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Chapter 117 No
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Gemma knew from the moment she met TB that he was attracted to her. Every time she saw him only confirmed that she was right. She hadn't looked at a man since she and Clay got together with the exception of a very minor flirtation with Tig. She had a weakness for that curly auburn hair of his.
Her relationship with Nero was nice enough, but it wasn't going to get her where she wanted to go—back in Jax's life. TB was the answer to all her problems.
She thought about giving herself a makeover to better fit in with TB's world. Maybe a long layered lob with hair the color of Cherry Coke when the sunlight hits it and more subdued make-up. She changed her mind. She knew instinctively that TB was attracted to her for the way she looked now. If she polished herself up, she might lose her edge and that was what attracted him to her.
She did give herself a clothing upgrade so she wouldn't feel like she worked at TM, but at a real law office. She swapped out her tight jeans for black, navy, or gray pants with coordinating tops that hugged her impressive breasts dipping a little low in the front to keep TB's eyes on her cleavage.
The job was easy. She'd quickly learned how to route calls to the correct attorneys and which calls to send to voice mail hell. Every week, Jax and Ava would meet with their little legal tutor and every week, Jax would ignore her like she didn't exist. His bitch wife would do the same. She couldn't believe Jax was so delusional to think he had a change in hell of becoming an attorney. It was the very opposite of what he should be doing with his life. He was born to an outlaw, raised to be an outlaw and that's what he should be doing with his life.
She thought Jax would have caved in by now and let her back into his life. A few more weeks and he would cave. She could wait him out. Sooner or later, Jax was going to need her. That little twit he married would never be able to give him the kind of support he needed. She was his mother and he would always need her. This was like a teenage rebellion kind of thing only older. She'd gotten through that and she would get through this.
It did anger and worry her that she didn't know what was going on with the MC. They had all closed ranks against her even Tig and Juice. Jax needed her to help him run the MC and teach him what she'd learned from JT and Clay. Leadership changes were always a crucial time in an MC. The Mayans could be plotting against SAMCRO thinking that Jax was weak and distracted. SAMCRO needed to make a move to show the other MCs that SAMCRO was in good hands. Maybe killing a Mayan or something like that.
Her romance continued with TB. He was easy to manipulate. She expected him to be more sophisticated with women, but he was surprisingly almost like a teenager with her. It was a refreshing change from the more streetwise Nero. That didn't mean she was giving up Nero or his coke. She was going to have it all this time.
TB tried to have Sunday dinner with Ava and Jax every week. It took her several weeks but she was finally included in family dinner night. The shock and surprise in Jax's eyes delighted her, but he wouldn't look at her or even speak to her. Ava followed his example. TB filled the gaps by discussing some of his cases. She pretended to be interested, but she was bored out of her mind.
Jax continued to stop in and talk to TB regularly. He always had time for Jax. The club had sold their property and considering a couple of properties for their next investment. TB suggested letting Ed look at the real estate contract and go over it with him so he could see the practical side to law. He encouraged him to get Ava involved too.
"Look Jax, about you and your mother. I know that you have good reasons for not having her in your life. I can see both sides and I'm not asking you to have her in your life. It would mean a lot to me for you and Ava to keep joining us for family dinner."
Jax had a lot of respect for TB. He never looked down on him for being a biker. He was encouraging and helpful. He hadn't felt that since JT was killed. As much as he didn't want to have anything to do with Gemma, he would sit and have dinner with Gemma out of respect for TB.
"We'll do it for you, but my mother is dead to me. That will never change."
TB nodded. He believed as Gemma did that Jax would eventually come around. He agreed with Gemma that once she found out that Clay killed JT, she had to keep the secret to keep Jax safe because once Jax knew either Clay would kill Jax or Jax would kill Clay and spend the rest of his life in prison. Gemma made the wisest decision. In time, he was confident that Jax would come around.
The awkward dinners continued until the night that Gemma made dinner and even served it in TB's kitchen for a cozier more family feel. She cooked pot roast with her special mushroom wine gravy, mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots and Southern style green beans with onions and bacon. It was Jax's favorite dinner. She always made it on special occasions. She'd even gotten a German Chocolate cake from the bakery. That was also Jax's favorite.
He knew immediately that something was up. In retrospect Jax was glad the announcement came after dinner and dessert so he at least enjoyed the meal.
"I know this is sudden, but when you know something is right, you know it's right," TB began. Ava and Jax exchanged looks. "Gemma and I are getting married."
"Ava, I would so love it if you would be my matron of honor," Gemma said brightly.
Ava gave her a dark look.
"No," Ava said.
Gemma was going to be her stepmother. Just like a fairytale. She was getting a wicked stepmother. She and Jax had to do something to stop this nightmare from coming true.