*Andrea*
-Next morning-
The tension between us dissipated the moment Jax and I made passionate love - consolidating our devotion. Gratification consumed me when Jax admitted sheepishly that I was the first woman he had ever made love to, which was evidence enough of how much he cared for and loved me. To be honest, it soared my self-esteem so high that I didn't think it would ever sink.
Four hours, four intensely brisk hours of love making and fucking - that was how long Jax and I had been jumping each other's bones. We didn't know the time - as we were so entranced, so lost, so committed to pleasing each other - until the alarm clock sounded at 6:30 a.m., breaking us out of our trance and revealing that we didn't sleep at all. And believe it or not, after multiple rounds and orgasms, we were so elated with energy we didn't need sleep.
So, with one last sexcapade in the shower, we found ourselves starting our day in the kitchen, preparing breakfast together like a normal couple - that's what we are when we're away from the clubhouse and club business. We're just a normal family, but doing mundane things together emphasizes that we could have normal moments. Basking in our time alone as we made pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and, of course, coffee. Sex really does work up the appetite.
We sat side by side, shoulder to shoulder, eating in comfortable silence when Jax spoke through a mouthful of food: "What time does your shift start at T-M?" Glancing over at me, his brow arched in wonder.
"I gotta be there around eleven," I answered, shoveling a fork full of eggs in my mouth. As I pulled the fork away from my lips, I realized I was going to work with Tig in the garage.
Disgusted from the thought of being around Tig - and Clay for that matter - I dropped the fork on my plate and shoved it away from me, resisting the urge to spit out the food in my mouth and forced myself to swallow it. Nausea overtakes me as the bile creeps into the back of my throat, just thinking of seeing those men after what they have done to my cousin's wife.
Jax, who noticed how my mood changed, knew something was wrong and his face went from relaxed to worried. "Andy?" He asked, shifting sideways in his seat, his knees pressing against my outer thigh. "What's wrong?" he coaxed.
The urge to vomit vanished, and anger took its place. I felt the muscles in my clenched jaw constrict. "I'm supposed to work with Tig," I seethed through clenched teeth and basically foamed out the mouth like a rabid dog as my lips drew back in a snarl.
"Hey, hey," he said in a soothing tone, putting a calloused, ringed hand to my knee. "Ignore him, stay busy," he quietly suggested with a shrug.
My eyebrows knitted together in a grimace, my eyes rolling to the back of my head at his idiotic suggestion. Nobody could avoid Tig, because he simply wouldn't let them - I had a better chance of avoiding Clay than with Tig. And given how close Tig and I became after saving his ass, he wouldn't get the hint that I didn't want to be bothered and would pester me until I finally snapped.
"No," I shook my head vigorously, pushing Jax's hand away, "It's not easy to avoid Tig like Clay. It's just not possible because - until yesterday - we were friends and as far as he's aware, we still are. If I went to work and bluntly gave him the cold shoulder, he would pester the hell out of me to find out what's wrong. He would constantly try to cheer me up," Jax opened his mouth as if to say something, but I raised my hand, silencing him. I needed a moment to gather my bearings as they dwindled hastily from my rants.
If Jax expected me to put on a friendly demeanor around them, if he expected me to put on a poker face and brush off Donna's murder as if nothing had happened; he had another thing coming. I don't fake shit. If they had trusted Opie just as everyone else, none of this fucked-up shit would have happened.
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees as I stared into his baby blues. "If you think for one second I can act like I don't know about Donna, that I can act all buddy-buddy with them; you're sadly mistaken," my voice growing louder by the second. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly to calm myself: "I refuse to keep my anger - my hatred in check with the men who parade around all happy-go-lucky and acting as if they had not killed an innocent woman - a wife, a mother." I rose from my chair and looked down at him. "I can't pretend it didn't happen, Jax. I didn't promise to ignore this whole fucked up situation, I didn't promise I wouldn't confront them if they fucked with me. No, I promised I wouldn't say anything to Opie, because I don't want to lose him. Fuck, it's going to be hard enough facing Opie as is just by knowing what I know, I don't know how you can do it daily."
I plunked back into my chair and cast my head downwards as my body began to tremble out of all anger, and swiped a tear from my eye that I didn't realize was there when I felt Jax's gaze boring into me. I didn't, couldn't look up as I didn't want to see the expression on his face. After a moment of tense silence, I heard Jax's chair scraping against the floor as he pushed away from the table, and a second later he pulled me into his lap, my shoulder flushed against his naked chest.
Jax put a hand to the small of my back, rubbing soothing circles against my spine. I leaned into his hand, feeling calm slowly. "Hey," he whispered in my ear, without doubt trying to keep things calm, as we're home alone, and there was no real reason to whisper, "I get it, trust me, I do. It kills me every day when I spend time with Ope, and don't tell him what happened to his wife, and let him put the blame on himself. Time will come for the truth to come out, but now is not the time. So, if you have to take a few days off to distance yourself from the clubhouse and the people in it, do it. I think, after all the hard work you've done, you've earned some time off."
Sighing, I relaxed against him, put my head in the crook of his neck, pressed a soft kiss on his skin, and closed my eyes. "Yeah, I think that's the best thing to do right now," I agreed with him. "I'm sorry I blew up on you, you didn't deserve that," I apologize. Jax said nothing, just kissed the top of my head and continued to rub my back. "What time do you have to go in?"
My head moved with Jax's shoulder as he shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is I have club shit to deal with, but that's not happening until later. I figured I would go whenever they call, our garage needs to be cleaned and organized. I can't put it off any longer. Plus, I need to find dad's manuscript."
"Yeah, you do," I agreed, and moved back to my chair. Peering at Jax, a gasp left my body and my hand found my lips as I finally got a good look at his handsome face, which was now littered with black and blue bruises and scathing cuts. "Jax," I croak out with regret, "I am so sorry for punching you."
As he pulled my hand from my lips, cupping it between his, Jax stared into my eyes. "Andy, it's okay, I deserved it," he calmly said before flashing the famous Teller smirk, "plus, now you have an excuse to put on that sexy nurse costume you have hidden in the back of the closet."
Oh, my god, he found it! Curse you, Lyla, for buying it for me the other day.
My cheeks immediately heated up and I found myself lifting my hands to cover my crimson-colored face from a chuckling Jax. "Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of, darlin," Jax said with amusement as he tugged away my hands to gaze into my eyes. "But," he ran a hand over his bruised face and became serious, "I promise to never lie to you again. You sure know how to throw a mean right hook and upper-cut. You been taking lessons from Happy?"
"No." I shook my head, only to discover curiosity floating within his blue orbs. "I'll tell you all about my knowledge of how to throw some mean punches another time. Right now, you have a garage that needs cleaning and a manuscript that needs finding." I told him before removing myself from the chair to clear the table, as the memories of fighting off my father flitted through my head.
Taking that as it was, Jax stood with me and helped carry the dirty dishes to the sink, before placing a kiss on my temple and leaving for our garage.
It's not that I didn't want to tell him about my past, I just couldn't find the right way. And it was a possibility that he already knew from Opie or Piney anyway, because he's never brought up, or asked questions concerning my parents. Even last night when I mentioned what Stahl said about my mother, he never pushed for more information. Maybe he was just waiting for me to feel comfortable enough to tell him about that part of my life.
Rock music began blaring from the stereo in the garage as soon as Jax went to work on organizing the space, while I focused on cleaning in the house. I had gathered all the dirty laundry and threw the first load in before I started in the kitchen. I had just loaded the last plate in the dishwasher when my phone rang, so I quickly threw a tide pod in before closing the door, pressing start, before rushing away to scoop my phone from the kitchen island.
Staring at the caller ID, I noticed it was Unser. Leaning against the island, I answered: "Hey, Wayne, is everything okay?" I ask, worrying if I had forgotten to give him a ride home after a chemo treatment. "Did you have a chemo treatment today?"
"Don't worry, no chemo for me today," Unser must have sensed my worry. "Uh, I think you need to talk to Gemma." I straightened my posture at that, hiking my free hand to my hip. "Something happened the other night when you left TM."
"Unser, hold on," I whispered before scurrying over to stand in the kitchen archway and peeking down the hall. With the music blaring in the house, I wouldn't hear if Jax came in, so I had to be aware when he came in. "What did she do?"
Unser huffed out a frustrated breath before talking: "I got a call from a woman in town saying a crazy woman pointed a gun at her over a parking spot. Well, I went to check it out and it was Gemma..." He trailed off, probably contemplating what to say next. "She was staking out Impeccable Smokes. Earlier that morning, a package was delivered to her, a white mask wrapped in a Sherman's bag… Andy, she recognized the tattoo on Westons neck…"
"Oh my god, Wayne," I threw a hand over my mouth to stifle the gasp. "Is she okay?" I question while checking that Jax was still in the garage.
"No, she isn't okay, Andy, she needs help before she kills someone. You need to talk to her about seeing a therapist or better yet, coming clean to Clay." He insisted. "I won't be able to cover up a murder if she accidently blows someone's head off from being spooked."
"Yeah, yeah, Wayne, I got it. I'll talk to her, thanks," I say into the phone before ending the call with a shaky hand, taking a few deep breaths to process everything. I fucking knew there was something off about those guys, son of a bitch. Fuck.
With a brave face, I make my way through the laundry room, past the washer and dryer, and to the door that connects to the garage. My breath catches in my throat at the sight before me. Jax is shirtless, his back to me, and I see the sweat glistening off his SAMCRO tattoo. The conversation I had with Unser evaporated as my eyes went down Jax's back to his low-hanging jeans, showing off his plaid patterned boxers, then to his now dust-covered white Nikes. Damn, I licked my lips at how delicious he looked as heat pools in the pit of my stomach. Even covered in dust and sweat, he was still the sexiest man alive.
He started cleaning the garage, not even thirty minutes ago, and had already made a dent. Nodding in approval, observing there was now room to park at least one car and my totaled sweeper, I leaned against the doorframe and cocked my head to the side. Peering to my right, I spotted the stereo and reached over, turning the volume down. "You know, seeing you cleaning and covered in sweat and dust is kinda working for me." I purred from the doorway, fanning myself.
He turned to face me with a lop-sided smirk, and his eyebrows slightly lifted. "Oh yeah?" He drawls, leaning against a nearby shelf, crossing his arms over his bare chest.
Allowing my eyes to meet his own briefly before trailing down his neck, then stopping at his sweat covered chest. "Yeah," I whisper hoarsely, biting my lip to refrain from marching to him to lick the sweat from his sexy ass 6-pack as my eyes follow the V where they center on the growing bulge between his legs.
"You want something, darlin'?" Jax questions, breaking me from my trance, and I meet his lust filled eyes. "Or you just eye fucking me?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"I-Uh… um," I shake myself out of my dirty thoughts, scratching the back of my neck nervously as I meet his lustful gaze once again. "What do you want for lunch?" I poorly attempt to change the subject.
Jax licked his lips seductively while looking me up and down, nodding his head in appreciation. "Oh, I can think of something I would love to eat, but I don't think you'd handle another round." He throws me a wink.
Feeling my cheeks grow hot, I struggle to find something to say and decide to turn on my heels and scurry away, through the laundry room and into the kitchen, all while hearing him laugh. Moments later, the music is blasting again.
Leaving Jax in the garage, I settled myself knees-to-chest, on the couch. Pulling Jax's oversized shirt I was wearing over my bare legs, mindlessly browsing the TV for something to watch. Coming up empty-handed with the TV, I tossed the remote to the opposite side of me and rested my head on the back of the couch; closing my eyes with thoughts of how to respectfully confront Gemma about her extracurricular activities from the other day floating in my mind.
Knowing now that Zobelle had ordered the blonde girl to lure Gemma in, and ordered A. J Weston and his men to beat and rape her, was as sinister as it was sickening. And there was no way to be respectable now, because it is obvious that he is not only following Gemma, but also me. He had ordered that little blonde bitch to run me off the road that day, and now I'm constantly worrying about it. What if I had Abel next time they come after me? I don't want something to happen to him, he's innocent. So she must tell Clay about this shit because it's serious, and I'll be damned if my family or I get caught up in it (any more) than I am. SAMCRO can deal with Zobelle, I am not putting my son in any more danger. I have to talk to Jax about the installation of cameras around the house to ensure our safety.
Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice someone standing in the entryway of the living room watching me until they spoke up. "You look pretty relaxed," Gemma called, causing me to nearly jump out of my own skin as I shifted sideways to glare at her.
"Jesus Christ, Gemma! You ever heard of calling, knocking maybe?" I angrily told her. My anger turned to worry when I noticed Abel wasn't with her. "Where's Abel?" I demand, shoving off the couch to stand in front of her.
"Calm down, Neeta has him at the park, I'm giving you the day off because I need your help." I step away and cross my arms, arching a curious brow at her to mask the relief of getting the day off. "Where's Jax?" She glanced around to make sure he wasn't in sight.
"Can you not hear the music blaring from the garage, he's finally cleaning it." I lifted a shoulder and cast a curious brow, asking, "What's up?" Before leading her into the kitchen to sit.
Once we are seated at the table, she looks at me with pleading eyes. "You go to a gynecologist at St. Thomas, right?" She asks in a hushed tone, as if Jax could hear her over the loud music.
"Yeah…" I nod, she has my undivided attention now.
"Well, I'm super dry, like it's impossible for Clay and I to -." I throw my hands up, waving them urgently to silence her before the image of her and Clay having sex implants in my brain.
"Don't need the details, I understand." I shake my head. "I'll ask if she can prescribe me medication for dryness, but it will take a couple days to get it. So lucky for you, I know of a little store in town that sells sex pills.… basically Viagra for women." I shrugged before remembering I needed to ask her about Zobelle. "Oh that reminds me," I shift in my seat to face her head-on, "what happ-"
Gemma gives me a 'shut up' glare before she averts her gaze to something or someone behind me. "Hey, baby," she plastered a fake smile to her lips before her eyes narrowed at the sight of her son's bruised face.
"Hey, Ma. Hey, Baby," Jax's calloused hands were on either side of my neck, squeezing affectionately, followed by a kiss on the top of my head. "Cleaning out the garage," he says nonchalantly as he bounds over to the sink and reaches in the cabinet for an empty glass to then fill with water. I watch as he takes a long drink from his glass before meeting my gaze with a silent message in his eyes to go along with him. "You take a box of clothes from the garage?" He asks me, leaning his back against the counter in front of the sink.
Shaking my head, feigning ignorance, I gaze in his eyes for answers. "No, I haven't done anything out there,"
Jax's eyes move to Gemma momentarily before landing back to me. "I'm missing a box," he shrugs as Gemma shifts uncomfortably in her seat.
"Uh, I cleaned some shit out there before the baby came home." Our heads turned to her, scrutinizing her. "There was a box of laundry… had a serious stink to it." She simply waves her hand dismissively, attempting to end the conversation. However, Jax wasn't going to humor her.
Sitting his empty glass in the sink, Jax crossed his arms tightly over his chest, giving his mom a pointed look. "Well, where is it?" He insisted as his jaw clenched.
My gaze shifts back to Gemma, who stared intently at her son. "Tossed it." She gives a half shrug, acting innocent. "Just a bunch of old T-shirts, funky underwear. Why? What are you looking for?" By her body language, I'd think she was innocent. However, the way she and Jax were staring at each other the moment she questioned him, I knew she had another agenda.
But, Jax wasn't giving any answers to her, well none in so many words. Throwing one last knowing glance in my direction, he looks back to his mom with a neutral grin, "An old Harley manual. Hard to find."
"Sorry," his mother said dryly with a shrug showing she was anything but sorry, before Jax left back to the garage. I nearly fell out of my chair knowing it wasn't a Harley manual he was looking for. No, it was his father's manuscript. And by the whole exchange between him and his mom, she must have found it and thrown it away.
Shocked by the whole thing, but not letting it show on my face, I stood from the table and gazed down at her, giving her the sweetest smile I could muster while leaning against the archway. "How about you come pick me up in a few hours. Give me some time to shower and get ready?"
"Okay, honey," Gemma stands, pulling me in for an embrace. "What were you going to ask me before?" She asks once she pulled away.
Dismissing her with the wave of my hand and shaking my head, I smile, "That can wait for the ride to town, it's a private matter."
"Okay," was all she said before walking out the door and climbing into her Escalade. Starting it, Gemma pulled out of our driveway and took off down the road. I bounded down the hallway and into the laundry room, stepping into the garage where I see Jax sitting on an old TV, elbows resting on his knees, brows furrowed deep in thought with a joint between his lips.
Turning the stereo off, I sauntered over to him, bending down to place a kiss to his cheek while mumbling a "Hey," before gently nudging his elbows from his knees, making room for me to sit.
"Hey, baby," he says through a sigh as I sit sideways in his lap, running my hand around his shoulder, up the back of his neck, squeezing it before moving it to rub up and down his back.
"You okay?" I question, already knowing the answer, but couldn't stop from asking. Jax only shrugged, removing the half-spent joint from his lips, and offering it to me.
Smiling, I take it, bringing it to my lips to inhale the potent smoke before exhaling. "You wanna talk about it?" I ask, puffing one last time before stubbing it out on the concrete floor.
His arms snake around my waist, pulling me closer. "Not yet," he mumbles, burying his face into the nape of my neck, tongue circling my sweet spot while his other hand found its way between my legs, "I just want my old lady."
-3 hours later, in town-
"Gemma, what the fuck?" We had barely stepped out of the sex shop in town with the estrogen pills when, out of nowhere, Gemma took off in a sprint; for a 55-year-old woman in heels, she could fucking run. Chasing after Gemma was not on my to-do list today, but nothing ever goes my way.
Two blocks later, I finally caught up to her, and she was staring off in the distance. Leaning over to catch my breath, I look up to see the blonde bitch jumping in a Jeep and speeding off down the road.
Straightening up after finally having air in my lungs, I step up behind Gemma and place a hand on her shoulder. "Gem— Ah, fuck," my vision goes black from blinding pain as Gemma's elbow connects dangerously with my nose. Clutching my, now bleeding, nose in my hands, I stumble back, feeling the blood start to pool in my hands.
"Jesus, Andy," Gemma turns to see me and immediately pulls me to her. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Scolding her, I pull away to lean back against a brick wall of the nearby store. People have started to gather around, "nothing to see here, folks, it was an accident," I wave half-heartedly to the worrisome people before glaring at Gemma, grumbling, "I think you broke my nose,"
"Come on, honey, I'm sorry. Let's get you over to St. Thomas," she said while draping her arm over my shoulder, guiding me back towards her car.
"We still need to talk, so don't even think about going anywhere, Gemma."
- One Hour Later -
"Andy, I'm sorry." Gemma apologized for the millionth time as we pushed through the exit of St. Thomas.
I huffed out a breath, "Sorry, don't cut it, you need serious help." Throwing her a vicious side eye, I sauntered to her car, swung the passenger door open and hopped in. To let her know how pissed I am, I slammed the door to put even more emphasis, knowing it was unnecessary, because she knew how pissed I was.
Gemma climbs in, irritation written all over her face, and starts the car. "What is your deal? I said I was sorry." She scoffs, acting like getting an elbow to the nose wasn't a big deal, and pulls out of the parking lot and in the direction of the clubhouse to pick up Abel from Neeta.
I cocked my head in her direction, eyebrows furrowing with irritation. "What's my deal?" I asked, voice dripping in venom. Okay, if she wants to feign innocence, I'll enlighten her. So, with a mirthless laugh, I shift in my seat and face her. "What's your deal? How about telling me why you never mentioned you got a package from Ethan Zobelle the other day? How about telling me why you didn't mention that A. J Weston was the guy who raped you? Yeah, Wayne called me because he's worried about you. Said you were staking out impeccable smokes and pulled a gun on a woman over a parking spot.
"Andrea." My name came from Gemma in a whisper. Coming to an abrupt stop, she pulled off to the side of the road, a mile or so from TM. "I need help. Okay? I admit that." Her voice cracked as she grabbed her cigarette pack from her purse. Pulling a smoke from the pack, she places it between her lips with shaky hands and lights it up.
"So, why not talk to Clay and Jax? Let them know how dangerous these guys are. They already came after me. What if one of us has Abel next time?" I insisted. If she doesn't want to do it for herself or even me, perhaps the thought of Abel potentially being harmed would make her come clean. It's a dirty tactic, but if she tells the truth, I honestly don't think I could bring myself to care too much
Brushing off what I initially said, then clearly reflecting on the second part, she exhales smoke before meeting my gaze. "After Unser left the other day, I followed Weston to a construction site. He was talking to some Arayans. When he was done, he went to one of the port-a-potties, so I took my gun, walked over and was going to shoot him... He was on the phone with his child and I - I couldn't do it." She begins to sob, and my heart broke for her
"Shit, Gem, I'm sorry." I console her as she throws the car in drive and takes off. "But, now that we know who it was behind your abduction, you need to tell the guys, because Zobelle is a threat, a major threat."
"I know. I know."
"Tonight. If you don't, I will, Gemma."
As soon as Gemma pulled into the lot and parked her car, I jumped out and went to find Neeta and get my boy. As soon as I entered the clubhouse, I spotted Jax, Bobby and Clay at the bar talking and drinking. I was hoping to avoid encountering Jax right then and there, because he would instantly ask about my nose. I certainly didn't want to have a conversation with Clay whatsoever. However, the universe had other plans. The clubhouse door slammed shut behind me, and all three men focused on me with shock plastering their faces.
"Hey, guys," I nervously shifted my feet and raised a hand in greeting, my eyes flicking between all three men before landing on Jax.
Jax was in front of me in a heartbeat, one hand on my shoulder and the other under my chin, forcing me to look at him. "What the hell happened, Andy?" Shock, curiosity, and anger lacing his voice
As I noticed Neeta and Abel sitting near the pool table and desperately wanted to avoid Jax's question, I pulled him in for a hug to whisper in his ear: "I promise, I'll tell you soon, but I have something I have to do that can't wait." And before Jax could respond, I pulled away and made my way to Neeta and Abel. It's not that I didn't want to tell Jax about his mother elbowing me in the face, I simply didn't want to tell him around a bunch of nosy bikers.
"Hey, Neeta, thank you so much for watching him."
Smiling brightly, the nanny looks up at me from her chair. "It was no problem, honey, he's a doll." She stands up from her chair and hands Abel over to me. "Need me tomorrow?"
"No, I'm taking a few days off," I smile, bouncing Abel in my arms and making silly faces as I sit in a chair, hugging him to my chest. "Hey, baby boy, I missed you so much." I murmured against his head and pressed a few gentle kisses to his soft blonde hair.
It brought me joy to know Jax wanted me to adopt Abel, and I couldn't wait to legally be his mother. I just hope Jax understands I will always protect this little guy. He's already had a rough life, and he doesn't even realize it. Seeing the smile on his face after everything makes me wish I was still a child - I'd be oblivious to everything and wouldn't have to worry constantly.
With everything going on, I just want what's best for our son, and want him safe. Maybe I could take Abel up to the cabin until all this Zobelle shit is done. No one would think to look for us there because it's in the middle of BFE - or I could talk to Jax about getting another place. Yes, the house we are in now is pleasant, but I no longer felt safe there alone with Abel. Not to mention, wandering around the house, it didn't feel like our place, it still felt like Jax and Wedny's place, even if all the traces of her have long gone, and I can still imagine Wendy unconscious on the kitchen floor, pregnant and bleeding out. Jax doesn't have that mental image embedded in his brain, so he's fine, but it's different for me. When I witnessed an overdosing Wendy that day, it brought back memories of finding my mother dead in our bathroom from a drug overdose/suicide. I'll never forget that, because it was all my father's fault.
Not wanting to relive my past, I forced the memories to the back of my mind, back into the box they were in all the time, and focused on Abel. As I stared down to behold him sleeping on my chest with his thumb in his mouth, I smiled wide. With another kiss to the top of his head, I leaned forward and put him in his stroller, whispering, "Love you, baby," while draping his blanket over him.
Enjoying the tranquility of the few people milling around and talking in the clubhouse, and not noticing Tig around to bug me, I decided to sit back in my seat. With my eyes closed, I folded my arms behind my head, propping my legs up on the table. My body began to relax when a familiar calloused hand snaked around my forearm. Smiling, I opened my eyes to see Jax glowering down at me.
Arching a curious brow, I stood and turned to him. Before I could ask him what was wrong, he shook his head and took my hand in his, pulling me towards the dorms. With his long legs, his strides were faster than mine, so he was practically dragging me down the hall.
"Jax, I want to spend time with Abel!" I protested.
Jax stopped in front of his old dorm, shoved the door open and dragged me inside, where he closed and locked us in. Positioning himself in front of the door, he crossed his arms over his chest and turned to me. His jaw was tight, and his eyes swirled with irritation.
"I was wanting to spend time with Abel," I repeated, throwing him a pointed look before sitting at the edge of the bed. Meeting his gaze, I knew I wasn't going to leave this room without him giving him an explanation.
"You can spend time with him after you tell me what the hell happened to your face." He told me, his voice calm, but with a slight edge to it.
Sighing deeply, I push myself up from the bed and stride over to him. Softly poking his chest, I glare at him, "Never, ever, take me away from my son again, Jax. I will spend as much time as I want with him. Got it?" Only by the soft, yet serious tone of my voice, Jax knew he fucked up. I wasn't mad, but the audacity he had in telling me when I can and can't spend time with my son wasn't going to fly either.
"Sorry, Andy," he apologized, snaking his hands around my waist, to the small of my back. "But would you please tell me what the hell is going on? Stop brushing everything off." He practically begged for answers.
Gazing up into his piercing blue orbs, I lift a hand to cup his cheek. "You'll find out soon, Jax," that technically wasn't brushing anything off, I didn't want to have the conversation with him right now.
His entire body went rigid, backing away from me. He folded his arms over his chest, and drew in a harsh breath. "Seriously, Andy. Fucking tell me." He growled.
Standing my ground, I glared up into his eyes, as an idea popped in my head. "Look, if we're doing this total disclosure thing, then you need to trust me, like I trust you to tell me everything. You'll find out everything tonight and it will all make sense." A mischievous smirk tugged at my lips when another idea formed in my head. "How 'bout we make a deal?" I offered, sauntering up to him.
Inclining my head further back to peer into his eyes, I noted they were full of wonder. "A'ight," he arched a curious brow. "What kinda deal?"
Clasping his kutte by the opening, I pulled him closer, licking my lips seductively, before trailing a finger down the white fabric of his t-shirt. "If you find out the truth tonight, which you will, we can do whatever you want next time we have sex." Intrigued by my statement, Jax licked his lips with anticipation. This was one way to avoid the subject distracting Jax with sex was as easy as distracting a dog with a bone or a kid with candy.
Pulling him with me to the bed, I turn us around and push him down on the mattress. "I'll even give you a little preview." I mumble and drop to my knees on the carpet. Easing between his legs, I urge him to lay down with my eyes, and as soon as he follows my wordless command, I start.
Slowly but firmly, tracing my fingers up his jeans-covered thighs, sliding a hand between his legs to grope his crotch, massaging him through his trousers for a moment before moving my hands to his belt buckle, I unhook it before unbuttoning his jeans. Sliding my hand through the opening of his pants just after unzipping them, I put my hand on his boxer briefs to caress his ever-growing cock. Hearing his sharp air intake, I smirk, knowing that I have won the disagreement for the time being. He props up on his elbows to watch as I gently rub and squeeze his erection.
"Andy," Jax whined, his voice full of hunger, causing me to peer into his now dark blue, lust-filled eyes and smirk. Wordlessly, I grabbed the waist of his jeans and boxers and tugged them with some force. Jax lifted his hips and allowed me to push them down to his calves, where I removed his white Nikes so I could remove his bottoms.
As soon as his legs are undressed, I run my fingers up his legs, barely grazing his skin, and teasing him vigorously as I gently graze his balls, then the length of his dick, where I wrap my hand around his throbbing member and get a breathy moan from him. To make him think I'm starting, I tug gently before meeting his lustful gaze with mine, throwing him a cheeky wink. I trail kisses up his thighs, alternating legs as I make my way up to his ready cock.
It would be a definite lie if I said giving him head wasn't hot, because I am utterly turned on to the point where I'm about to combust in my panties. My self-control was dwindling by the minute, and it was taking everything in my power to not mount him right now. If this were any other man, I wouldn't have a problem, because I've never felt this type of connection before. But with Jax, it seemed as if we couldn't keep our hands off each other, whether it was intimate or not, we had our hands on each other constantly, no matter where we were. We were practically attached at the hip the moment I came to Charming. There was always this gravitational pull between us. And it didn't help that Jax was just so goddamn intoxicating.
As I reached his cock, I made eye contact with him. Smiling seductively, I ran my tongue across his balls, up his length, and circled my tongue around his head, using the ball of my tongue ring, knowing that he loves it when I do it. "Fuck, Andy," Jax moaned in a breathy gasp as he grabbed a handful of my hair and tugged roughly. Feeling my own arousal bubbling up as the thought of riding him until we were both fully spent comes to mind, and I had to force it back.
Swirling my tongue around the tip of his cock, the taste of pre-cum invading my tastebuds, I took the head in my mouth and pressed more of his length down my throat. When I feel him hit at the back of my throat, I start to bob my head up and down his shaft. His grip on my hair grows tighter the quicker I go.
"Shit, Andy, please slow down or I'm... fuck... slow down or I'm going to explode," he begged. Moaning my answer against his cock, I slowed down and cupped his heavy, cum-filled balls in my right hand, massaging them as my left hand ran up his leg and rested on his stomach. "That's your cock, baby," he crooned, egging me on as he bucked his hips against my face, pushing his cock deeper into my throat. As I lost sense of control, I fastened the pace of my swirling tongue as I gently grazed my teeth against him, which sent Jax to shout my name in pleasure, and his grip on my hair tightened the quicker I went.
Bobbing my head faster and tightening my hold on his balls, I begin to combust. Fuck, now I needed a shower.
"Fuck, Andrea." He groaned, holding my head in his hands as he forced me to stop moving. "Shit," he muttered as his dick began to twitch, and sent his warm cum to fill my mouth and slide down my throat as I swallowed. Jax falls into the mattress while I suck him dry.
Smiling victoriously, I remove him from my mouth and push myself to a standing position. "Well," I mumble down at him, wiping my mouth, "that was fun." Jax throws me a breathless kiss as I back away.
"Where ya goin', darlin'?" He rasped out as he sat up on the bed, confused but still weak from the mind-blowing orgasm I'd just given him.
Shrugging my shoulders in response, I turned around, sauntered to the door and unlocked it. Without a further glance at my man, I opened the door and stepped out, hearing him grumble as I closed it before trudging down the hallway and to my baby boy, who was just stirring, at least he wouldn't know I had left. "Hey baby," I cooed to Abel as I picked him up. Hugging him to my chest, I kiss his forehead, "you have a good nap?"
A few moments pass as I'm swaying Abel in my arms, murmuring how much I've missed him and how much I love him when I heard him grunt, followed by a pungent smell indicating he had indeed pooped. Grimacing at the smell, I hold him at arm's length to look at him. "Really, now? How come you always poop when I'm holding you? Save all the best gifts for mommy right?" I shake my head at the smiling infant as I lay him down on the seat of the chair. Grabbing a diaper and wipes from the diaper bag on the table, I set on changing the little guy.
Having finished applying the butt cream to his rash, I then fastened the fresh diaper around him, and slid his pants over his legs. Just as I was about to lift him up, I felt an arm snake around my waist. Judging by how they pulled me into their crotch, I knew it was Jax.
Leaning over me, placing his chest against my back, Jax placed his lips against my ear, "I know what I want." He whispered before grazing my earlobe with his teeth, sending shivers down my spine. Before I could say anything, he removed himself from me, and a moment later, when Abel was tucked in my arms, I turned to watch him saunter out the clubhouse with his swagger that sent my head spinning.
Collecting my bearings, I fastened Abel in his car seat, which was attached to his stroller, slung his diaper bag over my shoulder, and grabbed the shitty diaper, pushing our way to the exit. Throwing the diaper in a nearby trash can before pushing the door open with my back, making my way towards the garage office to have Gemma take us home.
The office door was open, revealing Clay and Gemma talking at the desk. Locking the wheels on the stroller, I step up into the office and see Jax sitting at the far end of the couch. As soon as his eyes land on me, he smirks deviously before turning his attention back to the older couple. "Hey, guys," I lightly spoke with an apologetic tone. "Sorry, if I'm interrupting anything,"
Gemma focuses on me with a friendly smile on her face and shakes her head, swatting a hand in my direction, "nonsense. You ready to head home?"
"Yeah," I nod as my eyes briefly scan Clay, who had a blank expression on his face, before focusing back on Gemma, "About that, I'm hosting dinner for the four of us at our house." Gesturing between Jax and myself, I purse my lips and tilt my head to her. Telling her with my eyes that she was going to tell them. "Tonight. It's," I peer at the clock on the wall above her, "11 now, so dinner will be at 8, just in case y'all," I gestured between Jax and Clay, "have club business."
Visibly taken aback and offended by my words, Gemma removes her glasses, throwing them on the desk in front of her, before folding her hands together. Leaning forward, with her lips pursed and eyebrows flicked up into her forehead, she scoffs. "I can make dinner for my family,"
"Gemma, I will be making dinner tonight, I've not proved my cooking skills to you yet, and I have decided tonight is the night I will. Deal with it, and let's go. We have to stop by the grocery store." My tone was filled with warning and authority that took everyone, including me, by surprise. No one has ever spoken to Gemma like that.
It was silent for a moment, as Gemma was coming to terms with the fact that I was taking control tonight due to being over the whole secrecy thing. Gemma licked her lips, her eyes boring into mine as she was contemplating what to say. Finally, with reluctance, she nodded her head and stood, grabbing her purse and keys. "Alright, Abel and I'll be out in the car waiting." Throwing one last glare at me, she waltzed out the office, with Clay in tow, who unlocked the wheels on the stroller and made their way to the car.
I almost forgot Jax was in the office until I heard him chuckling. Turning my head to look at him, a sly grin falls to my lips. "What?"
Shaking his head while pushing himself off the couch, he steps in front of me and pulls me to him. "You're the first woman to ever speak to my mom like that."
"Well," I shrugged, "I'm not like most women."
"No, you're not… Oh, that reminds me, Rosen is going to drop off those adoption papers for you to sign tomorrow."
"Really?" A grin pulls at my lips as I perk up and kiss him.
"Yes." He smiles happily, "I'm glad you said dinner at 8 because I gotta go visit Otto in Stockton, something's happened." I gave him a questioning look before the sound of a horn honking cut our conversation short. "I'll tell you later, babe. Now go before she kills you." He jokes before giving me a kiss and lightly nudging me out the door.
Well, let's see if I can put up with Clay and keep my opinions to myself at dinner tonight. I just need to keep reminding myself that tonight is about Gemma telling them what Weston did to her, and not about me outing Clay about Donna's death.
It wasn't like I was deliberately trying to piss the queen off, but she had to realize how serious I was when I said she had to tell the guys tonight. I was just sick of her keeping what Zobelle had done to her a secret from them when they needed to know just how dire of a threat he was. Not to mention that I was sick of keeping Jax in the dark about the details. Knowing if Gemma held back any longer, she would fall off the deep-end and possibly do worse than giving someone - me or another innocent - a broken nose, I would have no other choice but to tell Jax at my own volition. Which is why I offered to host a dinner at mine and Jax's house tonight - why I pushed my hatred for Clay aside - just so Gemma could have a safe environment in case, for some odd reason, Clay got pissed at Gemma, whether it be about hiding the truth or allowing herself the vulnerability to get raped - I highly doubt that would happen, but you never know how that sleazeball would react.
On a typical day, the drive to the grocery store would take about ten minutes. Today, however, was not a typical day, and riding with a quiet but pissed Gemma made the ten-minute journey feel like thirty minutes. Apart from an occasional giggle from the four-month-old in the back seat, the car was deadly silent. Gemma, disregarding my existence when I climbed in her cage, made me aware just how utterly pissed at me she was for standing my ground. Another clue was how her face was skewered in a grimace with her mouth in a stern line - not to mention the way she was white-knuckling the steering wheel as if she had imagined my neck in its place - the entire duration of the ride.
Recognizing the grocery store just up ahead, I internally jumped for joy knowing if we were trapped in this car together any longer, Gemma would have more than likely tore my head off - literally and figuratively speaking.
Clambering out of the car as soon as Gemma pulled into the parking lot and into a spot, not waiting for her to shift into park and shut the car off, I quickly grabbed a deserted shopping car in the lot and wheeled it over to the vehicle. If she was worried about my safety or offended by my desperate attempt to get away from her, she didn't show it. No, she just climbed out of the black SUV, closed the door with a little more force than needed, and headed towards the entrance, nose in the air and walking with long, hateful steps. Rolling my eyes at her childish behavior, I hoisted Abel's heavy car seat in the cart with my purse and followed after her.
Just as I was about to enter the store, Abel's excited scream halted me as his big blue eyes, once again, caught sight of the flower displays to the left of us and extended his little arms out, making grabbing motions towards them with his hands. A proud, toothy grin spread across my face, realizing him reaching for things was a new milestone, and he soared. He's growing so fast. And seeing as we didn't have time to look at them the last time we were here, it wouldn't hurt to take a moment now.
"You want a flower, handsome?" I asked, in a sweet tone of voice I only used with children, while plucking a blue flower from one of the many displays. "Here you go," I whispered excitedly, hovering it in front of him, so he could take it, and he didn't disappoint. With a toothless, lopsided grin, Abel wrapped his tiny hands around the stem and stared at it in amazement as he moved it closer to him. Satisfied when I saw him content, I eventually pushed through the automatic entrance to be met with an impatient Gemma.
Hiking a manicured hand at her jutting hip, she scowled in irritation. "Jesus, did you get lost on your walk from the car?" She sassed.
With a shrug of my shoulders and a scowl in return, I simply walked past her and over to the coolers, where I put a 12-pack of bud light in the cart moments later.
"Andy," I was surprised when Gemma gasped in adoration at the front of the cart. I turned my gaze to her and realized she cuddled her cheeks with a genuine smile on her face as she watched Abel. "Come look," she whispered. I obliged and stepped next to her to see what all the fuss was about. And what I saw was the cutest thing ever.
Right before my eyes, tucked safely in his car seat, a sleeping Abel clutched the still perfect blue flower to his chest. "Oh my gosh," I gushed before retrieving my phone from my back pocket. When I opened my camera, I snapped a few pictures before returning it to my pocket to concentrate on the rest of the shopping.
When I decided to serve Spaghetti Carbonara for dinner - the only dish I remembered my mother ever showed me all those years ago, I guided the way to the noodle aisle, Gemma hot on my heels, and scanned the shelves for my favorite noodle.
"What are you making?" Gemma scrutinized, peering over my shoulder.
Rolling my eyes in annoyance, I mutter, "Spaghetti Carbonara," while stepping forward to look at the next selection.
"Right here is the spaghetti noodles," Gemma points out with confusion.
"Yeah," I deadpanned, finally spotting what I needed and picking up two. Waving them in front of Gemma, "but, I want angel hair noodles, they're better."
As soon as Gemma flicked her tongue over her teeth, I wandered away to avoid any snarky comment she wanted to make.
About ten minutes passed, and my irritation flared to the point where I was about to punch someone, namely Gemma. Judging every decision I made; asking why or blatantly disagreeing with my decisions, and, like always, aiming to take over as if she didn't think I knew what I was doing. Granted, I kept my answers to a minimum and brushed off everything she said to avoid conflicts in the middle of the grocery store, and continue shopping. However, it was only at that moment when, out of my peripheral vision, I saw Gemma swapping some spices I had just put in the cart and finally snapped.
"Gemma," I slowly bled through gritted teeth in the hope of not causing a scene or disturbing Abel, and stared menacingly at the brown-haired woman. "Did you seriously just swap out spices with the ones you suggested?"
Feigning offense, she shook her head: "No, why would you accuse me of doing that?" She chastised with a grin.
"Gemma," I leveled her with a mirthless laugh, "I just fucking watched you do it. What the fuck is your problem?"
Gemma rolled her arms over her chest, jutting a finger in my direction. "You're my problem, Andy. I don't know what crawled up your ass and made you think you can control everything today with demanding dinner at your house," she sneered.
Oh, poor Gemma, not getting what she wanted for once.
Sidestepping the cart, I step before her, glowering hatefully with a sneer of my own. "You crawled up my ass Gemma, the second you elbowed me in the face." I inched closer, so I was now chest to chest with her and snarled. "And I want to make something obvious - I'm a grown, independent woman and mother who has been cooking for not only myself but also Jax for a while now. I offered to make dinner at my house, because I can. I don't need you taking over my choices for dinner when I'm capable of doing it."
We stared at each other like hawks for a few minutes until I shook my head, took a step back and waved my hand towards the exit, while saying, "You know what, how about you give me space and wait in the car. When I'm done here, in a few minutes you can drop me and Abel home. Then come to the house at 8 o'clock." Pushing the cart to the next aisle I don't even look back at her.
Minutes passed as I was trying to get everything I needed in a timely manner when Abel woke up and started fussing when he sensed my stress. "Hey, hey," I leaned my elbows against the handles of the cart, "it's okay... look," I smiled, soothing him by waving the flower in front of him again, causing him to calm down and screech in excitement.
Just then, an adorable elder lady stops next to me and smiles brightly. "You're doing an amazing job with your son, it's not easy shopping with a baby."
Every other day, a stranger's opinion wouldn't bother me, but today it did, and it warmed my heart knowing that she praised me from the goodness of her heart, and didn't simply say it to make me feel better because she had no reason to want to make me feel good or to stop doubting myself. Her truthful compliment, even though she didn't have to give me one, made me feel like I was doing something right.
Biting back the tears that threatened to fall, and with a nod, I smiled sheepishly at the woman. "Thank you. It's not always easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. The best things in life are usually a little troubling at times, but," I said, pointing to Abel, "his cute little giggles and infectious smile make all the tough times worth it."
"I agree," she nodded, pushing on briefly before stopping. As she turned back, she pointed a wrinkled finger at the car seat with a smile gracing her lips. "Enjoy every moment while you can. They grow up quickly, graduate, go to college, get married, and then have their own children." With a curt nod, she was on her merry way.
Dreading the day it would happen, I pushed on towards the checkout before remembering Abel needed more formula. I made my way over to the aisle and grabbed some not wanting a repeat of our early grocery store adventure anytime soon and observed all the jars of baby food while ambling to the checkout, making a mental note to talk with Jax about preparing for the near future.
- 1 hour before the dinner -
All was quiet in the house, and Abel had some tummy time in his pack 'n' play in the living room as I prepared dinner. I had finally calmed down a few hours ago, when Gemma dropped us off, then left, and then felt guilty when I remembered the saddened expression on her face when I told her not to come back until exactly 8. I thought about apologizing for my attitude tonight - she was going through a lot and I should've been more patient with her.
However, thoughts of apologies went out the window the moment she decided to show up an hour early, walking in like she owned the place to 'help' even though she was asked - as nice as possible, to be there at 8. Granted, it wasn't that early, but it was early enough - with that 'I'll show you who's in charge' attitude - providing evidence of her irritability, and animosity towards me.
Gemma was "tidying up" the living room and dining room while I was floating around the kitchen preparing dinner; spaghetti carbonara and homemade garlic bread. There was still some irritation radiating from Gemma, it was evident by the death glares she was sending me every so often, and her placing down items a little too forcefully, causing the noise to be unnecessarily loud. Although tidying up was not what I'd call it, as I noticed she was moving our things around in the living room, rearranging them to her liking, only to prove once again that she was the one in control, no matter the circumstances.
To prevent her from moving our shit around, I waltzed into the living room and moved some things back, looking at the woman and leading her into the kitchen, telling her to "stop moving our shit around" and forcing her to sit at the table. As strange as it may be, I felt her hostility wasn't entirely aimed at me, and the minute I pissed her off, she just happened to take all her anger out on me.
"Gemma, I truly wish you would understand where I'm coming from and why it is best to tell the guys." I reminded the woman again as I ambled to the stove to check on things. "And," I turn, facing her with my arms crossed over my chest, "I feel like you're over exaggerating your anger towards me. I feel like there is something else bothering you, and you're using today's events to take all your anger out on me. So, what is it?" I pushed for answers.
Her face paled, proving I was right with my insinuation, and her head drooped. With slumped shoulders and a bated breath, she finally gave in. "I'm just scared, Andy. Clay ain't gonna want me anymore."
As I lifted a curious brow, I inched closer. "What do you mean?"
When she met my gaze with tears pooling in her eyes, she puffed out a breath and raked trembling fingers through her hair before dropping them to her lap: "The men have to claim their pussy, know it's theirs. If someone else has a sample, it's tainted and damaged goods. Clay's not gonna want me anymore." Her lips began to quiver as she batted a tear away with a shrug.
My heart sinks into my stomach as I witness how torn she is. Dropping to my knees before her, I placed a reassuring hand on her knee, staring into her eyes. "Gemma, that's not true, he loves you. He'll understand it wasn't your fault, you were raped, and he'll care for you. If he doesn't," I shrug, good naturedly, "he is a piece of shit who doesn't deserve you. No matter what, though, Jax and I will always be here for you. Okay?"
Smiling through her tears, Gemma cups my face between her hands. "Sometimes you can be so sweet, you know that Andy." I chuckled as the imaginary weights lifted off my shoulders, indicating that everything was forgiven. "But you're still a pain in the ass," she adds.
"Yeah, don't tell anyone." I winked, pushing myself up to a standing position and going back to the stove. "And you were a major pain in mine today, I was half tempted to knock you for a loop in the store."
"Oh," she pipes up, remembering Jax's face. "I forgot to ask earlier, but you mind explainin' why Jax's face is bruised?"
Not wanting to bring up our fight, I say the first lie that comes to mind. "Found a bitch's thong in his pocket. Don't do the "what happens on a run, stays on a run," I had to remind him of that." I shrugged, slightly shocked at how smooth that lie came out.
"Hey, you do what you gotta do, just don't kill my son," she joked.
"Oh I wanted to," and not wanting her to yell at her son, I added, "But shockingly, he didn't fuck anyone. After I beat him, he showed me a receipt. Turns out he bought me a new pair to make up for all the times he's ripped mine off. The only reason he had it in his pocket was so no one would snoop and give him shit for it."
With a genuine laugh, Gemma shook her head and clicked her tongue. "My son can be a total dumb-ass at times."
- Dinner time-
"Somethin' sure smells good," Jax said as he wandered through the front door and into the kitchen, tilting his chin with a lopsided grin, "what'd ya make, babe?"
Placing our dinner in the middle of the table, I turn and face him. "Spaghetti Carbonara and homemade garlic bread." A smile spreads over his face, and he soon pulls me into a loving embrace.
Nuzzled into his chest, I hear the front door open again, followed by Clay's similar praise as he strolls into the kitchen and looks around. "Where's my ol' lady?"
"She's puttin' Abel to bed," I told him. My voice muffled as I didn't leave Jax's embrace, trying to avoid the man as much as possible.
With a grunt, Clay steps down the hall to check on his wife. When I know he's out of range, I pull away from Jax to grab a few glasses and finish setting the table.
"Babe, the food looks and smells so good," Jax says, sniffing the air while retrieving a beer from the fridge, twisting the cap before throwing it in the trash and stepping next to me. "You have done excellent," he said in my ear as he put his bottle on the table and rested his hand on my hip.
"Ah, ah, ah," I chastised him, swatting his hand away when he attempted to dip his finger into the dish, "not in my house." I raise the tongs, pointing them at him with a stern expression on my face.
Raising his hands up in mock surrender, with a shit -eatin' grin plastered on his lips, "okay, Jesus woman," he chuckles before quickly grabbing a piece of garlic bread, ducking my smack while bolting into the living room.
"Jackson Nathaniel Teller, get your ass in here," I call out in a semi-serious tone, loud enough for him to hear and low enough to not disturb Abel.
Jax strolls in with his cheeks puffed out and a faux-innocent expression, "I didn't do anything," he says with a mouthful of garlic bread.
Placing a hand to my hip, my eyes narrow slightly. "So that's not garlic bread in your mouth?" I scrutinize as he chews vigorously before swallowing.
"I don't know what you're talkin' 'bout, babe," he chuckles before opening his mouth wide, "see, nothing." Dramatically sticking his tongue out in every direction to prove his mouth is now empty.
Shaking my head in disbelief as a smile spreads across my face, "you're too much sometimes, Teller," I told him as I filled the glasses with Tea before placing the pitcher in the refrigerator and turning wrap my arms around his neck, pressing up on my toes and placing a longing kiss to his lips.
"You love it, Winston," Jax breathes out once we pull away. He was getting ready to say something, but Clay I strolled in, so he simply stepped away from me and took his place at the head of the table and sipped from his beer.
"She'll be out in a minute, she's still puttin' the little guy down." Clay told us before grabbing a beer, then mirrored Jax, sitting at the other end of the table and sipping on his beer.
"Damn food will get cold," I mumble to myself before quickly covering the food to preserve heat.
"Babe, take a load off and sit down, will you?" Jax says, then pulls me onto his lap when I turn away to do something else.
"Yeah," Clay pipes up, puts his elbows on the table, leaning forward with a slimy smile on his face. "Heard you and the VP now have total disclosure, that must be a relief," he said in his attempt at small talk.
I didn't want to participate, but I had no other choice in the matter, as Jax had a death grip on my waist and silently told me not to be rude or suspicious.
So, with a forceful smile and nod, I partake in indulging the man before me. "Well, it's not a surprise. I've seen and heard a lot of shit while working at T.M these months, but now, instead of wondering what's going on, I actually hear the real stories." With a gentle shrug and a swig of Jax's beer, I met Clay's gaze and saw him nodding in approval.
"You know, any other outsider I wouldn't trust," he said, a sharp grin playing on his lips, "but you're a Winston, now Jax's ol' lady, so you're not an outsider and you came through to save Tig, I'd be wrong not to trust you with our secrets." He shrugs nonchalantly before lifting his bottle to his mouth for another swig.
"Thank you," was all I could muster before I looked at the analog clock on the wall. It's been ten minutes since Clay has sat down, and a total of thirty since Gemma has been holed up in Abel's nursery. It never takes long for Abel to fall asleep, and I was sure if something was wrong with him Gemma would let us know. She was just stalling again.
"Be right back," I voiced to the men before removing myself from Jax's lap. Not waiting for a reply, I stroll down the hall to Abel's room and observe Gemma leaning over his crib, watching him sleep.
"Gemma, what are you doing?" I questioned the woman from my stance in the doorway.
As Gemma turns around to face me, she throws me a weary smile before nervously tucking her hands in the front pockets of her designer jeans. "Oh, you know, just laid him down and tidied a little," she replied with a nonchalant hobbling of her shoulders.
With a hand on my hip and a narrowing of my eyes, I speak to her in a reassuring tone, "Gemma, just come to the dining room, tell the boys and get it over so that we can enjoy the meal before it grows ice-cold."
With an eerily sweet smile, Gemma sauntered over to me and pulled me in for a side hug. "You know, I'm impressed, you've done a hell of a job on dinner tonight, baby," she says ultra sweetly, and I know it had to kill her to compliment someone, and I couldn't contain the laughter that ripped its way from my throat.
"Gemma, you must be determined to stall if you're using flattery towards me. I bet it killed you to admit that I had done something worthy of your compliments." I joked, trying to break the tension that emanated from her.
With a sag of her shoulders, she pushes out a defeated sigh. "It's best to do it after we all eat, so that the food you've worked so hard to prepare doesn't go to waste."
Gemma was indeed right about the hard work I put into making a decent meal. I wouldn't appreciate it being wasted, and if I disagreed with her again, it would lead to another argument that would cause the truth to come out in a not-so-subtle way, which wouldn't be the best way to get the information out.
So, admitting defeat, I sympathize with her, and nod my head in agreement while saying, "Alright, but afterwards, you spill. Now, shoo," and nudging her through the door. She reluctantly obliged and strutted down the hall as I closed the door to Abel's room and followed her shortly after.
The food was excellent, everyone loved it, and although Gemma was reluctant to admit it aloud to anyone again, the way she devoured two plates worth it was evidence of her appreciation, so she didn't have to express her opinion.
All through dinner, Jax was casting curious glances my way because nothing, other than small talk, was said at the table, and he wanted answers. Every time I avoided his gaze, he squeezed my thigh a few times, silently questioning me. In turn, I would throw Gemma warning glares, wordlessly urging her to say something. Every time she did nothing, she just simply continued with the small talk, and every time it grew quiet, she raised another topic to fill the room with conversation. I became more and more frustrated as the night grew later, and she was still making small conversations to shy away from bringing the truth to light.
Clay was beginning to grow suspicious, I knew that because I was constantly feeling his eyes boring into the side of my face as he was observing us. I noticed he was about to mention the looks, but before he could, Gemma began to clear the table. Another stalling tactic that I didn't leave unnoticed.
Grabbing her wrist as she went to collect my plate, and she stared at me. "You can't keep stalling, Gemma. You have to tell them, now," I say, my voice coming out louder than what I meant. But I didn't care, I was tired, frustrated, and wanted Clay the hell out of my house. "You can't keep it secret anymore, I can't keep it a secret anymore." I added, my voice softer.
Gemma yanks her wrist from my grasp, and with a scoff and a roll of her eyes, she moves to the sink and slams the dishes she has collected in the sink.
"What secret are you talking about?" Clay questions me in a low, curious tone.
"It's her story to tell." I answered, tipping my head towards his wife, who was gripping the counter with such strength that turned her knuckles white.
"Is it why you have a broken nose?" Jax voices from my left. I turn my head to him and answer with a curt nod, before focusing on Gemma again.
Clay shifts sideways in his chair, leaning forward, and presses for answers. "Gemma, what's she talkin' about?"
Without a response, Gemma reclaims her seat and throws me a death-glare before focusing her attention on her lap. Knowing it will be difficult for Gemma to live that night, I push out of my chair to get a bottle of scotch and fill her glass to hopefully help her.
Kneeling down next to her, I took her hand in mine and threw her a reassuring smile to let her know that I was there for her.
"Ma? " Jax whispered out, without doubt worried from witnessing the scene before him - realizing something real awful must have happened if I was being so forgiving to his mother for breaking my nose.
With a deep, shaky breath, Gemma casts glances between her husband and her son, who now both scooted closer to us, before croaking out the story of that night. "The night of, uh, Bobby's party, I didn't get into an accident driving home…I was attacked. Minivan pulls up behind me, a girl jumps out in a panic… says her baby's choking… That girl was very convincing, it was a goddamn doll in the car seat. Hit me over the back of the head… with a, you know… a blackjack, something."
A chorus of apologies came from the two teary-eyed Jax and Clay, who didn't know what else they could say to help her.
Brushing off the apologies and squeezing my hand tighter, Gemma continued: "I came to, handcuffed to a chain link at a utility house out by the access road. They wore masks — there were three of 'em. One who spoke, I... I knew his voice, tatt on his throat, Zobelle's right hand... Weston. He told me to deliver a message to you: Stop selling guns to color. Said if I... If I didn't tell you, that he'd find me… and do it again. They raped me, all three of 'em. Then, when I didn't tell you, they sent the girl after Andy… could have killed her." Gemma finishes, flashing me a mournful smile before wiping her eyes.
Jax and Clay respond by slamming their fists on the table and shouting obscenities. In a matter of seconds, Jax shot daggers at Clay, and before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door.
Glancing at the clock again, I notice it is now ten, "who would come by this time of night?" I voiced while retreating to the door and opening it, "What are you doing here?" I question the men before me, shock and slight fear evident in my voice that sent the others scrambling to stand behind me.
{{A/N: First thing: I believe this is the LONGEST chapter I have written so far, and I'm sorry for the late update. I have just been dealing with major writer's block, so it's been difficult to write. Second thing: Due to writers block, I haven't been able to write anything else for future chapters, so I am going to go on a hiatus for a couple of weeks. I promise I will not give up on this story. I have big plans for it, and I'm going to follow them through. I just need the time to write them up. So, please be patient and don't give up on my story, and keep a lookout for future updates!
With love, SRW ❤️}}