I'm the worst! First I spent forever ironing out details of this subplot before being ready to post and then life and the holidays got in the way. This is a relatively short one but, good news! I'm off all next week so expect more updates.
Thanks to Guest, ks, Momoftwins1970, Angel897, Robin.D, tellmesweetlittlelies, and Gorjess0242 for the reviews! You all wonderful. Also a big thank you to everyone who reads, follows, and favorites.
Juice stares down from the roof at the scene below. He'd been on top of the clubhouse since the sun came up trying to sort through his thoughts. He'd seen Jax and Opie roll into the lot. Then Tig had joined, followed shortly by River. He'd listened as they'd all joked and laughed with each other. Perched so that he could see them all over the concrete edge he'd watched as River managed to get them all smiling with quick written jabs. Then he'd watched as a shirtless Chibs joined the group and soon the other men drifted away.
The conversation had gone tense after that. Juice had watched her burn the page from the notepad wishing he knew what they were talking about but Chibs was speaking too softly for his words to reach the roof and it was far too distant to read. It'd looked like they were about to go in, which was good because Juice had to piss like a racehorse but when she'd stood Chibs stopped her and Juice had watched the next exchange in fascination.
The way the Scot had grabbed her thigh, almost possessively and looked up at her his mouth moving but Juice couldn't hear the words. It must have been something sweet though because she'd touched her lips and then slid her fingers into his hair.
It is an intimate moment and one Juice knew no one was meant to see. There is something hopelessly romantic about them with River a long pillar of grace standing tall while the shirtless and tatted Chibs sits watching her with an unreadable expression on his face. They are framed by the morning light, beautiful and bright. Juice feels tears prick his eyes and he turns pressing his back into the rough concrete of the half wall.
He presses the heels of his palms into his face willing himself to keep it together. It doesn't matter how hard he presses he can still see Sheriff Roosevelt's calm face as he put the manila folder down on the interrogation table that damn photo paper-clipped to the inside. That fucking photo, a scrap of paper ready to ruin his entire life. That's all it would take to destroy the closest thing to a real family Juice has ever had.
He'd never hated his father, not really. Juice had lived the life he'd lived. His father hadn't wanted to stay and that was fine by him really. He'd loved his mother and while she'd never returned that love he knew she cared for him in her own way. The fact that his father was black had never really crossed his mind as worth worrying about. Juice had given it a passing consideration when he'd started his prospect year but the man was such a non-existent factor in his life and he'd wanted the cut so he'd pushed the concern away and moved on.
Now though, years later, Juice has a family. He feels loved and able to love in a way that he's never had before and the idea that one photo and a piece of shit birth certificate can come out of nowhere and ruin it feels like a knife to the gut. Rat. Just thinking the word twists him up inside. The Sheriff hadn't been clear on the details or willing to bring the shot-caller into the room but he'd made it clear that they had all the information they needed to bring Juice's world down around his ears.
Now it's just waiting for the other shoe to drop and Juice isn't sure if he can do it. Every time a brother speaks to him he can feel his heart jump to his throat expecting the smile to turn and a knife to the back. Except they won't do it like that. They'd hold a vote and make him sit in the room while they condemn him one by one before putting a bullet in his head. It wouldn't be a surprise when it came, he'd see his death flying towards him with the reaper's smile. The idea sends a shiver down his spine.
He takes a deep breath and looks over the edge of the wall again. River has gone and Chibs is sitting alone at the table smoking. Juice watches him for a moment. He'd feel the loss of Chibs the hardest. The older man is always quick with a smile and easy and easy laugh or advice in a tough spot. Maybe he could talk to Chibs, the Scot knew what it was to be a black sheep, well not literally but close enough.
Then there's River, Chibs seemed like he was getting in deep with the deaf woman and Juice isn't sure how her situation might change things. He'd heard Clay joking about Chibs getting a piece of her despite her prisoner status but what Juice just saw didn't look like an easy piece of pussy. It looked deeper and just a bit darker. What if Chibs has his own secrets to keep and there's no room for him. He runs a hand over his mohawk and forces himself to think hard. What would Chibs tell him to do.
Find leverage, be calm. The older man was always talking about leverage. Leverage will always save your ass. So, if he needs leverage what is there. If there's anyone who is going to speak up in his defense Juice knows it'll be Chibs and what does he have that will get Chibs to listen. He runs his sweaty palms down his thighs in frustration. Chibs is a mostly open book, he wears his past on his face and he's never been one to hide things from his brothers but then Juice had just seen him burn a note from a Cartel prisoner.
River, a weak spot maybe? A choice? Some hope. Juice knows the woman looks familiar. He'd almost managed to place her face the night before but he'd been dead drunk and the mention of Karen had made everything but thoughts of blow jobs and massive tits fly out of his head. If he could figure out who River is and why she's valuable to the Cartel maybe it would be enough to get Chibs to listen. Fuck, maybe it would be enough to buy him back from mayhem.
He takes a deep breath and allows himself a small smile. Leverage. He can do this.
Juice is being bad... hope you all enjoyed it. Reviews are very welcome.
More very soon!