Disclaimer: I own nothing but Harley Stanley/Tragger.
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Beta: girl-at-home13
Pinterest: Raise Some Hell
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HARLEY'S POV
"We're just gonna show up at some places and do our thing." Dad said, continuing our conversation as we got off his bike at TM. He had hoped by him just starting to drive I would forget what I kept asking him about. Too bad he had to stop at some red lights and I knew he could hear me.
"You're the master of giving vague statements."
"We just have to let the Nordics know that we know they're just outside of Charming. And that it's the smartest decision to stay there."
"I could make Darby stay away." My father turned around like lightning had just struck him."What makes you think that?"
"At some point he started feeling terrible about everything. Even about Mom. I could play the guilt card on him."
"I have doubts that this fucker feels anything at all and I don't want you anywhere near him again. Enough damage has been done in this family."
His tone had changed into a dark one. Darby was a sensitive topic. I knew my father wasn't mad at me, but it must have felt horrible to find out that someone was able to make me question his and Mom`s relationship. Our entire life as a family had gotten destroyed by these people. He had to go through so much. How could I let myself be weak and have these stupid meltdowns when my father was being so strong? He never showed any weakness.
Only anger when it was the right time.
"I just thought it would be fun. I got a kick manipulating myself into the squad. Maybe I have a given talent." I joked to make him smile again.
"Those aint some scared cheerleaders that will scream when they see an unloaded gun munchkin."
"We could load it next time." I smirked.
"We could not make a next time happen how about that?" Dad put his arm around me and we both walked into the clubhouse where a few people had already gathered. There were men wearing a cut that I had never seen before. Uncle Happy spoke up and introduced me. After a quick round I learned a few names I forgot as soon as the next one was mentioned. Turned out those were all members from his usual chapter before he became a NOMAD to take care of his mother who wasn't doing too well health wise right now.
They were all here for the big wedding in two weeks. One would say a biker club would show up last minute. Not two weeks early to help set things up.
"How were they here so fast? We only got the invitation this morning." I wasn't sure but Tacoma seemed a little further away.
"You really think Donna and Opie would spend hundreds of Dollars worth of this pretty paper to these guys?" Happy asked and pointed at his friends. We had ended up at the bar and he was opening a beer for me. He handed the bottle to me with a wink. "And you're forgetting the big Thanksgiving party coming up." Oh right. I was scared for my liver already.
"But is there actually that much to be prepared? I've never been to a wedding before…"
"There's many pre-parties that'll be happening before this wedding." My father said as he took a bottle for himself. "And with the Nordics business tonight it can't hurt to have a few more Sons around."
"Do I get a babysitter?"
"You get my mother." I choked on the beer in my mouth hearing Jax's voice out of nowhere. He had appeared behind me as quiet as a fucking cat. I had to cough so hard my dad started slapping my back.
"I'll be back in a second." I got up to walk into the bathroom down the hall and locked myself into it.
I had no idea how to behave around Jax now. I was so exhausted with my mixture of feelings for him. The jealousy I felt when he flirted with Angela, the confusion about his fake flirting. Even understanding the logic of the guys flirting with some girls that they needed for favors. Gosh I know I did it many times in school.
It scared me though.
My own brain confused me. I knew that I had feelings for Jax, but I needed more time and his effort to get over the quasi cheating. I wouldn't just give in with the snap of his fingers. I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the eye if I just gave in like that. But also adjusting to the club life so fast… it felt so normal. If he had to flirt here and there so a girl would give some cop a blowjob… whatever. If at the end of the day he laid by my side… wow. Stop that train of thought.
There was this other thing too. I had really enjoyed the kiss at CaraCara and he looked so relieved. But this thing between us had gotten so much more serious since I came back. Like it was about being his old lady or nothing.
I decided I had hidden long enough. I would just ignore him and mostly talk with Happy till they would all leave to do whatever they were planning to do.
But my plan quickly vanished since I ran straight into him as he was on his way to his dorm room.
He was holding me steady with his hands at my upper arms.
"Slowly down there." He chuckled.
"Sorry."
"I was hoping we could talk a little before we hit the road."
"Well…sure. About what?" Help. There was pure chaos in my body. I wanted to be alone with him so badly. But I also didn't. I was scared my own body would betray me and my mind would regret it later.
I leaned on the wall next to the bathroom door and he mirrored me on the other side of the hall. At least there was now room for another person between us.
"I thought about yesterday and realized I might have put a lot of pressure on you." What?
"What do you mean?"
He cleared his throat and looked down the hall to make sure no one was coming.
"I meant what I said. No-ones ever realized there was a difference in how I behave with those girls and… well you. I gotta be honest it was a huge relief. I tried to explain myself many times and it had felt like screaming at a white wall to turn red."
Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me but I heard pain in his voice.
"But I don't want you to feel pressured towards anything Harley just because you get it. I also don't take it as a flirt-all-you-can-card. Everything is still the same as it was before I picked you up for school yesterday. We are…whatever -as you so wonderfully put it- and you have all the time in the world. Your rules. Your way or the highway, babe." Jax took a step towards me and placed a light kiss on my forehead. His left hand caressed my right cheek. Then it was over. I stood there and watched as he walked back towards the others.
Where the fuck are you going? Both my body and mind were screaming at him to come back. To fucking kiss me. To press me against the wall until I felt like fainting from lack of oxygen. To grab my ass and lift me up towards his room. And before I knew it my feet were quick to follow him and my hand grabbed his arm to turn him around. The surprise on his face was subtle but there. All my confidence vanished as fast as it had taken control over me.
I placed my right hand on his neck and got closer, my eyes never leaving his. I knew what I was doing but at the same time I didn't. This was the first time I would initiate a kiss between us.
Did that mean I completely forgave him just now? Did it mean I was stupid? Did it mean I was in love?
I pushed up on my tip toes and bit my lip as his hands finally found my hips… to push me away.
"Don't." What. The. Fuck?
"Jax…" I didn't recognize my own voice? Did I really just whimper his name?
"Not like this." He let go of me to walk to the others. Leaving me standing there like Bambi that just lost his mom.
Not like this? Like what? My whole being wanting him?
I had no logical explanation for what just happened. I could only guess it was a combination of what he said and how he looked at me but when he said he wouldn't pressure me more just because I got it… something inside me flipped. How did he know I was freaked out about that? Was I that easy to read? Did he see through me like a kids book while I had to stare at him like fucking Sudoku?
But why did he push me away? Everything in me had been screaming at him that I wanted it. Didn't it? He had been trying for so long now and now that I changed my mind?
I quickly followed and joined my father and godfather trying not to show the heart attack I was suffering from.
I didn't want them to leave to do god knows what but I also wanted them all to get the fuck out of here so no one would eventually see me staring at Jax. Who never looked at me one more time until they left and even then he just gave me a simple nod in my direction and was out the door before I knew it.
I was in serious trouble cause all I wanted to do was run after him and kiss him. And slap the hell out of him at the same time.
What was going on with me?
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JAX'SPOV
I could hardly concentrate on the road ahead of me. I even got some weird looks from Tig who was riding beside me since he could hear me missing some gear shifts on my bike.
Did Harley really just try to kiss me? And did I, Idiot of the century, really push her away?
I just didn't want her to feel pressured after yesterday's events. I didn't want her to avoid me so I took precautions and didn't even wait for signs of her keeping her distance. Never in a million years would I have thought she would hold me back. She wanted to kiss me. I might be wrong but till then it was only me who started a kiss. Mostly because she wasn't expecting it. And the photo booth was pretty mutual.
"Wake up!" Tig's voice broke my train of thoughts after I tried to push my bike on the highway in third gear. "What is wrong with you? Stay focused kid!" the sergeant yelled at me. I am focused old man. On your daughter. Another thing I would only think and never say out loud in his presence.
Did I screw up for good now? Of course Harley was flirty but she never made the first step till now. Would she ever do it again now that I reacted in the most stupid way a man with a functional dick ever had?
I pushed her away? What. The. Fuck?
Tig and I drove off the highway at an exit just outside of Charming. There was a bar called Danny`s and it was known to serve anyone. It didn't prefer us nor the Mayans nor Niners. And it also didn't kick out any Nordics.
We liked to stay away from the place if we weren't out for trouble. But now we were. It was time to make it known the Sons were regular customers here now and the Nordics shouldn't dare to be seen. Not even in a neutral bar.
Just as we had hoped we saw a few bikes outside. So the Mayans were gonna get it.
It was just me and the sergeant here. The rest was gonna spread all around Charming to send the same message.
"Whatever it is that is spooking through that brain of yours, I hope it will help kick some asses."
I barely heard Tig. I had mixed feelings about this. I might have screwed up a few minutes ago and I had my doubts about Harley trying to kiss me again. Especially if I looked like we fought with a football team.
On the other hand, I really wanted to kick some ass and get our point across. No one is gonna come near my girl again. Ever.
And she would never know I thought of her like that before she was okay with it.
"Boy!" Tig's hand smacked me on the back of my head. "I need you here with me."
"Yeah, sorry. I was just hopin to see a familiar car, not just some bikes."
"I'll take either. They havee been looking at me like I owed them for being a decent human being and looking for Harley. Everything comes with a price and the longer we wait to send a sign to everyone the higher it will be. Time for the Sons to be back."
"Explain that to your daughter with a broken nose." I couldn't help but chuckle. Harley was gonna freak out about her Dad being hurt. None the less being the one who started the fight. The first time I came home beaten up ended with us cuddling. So I really hoped that somehow the magic moment I ruined before would have a comeback.
"I'm not the one getting broken bones here. And you better not as well. Protect your face or your mother is gonna kill us for ruining the wedding pictures."
"She'll cut us out of them if she has to."
"Every single Son?"
"All she needs is Ope. You think its a coincidence he had to stay home?"
"I forgot your mother is keepin Clays balls in that bag of hers."
"Right next to her gun."
We walked up to the entrance and took another look around to see if more Mayans would show up. There were 5 bikes out there and a pick up.
"Ready?" I asked the old man and his eyes found mine.
"For Harley."
"For Harley." My fist bumped his and we walked in to cause some trouble.
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HARLEY'S POV
"Okay! Five, six, seven, eight." Missy was yelling at me for the hundredth time this morning and watched me do a yell. We were alone in the city park. Well… Opie had babysitting duty and sat in the van just by the street watching us. I could tell he was fighting to not fall asleep. I felt him. I heavn't slept for a minute.
"Y-E-L-L, Y-E-L-L, Everybody Yell!"
Ok no, stop it. What the hell is wrong with you today? Your arms are all over the place. Tell me now or swallow it."
Missy was one of the few people in my life that had turned out to be a hundred percent different than I thought she would be. For the better. In the last few days she had kicked my ass to catch up with the rest of the squad. That didn't take too long though so now she was forcing me to stay true to my word and show how much better some things could be and she was totally open for every suggestion. I would even dare to say we were becoming friends. She was a bitch none the less but a bitch you could hang out with. She fought back to many of my insults and often it would end with us laughing.
"Sorry. It's a club thing."
"Ughhh...Okay break time. Tell me about the big bad bikers." Talk about change of character.
"One is still my father."
She just shrugged her shoulders making me push her away a little bit. "Eww girl. Gross."
"Whatever. Spill. Or this practice was a waste of time. I could have done my nails this morning."
"It's hard to explain. It's a mixture of a club thing and a men thing I guess. They all went out last night to "mark the Sons territory" so Darby and his men wouldn't show up here again."
From the Missy i didn`t know I would have expected an eye role or stupid remark from her. But the one i got to know was looking at me and listening.
"My dad and Jax went together to a bar. I haven't heard from them since. Gemma sent me home with Opie and this morning I came right here. Dad wasn't home."
"Gemma is your godmother right? And Opie is the one creepin right now. The one who's getting married."
"And becoming a father yes. He's off the list."
"Already noted." She raised her hands in defense and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm sure it's gonna be okay. You're legally his daughter again right? If he was in the hospital someone would have called you. And someone would have called Gemma if her son was there."
"Or they are six feet under."
"Wow. Dark thoughts."
"Just realistic. You remember where I have been the last few months right?"
She was looking a little apologetic but smiled again.
"You just gotta think positive. Your man can't die before he ever sees you in your new uniform. I saw him trying to take a peek in your bag when he picked you up. The biker and the cheerleader. Sounds pretty damn hot to me." I couldn't help but slap her arm again.
"You really need your own life!"
"Then introduce me to some of them."
"You just want to annoy your Dad."
"And have fun. Win win. My dad is trying to avoid your uncle like the plague. Just picture this… that hot biker with the Mohawk picking me up in the middle of the night."
"Juice? Say no more. Sealed deal."
"Really?"
"Just let me talk to him. And believe it or not he can be a true gentleman."
"A bad boy and a gentleman. The whole package hmm?"
"I've seen it. He won't disappoint."
"Shut up, really?" and this time she slapped my arm and I couldn't help but laugh.
It felt so good to have something like a girl friend again. The last time it felt like this was back in Creed. This messed up thing with Donna didn't help to enlighten that I had no friends in Charming. Sure there was my Dad and Jax and the whole Club. But that was family. And whatever…
It was amazing how she had managed to take my mind off of my dad and maybe boyfriend being MIA.
That was until Opie scared us with an unexpected honk from the van. He had his arm out the window and signaled for us to come over. Not in a calm way.
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Well there you go guys. A new chapter.
Let me know what you think!
Let`s see how this second lockdown goes shall we? I don't see me working at the hotel again this year.
Plus we are moving...yay. Such perfect timing.
All love,
Joey
