Chapter 14: Breakfast, Bosses & Booze

Raniyah sat sipping coffee between bites of her home fries, waiting for Juice to come back to their table in the cafe. Ending his fourth call since they got there, he gave her a little eyebrow raise when he slid back into the booth.

Unable to ignore how many calls he had gotten, she leaned in. "What's going on?"

Picking up his fork, he speared a potato from her plate shaking his head, "Nothing. Club shit."

The blanket answer irritated her, but she let it go. "Sooooo, ma wants to talk to you."

Caught off guard, Juice swallowed his mouthful of spinach omelette. "Why?"

"Why do you think?"

"I dunno!"

Raniyah made a face, "Boy, you know damn well she asks me about you almost every day."

Juice's face broke into a wide, somewhat embarrassed smile - he honestly hadn't considered that at all, "Yeah?"

Her eyebrows raised, pointing her fork at him, "Yes! And all I'm sayin' is…don't make her come out here looking for you, okay? Cause she will."

The way Raniyah issued out the threat you'd think Miss Loretta was a killer. "Yeah, okay. So when?"

"You got time this morning? Before you go?"

"No, I gotta get to the clubhouse" He smirked, "But if it'll keep her from flyin' out, I guess I need to do it soon."

They ate for a while before Raniyah approached the topic again. "You gonna tell me what's going on?

His wry smile was easy as he sank back into his seat, stretching and rubbing his full stomach, "No."

His body language was much calmer now, so Raniyah asked what really mattered to her, "Are you gonna be okay in it? Whatever it is?"

Shrugging off her concern, he sat back up. "The club is always dealing with some shit."

"I didn't ask about the club, Jay. I asked about you."

The softness of her tone made Juice lower his eyes to escape her scrutiny, trying to remember when the last time somebody asked if he was okay was. "I'm good, okay?"

"Swear?"

"Swear."

Juice eyed Raniyah while she went back to her plate, he had something to tell her and the longer he waited the more awkward it got. Not telling her when she first arrived made sense, but he felt silly keeping it from her now that they were good…better than good. Tomorrow. I'll tell her tomorrow.

0.o.0.o.0.

When Juice went with Raniyah back at her room he got a good hug in before leaving.

He chuckled when he felt her lock her hands together behind his back, "Will you let go of me!"

"No," Raniyah's voice was muffled in the middle of Juice's chest. "I don't want you to go yet."

This time Juice didn't push her off - instead, he relaxed his hold leaving his arms around her shoulders and let her squeeze him, resting his cheek on her head. She hadn't said anything about it all yesterday so he wondered out loud, "You're still coming tonight, right?"

She grunted, lifting her head with a pained look, then dropping it back down in his chest, "Oh god."

Juice chuckled low and tapped her on the head, "That a yes?"

She made a growling noise in her throat again, releasing him and stepping back, "Yes."

Juice missed her warmth immediately. "Cool."

"I'll probably still stick to the whole come early, leave early thing you suggested though."

"Got it," he backed toward the door. "Later."

"K."

Watching him close the door, she took in a deep breath, exhaling long and slow. Prepping herself mentally for the call with her boss, she frowned when her phone pinged a notification.

*UR NT GETTING FIRED

Reading his text again, her smile widened hearing his bike roar off the lot.

0.o.0.o.0.

After ending the dreaded call, Raniyah closed her laptop, flopped back on the bed and squealed.

"...I wanted to apologize in person for the new building not being completed, Ms. Carson. Construction in Vegas has its…hiccups. Permits and inspections…you being a native New Yorker perhaps you understand - unions and the city don't always get along… I assure you your position is secure. Terry has kept me updated with your completed workflow and I'm impressed with the work you've done so far. I'd like to discuss making a change in your contract that we feel reflects that…".

Looking over the newly revised contract they emailed her, Raniyah was thrilled - instead of being fired they were locking her down. As a result of renegotiation, they were now offering her a modest relocation package and wiring her hiring bonus early, as a good-faith step on their end. And she was agreeing to stop accepting freelance work effective immediately and a suspended arrival date that required her to attend all of the staff meetings virtually or by dial-in. It was the job security she needed to feel confident enough to begin looking for a place of her own. And if she were honest with herself, part of her joy was because it bought her a little more time in Charming.

0.o.0.o.0.

After helping Kip to unload endless boxes of supplies and a couple of kegs, Juice sat with Chibs, Tig and Happy to cool off. Croweaters were arriving already to get all of the rooms cleaned and help set up. Trina came by the table after Juice sat back down offering them all fresh beers. He looked up from a new text from Raniyah and gave her a blank stare. Rolling her eyes, she picked up their empties and walked away with putting a little extra swing in her hips. Chibs watched her go, attitude pouring off of her. "Whaddar' ya gonna do 'bout tha' one?"

"Pssh! Nothing." Juice shook his head, concentrating more on typing out his communication than Trina's issues.

Tig was amused watching his young brother struggle, "She'll cool down when Raniyah leaves."

Juice's mouth turned up on one side, "She's comin' tonight." Tig looked surprised, they all knew tonight was guaranteed to be wild, the party guests included a visiting chapter and a pack of nomads. "Gemma invited her."

Tig and Happy shared a look, already knowing it wasn't out of hospitality that Gemma would extend the invitation. Happy, having been filled in on Raniyah's bumpy arrival, tipped his beer back swallowing slowly with an eye on Juice's discomfort, "Shit."

"Yeah."

A comfortable quiet settled over the table for a moment, each man keeping his thoughts on it to himself. Chibs was the first to speak, leaning back in his chair. "So Raniyah…not Mexican, yeah?"

"No," Juice drained his beer. "Her dad is African and European but his parents are both from like, Italy or something. And her mom is straight Spanish…from Spain. Zero Mexico. Like, wrong direction…cross the fuckin' ocean."

Tig raised his eyebrows at the swift information drop, tipping up his beer. "Just when I thought you were useless."

Juice shrugged, "I only know 'cause they had a huge map up at their house and her mom showed me."

At the mention of her mom, Tig couldn't resist provoking him. "So," he smiled slowly, leaning forward on his elbows. With an eyebrow wiggle to an already grinning Chibs, he gave Juice a saucy look, "Is her mom, ya know, hot like her?"

Juice scowled, horrified at thought of anyone thinking of Miss Loretta that way…especially Trager, "Don't be gross."

Tig shrugged, smiling into his bottle and Chibs laughed, clapping his arm down on Juice's arm. After a second, even Happy had to chuckle at the look on his face.

Juice bowed his head to hide his burgeoning smile, "Dick."

0.o.0.o.0.

Juice got a text from Raniyah saying that she was leaving her motel while he was watching a couple of guys from the visiting chapter in the ring. He had her tell him when she was coming because he wanted to be outside when she got there. Bodies had been pouring in since early afternoon and bikes started pulling in even earlier. SAMCRO hadn't had an invitational in a while and from the look of the packed-out lot, nobody wanted to miss it. By this time there was still plenty of daylight left and the mood was riotous. The grill was lit, drinks were in every hand and the music was loud.

Holy shit! Raniyah could hear the music a block away. Slowly pulling into the gate, people walked in the path of her truck carelessly as she stared at the number of milling bodies in disbelief. You have got to be kidding me. Grabbing her phone, she was just about to start dialing when she saw Juice at the edge of the main throng of people. Waving her in, he pointed to a parking spot and removed the cone that he put down to block it off for her. Thank god…Raniyah sighed in gratefulness pulling in, looking for him in this crowd would have been her personal nightmare.

Leaning on her window, his smile was radiant. "Hey girl."

His jaunty lopsided grin calmed her nerves immediately, "Hey boy."

Raniyah slid out of the truck, surprising Juice with her outfit for the night. Black, stacked-heel ankle boots with silver tips on the toe appeared first, followed by inky black skinny jeans with heavy silver stitching on the side seams and back pockets. He hid all facial expressions, feeling both appreciation and dread at her choice of top for the night. It was a black see-through tanktop that had a large white barcode emblem across the chest discreetly camouflaging her bra cups - with the word 'Luxe' scrawled across it in a messy red script. Juice rolled his eyes skyward when he saw that the back of it had no covering design but in addition to being see-through, it had several multi-sized, cut-out circles revealing her skin and bra. Her top ponytail, spilled down gently formed curls with silver pins holding everything together framing her face and highlighting her lined eyes and crimson lips. Her outfit was topped off by her choice of silver accessories: thick hoop earrings, a chain choker, and a snake head coil ring.

Following Juice to the clubhouse, Raniyah paused at the end of her truck, pulling her purse tighter on her shoulder, and taking a wary look around. Juice grimaced seeing a few heads turn their way. She had worn Queens, NY's street vendor styles tonight and a few dicks have already jumped to attention. Shit. "You ready?"

She let out a somewhat nervous giggle, "No."

Throwing his arm around her shoulder, he laughed, "Come on! Get a drink an' you'll be fine!"

Seeing them cross the parking lot, Chibs stood up on a picnic table and welcomed Raniyah in the only way a Scotsman half in the bag would.

"ANGEL!" he roared. Drawing attention to her that she would have preferred to avoid but also endearing himself to her forever. She responded with a grin and a wave while Juice ushered her inside, yelling, "Drinks!"

Since most of the gathering was outside, getting to the bar wasn't too hard. "Hey, Kip! You got anything sweet back there?"

"We don't really mix drinks around here."

"Do you have vodka and a bottle of water?"

"Sure," he squinted a bit, wondering where this was going.

"Okay, dump the water out."

Ronnie figured Juice was right about this part, if she was gonna loosen up, she'd start with getting liquor'd up. Juice leaned on the bar while she dug into her purse, pulled out a packet and dumped it into the bottle Half-Sack handed over. Pouring in the vodka, she shook it, tasted it then added more of the packet, shaking it again.

"What is that?"

"Lemonade mix."

Half-Sack made a face at Juice whose facial expression was agreeing with him. "Trust me it's good. I just need ice."

Half-Sack handed her a red plastic cup with ice and served a few people while she poured her concoction to the rim and sipped, eyes sparkling. "Mmm…lemon vodka but cheating. Here. Taste it."

He hesitates but Juice goaded him, "Come ooon!"

Shaking his head, he passed, "You drink it!"

Juice grabbed the cup to get a taste, "Okay…it's alright. Still a girly-ass drink though."

"Whatever! You guys have no taste!" Raniyah gulped some down and topped off her cup. Leaning across the counter, a quick kiss on Kip's cheek from her had him blushing, "Thank you!"

Spotting Tig and Happy, Juice gave a head nod in greeting to Opie who just strolled past and headed their way.

"Hey kiddies!" Tig stood up from the table and draped his arm around Raniyah's shoulder. "Hap, you met Raniyah yet?"

She gave the unsmiling man a wave. Happy just nodded and tipped his beer in her direction. "You know sweetheart, when we left on that run I thought I'd never see you again. I was heartbroken!" Tig placed his hand over his heart, turning his blue orbs into the best puppy dog eyes she'd ever seen a grown man do.

Juice's head snapped around wondering why Tig knew about her sticking around back then and didn't say a word. Raniyah smirked at his attempt to look any kind of innocent. "Then I brought lunch and you were restored?"

"Yes, you did and yes, I was." Tig's eyes passed lazily over to Juice before wrapping her up in a hug with a noisy kiss on her cheek. "If you ever get sick of the kid, call me baby. He don't deserve you."

"Guaranteed and glad to be of service," she grinned, but then quickly unraveled him from around her and sat in the chair next to Juice who shifted in his seat, holding his tongue. He knew that Ronnie was just playing around and that Tig was too…well, sort of. But seeing Ronnie in his arms while he had that look on his face still had his ears heating up.

"Angel! Raniyah, darlin'!" Coming to the table, Chibs gave her a side hug and a kiss on the temple before he sat down. "You're lookin' beautiful, love'. If he mucks it up, jus' come see me. I'll set 'im straight."

"Why does everybody keep saying that?!" Juice huffed.

Tig snorted, walking away, "Cause fuckin' up is your specialty, my friend."

"Chibs?" Raniyah leaned his way, eyes sparkling. "Don't tell Tig, but it's really you I love." Chibs chuckled, finishing off his drink. She put her arm on the table and rested her chin in her hand, "I could listen to you talk all day."

Slapping his hand down his rings made a sharp clink, sounding off along with the thump of his hand. "Well, that does it, Juicy! Ya bett'r keep 'er happy 'cause m'hats in tha' ring now."

Juice cut his eyes at Raniyah for enjoying their attention so much. Reading him she raised her eyebrows and slowly leaned toward Chibs, kissing his cheek leaving a red lip print. Juice had barely gotten over that when Bobby came over and draped himself around her shoulders offering her a hit off his joint, after a kiss on the cheek that landed way too close to her mouth.

And Raniyah realized that maybe she should slow her drinking down when she found herself merrily asking Happy to tip his head so she could admire his snake tattoo. What the fuck? Juice had enough of sharing her for now. Tugging her purse strap, he grumbled, "Let's walk."

Raniyah gulped a bit more of her drink and stood up but by then Tig had just come back to sit down at the table. He voiced his annoyance at them leaving, incredulous. "Oh, come on! Again with this shit? Why do you keep taking her away?"

Raniyah grinned over her shoulder waving as Juice grabbed her by the wrist dragging her through the crowd. At the entrance door, they were stopped by Gemma and Clay walking back in. Juice's greeting was quick but Gemma paused with her trademark smirk firmly in place, giving Raniyah a once over, "Hmm. You made it." She took in Raniyah's outfit, hair and makeup at a snail's pace, pausing on Juice's hand wrapped around her wrist. "I guess there's a little good-time girl in you after all. Enjoy the show."

In the face of Gemma's backhanded compliment, her buzz diminished - Raniyah felt like she needed to go back to her room to change into something more modest immediately. Juice started to walk around them, so she followed suit. "I'll try to stay out of trouble."

Clay rumbled out his take of the night ahead, "If there was ever a time to get into some trouble, it's tonight."

Outside Raniyah filled her cup up again, letting the effects of the vodka and Juice's bossy mood take control as he showed her around for a while. Finding space at the picnic tables, they sat hip to hip with their feet on the bench. Chibs wandered outside finding them first with an under-dressed woman attached to each arm. Then other guys came around, some bringing croweaters with them, who openly assessed the girl Juice had by his side. Juice quietly checked on her and Raniyah assured him she was having a good time. Eventually, Jax and Tara swung around and introductions were made. Tara smiled, keeping her arms locked around Jax's waist. "I've heard a lot about you."

Raniyah took a drink to keep from showing her annoyance but Tara rolled her eyes with emphasis, letting her know that she wasn't trying to intimidate her. "By that I mean, Gemma knows you exist."

Raniyah could only imagine what level of suffering being attached to Jax would bring if Gemma had come after her over Juice with such ferocity. She let her dimples pop when she answered, "Yeah, my ears have been burning for two weeks straight."

Thankfully, Jax's smile let her know that he knew his mom was a handful. Looking around, he zeroed in on Happy talking quietly to a small cluster of nomads. His eyes never wandered as Happy finished with them and seeing the V.P., approached.

Jax shook his hand, his brows furrowing with concern and hope of news on the activity in Lodi, "Hey, Hap. Anythin' new?"

Happy let his glance dart to the women present, "Not sure yet. Gotta check in with Clay."

As more people came by, every few minutes somebody new called out to Juice in greeting.

Raniyah took in her friend's profile before nudging him, "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that."

"What?"

"Juice."

"You don't have to. I don't really think about you calling me that."

"No?"

Juice shrugged, bumping her with his shoulder. "Nah, it would be weird."

Juice held his smile but noticed more than one passerby eyeing Raniyah. This is going to be a long night.

.

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A/N: One thing we all know is at a SAMCRO party...the later it gets, the wilder it gets. More of the party next week! Thank you for reading! I truly appreciate you! *kjx*