CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile. 5 reviews gets next chapter early.
Trailing behind Lyla as she weaves her way through the crowd I'm surprised at how comfortable she is walking around in the barely there outfit she's in, but glancing over my shoulder I wince when I realise there's a giant TV set up in the corner which is playing parts of the movie Luann's just wrapped.
Sliding onto a bar stool it doesn't take long before the bartender is in front of me, requesting a double vodka on the rocks the glass is clinked down at the same time someone settles onto the stool beside me. Turning my head I raise an eyebrow at Jax where he's leaning sideways eyes running up the length of my leg.
Finally managing to make his eyes reach my face he smirks, "Knew it'd look good."
"Course it does, I'm wearing it." I reply snarkily.
"True. Better than that boring shit you had in there." Jax mutters, knocking back his shot of whiskey and motioning the bartender for another.
He spins on his stool and leans against the bar, his eyes restlessly scanning the room, stopping momentarily on various half-naked female forms.
I really can't be bothered being there but I know I have to be, at least till my situation is dealt with, then the Son's babysitting service can be discontinued.
Filling Jax quietly in on the conversation at the dinner table his entire body goes ridged when I tell him David's leaving in six months before a smile spreads across his face.
Following his gaze I snort when I realise the pleased expression is due to a tray of cupcakes being circulated, unfortunately the hands holding the tray reveal themselves to be attached to Ima who sashays over, the modification she's made to her top looks ridiculous, the wide strips of bandaging have been arranged in such a way that they're several layers thick, but only one width, the 1 inch band barely covering the oddly positioned nipples on her manufactured chest.
Coming to a halt in front of us I note the other differences between her and Lyla's outfits, while Lyla's heels were simple white peep toes with a 3 inch heel, Ima's swapped her clear platform heels that she can still barely walk in.
Holding the tray out towards Jax, and blatantly ignoring me, he reaches over and grabs one of the orange topped chocolaty cupcakes and passes it to me before grabbing another one for himself.
Jax peels off the wrapper and drop it back on the tray before taking a bite, "Mmmm, these are good."
I open my mouth to say something but Ima's irritating voice cuts me off, "Thanks."
My eyebrows almost hit my hair with shock and I can see Jax's mind working through his options to reply while I sit there and try and figure out what the blonde idiot is talking about.
Jax clears his throat as I pick up the glass behind me, tipping half the clear liquid down my throat instead of throwing the whole contents at Ima before I carefully peel the paper off my cupcake and roll it into a ball. Tearing the bottom off the cupcake I squish it on the top and turn back to where Jax is still thinking. Taking a bite off the edge of the cupcake sandwich I've made I chew and swallow before giving up on Jax dealing with the odd reply from Ima.
"These are good. What are they?" I ask, nibbling on the edge of cakey part.
"Cupcakes." Ima's voice is sarcastically toned when she replies which makes me narrow my eyes.
"I know that, what flavour are they?" I ask again, plucking a bit off the side and smearing it in the icing oozing out the side before popping it in my mouth.
Rolling her eyes, "Chocolate, can't you tell?" she replies, holding the tray to Jax who plucks another one off and continues to watch Ima and I, waiting for a cat fight I'm almost sure.
Sticking my finger in the icing and sucking the tip of my finger I internally grin at the low groan I hear from Jax. "Yeah, the cupcakes are good, but what's in the icing, it tastes like booze?"
Ima stutters as I break another bit off my cupcake and jam it into her mouth which is hanging slightly open. "See?"
She chews and swallows but doesn't say anything.
Leaning over to her I meet her eyes and hold her gaze. "They are double chocolate cupcakes, the crunchy bits are chocolate chips and they're iced with an orange icing made with Grand Marnier. And before you ask how I know I'll tell you. I know what's in them cause I made them. All 8 dozen, that's 96 cupcakes I made that you just tried to take credit for. Which is really ironic, cause you never would have convinced Jax even if I wasn't here that you made them, cause it was his house I filled with the smell of chocolate and orange."
I spin on my stool and go back to my drink, finishing the cupcake in my hand and my drink while Ima stands there gaping.
Lyla comes back from wherever she had vanished to with a dark haired woman in tow, Lyla inserts herself between Ima and Jax, completely ignoring the huff of disgust from her co-star as we're introduced to the gorgeous curvy woman.
"This is Amy; she was in the movie with us." Lyla tells both of us before turning to me and raising an eyebrow.
Smiling at her I meet Jax's eyes for a moment and give a short nod, hoping he'll realise I'm telling him that it's okay for him to go have fun. Even as much as it will hurt, it'll hurt less than him being with the overly fake woman who's still standing there with a gobsmacked look on her face.
Jax gets to his feet and empties his shot glass again, nabs another cupcake and slings his arm around Amy's shoulders telling her to give him a tour, even though he was involved in the building and decorating of the studio. Amy obviously isn't aware of that and the bright smile on her face shows how happy she is to be getting attention. Ima trails behind them but is stopped by Happy and Tig as she tries to weave her way through the crowd the cupcakes being Happy's reason and the lack of clothing Tig's. Smiling gratefully at them both and getting half-nods from each as their eyes meet mine I turn back to the bar again.
Lyla slides onto the stool Jax has just vacated "Thought you might appreciate some diversion of attention."
Dropping my head onto her shoulder, "You have no idea how glad I was to see you come back, stupid bitch was trying to take credit for the cupcakes." I giggle, motioning to the bartender for a refill.
Lyla raises one of her eyebrows and readjusts her top trying to make it cover more than the material can stretch to cover.
Luann comes over and gives me a one armed hug as she gratefully accepts a drink from the bartender. "We good here?"
I nod, "Sure, Lyla introduced Jax to Amy and they vanished." I try and keep my voice casual but a slight frown crosses my face as I speak causing Luann to smile brightly.
"Just as well she's leaving town next week then." She picks up her glass and walks off towards where Gemma and Clay are standing in the corner.
Turning to Lyla, "You knew she wasn't here long?"
Lyla nods, "Yep, figured you'd be happier with someone who won't be around after the fact."
A snort of amusement leaves me without my permission, "One more ex-notch isn't going to make much of a difference."
Lyla's eyes close briefly then the realisation that she is one of the 'ex-notches' hits me. "Shit, Lyla you know what I meant, please tell me you know what I meant?"
Lyla opens her eyes again and the humour shining in them makes me shove her with my shoulder.
She hops to her feet as she's gestured over by Luann and I'm left sitting alone again, happily drowning my thoughts with as much vodka as the bartender is happy to pour for me.