara hates the relieved look that crossed over his features at her admission that she's not sleeping with Jax. But before she has time to process that, he's going full circle and coming back to how this whole conversation has started to begin with, about him having to hear from other people that her house had been broken into and that she'd been attacked, and that Jax had been there and saved her. "Broken up or not, I still care what happens to you."
Tara doesn't need to search his face to know that he means that. They cared about each other, despite everything Rayna has pointed out about their relationship earlier, they always cared. She liked Logan well enough, enough to explore the possibility of a relationship with him at Emma's urging, and enough to give the illusion of being a happy couple.
The football player and the cheerleader, ... Jesus, what a fucking cliché they'd been. The truth is, she cared and she knows he cared about her too, but her heart had never truly been in it. She wasn't in love with Logan, never had been, but they'd both made the best of it. It had simply been her trying to fit into the mold she'd been cast into, this self-conscious good girl, who's too scared to take things further, too scared to think outside the box, especially when it came to boys, love or sex.
But after that talk with Rayna earlier, she's decided to try to put that version of herself behind her, right along with the scared unsure version she's been lately too. She's ready to really figure out who she is, not who everybody wants her to be, even if it'll be at the cost of her reputation. She nods her head at him, finally reacting to what he'd said. "I know. Maybe ... maybe I should've called you after what happened, but I didn't want you reading something into it ... like I was trying to get back together or something."
"Yeah, I get that. It just stung hearing all that shit from other people, you know?" Logan nods his head too, and then a little smile starts appearing on his face that doesn't at all reach his eyes though when he adds dejectedly. "Guess it hit home that you're not my responsibility anymore."
At that Tara actually scoffs, but there's a tinge of amusement in her voice when she misses no time at all to set him straight. "I wasn't your responsibility even when you were my boyfriend, 'cause Eisenhower hasn't been in office for a long fucking time."
"Right, sure." Logan agrees even though he doesn't truly see it that way, but at the same time he can't help but chuckle a little too, because this is such a Tara-thing to say. And then, just a split second later he's jutting his chin in the direction of the house and the party behind her, at the leather glad guy that just showed up, leaning against a tree, cigarette in hand, who's clearly come out here to keep an eye on Tara. "You might wanna tell him that too."
At that, Tara turns around, following Logan's gaze and spotting Jax immediately. A smile instantly grows on her face, and she raises her hand in a little wave, which Jax reciprocates.
Logan takes it all in, shaking his head and sighing as he steps up beside her, his gaze drifting from Jax back to her, the worry heavily edged into his voice. "I really hope you know what you're doing with him." He reaches out for her hand, giving it a quick little squeeze, before he says. "See you later, Knowles."
"Bye, Logan." Tara smiles up at him, glad at last they've come to some sort of understanding, or at the very least some kind of truce for now.
Logan starts walking back towards the house the same instance Jax starts to approach, both boys bypassing each other without so much as a word, just a loathing glance, apparently deciding simultaneously that avoidance is the best course of action to co-exist in Tara's orbit.
"Hey." Jax says when he comes to a stop just a few feet in front of her, extinguishing the last glimmer from his cigarette stump by squeezing it between his calloused fingertips, before dropping it carelessly into the grass by his feet and wiping his fingertips off on his jeans.
"Hey." She replies, seeming equally unsure, shoving her hands into her own back-pockets to stop herself from reaching out for him.
Jax looks back over his shoulder, his gaze on her ex walking away in the distance for just a second before he turns back around to meet Tara's eyes with raised eyebrows. He can't help his concern from showing, but then again, he might just be fishing for an excuse to beat Lockhart's ass. "Everything alright there?"
Tara sighs and visibly relaxes with Jax being here now and Logan gone, and the knowledge that by standing up for herself, something went right for her for once.
It certainly has been strange hearing Logan mention the same concerns she's been telling herself in her head, and has fought within her heart over the last couple of weeks, only to find herself now dismissing them all and defend her choices to him. Logan might not have agreed with her, but he's sort of has agreed to disagree what her new choices are concerned, and she's simply decided to not let his cautious warnings about Jax get to her, won't allow herself to read too much into the words from her ex or anyone else's anymore. She's finally made up her mind. If Jax is all in, then so is she.
"Yeah." She finally nods her head, realizing that she hasn't answered him yet, then smiles when she adds. "Everything's good."
Then they stand there in complete silence, shyly looking and smiling at each other a little awkwardly for a few long beats, the only sound filling the air is the faint thumping of the bass and music coming from the house.
All day Jax has imagined wrapping her in his arms and kissing her stupid, but now, between what Ope has pointed out to him earlier and his little chat with Rayna just a few minutes ago, he's suddenly not so sure with himself anymore, and he can't stand feeling like this.
He's fucking smitten, ...well, more than smitten actually, he's come to realize that he might just be a little bit obsessed about Tara Knowles. Someway, somehow, this girl has him wrapped around her finger without even knowing it. She's got him on some kind of an invisible line, cranking the reel and has managed to tightened the hook in his mouth before he even got a chance to taste the goddamn bait. And in all actuality, that should be throwing up huge red flags for him. Shouldn't it? He can practically hear his uncle Bobby's voice when he recalls the words he's overheard him say once. 'Your heart will get you killed faster than a bullet, brother!'
He's a sixteen year old guy, for fucks sake. It should be all about the physical shit, ... her pretty face, those nice tits, the tiny waist and that perfect round ass. It should be about wanting to fool around, about wanting to fuck her, which he undoubtedly does want to do, but the fact that it's so much more than that with Tara, has him now realizing that it makes everything so much more complicated too. The fact that what he feels for her isn't just about sex should tell him this girl means trouble for him with capital T. T for Tara ... Ha!
If he was smarter, he'd tell himself that maybe he should back the hell off, be more cautious about this whole thing between them, you know, kinda like what she's been doing. Keep it easy, keep it fun, but also protect both their hearts from getting in too deep. Yeah, maybe he should take a cue from the smart girl standing right in front of him, and listen more to that cautious voice inside his head, instead of the joined forces of his dick and his heart. Take it easy, Teller, play it cool. Save yourself, take a step back!
Jax takes a step closer.
He's so fucked. There is no use, he just couldn't stop himself any longer from finally bridging the gap between them. His hands reached out for hers at the same time, tugging her forward so she'll step closer too, meeting in the middle again like last night in the truck, which makes her laugh a little and the sound melts away all his sudden doubts again, making his smile even brighter as they're holding each other's hands and penetrating gazes.
Fuck playing it safe, and fuck me ... because for the first time ever he finds himself to be the one that wants to put a name to this, wants to define this thing between her and him, he wants to know that there's no reason to be cautious and Ope is fucking wrong, that in this case with Tara, a kiss wasn't just a kiss.
"Look, I -." - "Did you -." They both try to speak up at the same time, but then stop and laugh, before Tara juts her chin at him and says. "You first, ... what were you gonna say?"
"I was wondering ..." He takes a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Are we gonna do this?" As soon as the words have left his mouth he's already wanting to kick himself for wording it so damn cryptically, - although in his defense, it made perfect sense in his head. Noticing the confused look that crosses her face though, he squeezes her hands and quickly tries again. "I realize we've only been out on one official date, but ... you and me, are we doing this, babe? Is this happening?" Is this what a proposal would feel like? Nerve-wracking and nauseous?
"Wait, ..." Tara looks up at him perplexed, but also a little amused when his meaning begins to finally dawn on her. Her heart's beating out of her chest, the butterflies inside her stomach are doing somersaults again, and there is no way in hell she can stop the toothy grin from stretching across her face when she asks him in reply. "Are you asking me to go steady?"
Taking the unchecked amusement on her face as a sign that this will play out in his favor, he bites the bullet and nods his head at her. "Yeah, I am." But in an attempt to play it off, he dials up the charm and quickly adds with a grin of his own. "Someone as fucking cute as you should definitely have a boyfriend."
She's head over heels for this guy, can feel it in every fiber of her being, but she kind of loves the nervous vibe coming off of him, loves knowing these feelings aren't one-sided, and so she teases him back. "And you're volunteering for the job? To be my boyfriend I mean?"
At that he actually laughs out loud, shaking his head at her smart mouth. He's certainly met his match with her, but unless he's reading the signs all wrong, he's sure he just got his answer whether or not they're doing this, and he's fucking ecstatic. "You're a smartass, Knowles, you know that?"
But before she gets a chance to reply, he's already let go of her hands and is framing her face instead, holding her in place before he bends down a split second later and presses his lips against hers in an instantly scorching kiss.
Their tongues are dueling and dancing, slow and careful one second, then hurried and greedy the next. It makes her feel dizzy, and so she too reaches out, letting her hands slip under his open leather jacket, under the hem of his t-shirt, her fingertips gliding over his skin before finding the belt loops of his jeans to curl around to keep herself upright.
Kissing Jackson is so different from anyone she's ever kissed before him. It's just so much more. He tastes like cigarettes and mystery, smells like motor oil, adventure and freedom. It's intense and raw and intoxicating. Combustive and passionate and volatile. It sends heat to her face, tingles down her spine, and goosebumps to her skin. It makes her heart race, and of course sparks a pulsing need between her thighs, and she can't believe that just a couple of hours ago she was trying to convince herself to walk away from this, walk away from him, and possibly never experience this with him at all.
But suddenly, it's Jax that makes the first move again, but this time by pulling away, meeting her eyes again when she opens them and then he suddenly drawls with a suggestive smirk. "Damn, babe, ... guess last night wasn't a fluke."
"What?" Tara asks breathlessly, looking up at him a bit confused. She can't think clearly right now, not with her cheeks all flushed, her head spinning, and still feeling prickly and tingly in all the wrong places from the kiss they've just shared.
"The way you kiss, it's ... it's somethin' else, I can't explain it, ..." He replies sounding breathless and earnest, but the way he's grinning back at her while still holding her face in his hands suggests he might be teasing her too when he adds. "... it's fucking surreal."
"Yeah." Tara agrees, sounding still breathless herself even though she's smirking now, and despite the fact that she's feeling all swoony at the moment there's humor in her voice when she replies. "I know what you mean, I thought if you were a sucky kisser then I could get over you."
"Over me?" Jax repeats, his eyebrows raised, but his eyes are shining in amusement, when he asks in reply. "Why would you wanna get over me, when you haven't even been under me yet?"
"Oh, ... wow." Tara somehow manages to scoff and chuckle all at the same time, swatting him playfully in the chest, which makes him laugh too, when she asks. "Was that one of your lines you've warned me about?"
He's still chuckling, and she is too, both clearly enjoying this new carefree banter between them, but then he's pressing his forehead to hers when he answers. "Maybe." He takes a risk, dropping his hands to her waist and pulls her closer, pressing his hips into hers. And then he brazenly slides his hands even lower, palming her ass in both, loving the way her curves fill out those denim shorts she's wearing tonight, and giving it a appreciating squeeze. Fuck, I've been wanting to do that for years. But instead of voicing that thought out loud he raises one eyebrow up at her and asks playfully. "Is it working?"
"Your lines? Not really, no ..." Tara shakes her head at him, still smiling from ear to ear, but then bites her bottom lip right as she wraps her arms around his neck so she can pull him down towards her this time, suddenly feeling bold herself upon feeling his hands on her like this. "But maybe we should give kissing another try."
They grin at each other and then they kiss again, and much like before it turns passionate rather quickly, getting lost in each other's taste and touch and all the small little moans and groans that escape them, so much so that they don't even hear their friends approaching, before they're literally come to stand just a few feet away from them and speak up.
"Jesus, bro, let her come up for air every once in a while." Opie's humor filled voice startles them enough to abruptly break the kiss.
Rayna and Tino laugh out loud in amusement, but Jax isn't all that amused, instead he rewards his tall friend with a glare in return for interrupting his time with Tara.
All the while Tara lowers her head, grinning, but trying to hide her face and her blushing cheeks in Jax's embrace, which he sort of helps her with by wrapping his arms around her back now and pulling her into his chest.
Before Jax or Tara can say anything though, Rayna's already talking now, sounding a little drunk already and gaining everyone's attention when she's stepping closer. "C'mon, you guys. We came here to partaaaayyyy, remember? It's your birthday, baby." She says, actually tugging on Tara's arm. "We can all hang in the basement, that's where the cool crowd's hanging." She laughs as if that's some kind of joke even though it's not, and then adds. "And there's better booze to choose from too than that watered down keg shit in the kitchen. C'mon, ... let's do this."
Everyone's chuckling, and Tara outright laughs, she can't help it, she's feeling giddy, mostly because of what has just happened with Jax, but partly because Rayna's cheery mood seems to be contagious too. She looks up to him to see if he's okay with it too, and the look in his eyes, the smile on his face and the subtle little nod he gives her, makes her agree a few seconds later. "Yeah, okay." She answers her friend, smiling brightly. "Let's go."
Tara has her arm around his waist, leaning into him, and he has his arm curled around her neck, pulling her closer too, pressing a little kiss against her temple as they make their way back towards the house.
She would be lying if she said that she doesn't feel a sudden moment of panic rush over her the closer they get to the house. Thanks to Logan she's well aware now that most people know she's been hanging out with Jax, but hanging-out and actually dating are two very different things in her opinion, and after the way they'd been scrutinized last night on their date, she can't help but dread how it'll be received by everyone else here tonight.
Of course it doesn't help that off the top of her head she can already think of at least ten girls from Charming High alone, not even counting Emma, who'll be pissed when they realize that Jax and her turn out to be more than just friends, but as soon as that thought flits through her mind, she's already chastising herself for doing that. She tries to remember the pep talk Rayna gave her earlier instead, and quickly reminds herself that she doesn't owe anyone an explanation for anything.
As if Jax can read her mind, he nudges his nose against temple, gaining her attention just as they're about to take the steps up to the porch that'll lead them back into the house and into the midst of this party. "'Re you alright?"
She looks up at him for a long second, appreciating all the beautiful little features of his face that she can see more clearly now in the light that's coming from the house than she could out there in just the moonlight. He's so goddamn handsome, it's fucking ridiculous. She smiles and her heart feels like it's skipping a beat at the way he's smiling right back at her. "Yeah, I'm good."
They do turn a few heads here and there when they make their way through the house, but to Tara's surprise not nearly as much as she had expected. Tino leads the way to the basement, they all follow suit, where they're introduced to Max, the guy who actually lives here and is throwing this party, and his girlfriend Chelsea.
It turns out that Rayna was telling the truth about the basement though, it's less stuffy, less people, harder liquor, and the music can still be heard but it's not too loud, so that you can carry on a conversation without having to yell.
The group of them settle down around the old worn down sofa set in the middle of the main room.
Jax has taken a seat in the oversized arm chair, pulling Tara with him to sit in his lap, kind of loving the fact that he can actually do that now, one arm curled around her waist, the other hand on her bare thigh, and the two of them get lost in conversation with each other almost immediately.
Opie, Lowell, Tino, Joe, Cassidy, Max's girlfriend Chelsea, and a few other people are also hanging around. Max is playing bartender, and Rayna's making herself busy as an impromptu waitress, taking everyone's drink order and then hands them out with a flirtatious giggle as if she's actually angling for tips, which makes everybody laugh.
Tara's busy telling Jax about her day, the driving lesson that went to shit, the miracle that she's passed the driving test, her dad handing her the keys to the Cutlass over their celebratory lunch, right down to the lie she's concocted up with Rayna about staying the night at her place, so she'd be able to be here tonight.
In turn Jax shares his day with her too, although his wasn't quite as interesting, since all he did was go to work at TM for a couple of hours, then ran some errands with Ope, and shortly after he'd gotten ready to come here to this party to meet up with her.
Throughout their little talk, Jax has shrugged out of his leather jacket and has draped it over the armrest of the upholstered chair they're sitting in. He can't help himself but let his hand slide over it every now and then, feeling for the edges of the little rectangular box that holds the present he's bought for her earlier. He's downright itching to give it to her, but at the same time he wants to do it when they're alone, because he doesn't want to hear some smart ass remark from one of the guys about it, and so he keeps holding off.
Everyone seems to be having a good time, people come and go though, some heading out for good, some just heading upstairs and some finding refuge in the basement from the ongoings upstairs. So it shouldn't have been that big of a surprise when more than a handful of people that also go to Charming High eventually find their way into their midst, among them Emma and, her once again boyfriend, Bright.
When Emma sees Tara and Jax sitting so intimately together, she stops dead in her tracks for just a second, obviously surprised and completely caught off guard by that development, but she quickly tries to play it off, stepping further into the room, and coming closer to greet everyone.
"Happy birthday, Tar." She says, sounding almost genuine and smiling at her former friend, before her eyes drift to Jax, scrutinizing the way he has his arm wrapped around Tara in his lap.
"Thanks." Tara's still smiling, trying her damndest to appear unaffected by the arrival of Emma and the Charming crowd, she herself used to belong to, downstairs.
However Emma and her friends keep giving them curious glances, and Jax can practically feel the sudden shift in Tara's mood, right along with the change in the whole room, and he takes that as his cue to finally whisk Tara off someplace to be alone with her, to finally present her with the gift he got her.
He nuzzles his nose into the crook of her neck, his stubble scratching against her sensitive skin making her squirm from the way it tickles her, and causing all eyes to fall on them when he whispers into her ear. "Wanna go someplace alone?"
Tara simply nods her head at him in answer, glad to disappear for a little while now that the mood has taken a nosedive, but just as she scoots off of Jax's lap, and he stands up too, grabbing his jacket, making it clear that they're leaving, Rayna's suddenly speaking up. "You can't leave now." She starts towards Tara, reaching for her hand to keep her from leaving. "No, no, no, no, you're the birthday girl, you can't go, we are just about to start playing a game."
Tara can't help but laugh, because Rayna's clearly had a few drinks too many already, but she still asks. "What game?"
"You know, ... spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven." Rayna answers as if it's a no brainer.
Everyone chuckles, some shaking their head, but it's Joe that points out the obvious. "Shit, Ray, those are like sixed grade kids games. If we're gonna play something, lets make it something good, like a drinking game, strip poker or something."
Rayna's undeterred though, flipping Joe off before she starts to explain with obvious excitement to her voice. "Trust me, we'll combine the two, and it'll be that much more fun now that us girls have boobs, and the guys are actually taller than us again."
Again, everyone laughs, and even though not everyone's convinced yet, Rayna's already ordering Tino and Joe around, telling them to move the coffee table out of the way to make room. Reluctantly everyone settles down, finding their spot in a big circle.
Tara and Jax share a unsure look with each other, but not wanting to be the spoilsports they too sit down at last.
But then a moment later, Jax can't help but speak up, draping his arm around Tara's shoulder when he says. "There's gotta be some way to get around it though, 'cause my girl here ain't spending seven minutes on her birthday in a closet with someone other than me."
My girl? Tara's head snaps up to look at him in obvious surprise, ignoring everyone else's stunt expression, right along with Emma's glare.
Just when she was beginning to get used to being so close to him, her heartbeat picks up speed again at the thought that he'd just referred to her as his girl. It's stupid really, considering she knows that they'd just talked outside about this, but to actually have him acknowledge their new relationship status out loud in front of everyone brought out a whole new wave of emotions she'd never experienced before.
"I agree." Cassidy's voice brings Tara back out of her thoughts, then she gives her boyfriend Joe right beside her a look, before she adds. "Let's say one of us doesn't wanna go, then what?"
"Alright, let me think ..." Says Rayna, tapping her chin in a comical way as if she's actually deep in thought. "Okay, so if you spin the bottle, and it ends on someone that you don't wanna go in the closet with, then you have to drink ... and spin again."
"Ahhh, come on, that shit's way to lame, feels like sixth grade all over again." Tino replies, but then a moment later proceeds to rub his hands together like some evil mastermind before he adds his own twist to the game. "Let's make it a little more interesting. How about if you don't wanna go in the closet with someone, not only do you have to take a shot, but you also gotta lose a piece of clothing, and then spin again."
Laughter and approval ensues, and then another round of laughter follows when Jax suddenly grabs his leather jacket and drapes it around Tara's shoulder, much to her surprise. He smirks, his eyes traveling over Tara right beside him before he turns his attention back to the audience he's got and says. "No way in hell you motherfuckers get to see shit I haven't even seen yet."
"Jax." Tara blurts out and shoves him playfully in the shoulder in faux outrage, but then she can't help the smirk from stretching over her face anymore than she can keep her cheeks from blushing.
He cups her cheek then, leaning down to give her a kiss, when Rayna's jerking him away by his other arm before their lips make contact. "Nu-hu, not so fast, Teller, there ain't no making out unless you spin that bottle."
Everyone laughs again, even Jax, but it's Bright that speaks up between the laughter, looking right at Jax when he says with a grin on his face. "Jesus, Teller, never seen you act this possessive over a chick before."
At that Jax smirks down at a still blushing Tara right beside him for just a second, before he curls his arm around her neck, turning his attention back to the group and replies. "Guess there's a first time for everything."
Tara hates herself for doing it, but she just can't stop herself from glancing at Emma, even though she should've known she wouldn't find approval in her eyes.
Rayna claps her hands together in excitement, bringing everyone's attention back to her when she's looking around the group of people and asks. "Okay, so ... who wants to go first?"
X
Author's Note: I had hoped to get this chapter posted before New Year's eve, but time got away from me. Anyways, here it is now. I really hope you like it. If you have a minute to spare, leave me a few words please, to let me know what you think. Thank you, and Happy New Years!