CHAPTER NINETY-NINE
Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile. 5 reviews gets next chapter early.
Even with how tired I was I still don't manage to sleep for long, I'm awake and sitting on the edge of the bed just as the glowing numbers on Jax's clock flick to 12:59, looking around the room I gather up a few items of clothes and go to get dressed, walking through the quiet house I end up in the kitchen where salvation comes in the coffee pot, the half full pot is still sitting on the bench from yesterday, filling a cup I put it into the microwave and go into the backyard.
Tracing my eyes over the ground I can't see a single thing obvious that gives away what happened in the space of several minutes the night before, but looking at where I know things happened I see the hole now an obvious indentation in the lawn and the ripped up grass where I was slipping on my feet trying to keep up with him.
Drinking my coffee slowly I start to feel a little lighter, the weight I've been carrying since Craig's release has started to lift while I've been sleeping. My relaxed brain was more able to absorb and process the events then the stressed out state I was in last night had allowed, but with the worry of Craig now gone other thoughts pop into my head.
Standing there looking into Jax's backyard while he, and hopefully the rest, of the Sons of Anarchy, are sleeping I make a snap decision and go inside, before I can change my mind I've jammed some clothes in a backpack, rung David and written a note for Jax.
Peering out the window I see David's Jeep pull up outside, before he can get out of the vehicle I'm out the door and down the path. Climbing into his car I wait till we're at the end of the street.
"Head to the impound lot." I tell him, his startled look at me is ignored but when we get to the yard where I'm hoping to free my poor abandoned car.
"What's going on Sarah? Are you in trouble?" My overly inquisitive cousin queries.
I snort at the thought of that, in complete contrary to that I'm now the safest I've been for months. "No David, I'm fine. I've been storing my car here, Wayne did me a favour, after Tara's issue with my other car I wanted it safe, but we're just had it confirmed that she's back in Chicago now." I manage to spin a bullshit story that does sound slightly plausible, given the badgering he gave me at dinner about not telling him before the police report was finished.
"So you want your car back." David finishes as I hop out of the car.
Nodding I walk towards the building, waving over my shoulder. Walking through the front door of the impound lot I sigh with relief that the guy behind the desk is the same one that was on the last time I was here.
"Morning, collecting my car today thanks." I say, stepping up to the counter, and setting my insurance papers, registration and drivers licence all on the bench in front of him.
The recollection of my car is thankfully quick and it's less than 45 minutes after I woke up when I'm climbing into the driver's seat of my Nitro and starting the engine.
Winding down the window I make a stop before quickly getting on the road out of town; turning up the stereo and pushing my foot down.
The flashing from my cell phone distracts me about 30 minutes into my drive and I pull to the side of the road before opening the borrowed phone.
"Hello Jax." I say, waiting for the yelling that may come down the phone at me.
"Hey darlin', you doin' okay?" Jax doesn't sound at all angry.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just needed a bit of time to myself." I tell him, echoing the note that I left on his kitchen bench.
"Okay, well I'll let Ma know where you are, and the guys cause they'll be worried. Text at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night." he says, there's no inch of negotiation in his voice so I just agree.
"Thank you Jax. For understanding and not demanding I come back." I tell him, knowing that if he, any of the other guys, Gemma or Donna ordered me back I'd be turning around on the spot.
"Just keep in touch. The cabin's stocked for at least a few weeks and we can always do some provision runs if you need us to."
Hanging up the phone I'm grateful that I was staying with Jax and not Gemma when I made my rapid departure this morning, she wouldn't have been as happy with my leaving a scribbled note saying 'Gone to cabin. Need time alone. Will be fine. Back when can. Love to all. S'
Pulling back onto the road I continue with the drive that is still so familiar to me from all the weekend trips as a teenager.
Parking my 4x4 in front of the cabin hidden deep in the woods I get out of the driver's seat and just stand there for a few minutes, the peace and quiet surrounding me is only broken by the natural sounds of birds and insects.
Opening the tail hatch of the Nitro I look at the bags of food and drink I collected on the way out of town, the 6 bags hold everything I'll need for a week, at least, hauling all the groceries in I come back out for the duffel with my clothes and my phone, taking them both inside I throw the clothes on the bed in the back.
Sitting down on the worn out sofa in the living/dining area of the cabin I send Jax a text to let him know I've arrived. Once the message is gone I turn the phone off and put it on the coffee table.
The next three days pass with very little change in my routine, texting Jax at 8am and 8pm each day and ignoring all the messages that arrive. Friday morning is no different, after sending my morning text I go for a walk along the edge of the lake, the internal issues I've been dealing with are finally starting to clear and I feel a lot better than I have in months, possibly years thinking back.
Returning to the cabin the first thing that grabs my attention is that the front door is wide open, looking around I spot a bike parked by my car and wonder what on earth has happened that has brought one of the Sons' to the cabin when Jax said he'd make sure I was left alone.
Walking past the bike, I spot the identifying markers and wonder if it's just a sugar craving that's caused this Son to come find me. Climbing the steps I see boots on the coffee table before I see Happy stretched out on the couch.
Walking past him into the kitchen I get myself a glass of water before turning to face him and raising my eyebrow.
"You need to come home now." Happy says, looking at me.
"Why?"
"Abel's out of the toaster today."
Looking at Happy I shake my head a little, "I'm glad for Jax that Abel's doing that well, but I'm not needed."
Happy glares at me and stands up, "You think you're not needed, Gemma's been on edge since you left, Clay's having to deal with her worrying about you. Donna won't let Opie go near the house to start the repairs till you're back to do some chick shit with her. None of them know I'm here, they weren't what made me get on my bike this morning and come here, Jax was. He's been acting like a bear with a sore head all week, none of us can get more than a half dozen words from him, the only time he looks even slightly happy is when you text him."
Hearing that long a rant from the normally silent Son makes me stop for a second, I hadn't thought about how my abrupt disappearance would have effected those I left behind, again. Especially given the circumstances that lead to my leaving.
I nod at Hap, "I'll be on the road in an hour or so."
He grins, "Plenty of time for me to get back with no knowledge of your impending return."
Giggling a little, "Big words there, did someone get you a 'word of the day' calendar?"
"Smart ass." Happy says, striding to the door.
A minute or so later I hear his bike start and leave and head to the bedroom to start packing my clothes.