CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile. 5 reviews gets next chapter early. Finally, the wrap party starts at the end of this chapter.
Pulling up in front of the giant white posts that run along the front of the L shaped house Miles parks the car less than 5 metres from the front door where he gets out and walks me up to the door and waits till it's answered before hurrying back to the car and parking it where he can see the door and any movement from the road.
Eyeing David's police car parked next to JJ's overly flashy Mercedes makes me laugh, Donna's simple Toyota is tucked in the corner blocking them both in.
After handing over the container of cupcakes Gretel, Jacob's live in housekeeper ushers me straight into the dining room which doesn't look a thing different than it did when I left four years ago, it's still got the same oval wooden table which is polished clearer than most mirrors, the white striped chairs sitting on the patterned rug which covers the whole floor, the huge gold framed mirror and heavy wooden sideboard don't look like they've moved an inch.
Stepping round the table I ignore both David and JJ in favour of greeting Jacob a hug and kiss on the cheek. Settling down into the chair just beside him we're immediately served a bowl of tomato soup and what have to be homemade rolls.
Conversation around the table is a little stiff, I'm not willing to talk much about the last four years past culinary school and my job and neither JJ nor David are particularly talkative about what they've been doing over the years.
The main course of baked fish and steamed vegetables passes with Jacob filling me in on his children activities, pointedly ignoring the looks they are sending him. Learning that JJ's wife left him for another woman is almost too good an opportunity to miss but it would be rude to laugh while he's sitting right across from me. Hearing of David's plan to move to Sacramento in the New Year I turn and congratulate my young cousin and file the information away for immediate sharing with Clay when I see him that night.
I'm thankful when the dessert dishes are removed, that means coffee then I'm free. Glancing at my watch I silently think 'right on time' the hands are just ticking towards 7pm, another 10 minutes pass before I set my cup down on the matching saucer and stand.
"I really am sorry to cut this short but I have to be somewhere shortly." Kissing Jacob on the cheek and nodding at both JJ and David I exit the house, showing myself out as I've done many times before.
Closing the door behind me I'm struck with the irony that the last time I closed that same door I was running away from Jax, now I'm leaving to go to him.
Miles pulls the car up at the end of the short path and I happily climb in and lean back against the seat. Grinning at me he pulls a silver flask from beside him and hands it to me, "Jax said you may need that."
"After dealing with stick in the ass 1 and 2 I need that plus a whole lot more. But no time to dwell, we have a party to go to. Pussy palace here we come." I mutter the end of the sentence sarcastically but the expression on Miles' face is like a kid who's just been told he's going to Disney World.
Driving towards the studio's location a few miles out of Charming's outer suburbs I ring Jax.
"Did you remember my clothes?" I ask, taking a quick swig from the flask.
"I sure did." The tone of Jax's voice is somewhere between humorous and mischievous, considering that he's probably at that point surrounded by half naked women I'm not surprised that I'm only getting half his attention.
Disconnecting the call I jam the phone back into my bag and lean against the head rest. It takes us almost 30 minutes to get from where Uncle Jacob lives on one side of town to the studio tucked back into the densely wooded area on the other side, I'm aware that the land the studio is on is a recent acquisition of the clubs, brought to help Luann when her old studio got too small for the scale of what she was doing.
Miles parks Donna's car neatly between Opie's truck and Gemma's Caddy and jumps out heading towards the blonde standing at the door, beer in hand.
Shaking my head at the enthusiasm of the young prospect I make my way slowly over, searching the crowd for Jax who's hopefully got my bag. Reaching Miles and giving Lyla a wave hello.
"Seen Jax?" I ask.
Lyla looks over her shoulder, "He's at the bar. Your bags in my dressing room, come on I'll take you there."
"Thanks Ly." I reply, snagging a glass of wine on my way past a waiter, the tight black shorts and bow tie Luann's nod to 'formal wear'. The waitresses are slightly more covered in black micro mini's and white shirts which are so tight they only manage to have 2 buttons done up.
Lyla unlocks the door to her room, the entire area about the size of a queen sized bed but she's managed to jam a vanity unit and matching chair in the corner with a soft looking arm chair in the opposite corner. Sitting on the arm chair is the bag I'd asked Jax to bring with him. The bag is only half way open before I realise that what's in there now is not what I put in there. Instead of the black Capri pants, bright red boots and t-shirt I'd packed I see my black halter neck dress with tiny little anchors on the pockets resting on top of a pair of silver glittery 6 inch stilettos.
Sighing I contemplate staying in what I'm wearing, the mid-thigh length dress probably more suited for one of Luann's actresses then a guest. Lyla peers over my shoulder at the offending item of clothing I'm holding in my hand.
"That's so cute." She says, running her finger over one of the skull tops on the anchors.
"It is, but it's also so not what I packed." I grumble sitting down at her vanity and setting my tiny travel makeup bag down.
Lyla shrugs and perches on the edge of the arm chair, "You asked Jax to bring you clothes didn't you?" At my nod she continues, "Obviously he picked things he wants to see you in."
Shrugging as I darken my eyeliner I wait till I'm finished before turning to her, "True, but I didn't really want to have that much skin exposed."
Lyla looks down at what she's wearing, the nurse's outfit barely holding everything in and certainly not covering much.
"Shit, I didn't mean it like that." I splutter turning back to the mirror and adding a layer of mascara.
"I know." Lyla giggles from where she's sitting. "You should see Ima's version though, she's removed the ruffles on the front and replaced it with lines of bandaging."
Shaking my head I unzip my shoes and toss them onto the chair beside her before standing and lifting the bottom of my dress. Lyla closes her eyes tightly and it's my turn to giggle.
"Gee, you work in porn and you close your eyes at a naked woman?" Sliding my feet into the dress I settle it in place and do up the buttons at the back of my neck. "I'm covered."
Lyla opens her eyes, "Didn't know if you were worried, I know not everyone can deal with my income source."
I shrug a shoulder while slipping my shoes on. "Your choice."
Lyla smiles, "Exactly, and I'm only doing it for the money."
Folding my dress and tucking it and the pink shoes into the bag I turn to Lyla. "I'm good to go. Show me to the bar, the one that Jax isn't at."
Lyla laughs as she locks her door, my bag safely sitting on the chair and leads me towards the brightly lit bar.