Disclaimer: I own nothing but Harley Stanley/Tragger.
Thank you for your reviews Gday, Guest and Foreverkee. More at the bottom
Beta: girl-at-home13
I have a question for everyone at the end!
ALSO YOU GUYS! Somehow Missy is sometimes namend Mandy... i know i am often writing this story while a show i son German Tv were a Mandy is a carackter... Apparently my attention span is worse than ever. I will try to turn every Mandy into a Missy but be warned! If you find andy Mandys, please let me know! Love you guys!
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Jax POV
"This has got to be a joke. A really bad one!" I couldn't help but yell. Standing in the living room with Opie making a sandwich while Donna was already eating some gummi bears felt surreal. Especially since the pregnant woman was looking at me like she was bored as fuck. I felt like strangling her.
"She was my best friend, Jax. Deal with it."
"You should have told me!" I screamed. It was either that or punching their freshly painted wall.
"You should have told him. Or at least me." Opie said as he gave Donna the plate with the sandwich. Her face beamed up at him like a Christmas tree. I wanted to throw that sandwich to the ground so bad right now. She was lucky she was pregnant.
"That bitch turned her back on all of us. She would have rather died then spent any time longer here in Charming. She didn't give a shit about any of us then, and she doesn't now."
"She left you and the club, Jax. Not me." Donna spoke up a little more annoyed now. Come again?
"You stayed in contact with her?"
"Regularly."
I couldn't help but look at Opie. My brother seemed shocked as well.
"What are you gonna do, Jax? Not be his best man now? Get over it."
I didn't even feel the pain on my fist when I punched the mirror that hung on the wall. I didn't even hear Opie yelling at me to get the fuck out. I was already on my way. But I knew he was right behind me.
"Uncalled for man."
"Send me a fucking bill."
"Hey!" Opie took my shoulder and forced me to turn around. "I know this is fucked up. But I had no idea. You know I would have warned you."
"Would you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're pissed that Harley is taking me back. Maybe this was your way of putting me in my place."
"This is not about you! Do you really think I would watch you two get cozy if I knew Tara was on her way and not say a damn thing to you? You should go. Calm down."
I felt like breaking a nose again. I wanted to hit him for trying to be the bigger person. Just punch me and get it over with.
"Fuck this shit." I turned and strode towards my bike. "I won't be working with her. I'm there for you and you only."
"That's all I'm asking for."
I drove off to finally get home and check if Harley and Tig made it there safe. I knew the sergeant was able to drive highly intoxicated but the way we all parted ways at the strip club was pretty chaotic. One second I was in seventh heaven making out with the girl of my dreams and the next, fucking Tara is standing in front of me ruining the perfect moment I've waited so damn long to have.
The way Harley had just so easily trusted me with getting high for the first time with me. And the way she so casually talked about the strippers being hot…I couldn't hold back and had to kiss her. No drama with this one. Though, I had a feeling she wanted to play with me to see if I would make a move or not for the last few days. And I was very happy to finally do it.
Now that Tara was here, I couldn't help but imagine her in the same scenario. Hell, she wouldn't even have been at the party in the first place. And once she figured out we were at the strip club, she would have pulled me out of there making a scene. It wouldn't have been the first time…
I couldn't wait to rub it in her face that I finally found someone that I felt in sync with. And we weren't even together together yet. I just knew that Harley and I were meant to be.
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Tig's POV
Well, that was a nasty ending to a bachelor party. I would have expected me waking up in the clubhouse with a stripper and Hap in my bed. Not waking up in my own home with the unopened letters of my dead wife next to me.
Never in a million years would I have bet my money on Knowles showing up.
Never in a million years would I have expected to drive my way too silent munchkin home and have her lock herself in her room.
Also, not as big a surprise but unusual none the less, didn't expect Gemma to be making me breakfast. The first lady was furiously scrambling the eggs like they attacked her.
"You wanna talk about something?" I asked her while taking a sip of my coffee. Sadly, it wasn't Harley's. But I would not tell Gemma that. Now.
"I'm done at my house. Jax isn't up yet. I need to do something." She poured the eggs into the pan and I considered to tell her I preferred fried eggs but the way she cut the bacon made me rethink my actions.
"So, I take it you know."
"That Donna chose the worst person possible as her maid of honor? Oh, I know."
Oh boy. I remembered the wars Gemma and Tara used to have before the latter left Charming. It was nasty. And Jax was right in the middle of it. I could only imagine Gemma being pissed. She helped set up the wedding, wanting everything to be perfect. And now this girl she hated with her whole heart was marching in. I had no idea Donna and Tara were that close. Of course, they all went to school together, but I honestly paid little to no attention to all of that since it hurt too much to think about Harley during that time. She surely would have been involved with all of it despite the age difference. Or at least I imagined it that way. i used to picture my daughter tagging along with their little gang, getting involved in their trouble. Would Jax had paid her any second thought the way he did now if that was our reality? Why was i thinking about that now?
"She also showed up right on time to interrupt our kids making out on his bike."
Gemma dropped the knife and looked at me for the first time this morning. Her grin reminded me of the Grinch. It was scary.
"Shut up. Really?"
"They're cozy all over again. He didn't tell you?"
She raised her eyebrow at me and I knew what was up.
"See, leave your kid alone instead of pushing and investigating your way in for information and in the end you will know more." I winked at her and she glared.
"So they are together-together?"
I stopped lifting my cup to my mouth and froze. Damn.
"Yeah, you know so much more. Please Trager, teach me your ways of raising a kid since I obviously have done it wrong for over twenty years and you perfected it after months." Sarcasm really could make a person ugly.
"At least she isn't hiding it from me."
"You probably had three girls on your lap last night, you should be the one hiding stuff from your daughter."
"But it's what makes him a cool Dad." Harley appeared next to me dressed in her practice uniform. Way too short shorts and a sports bra in red like her usual cheer uniform and their logo on her boobs and ass. Great.
"You going anywhere?"
"No, everything else is dirty. We need to learn to wash our shit more in advance." She answered and took a sip of my coffee.
A loud sigh was heard from the kitchen and Gemma strutted down our hallway in her heels.
"Thank you." I looked at my kid who just smiled and winked at me.
"I did a load before we left for the feast yesterday. I just didn't feel like normal clothes again."
"Normal clothes are clothes that would cover your skin I assume?" She gave me the side eye and got up to take care of the eggs in the kitchen Gemma had left unattended. I loved that girl for pouring the coffee into the sink and making a new one.
"A load is washing. Please don't forget to put it in the dryer later. Your uniform needs to be hung though. So, you met Tara last night."
Gemma Teller-Morrow. The queen of subtlety.
My daughter looked at me scared for a second then back at Gemma who was in the kitchen as well. Looking at them through the passthrough made it seem like a movie. And I really wanted to jump into it to protect her.
"I didn't really meet her. I saw her. Then we came home."
"Why did you leave?"
"We were tiered."
"Trager's don't get tired. You pass out."
"We didn't feel like sleeping at a strip club."
"Jax could have brought you home."
"He was busy cursing the shit out of everyone." I interrupted the interrogation making Gemma look back at me so Harley could flee out of the kitchen.
"This girl is trouble. She messed with Jackson's head big time. He has every right to be pissed. So do I."
"But if Donna chose her as maid of honor… there is nothing you can do about it." Harley spoke and I looked at her as she realized what she just said. Terror on her face. "Run Munchkin."
"Screw you two. That girl is not going to ruin the first SAMCRO wedding in over 10 years. I'll make sure of it. She'll stand next to Donna and that is it. She won't get a chance to do anything remotely noticeable."
"Remind me to never piss her off." Harley whispered to me and I just grunted in agreement. Tara was lucky if Gemma simply planned to ignore her existence.
"You're coming with me to the shop. I need help creating the bougets. And you Mister, are expected in an hour to put the tables to the side. We still got a few customers coming till the wedding day."
She let my daughter grab her jacket and pulled her out of the house. I could just see her starting to drive out of her garage before I ran into the kitchen to remove the burning eggs from the stove.
We sure were having some exhausting days ahead of us. And I really didn't want my daughter in the middle of some Jax-Tara-Gemma mess. I didn't think I could bare the sight of my daughter getting her heart broken. Again.
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Harley's POV
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I got out of Gemma's car. I was certainly surprised to see Missy sitting on the picnic table with Juice and Uncle Happy sitting on the bench looking up at her.
"Waiting for you of course!" Missy jumped off the table and came over to hug me making the men follow her ass with their eyes. I shot them with a finger pistol while she had her arms around me making them turn away. Pervs. My family ladies and gents.
"I had to get out of my house and since you wouldn't stop whining about the tasks you have to do here, I thought I'd come and help you."
"A. You young lady got nothing to wine about. You had to do the least. B. You stuck up barbie better not expect me to like you more. I am used to girls kissing my ass so I like them. C you both can place a table just outside my office to fold the napkins. I want to keep an eye on and the boys away from you. Move it." Gemma said as she lifted a box out of her car pointing a finger first at me then at Missy.
"I thought she liked me?" Missy whispered in panic at me grabbing my arm and pulling me a little away.
"Ignore the remarks. She is royally pissed today. The maid of honor showed up yesterday. Jax's ex."
Missy's jaw dropped to the floor and I could tell she had a million questions so I just pulled her to a table that we could work on where Gemma had told us. After Gemma had showed us how to fold the expensive looking but actually Target bought napkins, she left to hunt down some Sons in the clubhouse. And we could finally talk freely.
"She had to show up right then and there didn't she? She did that on purpose trust me. I know crazy ex-girlfriends. I am a crazy ex-girlfriend. It is all planned out."
"No one said she was crazy."
"She's gotta be if she actually showed up here after messing with the prince of this club and ending on Lady Morrows shit list."
"She's gonna like that name. I just hope nobody gets stabbed during the wedding. I've never been to a wedding, especially a SAMCRO one."
"Too bad I can't be there."
"You just wanna screw my godfather. Who I think was almost having a threesome with my Dad last night."
"Mohawk is in the lead anyway." For a short few seconds we looked at eachother and I was contemplating if I should be worried about me being able to talk casually about sexual scenes involving my father, or be worried about my kinda best friend trying to fuck her way into my family. None of these thoughts rang alarm bells in my head.
"Change of topic please. I got bad news for you. Jax says you're probably paying too much money for your fun." I mimicked smoking a joint and her eyes shot back at me since she was dreamingly looking over at Juice. She was not amused.
"I knew something seemed off. I just blamed it on the booze that night. it's just so hard to find someone trustworthy. My last dealer graduated and I can't just run around asking random people."
"The hard life of the rich and famous." I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't really see through the hierarchy in Charming. I just knew her Dad had something to say in it, so she was something like a Mayors daughter in Charming since the Oswalds kinda owned half of Charming. Eyes were on her.
"Hey! Your family is known for funny shit. Can you imagine me asking the wrong kid at school? It wouldn't even take a whole school day for my father to hear about it."
"You make it sound like you've experienced that already."
"My sister did. She went to college on the east coast, as far away as possible from our folks. But I also don't want anyone from the squad to take the risk."
"So we've got that already covered. You just said it is somehow expected of me. I'll take care of that for the squad."
Her right eyebrow raised almost up to her hairline.
"What? It was relaxing before Tara showed up."
"The pot or Jax' tongue in your mouth?" Missy wiggled her eyebrows making me throw a napkin at her.
"Who did you risk asking for the shit anyway? So, I know who to report here… Jax asked me to." I explained when she took a sip of her coffee.
"That new dude. And he came up to me. He gave it to me as a "gift". First time for free bla bla. I played it off like I was offended but took it anyway."
"The one who asked Angela to the game?"
"Yeah! I thought I had to stop drinking when I saw them after the game. Weird couple right?"
"Right…"
I couldn't help but get a weird feeling in my stomach. This dude was giving me the creeps. He went out of his way to annoy the shit out of us and then offers Missy free pot? I needed to keep an eye on him. And confront him about the weak pot.
"Anyway, I've been thinking about some new cheers with the rhythm you thought me." Missy got all excited so I missed Jax rolling up on Teller-Morrow.
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Jax's POV
I had a feeling Harley and Missy were placed in the corner for bad behavior by my mother and I already heard that woman yelling in the clubhouse. Luckily, she stormed out of there. But sadly, she walked right towards the girls who were beating some kind of rhythm on the table and yelling some cheers instead of doing their task. I was not stupid enough to walk over there now. But I really just wanted to kiss Harley right then and there. She looked so carefree messing with her best friend. Even trying to not laugh after Gemma yelled at them.
Tig had also showed up by now. I could tell he was eying me.
"I take it you made it home safe?" I walked towards him after taking another obvious look at Harley one last time. Lighting up my cigarette I knew the sergeant was gonna bug me about Tara.
"I take it you made it home alone?"
"I actually came by but the both of you were asleep. I locked your doors. Your welcome."
"Careful boy."
"You know we still don't know if she is safe or not."
"And you know there are 23 guns hidden in my house."
"I thought it was 18."
"I stocked up. Knowle's gonna stay?"
I couldn't help but wonder where the new guns were hidden. I knew for a fact that one was in Harleys room ever since they had their first session of shooter training. She didn't know of it yet. She had a few more cans to kill until Tig would tell her but he wanted every room to be secure.
"I won't tell you where they are until I know you aint gonna break my girls' heart. Again." Tig interrupted my train of thought. I must have zoned out.
"She's staying for the wedding. Donna wouldn't budge. But it doesn`t matter. I have nothing to do with her. As far as I am concerned, she isn't even here."
"So you two won't be having a great entrance together at the party?"
"Nope."
"Good."
He took a sip of his beer and I felt like someone turned a lightbulb on above my head.
"Does that mean you're giving me a fair chance with your daughter?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"That." He pointed out towards the lots gate. I would recognize Tara's car anywhere.
"What the hell?" I mumbled with my cigarette between my lips.
"Does she have a death wish? If Gemma sees her…" Tig wasn't wrong. I took a quick glance towards the office and I could see Mom on the phone.
Tara got out of the car and stayed put. She looked around like she was actually scared to move. Once she found me, she gave me a little smile and waved. I could feel Tig's eyes burning into the back of my head.
"I'll make her disappear."
"Can I dig the hole?" He mumbled and I couldn't help but chuckle.
I took a quick glance towards Harley who was still beating on the table while her friend tried to find a rhyme. I couldn't help but smile again. She hadn't seen me nor Tara yet. Luckily. I hate it when her carefree moments get interrupted sooner than they have to.
"Hey." Tara said carefully still looking around a little bit.
"What do you doing here?"
"We weren't really able to talk yesterday. I should have figured that you wouldn't be able to think straight during a bachelor party." She tried to joke.
"Yeah… me drinking was the problem. Not you showing up during a bachelor party." I said emphasizing the words you and during. She couldn't be that oblivious to the situation. I knew she wasn't. The way she was looking with her eyes for Mom was proof enough. She just wanted me to comfort her. To agree to her so she wouldn't be in the wrong. I used to fall for that trick. Not anymore.
"I should have called."
"I wouldn't have answered."
She finally narrowed her eyes and I knew she was irritated. About time.
"Yeah… probably staying busy with your cheerleaders over there. Didn't know Teller-Morrow was a daycare now." When my only reaction was to look at Harley and lick my lips I could hear Tara's annoyance rise even more. "Does Hale know the club is starting to accept minors as their servants?" she practically spit out the word club and I couldn't help but smirk.
"Your little friend aint got no business here. The girls are here willingly."
She couldn't help but laugh at that. "Don't tell me one of you started hanging out in front of the school luring them in." she looked over at the girls again and Juice apparently had chosen danger this morning since he was crouched down with one of his hands on the table and the other on Missy's chair making the girl look up to him with the dreamiest eyes, she could give him.
"They're free for anyone or what?"
"No. Juice and I happened to stumble across them after a football match."
She took a quick glance back at me and then back at Harley. "So that's your plaything now?"
"The best I ever had."
Her head shot back at me again. Laser beams were coming out of her eyes. She really hated me right now. "Don't pretend like you don't recognize her from last night."
"You were never into cheerleaders."
"I should have been."
"So, what's the new rules? Will she be gone once she turns 18?"
"Maybe… I like her. She's really flexible. Might keep her till she's 21." I couldn't help but rile her up. I wasn't gonna explain to Tara what Harley truly meant to me nor who she really was. It was none of her business. She would figure it out sooner or later. And I sure as hell wouldn't explain it to my ex-pain-in-the-ass girlfriend before I had a proper talk with Harley. This was our life. Our relationship. The person currently standing in front of me, who took my belief of something like that ever happening again, had no right to know about it.
"You thinking long term Teller? With a cheerleader bimbo?" right in that moment Harley and Missy had gotten up from their chairs to perform some sort of clapping game with a rhyme about their team.
"S - is for super – su - per
T – is for time's up – for - you
R – means run real fast – that way
O – is for oh no - too - late
N – means never mind lo -ser
G – gosh your game's our - fore - play!"
"Hey!" My mothers head came out of her office making Harley and Missyy fall down on their chairs again.
"Adorable." Tara smiled at me, really thinking this just embarrassed me.
"Yeah right? She's got one about my dick too."
"Ugh…" I just knew how to get under Tara's skin. She should have expected this kind of behavior from me. She was supposed to be the smart one. "Listen. I just came to talk about the wedding. I'm mixing Donna's bachelorette party with the baby shower since I couldn't get here sooner. I didn't have time to send out the invitations because of school and work… so give this to your mom." She handed me a white envelope. "As soon as possible, okay? It's tomorrow and I need to plan."
"Why don't you give it to her?"
"I don't have time for the queen's behavior right now. I'm here for way longer than I planned already. I wanted to drop this off and ask you if you wanted to talk about the wedding. Like, surprises for them or anything I should know about last minute? I thought we could meet later sometime."
"As far as I am concerned you and I have no business together at the wedding so I don't see the point."
She let out an annoyed breath again. "Then do it for them. I know nothing and Donna is way to stressed. It gives you a chance to bombard me with insults so you don't have to do it on the big day."
Sadly, that kinda made sense.
"Tonight. At the Diner."
"Usual time?" she smirked again and I hated it. She took another look at Harley making me look at her as well. Sadly, she was directly looking at us.
"Wont your plaything get jealous though?"
"She knows she is all I want. And can handle. I wonder how I ever thought you were a woman…" putting emphasize on you here to annoy the shit out of her. And it worked. She tried to kill Harley with her eyes.
"Later." She said and turned around and got into her car. She was just pulling off the lot when I started to walk towards my mother who was leaning against her office doorframe.
"Does she have a death wish?" the woman that gave me life was ready to kill.
"She dropped this off for you." I gave her the envelope and looked at Harley. I could tell she tried to look unbothered. I just wanted to grab her and take her to my dorm to show her that there was nothing to worry about. If she weren't Tig's daughter she'd be over my shoulders already. And I'd make sure all of Teller-Morrow could hear her.
"A baby bridal shower? Only she could come up with that. I am not going to that. I am doing most of her job for this wedding." My mother stated as she read the invitation.
She took her phone out and dialed Tara's number that was on the card.
"Yes bitch, I am coming plus one." And she hung up confusing all of us. She dropped the card between Missy and Harley.
"You two are going."
"What?" both the girls sounded like rubber ducks being squeezed at the same time. Their synchronization was on point.
"The Sons can't be nonpresent at that party. I am not going. I am your godmother. I am sending you."
"Why do I have to go?" Missyy protested and I couldn't help but laugh.
"You want to be able to crash here anytime you want to escape from you parents?"
My mother just knew which buttons to push.
"When and where?" Missy asked in response picking up the card.
"Tomorrow. 12 sharp. Donna's place."
"I can't believe you are making us do this." Harley complained. Her eyes met mine and I couldn't help but turn my head towards the clubhouse. And I knew she understood. I turned around and left.
I could tell Tig was still watching me so I walked into the house as casual as possible. I even walked behind the bar to pour me a glass of Jack. Instead of walking down the hall into my room I quickly slipped into the chapel, leaving the door open so Harley would see me. I simply leaned against the table taking a sip from my drink as I saw Harley get behind the bar to get herself a drink as well. Her eyes met mine.
Once she was done pouring herself anything with vodka she casually walked into the chapel and closed the door behind her. She leaned back against the door and took a sip from her glass.
"Your ex is in town." She stated. It was a simple statement, yet it held so much power.
"It doesn't mean shit."
"So why did I have to go home riding bitch on my dad's bike when I would much rather…" she stopped herself taking another sip while her eyes bored into mine.
I could feel something taking control over me.
Before I knew it, I took her arm pulling her towards me. Her glass fell down to the floor just as my lips met hers and the taste of whisky and vodka mixed on our lips. I couldn't help my hand which found it's way grabbing her hair at the back of her head. I also couldn't help my hips, which buckled forward, because of her moan of prior action. The sounds this girl made sounded better than any song I ever heard.
My lips soon found her neck and the gasp coming from her almost drove me into insanity.
"Jax, we shouldn't be doing this here…"
"But I've dreamed of taking you on top of this very table for months."
It was true. I really just wanted to lay her on top of this table so her beautiful blonde hair would cover the reaper. I dreamed of sitting down on the throne and eating her out like she was my last meal.
"Everyone is just behind that door." Her voice got weak as I grabbed her ass.
"You shouldn't talk about riding something if you are worried about that." I bit down on her ear which made her grab my forearms.
My lips met hers again and she started to grab my kutte again just like last night. I turned us around and I could hear her taking in a sharp breath as I lifted her up and placed her on the table. And I knew I was about to get to the point of no return when her legs wrapped themselves around me. I would be getting killed for corrupting the sergeants daughter in the chapel. I chose my death. I'm happy with it.
"I should go. Dad is gonna march in any second." She whispered as my lips found her neck again.
"He's gonna check my room first. We got a few." And I couldn't help but squeeze my hands on her naked hips and bite down on her neck just so slightly that I knew she would have a mark on both places. And by her moan I could tell she didn't mind. Now. In a few minutes she would cuss the hell out of me.
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Of course her car was parked at the Diner already. I was late on purpose. Sadly, not because Harley and I never got interrupted.
My mother had been screaming for her shortly after she first stepped into the room. Right when I could feel Harley was getting comfortable with my hand on her breast and my dick rubbing on her. That girl made me feel like I was fifteen again. And boy have I never enjoyed second base more.
But I just wanted to drive her to the very next motel where no one would look for us and show her how good I could make her feel. Whenever she would let me. Anytime.
Just thinking about it, I could feel blood going down again. But I needed to focus now. I couldn't think of Harley's quiet moan or the way she grabbed my arm. Nor the fact that later today, when we all sat together and I spent enough time apart from her to think straight, she mentioned this new guy selling the weak weed and that she was now in charge to supply her squad. Had I known that the cheerleaders were that chill during my high school years I probably would have turned my back on Tara way sooner. It did give me an idea for the club though. Something Opie and I were in charge of back then. There were just a few questions to that. Would Tig kill me for suggesting it? Would Clay give his go? And would Harley be up for it?
I sat down at the table not giving Tara a single glance. I just looked for the waitress to order a single cup of coffee. I aint eating here and spending more time than necessary. I could tell she got the sign as she placed down the menu between the salt and pepper shakers again.
"Thanks for coming."
"Not like I had much of a choice. I don't know what you have to do for the bride but I'm in charge of both rings. Opie wouldn't have it any other way. I'll give you his right before the ceremony starts. Not a second earlier."
Tara was shifting uncomfortably in her seat and I was loving it. I never thought of me as a guy who enjoyed making their ex feel miserable. But on the other hand, I grew up never considering the idea of having a girlfriend in the first place. She was the one not giving up until I gave in. Not to mention the constant tries to change me then. And finally tossing me away like a used condom.
"Okay… Donna mentioned something about the party entrance…."
"Not gonna happen. You walk in with the other bridesmaids and I walk in with the guys. She knows that. Tell her to stop trying."
The woman in front of me simply nodded. But said nothing else.
"If that was all I swear to god Tara…."
"No!" she had grabbed my hand on the table as soon as I was looking for the waitress to cancel my coffee. "I… This feels weird Jackson. I just… I guess I have to get used to the… the new you."
My raised eyebrow must have asked the question better than I ever could.
"I mean… I don't remember you being so… so cold."
"Only towards you." I pulled back my hand. I could just see a Son showing up for dinner any second seeing us and getting the wrong idea. It was a risk I knew. But as long as there was no physical contact between my ex and me, I could defend my story in front of Tig, Harley and most importantly my mother. Try telling one of them there was nothing when she has her hand in mine. I would be dead.
Tara quickly looked down at the table.
"I know that I hurt you Jax and I am sorry about it. But I would hate me for destroying the good side of you. There is still more than the club and this life for you out there." She grabbed my hand again, this time to hold it with both of hers and this fucking hopeful look in her eyes. What was she on about?
"Are you on crack?" I pulled my hand away again, a little rougher than I intended at first but, who cared? "You didn't destroy any part of me. Actually, the second you passed the towns border you set my real self free."
Two coffees appeared at the table and the waitress was giving me a stern look. I could tell she didn't like the way I talked to Tara and I couldn't care less.
"And I don't give a shit about you hating yourself for whatever reason. What makes you think that it has any meaning to me?"
"You are not like that. You are not this cold, this heartless…"
"I repeat. Only to you."
I didn't care about how hot the coffee was. I had to take a sip of it before I started cursing more at Tara. I liked this Diner. I didn't want to get kicked out.
"So I mean that much to you that you feel like you have to put on this act?" I almost spit out the coffee again. What? "You don't have to pretend with me Jax."
"Oh my god." I was rubbing my hands up and down my face. Was she serious? "Am I speaking in foreign tongue Tara? I am not putting on an act. I am not pretending to hate you. I am not having any romantic feelings at all. Not for you!"
I could see a switch in her eyes. And I wanted to bite my tongue off for saying the last part.
"That cheerleader? You can not be serious, Jackson. She is a child. Do her parents know?"
"She's of legal age. And it's none of your business! Why am I even defending myself?"
"Oh so she's a charity case or something like that? Or did you think she was cute after a game and started gaslighting her to make her dependent on you?"
"Shut the fuck up,Tara. You don't get to talk about her like that! You also don't have to pretend like you want to protect her from me. Just. Shut. Up."
Tara leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. I needed to take another sip of my coffee. Why did I come here? This was such a big mistake.
"Why are you even talking to me when you think I am capable of using a girl like that? Gaslighting? Are you serious? Why were you with me if you think I would do that to someone. I wouldn't even know how."
"You make a person question their sanity. Making them feel like they can't trust themselves…"
"I know what it is!" I interrupted her. Don't strangle her, Teller. I kept repeating the words on a loop in my head. My own personal mantra. "Listen, Tara, believe it or not, I have moved on. I found someone who takes me for who I am. Yes, she is younger. But believe me when I tell you that she has seen and lived enough for three lifetimes. And like I said. She is legally of age. No need to get your friend Hale involved. If you don't feel comfortable with it, I suggest you stay far away from me and her during the wedding. If her father can live with it so can you." I dropped enough money on the table to cover both our coffees and a generous tip for the waitress who wanted to kick my ass for talking to a woman like that and got up.
As soon as I was hit with fresh air I felt relieved. This wedding was gonna feel like an eternity with Tara on my back like that. I was no idiot. She would be staying close by that was for sure. Her intentions were a mystery to me though. Was she actually worried over Harley or… jealous? My money was on the latter and that made me worry. Because a jealous Tara had no remorse.
I pulled out my phone to text Harley and ask where she was when I heard people talking nearby.
And soon enough I found two boys at the outer corner of the Diner. They tried to keep a low profile but were terrible at it. They couldn't have made exchanging money and weed more obvious. I decided to pay closer attention to the dealer. His looks fitted the description Harley and Mandy gave earlier about the dude selling the weed at school.
I waited till the buyer disappeared and approached the guy.
"You new here?" I asked lighting up a cigarette. The dealer quickly looked at me and… relaxed? His eyes lingered a little longer on my cut, especially on the patches.
"You're part of that club, right?"
"You are new if you don't know that."
"Just moved here actually. I go to school with a girl who has family in your club. Little cute cheerleader."
"Small world. What are you selling?" I tried to ignore the smile he had when he talked about Harley. I wanted to punch out his teeth and he didn't even say something vulgar. But his tone… I could understand the girls now. Something about him was off.
"Why? Want some?"
"Nothing wrong with a little bit of fun, right?"
"Absolutely." He reached into his back pocket. "I hear you guys are a pretty big number here. I wouldn't dream of charging you for your first purchase. But maybe in exchange for the future we could talk about some sort of… arrangement. I might be around more often anyway. Little Angela is pretty fun to be around."
A cold shiver went down my back thinking about Nerdgela being around this guy. I needed to get Harley on that as soon as possible.
Did I just think about giving Harley two tasks within one hour? Tig would be so pissed at me. But both had this douchebag involved so it was worth it.
He had pulled out a tiny bag of weed and actually had the decency to hide it more properly. But I felt like being obvious. I had reached out a few bucks, way more than his weed was worth, and put it in the chest pocket of his shirt.
"The sons don't do debts." I smirked and took the little plastic bag out of his hand.
"And we also watch out for our girls. If you know what I mean." I gave him another smirk and turned around to walk to my bike.
"I expect you to. Would be a shame to leave such pretty faces unattended. Who knows who might show up to grab them."
I had just placed my ass on my bike as I turned around to cuss him out but he had already turned around and disappeared.
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So you guys….. here we are. This is a huge chapter …. I thought about splitting it up but I wasn't really sure where… and you guys deserve more of the story anyway already so… tada….
Thank you Gday for your tip. That did help! I try to focus on positive things but actually taking the time to write them down helped a lot! Thank you!
Thank you so much Foreverkee! That means a lot to me. The way i know myself I will somehow end up writing you in the middle of the night
So tell me what you think. What are your theories? Do you have any cute date ideas I could throw in for Harley and Jax? I am all open for ideas!
BUT I HAVE A QUESTION YOU GUYS! we all know the famouse SOA wedding vow... should it be Said in Jax' POV or heard in Harley's POV? I can't decide ...
All love
Joey