As we drove to the BBQ I could tell Mia was nervous. She kept biting her lip and started picking at her nails.
"Have you talked to him at all?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"How is he?" she asked.
"Hes… well he's doing better." I said turning down Gemma's street.
Mias breathing picked up and she gripped the door handle.
If front of the house it was lined with Harleys. I could easily spot Tig's and Jax's as well. I looked over at Mia as I pulled in and saw her eyes glued to Jax's Harley.
"You sure you're ready for this?" I asked.
"I don't know. I'm nervous. Do they hate me for leaving?"
"No. Well Gemma was a bit pissed about it but what can you expect from her. The other guys are just worried." I said taking off my seatbelt and reaching back grabbing the cookies I had made for tonight. I saw her nod and take a deep breath before opening her door.
As we walked up you could hear the music playing and the laughter of all the guys. I opened the door and smiled at her. We walked into the kitchen and found Gemma there cutting up carrots.
"Hey" I said walking in.
"Hey baby. Can you chop the tomatoes?" she asked not even looking up.
"Sure" I said looking back and seeing Mia biting her lip while standing in the doorway.
"Uh I brought someone" I said.
Gemma looked up and froze as she caught sight of Mia. Time stood still till Gemma put her hand over her mouth and a small sob escaped her.
"Hi." Mia said tentatively.
"Oh baby" Gemma said walking up and wrapping her in a hug. I felt tears sting my eyes but looked away.
"Where the hell have you been" Gemma said grabbing Mia by her shoulders and giving her a shake.
"I'm sorry Gemma. I just… I couldn't be here" she said whipping her eyes. Gemma nodded and put her hand on her face.
"Are you ok?" she asked.
"I'm ok now" Mia said smiling.
"Well good. Has Jax seen you?"
"No."
"that's going to be an interesting moment. But till then come help." she said turning. Mia laughed and walked over. Always bossy Gemma.
We started cooking and Gemma practically forced Mia to tell her everything she had been up to. I just tuned them out and started talking to Donna who I had grown close to.
I looked up as the door opened and smiled as Tig walked in. He smiled at me and started towards me but stopped once he saw Mia. His mouth opened a little and he went and grabbed her face before hugging her tightly.
"Tig… I can't breathe" she said after a few seconds.
"Good you deserve it after leaving like that" he said hugging her tighter. I laughed and shook my head.
"Let her go babe" I said smiling. Tig let her go but not before grabbing her face again.
"Where were you?" he asked.
Mia sighed and rolled her eyes.
Clearly getting tired of that question.
"I needed space Tiggy" she said. Tig nodded and let her go walking over to me.
"You seen Jax?" he asked putting his arm around me.
Mia sighed and shook her head no.
"You should. He's outside" he said
"Not yet Tig" she said going back to chopping.
He was opening his mouth again when the door burst open and in walked Chibs.
"Mia! Holy shit!" he yelled running over and hugging her. After it's like all the guys started coming in. They gave her hugs and then the questions started. Last that came in was Jax. It's like the whole room went silent. They both just stared at each other. He took a deep breath and walked over. He stopped briefly touching the side of her face that had a small scar on it before enveloping her in a hug. We all slowly filtered out of the room wanting to give them time.
A few minutes later they came out. Mia had been crying and Jax looked a little teary eyed himself.
"Glad to see you doll" Clay said giving her a hug.
"It's good to see you too" she said.
A couple minutes later we all sat down to eat. As we ate Chibs asked the question I had been wondering.
"So love you planning on staying or leaving again?" he asked while chewing on a toothpick.
Everyone quieted down and all turned to look at her.
"Um I'm staying." she said making everyone smile.
I looked over at Jax and saw him staring at her. They weren't sitting together. But he had a smile on his face.
"You gonna go back to working at Jay's?" Tig asked.
"No. I was gonna try and find a job here in town actually" she said.
"Why not back at Jay's?" Chibs asked.
"She… well she won't hire me back. Says she doesn't need someone who's as messed up as me at her bar. Must be afraid I'll have a breakdown or something" she said slowly picking at her mashed potatoes.
"She said that?" Juice asked.
Mia nodded and shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. When Mia was away I had asked Jay if she had heard from her and she said no.
"That bitch" Gemma said shaking her head.
"It's fine. It's probably a good idea anyway" Mia said.
"No it's not fine. She has no right to do that to you let alone say that" I snapped getting pissed.
"Well there's nothing I can do. I was thinking about working at the hospital. They need a MA for triage in the emergency room" She said
"You hate working as a MA." I said.
"Yeah but it's quite and… well my therapist thinks it'll be a good idea" she said mumbling the last part. Everyone nodded and ended up changing the subject.
A few hours later Mia and I said our goodbyes to everyone. I saw Jax give Mia a small smile and a hug before we left.
"Are you and Jax going to get back together?" I asked while driving home.
"No. I think it's best if we stay broken up for now" she said pulling out her phone and rolling her eyes.
"What?" I asked.
"Just Jax. He said he's determined to win me back." she said shaking her head.
Jax POV
I blew the smoke from out of my nostrils while smiling down at Mias text to me.
She said we were better off as friends. I disagreed. But it's ok. I won her over one time I'll do it again. I texted her back a smiley face and closed .
During the month she was gone I knew she would come back. And now that she is I'm not going to let her slip through again. Oh Mia. You're still my old lady.
Review please? :)