Opie avoided Lyla as long as he could once gearing she'd been suspicious of his comings and goings. After nearly 60 hours, he returned home to find an unhappy Lyla waiting for him.

"Jesus Christ, Ope," Lyla grumbled from the kitchen. "Where you been?"

"Running around," he said vaguely. "Sorry."

"What's going on with you?" She asked, her anger draining from her expression.

Opie shook his head. "Nothing."

"Ima told me you saw Macy," she told him. "Just tell me if that's it. Please." When he hesitated rather than deny it, Lyla knew she was right. "Is she at least giving you the time of day now or am I losing you to a woman who wants nothing to do with you?"

"We just talked," he lied.

"That is a step for you two," she scoffed. "Me and Piper can be out by the end of the week."

"Lyla," he groaned. "It ain't like that."

"Yeah," she rolled her eyes. "Just like when you called me Macy right in the middle of-"

Opie interrupted quickly, just as embarrassed as she was by what happened. "That was months ago," he said defensively.

"And I'll never forget it," she admitted shamefully.

"I'm sorry," he said, sounding somewhat genuine. "Don't go."

Lyla shook her head. "I don't know. I'll think about it."

"I can't stop fucking' up," he said, sounding painfully pitiful. "Donna, Macy, you."

"Yeah," Lyla grabbed her purse. "It's definitely a you problem. I have to go to work. Promo photoshoot."

Opie grimaced but didn't complain, "Okay."

"Bye, Ope," she frowned. "Hopefully I'll see you in the morning."

—

Nearly one week after the money appeared on her front step, Macy still hadn't heard any news regarding who could have left it. She had heard from Opie, though, and it wasn't entirely unwelcome. First, she sent an apology for her behavior after they'd fallen into bed together then a few some friendly texts until she broke down and invited him over for dinner.

The entire time she cooked, cleaned and prepared, Shane remained in his spot near the backyard. He'd come and gone throughout the week but always returned while weighing the potential outcomes. Shane wasn't one to shy away from a battle, he took everything head-on, but Jax has managed to exploit his biggest weakness in an overly emotional time.

"Fuck it," Shane hissed, "I'm doing it." Trudging toward the backdoor, Shane watched Macy scurry through the house to the front door. "Mace, sugar, no," he groaned, seeing Opie stepped into the entryway.

"Hey," Macy said timidly reaching for a hug. "I think I forgot how big you are," she added with a giggle.

"That's me," he chuckled. "Where's the kid?"

"Sleeping," she sighed. "That's why I asked you over for a late dinner. Feels kind of weird, in a way."

"You feel guilty," he said sadly. "You don't even want a baby to see me here."

Shrugging, Macy led him into the house. "I made what used to be your favorite, I don't know if it still is."

Opie bent down and peered into the oven. "Not my favorite, Mace, never was."

"What?" She turned and looked at him with surprise. "You loved my lasagna!"

Shaking his head, Opie chuckled a little. "I don't hate it but there's stuff you used to make that I like more."

"Lies," she huffed. "Beer?"

"Always," he chuckled.

Macy reached for a beer, Opie checking her out as she bent over, when suddenly the kitchen door swung open. With a gasp, Macy stood, dropping the bottle, and saw her husband in the doorway.

"Shane?"

"Get out of my fucking house," Shane growled, gun aimed at Opie.

"Wait, what the fuck," Macy's breathing was shaky as she began to breathe heavier. "You're alive. You're here."

"I'm sorry, Mace," Shane finally acknowledged her. "I had to go. I had to leave to protect you and our son."

"You left?" Her voice cracked. "You...you left us?"

"Put the fucking gun down," Opie said darkly. He used Shane's moment of distraction to pull his own weapon.

"I had to," he said sorrowfully, gun still raised. "Jax said-"

"Jax?" She drew her head back then looked back at Opie. "Did you know?"

"I didn't know shit," Opie said quickly.

"You left because of my brother," she said dubiously. "You willingly left."

"Macy, I-"

"Get out," she snapped. "Get the fuck out!"

"Macy," he pleaded, "Please. I didn't want anything to happen to you, I didn't have a choice!"

"You always have a fucking choice, Shane," Macy glared at him. "A year. A goddamn year. How could you?"

"Think it's time you leave," Opie said authoritatively.

"This doesn't have shit to do with you," Shane snarled. "She's my wife and this is my fucking house!"

Opie stepped forward, moving between Macy and Shane, and pointed toward the door with his gun. "I'm not gonna say it again," he warned.

Shane looked at Macy for support but she just shook her head. "You need to leave. I can't handle this right now."

"You're my wife, we can handle it together," he begged.

"You left me. You abandoned your family. We're not doing shit together, Shane." As she spoke Macy began to cry harder, her hands shaking as she willed herself to remain strong in front of him.

"You heard her. Go," Opie growled.

Only hesitating for a second longer, Shane stormed out with a new mission in mind. His rage blinded him to everything but Jax and the truth.

Opie slammed the door after Shane and locked the deadbolt. Slipping his gun in his pants, he wrapped his arms around Macy. The second he embraced her Macy broke into violent sobs.

"Why does everyone leave me?"

The words broke Opie's heart. He knew he was the one to start that trend in her head. He hated himself since the day he made the decision but never more than at that moment.

"Cause we're fucking idiots," he mumbled into her hair. "I'm sorry. He's an asshole, I'm an asshole and Jax is an asshole for whatever the fuck he did to start this."

"What do I do?" She asked sheepishly, looking up at him with bloodshot eyes. "Shane left, Jax betrayed me. Did my dad know?" Macy asked suddenly. "Please tell me he didn't, Ope. Please."

Shaking his head, Opie frowned and hugged her even tighter. "I don't know. I don't know shit and I don't know if you should believe Shane putting this on Jax."

"I'm so confused," she sniffled.

"You got rolling papers?" He asked, guiding her to sit at the breakfast bar. "I got some weed. It'll help."

Macy shook her head. "No. No weed. I need to feel something else, something more than this. After all these fucking years you're still here."

"The kutte kind of keeps me local," he joked in hopes of getting a smile.

Grabbing his belt buckle, Macy stood again and yanked him toward the stairs. "I need to not feel so fucking heartbroken. Think you can help with that?"

"I think that's the only thing I can do right now," he said, painfully eager already.

Macy wiped her tears and opened her bedroom door quietly. "You always were good at making me feel, well, very fucking good. That's what I need."

Opie leaned down and kissed her, gently scooping her tiny body into his arms. Macy knew she would be distracted in the most pleasing way until morning. Then there would be hell to pay.

So sorry for disappearing! My work didn't take off here and I honestly forgot to keep checking! I am so very sorry! I'll be updating regularly from now on! Xoxo