Tara POV

Christmas had come and gone uneventfully. Dad had binged through the entire week of Christmas which was probably for the best. I had stopped hoping for a Christmas miracle years ago and was just relieved he stayed away and I didn't have to clean up after him my whole winter break. You'd think that holidays would be easier on me by now but with each Christmas that passed the absence of my mom seemed to grow heavier.

I stared at the gold locket hanging from my desk lamp. Adam had spent entirely too much money on it and, truth be told, it really wasn't my style. You'd think he would've made some thoughtful gesture, like put a sweet picture in it or something, but it was just an empty locket. A metaphor for the state of our relationship if I had ever seen one.

Adam had been happier since getting his prospect cut. He wasn't insufferably disconnected like before but all I could do was feign the same level of joy. Even though he had transportation now, I seemed to be seeing less and less of him and my tolerance seem to wane correlatively. I'd been out of school for two weeks and had spent maybe five whole hours with him. He wanted me to hang at TM with him all the time but every time I tried he was called away on some bullshit prospect errand.

He didn't understand why I'd rather hang out at the park or at the Teller's with the guys instead of bumming around the clubhouse with a bunch of sweet butts I hardly knew. I was nothing like those girls and, when Gemma wasn't around, they made sure I knew it. It also didn't help that, to them, I was just a kid and didn't belong there. To Adam's credit, he had rebuffed their advances if their vitriol was any indication. I should've been pleased but I was apathetic at best.

My text notification sounded and I crossed the room to grab my phone.

Adam: think you can catch a ride to the club house tonight? I'm gonna be little late.

I rolled my eyes. He'd gone down to Nevada with some of the club members but he'd sworn he'd be back in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with me.

Tara: Sure. I'll see if Frankie can grab me.

He didn't respond immediately and I knew he was weighing the cost of me being there with the cost of me riding with Frankie and, undoubtedly, Jax.

Adam: I can get one of the girls to swing by and get you.

I laughed cynically.

Tara: Don't worry about it. I'll get there.

After another long pause, he replied.

Adam: Alright, as long as you save a spot for me at midnight. ;)

I rolled my eyes again. I felt bad, but a small part of me hope he wouldn't make it.

Tara: see you tonight.

I let out a sigh, weighing my next move. It would be weird to call Frankie and ask for a ride outright. We were cool, but it was weird to just pick up the phone and call him. Jax and Opie had been equally weird since Adam started prospecting. I knew I could but I just didn't feel right calling them to ask a favor, especially one that involved Adam.

I flipped the phone back and forth in my hands before settling on a course of action.

The line rang and I counted, waiting for an answer.

"Hey, Rocky! What's up girl?"

"Hey, Ryan. What are you up to?" I asked, thankful he answered.

I heard a girl's laughter in the background.

"A few of us are hanging out over at Ope's. His parents are at the clubhouse getting ready for tonight. Swing by."

"Are you sure? I don't want to impose…" I knew Opie wouldn't care but I still felt awkward inviting myself over.

"Shut up. Get your ass over here," he commanded.

When I didn't answer, he laughed before yelling away from the phone.

"Ope, Tara's coming over. That cool?"

"Yeah, man," Opie answered. "Tell her to bring some weed though. We're running low and I know her hippie ass is going to smoke us out of house and home."

"You hear that?" Ryan asked me.

I laughed. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be there in a little bit."

XOXOXOX

Jax POV

"Tara coming by?" I asked, trying to subtly shift the blonde sitting on my lap.

Ryan snapped his phone shut. "Yep, and you two better not be assholes about Adam this time either," he warned.

Opie snorted. "She knows it's not personal."

Ryan shrugged. "Still. It's not her fault Clay's sponsoring him. She's got enough shit on her plate. She doesn't need your bullshit."

"Come on, Sinclair. Tara's got thick skin. She's doesn't care what we say about her dumbass boyfriend," I told him.

"They're still together?" questioned one of the girls. I couldn't remember her name. "I thought he broke up with her."

"What makes you say that?" Chelsea asked.

"Well, she always looks kind of pissed when he's around… and after that one morning when she came to school with you guys…." The blonde trailed off uncertainly, glancing tentatively at the girl on my lap. She was right to have assumed though. It wasn't hard to notice that Tara seemed more and more disconnected from him.

"Well, he would be crazy to break up with her," Chelsea replied absently as she playfully pushed Ryan's wondering hands away. "I mean, if he's going to be in SAMCRO, I don't think there's a better girl for him to be with."

"What does that mean?" Ryan probed cautiously, carefully enunciating each word.

Chelsea's face turned red. "I don't mean it in a bad way! I mean, Tara seems super nice but she's also a little scary. I've heard all the stories."

Ryan squinted at her.

"I know, I mean, I don't really know her," she caveated, "but from the way you guys talk about her, she's… what do you guys call it? Old lady material?"

I gritted my teeth at the thought of Tara being an old lady. Chelsea wasn't wrong, generally speaking, but it was weird to think of her like that. Old ladies and marriage seemed so far away to me and Tara wasn't like most of the old ladies I knew. The thought made my jaw ache. It was bad enough to think I might be SAMCRO brothers with him one day, but the thought of him putting a crow on Tara was too much.

"Yeah, old lady material," Ryan answered and then laughed. "Tara as an old lady. That's a thought. I don't know. Old ladies usually mind their place… you know, do what their old man tells them. I don't really see Tara's uh… independence working out."

Opie laughed. "Gemma makes it work."

I put a hand on the girl's hip and gently scooted her off my lap. "Watch out a sec, darlin'." I told her as I stood and made my way over to Piney's liquor cabinet. Opie caught my eye and smirked.

I poured myself a shot and downed it. "I still can't believe Clay sponsored him," I said, changing the subject.

"I know. Your dad was pissed. I've never seen John that mad," Opie answered.

I shrugged. "Dad said he's too young. I don't know why since we're prospecting next year. It's probably some kind of guilt trip about Adam's parents or something. Who knows? Clay's been testing him lately. I don't know what's going on but somethings up between them."

Ryan whistled. "I wouldn't want to get between the two of them that's for sure."

The three of us looked at each other knowing internal club beefs could unravel shit for everyone. It had only happened a few times in my life, and all but once it ended with someone being drummed out of the club.

Not wanting to say more in front of current company, Opie changed the subject. "You think Woodley and them will make it back for the party tonight?"

I shrugged, not wanting to think about Woodley; prospect, Tara or otherwise.

"Where's he coming back from?" Chelsea asked innocently. Ryan cut her a look and she dropped her eyes to the ground.

"Not sure. Down south somewhere. They were doing a charity run; dropping off blankets or some shit," Ryan told her and she dropped it.

"Tara's gonna be pretty pissed if he's not back by midnight," Opie mused.

"I'd hate to be him if he's not," Ryan agreed.

XOXOXOX

Tara POV

Before I could even knock, Opie's front door swung open. Ryan's cheerful face greeted me with Chelsea perched on his back.

"Hey."

"Hey. Hey, Chelsea. How's it going?"

She smiled shyly. "Good." She giggled. "I'm glad you're here though, these guys are out of their minds." Her cheeks flushed pink, embarrassed. "I mean, I didn't mean…uh…" she stammered.

I laughed. "No need to explain. I know better than most."

I heard giggling from the living room and cringed. Don't get me wrong. Chelsea actually seemed pretty sweet but most of the girls the guys brought around made my ear drums bleed.

Jax, Opie and a few pretty blondes were laid out on the 70's style couches so I plopped down in the overstuffed recliner. Jax nodded a hello but played it cool. One of the blondes seemed to be trying her best to keep his attention but he stayed focus on the blunt he was rolling.

I took my own baggie out of my pocket and tossed it at him. He grabbed it mid-air and flashed me a grin before looking back down.

"Rocky came though!" Opie rejoiced.

"I always do." I smiled at him.

I surveyed the room and was uncomfortable with the silence. Normally I wouldn't have cared, I was totally content to just chill with the guys in peace but I didn't know they girls and it made me anxious. I rubbed my legs hastily. Opie caught my eye and raised an eyebrow so I stopped.

"So….. are you guys all going to the party tonight?" I asked looking at the unfamiliar girls.

I saw Jax tense and Opie shook his head. Obviously, it was supposed to be a secret.

Ryan laughed and threw his arm around Chelsea's shoulder. "Chelsea's coming with me." He looked at the other girls. "How old are you guys? They don't really like us to bring minors."

The blonde next to Jax tilted her head confused. "Tara's a minor," she reminded them defensively.

"Tara's different," Jax answered in a low, harsh tone. She froze and looked at him like he'd kicked her puppy. Realizing his mistake he added, "She's with Woodley, remember?" He was speaking to the girl but his eyes flickered to mine.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up," I said. "I just though, you guys are so pretty…. I just figured you were older," I added, hoping a little flattery would ease the situation.

I saw Jax smirk, but it was his scary smirk; a smirk that could snap a kitten's neck. It always amazed me that his smiles could be so different; both dazzling and deadly.

"So do you guys have something else planned?" I asked, trying to take the pressure off the guys.

The girl leaning against Opie flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Hale's having a kegger out on his parent's land. We'll probably roll out there."

"Hale?" I asked, wondering if I was hearing correctly. I knew David was hanging with the varsity guys now but I couldn't imagine good old Davey boy risking a potential scholarship by throwing a kegger.

"Yeah, Jake Hale. He graduated a few years ago," she explained.

"Oh! I thought you were talking about his little brother." I laughed at the thought.

"That little guy? No way. I mean, he's cute but so boring," the girl said, rolling her eyes. "Jake knows how to throw a party… and he always has blow," she added like that was justification enough for attending.

"Speaking of, we probably need to go so we can get ready," she said, looking at her friend. The other girl looked at Jax who hadn't raised his eyes to her the entire time we'd been sitting there. Her lower lip pouted slightly but then she stood.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Let's go."

Jax had started rolling a second blunt and didn't acknowledge her. The other girl gave Opie a kiss on the cheek and whispered something in his ear before standing.

"Chelsea, you want us to take you by your house?" the second blonde asked.

"No, she's good," Ryan answered looking at Chelsea. "You can kick it with us until it's time to go."

Chelsea pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "But, I don't have any of my stuff with me. I need to get something to wear tonight."

Ryan looked at me and then back at Chelsea. "I'm guessing we're gonna have to take Rocky by her place for the same reason. We'll just swing by your place then too."

"Her parents are gonna love that," Jax chimed in sarcastically.

Chelsea paled.

"We can get ready at my house… if you don't mind wearing some of my clothes," I offered.

Chelsea relaxed slightly. "Are you sure that's okay? You really don't have to do that."

"It's cool. I'm sure I have something you'll like."

"Did you just volunteer Frankie to drive the girls around?" Opie laughed.

"Just tell him I have booze for him. That should win him over," I said.

"You better hope so!" he laughed again.