Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own OCs and storylines…

She Will Be Loved

Chapter 20: Bad Idea

By Love Ink

Juice pulled away from the Croweater's kiss as if he'd been burned. He hadn't wanted that! He just wanted to flirt a little like Jax had said. Make Angela a little jealous. Not wind up with a Croweater's tongue down his throat! He shrugged off the girls, glancing towards the bar. Angela was gone, but Jax was still there. "Shit," he breathed, pushing through the crowd towards him. "Where'd she go?"

Jax shrugged a shoulder as he grinned looking a little proud. "Said she needed air. Think you got to her. Told ya it was a good idea."

Juice wasn't so sure any more. "Y-yeah," he said, swallowing hard. "I'm gonna go..."

"Prospect! Another round!" Clay called from the corner where he was sitting with a few of the other charter presidents.

Juice hesitated for a moment, looking back towards the front door. He needed to go after her and explain. At the same time, his president had asked for something, and if he wanted to earn his top rocker anytime soon, he had to do as he was told. Angela wouldn't leave. She was probably just taking a breath of fresh air and would be back in soon. Reluctantly, he headed behind the bar and quickly poured the shots, carrying them over to the corner on a tray. He set it down with a small smile and a nod, ready to turn back and head out to find Angela. Except...Clay started introducing him to the other presidents, telling them about his computer skills and commenting on how he'd updated the clubhouse security system. The Presidents all had questions of their own too. Juice answered them all gamely, feeling a little anxious as he did so. Angela hadn't come back inside yet. Visions of her being accosted in some dark corner by one of the visiting Sons flashed through his mind, distracting him. He needed to get to her. Fast.

It was over an hour before he finally got the opportunity to look for her. He pushed his way through the crowded clubhouse, taking a deep breath once he stepped outside. His eyes searched the many faces of the people sitting out there, but he didn't see her. "She headed home," Kozik said, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.

"What?" Juice asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah. She said this party was lame, and she was gonna walk home," he explained on a shrug. "I called her a cab. She texted me that she made it back safely 'bout a half hour ago."

Juice ran a hand over his head, cursing softly. Had she been so upset that she'd decided to walk home? Or had she just gotten bored at the party because she didn't know anyone but him, Koz, and Hap, and they'd all been busy? "I gotta go."

"You should," he agreed on a nod. "But you gotta clear it with the Prez first. You're the only Prospect of the founding charter. Can't just disappear on us. That won't look good."

Panic made his stomach turn; Kozik was right, of course. He couldn't just leave the club without permission. Not to chase after a girl and definitely not if he wanted to look loyal to them. "Shit. Don't want to look bad."

Kozik nodded slowly, barely masking his disappointment. "Yeah," he agreed, letting out a long plume of smoke. "Wouldn't matter anyway. She's goin' out with her old friends in Oakland. Lino's gonna pick her up."

Juice didn't like the idea of that. As much as he liked Lino, he'd been hoping to have some fun with Angela that night. Maybe romance her a little bit or at least get a better gauge on how she felt. He'd fucked that up, though. She was probably disgusted with him. "Oh...well, I hope she has fun."

"Uh-huh. Keep your phone close and don't drink. Told her to call if she gets toasted and wants a ride home," he said, throwing down the cigarette and crushing it under his boot. "That's all you. Best think of a car you can use to do it too, 'cause her drunk ass shouldn't be gettin' anywhere near your bike."

"Y-yeah. Of course. I'll figure somethin' out," he said on a nod. He wished he could call Lino. Figure out where Angela was and go there to party with them. He would much rather be with her than at the stupid club party.

Kozik bobbed his head slowly before nodding towards the clubhouse door. "If you're so concerned with looking bad, you should go back in there. Sure there's somethin' for you to do."

"Right," he said on a breath. Hanging his head, he trudged back into the clubhouse, a bad feeling swirling around the pit of his stomach.

Lino watched as Angela downed a shot like it was nobody's business. She was dressed to kill in a short, tight, dark green halter dress with a black leather jacket, something he hadn't been expecting when he'd picked her up since he'd heard her telling Vanessa she was wearing jeans. Worry swirled around in his stomach. While Rosa and Nessa were drinking slowly from their mixed drinks, getting buzzed for fun, Angela was taking shots like she was on a mission. He had a feeling he knew exactly what the mission was too; she wanted to get black out drunk, numb her pain just like she had in New York after Raj died. She had to stop, or she was going to hurt herself. Vanessa kissed his cheek, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Stop worrying, amor mio," she purred in his ear, her hand rubbing over his chest in a way that made him think of something very different. "Let her have some fun." (My love)

"She's not doin' it for fun," he said, moving his arm around Vanessa's back. "She's gonna make herself sick again."

"Yeah, well, that guy. Juice?" Vanessa said, waiting for him to nod before continuing, "She was gonna tell him she had feelings for him tonight. Went to a party at the Sons' clubhouse just to do it and saw him makin' out with one of them sweetbutts."

Lino felt his heart sink. No wonder she was trying to drown herself in alcohol; she was in a whole new type of pain. She'd been rejected at a time when she was already vulnerable; that had to hurt. "Shit. When did she tell you that?"

"In the bathroom. Rosa was callin' him all sorts a names," Vanessa said on a frown.

"Damn. Wish I coulda been there. I'm a sneak in there next time so I don't miss all the good shit."

She giggled drunkenly, shaking her head at him. "Please do not sneak into the women's bathroom, Lee. I don't want to get kicked outta here."

He scowled at her. "Was just kiddin'," he muttered, only half meaning it. He wished he was there to get all the facts, stand up for Juice. What happened had to have been a mistake. No way would Juice fuck up that badly unless...unless he didn't feel the same way about Angela anymore. "It musta been a mistake, though. That dude loves her. I know he does."

"I dunno. How do you accidentally make out with someone?"

Lino shrugged a shoulder. He asked for a glass of water from the bartender just as Angela and Rosa took another shot. "Drink some water, Ang," he advised, pushing it towards her. "Both a ya."

Angela pushed it right back at him. "Don't worry so much! I just got home! I want to have fun!" she yelled at him, her words slightly slurred.

Rosa cheered loudly, pumping her arms in the air. "Yes! My girl is back! Let's go dance!" she exclaimed, grabbing Angela's wrist before grabbing Vanessa's. "You too, Ness! Let's go! No boys!"

Lino watched, slightly open-mouthed as Rosa dragged the girls onto the crowded dancefloor. Sighing, he shook his head, watching them like a hawk. "Lino! What's up, man?" a loud voice said, a heavy hand falling on his shoulder.

He turned to find Rafael, Rosa's big brother and Esai's best friend, standing behind him with a big grin on his face. "Hey Rafa. Not much," he replied on a nod as he exchanged a handshake-hug with him. "What's goin' on?"

"Nothin'. Heard the club was poppin'. Figured we'd check it out," Rafael said, nodding towards the dance floor.

He glanced in that direction just in time to see some Mayans slowly mixing into the large crowd, finding girls as they did so. His eyes fell on Esai as he pushed his way towards the three girls, his eyes on Angela. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. He pushed off the bar, determined to intercede.

Rafa pushed him back with a smirk. " 'ey. Relax. If she don't want it, she'll push him away."

"She's drunk," Lino said, batting his hand away. And vulnerable, he added in his own head. No way was he going to let Esai take advantage of her in the state she was in.

"So? They're just dancin'," he stated, waving off his concern. "Where's the harm in that?"

Lino knew better, though. There was a lot of harm to be done if those two somehow got back together. Angela was hurt, drunk, and probably wanting some type of comfort. She was in the prime headspace for someone like Esai to take advantage of. If he managed to worm his way back into her bed, it was going to be hard as hell for her to shake him without all hell breaking loose. He had a bad feeling about it all. A very, very bad feeling.

The world seemed to tilt and move around Angela as she danced with her friends, letting the music flow through her as she moved to the Reggaeton beat. She felt good, felt alive. Juice and Raj were the furthest thing from her mind now. All she could think about was the music and the way the bass felt reverberating through her heart. She closed her eyes, stretching her arms over her head and moving her hips. Out of nowhere, she felt hands settle on her hips, a body pressing against her back. For a split second, she thought it might be Juice. That he may have traced her phone and followed her out there just to get away from Charming, so he could apologize and maybe make his move without the prying eyes of the club and her cousin on them. But the cologne that wafted over her was not Juice's. She knew it well, though. Turning around, she came face to face with Esai Alvarez and damn did he look good. His light eyes seemed to sparkle in the multicolored lights of the club. He looked bigger than the last time she'd seen him, stronger, tougher. The hint of a tattoo he definitely didn't have before was barely visible over the collar of his cut. She bit her lip, wondering what other new tattoos he may be hiding from her.

He pulled her in close to him, putting his lips to her ear. "You look hot tonight, Angelita," he whispered, his voice paired with the feel of his hot breath against her ear sent shivers down her spine. " 's been too long since I've seen you."

"I know." She smiled, moving her arms around his neck and pressing her pelvis to his as his leg slipped between hers, their hips moving together to the beat. She moved her hand to the back of his neck, smoothing it over the hair at its nape. His arms moved tighter around her, hands moving over her back. God, it felt good to be held again. She hadn't realized how much she missed that kind of attention until that very moment.

Angela felt his lips brush against her neck, setting fire to her skin. She knew she should push him away, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. It felt too good to be touched, to be wanted. After seeing Juice with another girl, all she wanted was to prove she was still desirable. Esai moved his hands through her hair, tugging lightly so she tilted her face up. Then his lips crashed down on hers. Warning bells went off in her head. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be letting him kiss her. Not after everything he'd put her through. But it felt so damn good. He was familiar, easy, and she found herself giving into him and returning his kiss. His tongue moved into her mouth, and she could taste a hint of tequila and mint. Fucker probably planned this, she thought with a smirk.

His hands moved to her ass, kneading it lovingly while pushing his hips against hers. She could feel his hard length through his jeans. Lust filled her, throwing her off guard. She shouldn't want him. It was wrong, but at that moment, she did. She wanted to be loved, to be taken care of. She wanted to feel wanted. Esai, despite all of his faults, would at least make her feel less alone. She knew she was using him, that this could blow back in her face, but she didn't care. She wanted to feel good again. It'd been too long.

"Let's get outta here, chiqui," Esai murmured in her ear.

Angela felt herself nodding, letting him take her hand in his and pull her towards the front of the club. Another hand grabbed her wrist, and she turned to find Lino standing there. "Ang, stop. This isn't a good idea," he advised, his eyes darting to Esai.

"Leave her be, Lino. She's a big girl," Raffa said, slinging his arm around Lino's neck.

"Yeah, I'm good, Lee. Relax," she said, aware of the way her words were slightly slurred. Damn, she'd had way too much tequila. But she wanted this. She was sure of it. "Don't worry so much!"

Reluctantly, Lino let go of her wrist, a disappointed look on his face. "Just...be careful."

"I got her, 'mano. I'll take real good care a her," Esai assured him with a smirk. "C'mon, chiqui. Lemme take you home."

Angela let him lead her outside towards his bike. She loved a lot of things about Esai, but she'd always hated the way their hands fit together. Holding his hand always felt awkward and uncomfortable, which worked in his favor since he didn't like to hold her hand anyway. He let go of her hand, gesturing to his bike.

"You okay to ride?" he asked, swinging his leg over his bike and handing her his helmet. She took it from him, considering it for a moment before looking back at his Harley. Lino was right, this was a bad idea that was bound to blow up in her face later. He started his bike with a loud roar. "You comin', Angelita?"

She swallowed hard, the image of Juice kissing the Croweater flashing through her mind. With a long sigh, she stuck the helmet on her head and muttered, "Fuck it." She got on the bike, moving her arms around his waist and holding on tight as he drove off into the night. She hoped she wouldn't live to regret it.

Yikes. Bad decisions all around!
You didn't think Angela and Juice getting together would be easy, did you? ;)

Let me know what y'all think! :)

~Love Ink