The next few days were a blur of activity for Jax. Going over his bike. Deciding on some sort of initial direction so he'd know what to pack. He had a vague notion of heading south then east. Catch onto Route 66 and ride that for a while. It seemed to him, anyone who wanted to call themselves any kind of traveler, needed to take that road trip at least once in their life.
The sun was bright and shining in his hungover eyes. The previous evening, his last night in Charming, the club had an impromptu going away party. He really hadn't meant to get so wasted, but Tommy and Opie kept pouring shots down his throat, the two of them mildly jealous that he was getting to leave the nest.
He looked over at his brother, who was sitting at a picnic table, his head resting on his arms. "What? Your pussy ass can't stand up long enough to give me a hug goodbye?" He chuckled despite the raging pain behind his eyes. The coffee and Advil would kick in soon. Or so he kept telling himself. "Remember dude, you were the one pourin' the shots, so I don't want to hear any bitchin', now give me a hug goodbye so I can go deal with Mom." He tossed his mother a good natured grin to which she replied with a one finger salute and a smile.
Thomas swung around and stood up. His younger brother was nearly as tall as he was. He always laughed when people told him how much he looked like his Dad and Tommy looked like Mom. He didn't really see it, because to him, Thomas was the spittin' image of JT, except he had Gemma's coloring. He smothered a smile at how green around the gills his baby brother looked. Maybe the kid would finally learn to slow down a little on the booze.
His little brother threw his arms around his shoulders and pulled him in. He reciprocated the hug tightly. "I'll be back soon bro." He laughed in Tommy's ear. "Somebody's gotta keep your ass in check."
Tommy snickered as he let go. "Yeah, you let me know as soon as you find someone who can." His baby brother pulled him back into another hug. "You watch yourself bro. Be safe. Love you."
He gave his brother a last squeeze. "Love you too, bro."
His brother pulled away for the last time and schooled his hungover features into feigned indifference. "Better go say goodbye to Mom. That way you might make it out of the lot before sunset." Tommy gave him a smart-assed grin. "Plus, if I'm gonna cover your ass at the garage, I need a couple more hours of sleep."
Their mother's voice made them both smile. "Oh, there's no 'if you're gonna'. It's you are going to cover for your brother at the garage." There was an amused finality to her voice. She gave Thomas a kiss on the cheek. "But you can go back to bed for a couple of hours. You'll be useless to me if all you're doin' is pukin' in a trash can." She gave Tommy a pop on the ass as he covered the grin on his face with a hand. "Now go, so I can say goodbye to your brother in peace."
Tommy grinned and gave their mom a quick kiss on the cheek. "Yes, ma'am." Then as he was walking back into the clubhouse, Tommy turned around and gave him a slight salute and another snarky grin. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Then disappeared inside.
He heard his mother's amused sigh behind him. He turned to see a slightly sad smile on her face. He couldn't help the small eye roll he gave her. "C'mon, Mom, don't act like I'm goin' away forever. It's just gonna be a few weeks."
His Mom gave him the eye roll right back. "And I'm your mother. I can act any damn way I choose to." Wrapping him in a tight hug. "Be careful."
He hugged her back just as tightly, realizing that for the first time he would be alone and on his own. "I will."
Letting go, his Mom took a step back and leaned on the edge of the picnic table. "I also expect you to check in with me on a regular basis."
Stuffing the urge to roll his eyes again, he just nodded and reached in to give his Mom another hug.
As they broke apart, he saw Clay come out of the clubhouse. His mother, giving him one last kiss, went back inside, leaving him and Clay alone.
Clay gave him a slight smile. "You ready?"
"Yeah. Hopefully this hang-over goes away soon."
Clay chuckled and then reached into his cut and pulled out an envelope, handing it to him. "Here's some extra cash. SAMVEG is expecting to see you tonight. The Albuquerque chapter is expecting you sometime in the next couple of weeks." His step-father cleared his throat. "Have some fun. Clear your head." Clapping a hand on his shoulder. "And come back in one piece." Pulling him for a hug.
"Thanks Clay. Tell Mom I'll call when I reach Vegas." Letting go of the older man.
"I'll do that. Make sure you check in with her." Clay grinned. "That way I get a little peace. Now get out of here."
Grinning he went over to his bike and swung a leg over, getting settled in. Starting the bike, he gave Clay a last wave and pulled out of the lot.
When he made it to the outskirts of town, he was shocked to see a lone biker waiting.
Pulling along-side, he couldn't hide the grin at seeing his best friend sitting there. "What the hell?"
Ope grinned. "Told Donna I was gonna ride with you until Bakersfield."
"Then let's go." Revving the bike for a second before taking off. A moment later, out of his peripheral vision, he saw Ope's bike come parallel with his and they were picking up speed.
As they passed the 'Welcome to Charming' sign, he felt a surge of freedom that he'd never felt before. And it felt fantastic.