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

She Will Be Loved

Chapter 24: Differences

By Love Ink

Juice didn't sleep that night. He was physically exhausted from the ride over to Tacoma, exhausted from shaking hands and being social with the SAMTAC brothers, and exhausted from cleaning all of SAMCRO's bikes when they got there, yet he still couldn't sleep. His head was swimming with thoughts of Angela that he just couldn't shake. She'd been in Oakland again. Why? Who was there? What were Happy and Koz so concerned about that they wanted him to monitor her every move? Angela had grown up in Oakland; it shouldn't be unusual for her to be there visiting her friends or even her Ma and Aunt. Except she hadn't been at her Aunt's house. She'd been at some park deep in the heart of what he now knew was Mayan territory. What was she doing there?

He got off the creaky cot he'd been given to sleep on and went to his backpack, grabbing his laptop again. Rubbing at his eyes, he started it up, and opened the tracking program he had downloaded as he sat back down on the edge of the cot. Angela was still in Oakland, but at an apartment complex now. He checked the address and found the apartment complex's website. With a little digging, he was able to find a list of people who currently lived there. He felt a little relieved when he saw Paulino's name listed along with a Rosa Diaz, a name he knew because Angela kept telling him about her best friend. So she was probably with one of them and not with one of the dozen other names listed there...including Esai Alvarez.

Why did that name sound so familiar to him? He knew the head honcho of the Mayans was Marcus Alvarez; could there be a connection? He'd heard the Sons talk about Marcus a few time, but he hadn't seen the guy or any of the Mayans just yet...so why did the name Esai sound so familiar? It wasn't a very common name, where had he heard it before? Against his better judgement, he did a quick background check on Angela.

And that's where he found it. The connection. Two Minor in Possessions on her record. In both cases, she'd been arrested with Esai Alvarez. That's where he'd heard the name. She'd mentioned she'd gotten arrested with her douche bag ex-boyfriend named Esai. It didn't take him long to put two and two together. Angela was in the middle of Mayan territory for the third time in three days. She'd been distant, elusive with him. Turned him down when he'd asked her to hang out. And that damn hickey… Had she rekindled whatever romance she'd had with Esai? Juice's mind was reeling. Had he lost his one chance with Angela? Thrown it away by following what Jax had advised? He felt like he was going to be sick.

Slamming his computer closed, he fell back ono the cot. He rubbed at his eyes, silently hoping he was wrong. Maybe Angela was just with Lino and Rosa, and all of this worrying was for no reason. It had to be. Why would she give Esai another chance? It didn't make sense.

An idea came to his head; if he told Hap and Koz about it, they'd see to it she stayed away from that Mayan asshole. Except...she'd be pissed. So pissed, it might push her right to Esai just to spite them. That and she'd most likely find out he was the one who told them. She'd never trust him again if he ratted her out. He couldn't do that to her. Not if this was something she wanted. It wasn't worth losing her trust if it made her unhappy.

He sighed softly, reaching out for his phone. On a whim, he pressed the speed dial button that would connect him to her. It rang for what seemed like forever before she answered. "Juice? Is everything okay?" she asked in a rushed whisper. He heard a door close behind her, and he wondered if she'd walked outside.

"Oh um...yeah. Just...wanted to check in. See if everything was goin' okay. You bein' home alone and all..." he baited, wondering if she would answer him truthfully.

"I'm actually not at your place," she replied on a breath. "Stayin' at my friend's place out in Oakland. Didn't really feel like bein' alone."

God, he wished he could've stayed home. He'd been so excited to go on this run, yet now, there was nowhere he'd rather be than at his place with Angela. "Yeah. Kinda wish I coulda stayed over there now. All I been doin' here is meetin' people and cleaning computers and Harleys."

Angela's laugh warmed his heart, and he relaxed a bit; she wouldn't have answered the phone if she was with Esai. She probably really was at her friend's place. "How're the Croweaters out there? They making you feel better?" she teased.

"No Croweaters. Just some creaky ass cot and seriously chapped hands," he told her, looking at his cracked hands.

"I've got a good lotion for that. I'll give you some when you come back."

Juice smiled, trying hard to keep the image of her hands working the cream into his out of his head. "Sounds good to me," he said on a sigh. "You...you want to do a movie night or somethin' when I come back? Feel like we've been livin' together but never see each other."

"Yeah, goofy. I'd like that," she agreed on a light laugh. There was a sound behind her, and she cursed softly under her breath. "I gotta go. I'll see you in a few days?"

He felt his stomach sink; he didn't want their conversation to end. Not now. It meant she didn't want whoever was interrupting her to know she was talking to him. "Yeah. I should be back day after tomorrow."

"Awesome. See you then. Stay safe!" she replied before quickly hanging up the phone.

Juice lay there staring at the ceiling. Something was off; he could feel it. He just hoped he hadn't blown his chance.

Angela hung up the phone and quickly shoved it in her pocket just seconds before the sliding door leading to the balcony opened behind her and a very sleepy looking Esai walked out. He looked like an adorable little kid, rubbing at his tired eyes. "What you doin' out here, chiqui?" he asked sleepily.

She brought her knees to her chest, setting her feet on the edge of the chair, and let out a long breath. How could she tell him that she was currently fighting off huge elephant-sized butterflies fluttering around in her stomach after talking to Juice? Instead, she shrugged, looking up at the sky for a moment. "Looking at the stars."

Esai chuckled, shaking his head at her. "That's my girl. Head in the stars," he said, stepping closer and running the backs of his fingers over her cheek lovingly.

"Ursa major is really bright tonight," she said, looking at the familiar constellation. "It's right there."

He humored her for a moment, staring in the direction she pointed. "I can't see Ursula or whatever," he said on a shrug. He held out his hand to her. "Come back to bed, mi vida. 's cold out here."

A pang of sorrow squeezed at her heart; Raj used to love sitting with her and looking at stars. He'd once gone so far as to stealing his sister's telescope so they could attempt to see them despite the city lights. Juice was the same way. He'd bought her a book about constellations and astrology, teasing her about her steadfast belief in star signs. Esai didn't seem to have the patience for it, though. Sighing, she put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "Ur-sa, E," she corrected as he led her back into the house. "It's a bear not a sea witch."

"Whatever you say, nerd," he said with a loving smile as he pulled her into his side. He kissed her temple as his hand found her ass. "Love that big brain of yours. You're the smartest girl I know."

She rolled her eyes at him. "You're real smooth with those lines, y'know?"

He dipped his head to catch her lips in a warm kiss. "Just want you to feel appreciated, chiqui. You mean a lot to me 'n' I want you to know that."

Angela's heart did a little flip. She kissed him again, leaning into him as he moved his arms around her. Despite the way he treated her in the past, she couldn't deny how different he was now. He made her feel whole, made her feel loved and wanted. She needed that. As much as she was hoping Juice would've stepped in to fill the void Raj had left behind, Esai had stepped up and was doing exactly that. "Thanks, E," she murmured, her hand on his chest.

He kissed her again, pushing her towards his bedroom, his hands on the hem of her shirt. "How bout you thank me in bed?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Romantic moment's over. Way to go, dickhead," she said, pushing away from him teasingly. She stretched out on his bed, pulling the covers back over her and covering her head in the process.

She heard his rough chuckle and felt a small fluttering in her stomach. Esai pulled the covers down, getting in beside her and moving to mirror her position on his side. "Sorry, chiqui. 's just been so long since we been together," he said, his finger tracing over her cheek. He scooted in closer, pulling her into his arms and rolling over onto his back so she was on top of him. "And I'm gonna savor every minute of it while I can."

Angela laughed. "Like the sound of that."

"Mmm," he hummed in contentment as he kissed her lazily. "What you up to tomorrow, chiqui?"

"Thinkin' of doin' a girls night with Ro and Nessa since I got the place to myself," she answered, rubbing her hand over the scruff of his cheek. He gave her an annoyed look, and she smirked; she knew it bothered him when she brought up her living situation. In a way she was testing him a bit. He'd promised he wouldn't complain, and so far, he hadn't. She knew he wanted to, though. She could see it in his eyes every time she talked about Charming. "Why? Did you have better plans?"

Esai shook his head. "No. Got club shit to do, pero maybe I can stop by your place later."

"Nope. Girl's only sleep over," she replied stubbornly. "Don't want you anywhere near Charming anyway. Not yet."

"Can't keep this a secret forever, mi vida. Eventually, we gotta let people know."

Angela felt a sinking feeling in her stomach; she dreaded that moment. She could practically feel the disappointment from Koz and Happy. And Juice...what would he think? "Eventually," she repeated, kissing him again. "But for now, I'd like to keep this our little secret. Makes things more exciting."

Vanessa couldn't stop laughing as she sat on the floor of Angela's living room. Rosa and Angela were both drunk off their asses and telling story after story about the stupid shit they used to do with Lino growing up. The two girls were surprisingly warm and inviting to her in a way she hadn't been expecting. In high school, she'd been Soli's sidekick, and while she hadn't actively been mean to either girl like her best friend; she'd never stood up for them like she should've either. She'd been young and insecure back then, under the influence of someone she'd thought was cool and popular. She knew better now.

"And then this seagull swoops down and legit swoops the hot dog right out of Lino's hand!" Rosa shouted through her laughter. "The look on his face!"

"That's why he's afraid of birds?" Vanessa questioned with an incredulous laugh.

Angela nodded. "Oh yeah. Also hates going to the zoo 'cause of it too."

"No shit," she mused, shaking her head. She loved Lino to death, but she'd never understood certain things about him. Angela and Rosa were giving her a new window into him that she hadn't had before.

"Such a wimp," Rosa said with a roll of her eyes. "How do you put up with his skinny, whiny, overprotective ass?"

"He's not whiny," Vanessa defended on a scowl. "And he's sweet. Really sweet. I've never met anyone like him."

Angela's warm smile was reassuring. "Good. I like that," she said before smacking Rosa. "Don't listen to anything Ro says. Lino's a good guy. One in a million."

"That's for sure," Rosa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And what about you and Esai? That a thing now?"

Vanessa noticed the way Angela seemed to tense a bit as she shot a nervous glance at Rosa. "I dunno. Guess so. We decided to start taking things slow," she answered, twisting at her ring.

Rosa pulled a disgusted face. "Why?"

"He...he makes me feel better," she admitted softly. "Losing Raj ripped this big hole in my heart. Esai...makes me feel less...alone, I guess. He's familiar, comforting. I don't gotta start fresh with him."

Vanessa reached out a hand and set it on Angela's squeezing it softly. "I get it."

"I don't. He treated you like shit," Rosa pointed out, her eyes dark and a little angry. "What happened to this Son dude? You're in his fuckin' house, and I'm not gonna lie, I looked through his shit when I went to the bathroom and-"

"Rosa!" Angela interjected, hitting her again. "Are you serious?"

"Aaaand," Rosa continued, undeterred. "And he is clean and his cologne smells good, and he's got the cutest fuckin' pictures of the two of you shoved into the side of his mirror. He loves you."

"First of all, you smelled his cologne? Who does that?" she asked, incredulously. At Rosa's shrug, Angela shook her head and said, "Second of all, he was makin' out with a Croweater. He's doesn't care about me like that anymore. We're just friends."

Vanessa chewed at the inside of her lip. She knew Lino had sworn not to tell Angela it was Juice who helped pay for their trip to New York when she'd lost Raj, but she was desperate to tell her. Maybe it would lead her away from Esai and steer her in a better direction. Not that Vanessa had a problem with Angela and Esai being together; she'd never seen the dark side of their relationship that Lino and Rosa seemed to believe existed. From the outside looking in, they'd always looked like a happy couple. So in love with each other they'd made everyone jealous. Vanessa didn't get why Lino and Rosa were so adamantly against them being together again. "Maybe he's changed, Ro. I mean, it's been like five years."

Angela gave her a thankful look. "See? Nessa gets it! We're older now!"

"Men don't change," Rosa stated stubbornly. "Esai's better now because he's still tryin' to win you over, but you'll see, once he's got you, he's going to go back to the same cheating asshole. And if he so much as lays a finger on you again, I'm going to go over there and beat the shit outta his skinny ass."

Vanessa shook her head slowly. "Better get in line. Think Lino would beat you to it. He's not too happy about it either."

Angela rolled her eyes. "I don't know what the big deal is. It's my life! It's not like we're getting married tomorrow! I'm just...giving him a chance. He makes me feel less...sad. Its kinda nice to feel wanted again."

Rosa's look softened as she sighed. "Y'know I'm just sayin' this shit 'cause I don't want you to get hurt. No one's pressuring you to get over Raj. You shouldn't go rushin' in to things like this. You're giving Esai a chance when you didn't even give Juice one. 's a little unfair."

"Esai gave me a chance first," she murmured, playing with her ring again. She looked a little downtrodden and sad. "He makes me feel good. Juice is...deep into his prospecting shit. He doesn't really have time for me...and I...I did that before with Raj. I mean, shit, we fought about that the day he died. I don't want to deal with that again. I just want a normal relationship."

Rosa looked doubtful. "I don't think that's even possible with anyone who's wearing a cut."

The oven dinged in the background and Angela grinned. "It might not be, but I sure as hell am gonna try," she said getting up from the couch to go check on the cookies she was baking.

Rosa shook her head at her back. "I got a bad feeling about this. Mark my words, Nessa, this shit ain't gonna end good."

Vanessa watched Lino as he drove her home from Angela's house. One of his long arms was draped over the steering wheel, the other free to hold her hand. She loved him. With every fiber of her being she loved him. He was everything she could've hoped for. She wondered idly if that's how Angela felt about Esai. If that's why she was willing to look past all of their bad history and give him another chance. "So...what's the deal with Ang and E? Why don't you and Ro want them to be together?"

Lino's jaw clenched tightly, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. "He treated her like shit. Cheated on her," he admitted, shaking his head. "Made her feel small. She deserves better than that."

"She says he makes her happy. Fills the hole the other dude left in her heart," she stated, trying to get him to see reason. "I don't think it's such a bad thing."

He relaxed a bit, sighing softly. "I dunno. Esai made her happy before too, then he fucked it all up. Dunno what happened with that Juice guy. He's a good guy. Actually cares about her."

"She says they're just friends. That he's more interested in the Croweaters than in her. That he won't have time for her now that he's prospecting," she explained. "She said timing was always a problem with Raj."

Lino nodded slowly. "Yeah. When I was there, he canceled on us like every day. It seemed like they never saw each other."

"Which is why Esai's so attractive. He's done prospecting and willing to put in the time. Juice is at the club's beck and call. His schedule is just as bad as Raj's was!"

He shook his head again. "I don't think so. Think if she gave him a chance, he'd make the time for her."

"But she's convinced he doesn't like her as anything other than a friend," she said on a frown. "Unless...you tell her it was Juice who sent us to New York for her. Who helped pay for the whole trip. That would show how much he cares about her."

He contemplated it for a minute, tapping his fingers on the dashboard. "Can't. Guy code."

"Ugh. Fuck that guy code! This is Angela we're talking about! If you want her with Juice so much, help a guy out!"

Lino chuckled, bringing her hand to his lips and brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "It ain't that easy. I don't want to disturb the balance. She leaves E for Juice, and it's gonna put a crack in the Mayan-Son alliance. That's a whole lotta trouble I don't want on my hands. Woulda been easier if she never started with E. Knew I shouldn't a let her leave the club with him."

"Why are you worried about the alliance anyway? You're not even a member."

"Because your dad is, and if he isn't safe, neither are you," he answered honestly. "And you're my top priority, querida."

Vanessa looked down at their hands for a moment, squeezing his lovingly. "A-are you gonna prospect? My dad keeps askin'."

Lino let out a long sigh, his jaw clenching slightly. "Do you want me to?"

"You're mine. Cut, no cut, I don't give a shit," she answered honestly. "Just want you to be happy. I know you're curious about it. You're around them enough."

He smirked at her, kissing the top of her hand again. "I'll think about it."

She smiled at him, squeezing his hand in response. Her father was the secretary of the Oakland Mayans and, though he'd never say it out loud, he loved Lino, respected him. He'd been bugging her about having Lino prospect ever since they'd gotten together. She was on the fence about it. A part of her liked having him to herself while another thought he'd look sexy as hell in a cut. She leaned over the center console, pecking his cheek. "No pressure, amor. I'll love you no matter what."

He grinned at her, a smile that made her tingle all over. "Pssh, I know that," he said, trying to be cocky and failing miserably. It wasn't in him to be an asshole. "Love you too, querida."

I love Rosa, Vanessa, and Lino, and I hope you guys do too because there'll be a lot more of them coming up ;)

As always, thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

~Love Ink