Walk Away from the Son
Parker Sister Saga continues – Season 2 of SoA
Chapter 3- Thorns
By BG and Reaper
Tig kept glancing at Opie as they assembled the weapons. The pair hadn't said much since arriving at the house. Tig had been floored when Clay had told him to take Opie with him today. He felt uncomfortable around Op to say the least but not because of anything Op had said or done, mainly just because Tig's guilt about Donna was burning a hole threw him. But he figured it was time to face his fears and see if he could pull off being casual with Op. As far as the widower was concerned, Donna's death was in the past and Tig knew needed to play along, it was necessary to keep Op believing the lies if the club and Tig himself were going to have any chance of surviving.
"I lost an old lady once." Tig said after a bit. Op frowned slightly at him and Tig proceeded to tell of him an old girlfriend of his that had been killed in a bike wreck back before Tig had joined SAMCRO. "I really loved that one, man. Found out she was pregnant afterwards…that was tough."
Op stood stunned at Tig's revelation, it was one thing for Tig to mention an ex, quite another thing for him to mentioning LOVING her. It was a bit of an emotional moment, Tig looked all nostalgic and Op knew his brother was trying to find some common ground with him. It seemed like people were afraid to talk to him since he had gotten back from his little road trip after Donna's death so appreciated the gesture from Tig. They had never been close but there was no time like the present to maybe find a better bond. Op blinked and asked, "Was that your girls' mom?"
Tig grimaced and snorted. "I wish it was that gash." He thought about his ex for a moment and had the overwhelming urge to shoot something. That bitch could fall off the face of the Earth and the planet would be better off as far as he was concerned.
A few moments of silence past between the men and Op cleared his throat. He willed himself to try to be normal, to just make conversation and interact. He had become so withdrawn since the funeral. "So, uh…I heard you and Jaci broke up." Tig nodded but kept working. "That's too bad…I sorta liked the idea of you two together."
Tig shook his head and laughed a bit sadly as he snapped a gun stock into place. "Few and the proud there, bro."
"J's a good woman. Her and Vix have helped out so much with the kids and stuff. I thought that someone like her would be good for you, you know? Did she break things off or…?" Op asked, he hadn't heard any details and most of the guys seemed a bit shy to talk to him about day to day things.
"I broke it off." Tig shrugged. He had given dirty looks and damn near growled at anyone who had asked about the breakup up until now; it was just one of many thing he didn't want to talk about or even think about but he felt oddly fine with talking to Op about it. "It just…we were ok but you know she's gonna want stuff…down the road. Thought I just stop wasting her time, you know? She hadn't made any demands or anything…I just thought I would make it easy." Tig took a deep breath and felt good that he had been MOSTLY truthful with Op, just leaving out the part about Donna's death and how Tig didn't think Jaci should be with a monster.
"Oh." Op watched Tig's face for a moment and recognized that flash of emotion that had surfaced a few moments ago when he had mentioned his lost love. "Shouldn't you have maybe let her decide? Maybe she was fine with things…with you?"
"Jaci's loyal to a fault, Op. She'd go down gladly with a sinking ship." Tig winced. "It's better this way."
Op nodded his understanding…but he wasn't agreeing with Tig. His understanding had to do with the fact that he had never seen SAMCRO's SAA like this…hurt. Tig had loved Jaci, Op didn't doubt that one bit.
Tig registered the look of pity in Op's eyes and wanted to turn the gun he was assembling on himself. Damnit, I'm rambling on about an ex girlfriend to HIM of all people. Jesus Christ, I'm an asshole. Tig stopped working and changed the subject. "So how are you doing…with everything? How are the kids and stuff?"
He listened as Op told of him having nightmares about being alive and feeling all alone. Tig reassured him that he was NOT alone, that all the guys were there for him. And Tig would be there for him too. It was probably nine kinds of wrong, as Jaci would put it, for Tig to be bonding with Op but if he could help pull Op through this horror, he'd do it. Afterall, he had been the one to cause the pain in the first place.
One thing was for sure, the day was shaping up to be an odd one for Tig. He had started the morning out by milling around St. Thomas, checking in on Gemma, who had wrecked her car coming home from Bobby's party and now he was making pretty intimate conversation with Opie of all people. He didn't know it, but later that night he would watch as a gun deal would go bad, Bobby would get winged with a bullet and Opie would damn near turn into the Terminator.
XXX
"Did you fix your class schedule?" Juice asked as he returned to TM from a lunch run.
Vix groaned, "No. Since there are like a hundred people who want in that class and only room for three more, they're doing interviews or some shit so I am still here waiting to meet with the friggin' people. I don't know why I'm bothering to go 'cause you know they'll give the slots to some scholarly types. I hate interviews, I suck at them."
"You'll do fine. Look about last night…"
"Baby, I don't want to figh …" She interrupted him only to be interrupted right back.
"Hang on." She listened as Juice hollered to someone, "WHAT? Well I told 'em no cheese… alright fine." She heard his exasperated huff before he resumed talking to her, "What were we…? Oh, never mind. Look I gotta go back and get Chibs' sandwich corrected, we'll talk later."
"Mmm hmm." Vix mumbled into the phone. "Love you."
"Yeah, me too." Juice mumbled back before hanging up.
Vix tossed her cell into her bag with a bit of force as her stomach growled, she was starving. Digging through her bag she realized she had no cash on her. Mothershitfuck. She spotted a bank kiosk at the student lounge across the street… she did have her ATM card.
Transaction Denied. Please try again later.Flashed on the screen in front of her. "Mothershitfuck!" She cursed. She hated dealing with money; most of the time she didn't know how much she had in her account or at all for that matter. She could never seem to keep track of the balance. If her sister knew she'd have a friggin' heart attack with a chaser of brain aneurism.
She exhaled deeply then thought maybe it was the card… it's always a crapshoot whether it will work on any given day – with that silly magnetic strip being all scratched to hell. She shoved the card back in and waited. Great now there's someone behind me… she can hear them tapping their toe… she hated that… it made her want to do everything in slow motion.
Please see your financial institution. Flashed on the screen. Vix reached down to retrieve her card, but it wasn't there. "Wait, where's my card?" She said to the machine. She punched the eject button but nothing happened. "Give me my fuckin' card!" She hollered at it, slamming her fist down hard on the top of the machine.
"Forget about it." said a voice from behind her. "Once they confiscate it, you gotta go to your own bank to get it back."
Why don't you mind your fuckin' business? Vix thought as she spun around and came face to face with a tall brunette wearing blue jeans and a black tank top with the word 'SINNER' written in white script letters across her ample bust. "I've never heard of that. They've never taken my card before."
"Consider yourself lucky… it happens to me at least twice a year." The brunettereplied.
"Well it must suck to be you." Vix replied in a huff, grabbing her bag and walking away.
"In general, pretty much." She replied to Vix's retreating back. "HEY! Do you need some cash?" She hollered.
Vix stopped in her tracks and turned around, "What?"
"Money… do you need some? For lunch or something… I could hear your stomach growling from a foot away."
Vix eyed the woman suspiciously. Who just offers up cash to strangers? "Nah, I have some in my car." She lied. "Thanks though."
The chick nodded and turned towards the machine to withdraw funds as Vix turned and walked away. She headed for her car to see if there is some change in the glove box or the trunk or maybe under one of the damn seats. When she got there, a parking ticket laid slapped against the windshield. What the fuck else can happen today? On the floor of the trunk she found 75 cents. She walked away, leaving the ticket on her windshield, at least she didn't have to plop her meager funds into the meter.
XXX
The next day:
"What are you girls up to?" Jaci asked as she entered the garage at Parker Place to find both Vix rearranging the impromptu salon and Ellie seated in the relocated salon chair reading a book.
"I am studying about butterflies." Ellie replied.
"You're home early. I'm just cleaning up from a day at our home Salon and Parking Garage. Oh, watch it... there is a puddle over there, the Prospect was here hooking up the shampoo sink and we sprung a leak."
Jaci eyeballed the corner of the garage. "I have a few hours to burn, thought I'd kick back and relax before our big weekend of refinishing the back stairs at the salon. How bad is the leak?"
Vix shrugged. "Slow leak. We put a clamp on it and Kipp ran to the hardware store in Lodi for a new hose – Carter's here didn't have the right size."
"Wonderful." Jaci replied sarcastically. "So, what kinda butterflies are you studying exactly?"
"Monarchs."
"They're the pretty black n orange ones, right?" Vix asked.
Ellie nodded, showing a picture in her book as back up proof. "According to my teacher, watching the monarchs is solace for the pain of living."
"I beg your pardon? Solace for the pain of living?" Jaci asked, staring at the young girl.
Vix placed some combs into the glass container of Barbercide and glanced at her sister who took a seat in the dryer chair, "Apparently El's teacher is some hippie-chick."
"She really is, she wears the weirdest clothes too." Ellie added.
Vix laughed and makes a hand motion to indicate she thinks the teacher smoked a bit of the wacky-tobaccy too.
"But they really are a miracle." Ellie announced. "According to my book, they follow the sun when they fly and they can fly up to 50 miles in one day and up to 100 feet in the air, and no matter where they are – they always end up in Mexico at the exact time every year, November 2. That is Mexico's Day of the Dead and they believe that the monarchs are the souls of the dead returning home."
Vix made a yikes face and said, "Christ, I hope not."
"I hope it IS true 'cause then maybe that means my Mom will come back." Ellie said.
The Parkers exchanged a glance. Jaci cleared her throat and tried to think of something chipper and upbeat to say to ward off the wave of sadness she can sense coming on. "So, um… Ellie, are you caught up in this whole Twilight craze?"
Ellie immediately grinned, "Team Edward! Vix and I are at odds over this. She is Team Jacob!"
Vix rolled her eyes, "Puh-leese, I am a vampire purist… no way am I gonna get all hot and bothered over some sparkly day-walker."
Jaci looks at her sister, "Really? So you've read the books."
Ellie giggled, "She used Juice's Amazon account and downloaded the audio version to her iPod. She is listening to them in secret."
"Shhhh! Juice totally thinks that was a mistake on his account and called 'em up and bitched that why in the hell HE would download tween-vampire books, so they reversed the charges."
Jaci shook her head, "So you're not READING them, you're sneaking around to LISTEN to them, and involving your boyfriend in the RECEIPT of STOLEN GOODS. Great Role Model, Vix."
"Wow…you make that sound way worse than I figured it was. I bet you could find a way to make Mother Theresa look bad." Vix replied with a smirk.
Jaci shrugs, "There is good and bad in everyone, just varying degrees."
"So do you have a side?" Ellie asked Jaci.
"Hmm?" Jaci responded.
"Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?" Ellie explained.
"I'm neither." Jaci said, thinking to herself, but I wouldn't kick either one of them out of bed for eatin' crackers.
"But if you HAD to chose." Ellie pushed for a definitive answer.
"If I was FORCED to choose… um, I'd probably go with Jacob."
"YES!" Vix cheered with a huge grin.
"BUT, only because I am always cold and that dude runs like a 105 degree temp all the damn time. He's like a smokin' hot electric blanket with no cord or sparkles...just wonderfully chiseled abs." Jaci pointed out.
"You two are sooo barking up the wrong tree." Ellie said. "Edward is way more sophisticated than dumb Jacob. He drives a Volvo … that just screams maturity… and that you're guaranteed to live through a car wreck, well if you weren't already dead and immortal."
Jaci just stared at the young girl. Vix laughed, "See what I mean? She's like a friggin' mad genius or something. Oh, and speaking of surviving car wrecks, you heard any news on Gemma? I was over at TM when they towed in the remains of her Caddy, holy fuck man!"
Before she could say a word on the subject, Jaci's cell rang. After a few mm hmm'sand you got it's she hung up. "Ok, that was Tara. She needs me to watch Abel until she gets home from work. As for Gemma, no I haven't heard anything. I was gonna stop over at her house tonight to check on her but now I'm sitting Abel so…"
"Like you can't take him with ya. Gemma loves that boy." Vix snorted.
"I know, hence my hesitation. Gemma is supposed to REST… and you know she'd be all hands-on if I bring Abel over there, so…"
Vix nodded. "So I guess I'm swinging by there on my way from droppin' Ellie back home? You're welcome, by the way."
"Thank you." Jaci replied with a smirk. "So any word on how your class interview went?"
"Yep." Vix grinned. "I got it. Do you fuckin' believe that shit? However I now have to shell out another hundred for another book. I just paid for the new salon stations and some supplies… man, I am so broke man, I can't even pay attention."
"You can't pay attention on a normal day. What's being broke have to do with anything?" Jaci teased. "No worries, I got paid today. How much is your book exactly?"
"Thanks but no thanks, Henry Darling contributed to the cause. I'm really beginning to feel like a town-wide project. But Henry said he put three kids he can't stand through college and grad school and contributed to the education of five grand kids he never sees, so why not add me to the list. I think I am finally growing on ole Henry."
"Like a fungus." Ellie said with a giggle.
Vix stuck her tongue out at the girl. "Pack up your stuff – you can go with me to get my book before I drop you off at home."
XXX
"This place is crazy." Ellie said in wonderment as she stared around the campus.
It was late on a Friday afternoon, classes didn't start until next week but the place was still buzzing with activity. The two were just getting back to her car when Vix spotted one of the meter maids pulling up next to an older VW Cabriolet that is parked next to Vix's Charger. Probably that same bitch who wrote me that damn ticket the yesterday. Well fuck you chica, you ain't getting your quota here! Vix reached in her pocket and hastily inserts two quarters in the expired meter of the VW. Gotcha! Vix thought with a smirk and blew a kiss at the meter maid, who glared back before turning around and getting back in her little golf-cart thing and sputtering off.
"Excuse Me. Excuse Me!" A female voice called from behind Vix. She turned around and spotted the same brunette from the ATM machine walking hastily in their direction. "Did you just feed my meter?"
"Yeah. Fuckin' Park-zilla Man, got me yesterday. It's like they circle around every five minutes like vultures or something." Vix replied.
She watched as a hint of recognition registered on the chick's face. "You're the girl from the ATM. Well thank you. The last thing I can afford is another fuckin' $45 buck ticket. I swear to Christ, last year I personally outfitted the god damned boys lacrosse team with my violations."
Vix laughed, two run-ins with the chick in just as many days. Vix was a big believer in signs and judging by this most recent exchange, she felt she could perhaps be friends with this girl. For starters, she managed to fit three cusses into the space of thirty seconds. "Yeah, I'm Vix Parker. This is Ellie, a friend of mine's daughter."
"Rachel Stanton. Nice to meet you both. So can I buy you a cup of coffee or a Coke or something? Seeing as you saved me from, what did you call her Park-zilla… that is fucking fantastic. Oh wait…" She eyed Ellie, "Shit, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I've heard way worse, the cuss jar in my house could double as a vacation fund." Ellie said with a smile.
Rachel laughed, "She's precious."
"That she is." Vix nodded. "I guess we've got time for a quick drink."
XXX
"I was wondering when one of you two were gonna show up." Gemma stepped back inside and slowly turned and made her way back into the living room. She eased herself ever so gently into her recliner. "Figured it be your sister."
Vix nodded, still fighting hard to overcome the shock of seeing the SAMCRO Queen all bruised and busted up. In Vix's eyes, Gemma was sorta untouchable…10 feet tall and bullet proof. The sight had her unsettled at best. "Yeah, um… I was in the neighborhood and …"
"Sweetie, this town is so small – every where you go is in the neighborhood. But I appreciate you stoppin' by none the less. So where's the pie or cake or casserole dinner you Southerners are always brining when you pay a call?"
Vix laughed, "You may have survived your car wreck but you might not be so lucky with my baking, and my cooking is even worse. So how you feelin' anyway?"
"I look like shit, right?" Gemma asked bluntly. "That's a pretty good estimation of how I feel."
Vix nodded and before she knew it, she began a nervous ramble. "I know, right?. I was pretty busted up and lucky to still be breathin' after my car accident a few years back .It sucks and some people walk away with the whole Live Like You're Dyin' mentality but I think that is stupid because ain't that everyone - like since the moment they are born? So to just start really living after a near death thing is pretty silly if you ask me. Oh and when people hear you were in a wreck they automatically think - wow we got something in common and I'll show you mine if you'll let me see yours type deal. Stupid! Cause each one is different and each one is the same… and just tell 'em to shut the fuck up."
Gemma semi-smiled. "Vix?"
"Mmm hmm?"
"Shut the fuck up, baby."
Vix grinned and realized she had been rambling, "Ok I will. I'm sorry Gemma, I ramble when I am nervous."
"Do I make you nervous?" Gemma asked.
"YOU are one of a handful of things that have the capacity to scare the crap outta me, you know in brutal honesty. So while I am here, can I get you anything? Fluff your pillows?"
"I think I'm good. Well, you could close the front blind… the damn sun is making me sick to my stomach."
Vix nodded, "Oooh, photosensitivity…. I had that, too… side effect of a concussion. Did they say you had one? I bet you do. Your head slammed into the steering wheel, huh?"
Gemma sat there staring at Vix, who suddenly realizes she was doing the whole comparison thing again, "Well shit! If you're alright, I'm just gonna go... let you get your rest." She turned towards the door.
"Vix?"
Vix turned around and looked at her, "Hmm?"
"Don't forget the blinds." Gemma reminded.
"Oh my god I am so scatter brained! No wonder Juice cant stand me!"
An incredulous look registered on Gemma's face, "Since when can't Juice stand you? Last I knew that boy barley wanted take a piss unless you were there holding his dick."
"OUCH!" Vix said with a shocked look on her face. "Were we really that bad?"
Gemma nodded, "Worse."
"Oh , well…sorry about that but honestly I think that is part of the problem – maybe being too attached, I don't know." Vix replied and walked back in and sat on the couch opposite Gemma. "He was like uber supportive when I first dropped the whole salon buy idea on him. But then I noticed as things got going and stuff he's been acting weirder and weirder over the last few weeks. He says he's just worried that I'm taking on too much… but then the other night he went completely ape shit, cause I have all these reading assignment I need to get done before the first day of classes on Monday, and well I was distracted and tired and not in the mood to be um, playful and he got pissed… and when I tried to explain that our entire relationship does not need to revolve around sex… he wigged the fuck out."
Vix rolled her eyes. "And well you know me and my tendency not to think before I talk, I hollered back some shit I likely shouldn't have, basically stuff like: thought I was more than a pussy and tits with legs, blah, blah,.blah. It wasn't pretty.
She ventured a glance at Gemma who held a look that bordered on amusement. "You do think I am more to him than that, right?" Vix stood and began pacing around the living room, "Christ, I let myself become little more than a play thing right?" She stopped pacing and stood looking worried. "Shit Gemma, what am I gonna do?"
Gemma shook her head in an attempt to ward off the feeling of déjà vu at hearing that last phrase. She reminded herself, this is Vix Parker not Cherry err, Rita...in my living room not the mini-market… this girl isn't asking advise on what to do about being wanted by the feds… this one needs advice on handling a guy who is apparently feeling threatened by change. She groaned a bit. When she'd first answered the door she'd played up the headache due to her supposed car accident, but now the head ache was real.
"Vix, baby, when you figure out what makes men tick, you come see me. We'll make a billion dollars selling that little secret. But while you're workin' on that… here is how I see it. You made Juice the center of your universe… maybe not by conscious choice, perhaps you didn't have all that much going on at the time to detract your attention but Juice got real used to all that attention. Now he's having to share the lime light with the salon demo and rebuild, homework and then you'll have classes starting up."
Gemma winced slightly as she adjusted the way she was seating in the recliner. "You've been helpin' out with Op's kids and Moby and Abel. Tara says your gonna be doing hair in your sister's garage until the salon is open then when it does you'll be there a lot of the time. That's a very ambitious schedule by anyone's standards… and a big adjustment for Juice to get used to. And from what I've gathered he doesn't take change very well. You're gonna have to find some patience. I'm sure he'll work through it 'cause that boy worships the quick sand you and your pussy and tits walk on."
Vix smiled a bit and nodded. "Thanks Gemma. It's not like I could go to Jaci for advice right now… she just got her heart stomped. Can you imagine the irony of me asking advise on love and sex at a time like this?"
Gemma rolled her eyes, thinking of what had REALLY happened to her, a rape not a car accident., "Yes the irony of that timing."
Vix nodded "Ok you rest, Jaci's watchin' Abel tonight over at Jax's until Tara gets off her shift so you don't worry yourself over nothin' ok?"
"Clearly you're not a mother." Gemma scoffed. "You never stop worrying even when everything goes right - and everything never all goes right."
"Ok, well I'm outty. Later chica." Vix waved and turned to leave.
"Vix!" Gemma called after her.
"Oh shit, the blinds!" She laughed and ran to shut them before heading out the door.
XXX
Over the weekend the Parkers had done all they could demo wise at the salon. Rachel had been introduced to Jaci when she appeared at the salon mid-morning on Saturday. Given that the chick had held every conceivable odd job, when Vix had mentioned her current project, she felt she could lend a hand.
The girls had given Bobby ample time to recoup from jail, his welcome home party and getting shot during, ironically enough, a gun sale. The honor of his presence was demanded at Parker Place. Jaci made him dinner and Vix restored his tresses in her impromptu garage salon. Both girls gave him a detailed debriefing of what he had missed out on in their world over the last two months.
Bobby was impressed by Vix's plans for the future, although he did question how the alien probing felt. When Vix asked him what the hell he was talking about he shrugged and replied, "The change in you… it borders on body snatching level."
When he inquired how things were going with Juicey, neither Bobby nor Jaci failed to notice her worried look. It belied her cheery, optimistic assurance of its all good. Her phone rang a split second later and she laughed, "Speaking of…" and leaving Bobby and Jaci in the kitchen, she answered her phone as she walked away.
Jaci knew the moment she'd been dreaded had arrived when Bobby turned his gaze on her. "So, same question … different Son."
The ensuing discussion of the Tig and Jaci breakup was very short with her just saying that they were done and no Tig hadn't been an asshole about it. And truthfully, Tig really hadn't been, sure he hadn't talked to Jaci in months but it wasn't like they had been friends before they had started messing around; they had been strangers. It seemed they had just reverted to that status again. Hoping or expecting that Tig was going to walk up and chit chat about the weather with her had been delusion on Jaci's part and she knew it. Hell, she had no clue what she would even say to him if he did try to talk to her.
"And how are you with all that?" Bobby inquired.
"I'm fine. Really… I'm fine." Jaci offered assurance she didn't feel.
"You're a shitty liar, J." Bobby replied. "But you're one hell of a cook… you got any more of that coffee cake?"
XXX
On Monday, after her official start as a college student, Vix rolled into the parking lot at Teller Morrow. She got out of her car and strolled up to the garage bays. She extended her arms wide and announced, "I am here for your tools!"
"HA! We got two of 'em…and they're ALL YOURS." Bobby yelled and pointed to Juice and Half Sack.
Vix laughed and looked at Clay. "Hey Clay... you got an axe?"
Clay smirked, "Why? You gonna go Lizzy Borden on us?"
"Not much point in that." Vix replied with an eye roll. "My parents are already dead and gone, Clay. But hey, maybe a chain saw would be better."
"I am not giving you a chain saw." He replied flatly. "Some days I am not sure you should be given anything sharper than a nail file." Clay nodded towards the wrecker. "There's an axe in the truck. Make sure you return it when you're done."
Vix nodded and saluted him. "Aye, aye, Cap-ee-tan." She retrieved the axe and then started to walk around the garage, at Juice's prompting, to get whatever else she thought they would need to demo the salon. She was familiar with your common everyday construction tools and your garden variety auto tools from her days spent at construction sites and rebuilding her beloved Charger. However, the wide variety of shiny equipment available at TM lead to a steady stream of 'ooh's' and 'ahh's' escaping from her. She picked up a big metal contraption. "Hmmm, I'll take this."
Tig glared at her. "That's a TUBE BENDER, dipshit. You don't need that, put it down."
"Bend your tube till it breaks, fuckhead." Vix muttered but nonetheless complied.
She took a few more steps and picked up a several items while cradling the axe in her arm. Then her eyes widened. "Ooooh! Come to Mama…" She grabbed the blow torch sitting on the table.
Bobby freaked. "No no no! Absolutely NOT!"
Clay laughed and asked sarcastically, "Oh come on Bobby...what's the worst that could happen?" Still he turned and jabbed a finger at Vix, barking at her. "Put it down."
Bobby grabbed the blow torch from her with his 'good' arm and gave Vix a hand it over gesture with the other. "I KNOW your sister wouldn't send you over here without a list. So hand it over." Meanwhile, he glared at Juice, "You're a horrible chaperon by the way." Juice just shrugged.
Vix frowned but handed the note over. She had shoved it into her pocket without even bothering to read it. "Christ, I feel like a little kid...should have just stapled it to my damn shirt."
Bobby pulled his glasses down from atop his head and read the list aloud which was obviously written with the suspicion that Vix wouldn't actually READ IT but someone else would. He cleared his throat and began, …
''Dear Bobby... or whomever is fed up with Vix just grabbing shit at random around the garage. We need a sledgehammer, crowbar, drill, & circular saw. We do NOT need anything FIRE related. Don't let her lie to you...she can be sneaky...like a goddamn gremlin.."
The guys in the garage cracked up and even Tig had to fight back a smile. He could almost hear Jaci's voice. He shook his head. Who the fuck says WHOMEVER? Come on...
Vix had an arm full of worthless but cool stuff by then and looked at Bobby, knowing she was busted. Bobby looked over his glasses at her, "Drop it."
"Alright...but I'm keeping the AXE!"
The Prospect and Juice loaded up the necessary items from Jaci's list. Vix just smiled and nodded as Juice once again reminded her about the extreme importance of not impeding the integrity of load bearing walls. "I just don't want the building falling down with you or your sister inside it."
Tig had been relatively quiet during Vix's visit but as he and the rest of the guys watched her pull out of the parking lot, he shook his head. "Twenty bucks says one of them at least loses a finger."
XXX
A few days later…
"So what's your opinion of the Wendy Situation?" Jaci asked as she bounced Abel on her knee while sitting in the recliner. "I talked to her yesterday. She sounded good but maybe a little self absorbed; she didn't ask anything about what was going on in our little world here in Charming, didn't ask about Abel."
"That's par for the course, Jaci." Tara interjected and then looked up at Jax to finish her thought.
He shrugged. "She calls me probably once a week to check up on Abel. I say he's fine, maybe tell her a few cute things he did that week and then she says 'thanks' and hangs up."
Jaci frowned and smoothed her hand over Abel's head. She sighed. "Well….maybe she is just detaching until she can get some sobriety time under her belt. Hopefully she'll be more gung ho when she gets back in town."
"Speaking of detaching…its good to see you back in town." Jax smiled. "You didn't have to bale on town after the breakup you know."
"No…I kinda did." Jaci replied. "It was a chickenshit way out, I know, but I just didn't want to deal with the sympathetic looks or run the risk of bumping into him or hear the I told you so's." Jax started to grin and Jaci pointed a finger at him. "I still don't want to hear it." She waved her finger between him and Tara. "I don't lecture you two about your crazy shit….well, not anymore."
Jax threw his hands up. "A'ight. I won't say it…but you know I'm glad you're away from him. Dude's a psycho. You can do better." The knowledge that Tig had killed Donna weighed on Jax's shoulders heavier everyday. He wanted to scream it from the rooftops but knew that declaration would destroy too many lives so he kept quiet…for now.
"See ya later, little man." Jaci stood up and carried Abel over to Jax, kissing the baby on the forehead before she handed him over to his daddy.
As Jax cradled Abel in his arms, Jaci looked over to Tara. They had definitely made some peace in the couple weeks Jaci had been back in town. Every visit to see Abel had given the girls time to talk and mend fences. "Hey, I'm heading over to meet Vix at this bar by her school. Gonna shoot pool for a while, have a few beers…little bit of stress relief. Do you want go?"
Tara blinked in surprise. She glanced over at Jax and then back to Jaci, not sure what to say. "Um…I…" Jaci assured her that Vix would behave herself, everyone would play nice. Jax encouraged the impromptu girl's night, reminding Tara that she didn't have to work the next day and besides, he could spend some one on one time with Abel while she was gone.
"Ok then…I'm in." If the Parkers wanted to extend an olive branch, who was she to knock it away?
XXX
Jaci and Tara walked into Big Daddy's Bar and Grill and stood just inside the door, taking in the place for a moment. "So this is Vix's little adult study hall. Not bad, I like it." Jaci commented, Tara stayed quiet. Jaci scanned the place quickly and waved to Vix who was sitting at the bar.
"Ok guys…this here is my big sister, Jaci…J for short." Vix announced to Corbin and Larry. "She's single by the way…if ya'll know any nice guys to set her up with." Jaci cut her eyes playfully at Vix.
Corbin smiled and extended his hand to Jaci. "Nice to meet you, miss. I'm Corbin, just call me Big Daddy. We've heard good things about you from Vix here. And I'd set you up with my nephew but he's complete idiot, so I'll save you the trouble of that."
"Appreciate that." Jaci replied and shook his hand.
"Hello? Vix, I'm single. Why haven't you set me up with your sister yet?" Larry complained from his seat. He pointed directly at Jaci. "You are beautiful. I totally expected some chick that had ripped out all of her hair from putting up with Vix for so long. How do you stay sane?"
Jaci grinned and shrugged. "I drink a lot."
"Me too." Larry replied with wink. He looked to Corbin. "I think I've found my soul mate."
Vix pushed Larry's shoulder. "You are NOT single…you're married to Gloria and Tawny there." She pointed to his gin and tonic.
Larry shrugged and held up his glass. "Yes but they are very open minded when it comes to polygamy."
"Yeah yeah." Vix replied. "Ok, this here is Tara…she's our 'quasi sister in law'." Tara winced at the odd description. Vix caught the gesture. "Well what else should I call you?"
"Actually, I guess that fits pretty well." Tara replied and nodded to the men. "Nice to meet you."
Vix clapped her hands together. "Ok, you guys secure the pool table, I'll secure the booze."
"Check." Jaci answered and waved to the guys as she and Tara headed straight to the back of the bar. She unloaded her pockets and lined up stacks of quarters along the pool table rail.
Vix returned with three bottles of beer and the mini pool tourney began. Both of the Parkers were in need of a good night out. Vix was stressed to the max with classes and remodeling the salon which in turn had put stress on her relationship with Juice. Jaci was dealing with her own shit with work, her new found second job of salon demo and her breakup with Tig. Tonight the girls were planning to blow off some steam and break some balls…even if they were only on a pool table.
XXX
Tig, Chibs and Bobby trailed into the bar. They were all a little sick of Charming and a change of scenery was welcome. And after being cooped up in jail for a few months, Bobby took every opportunity he could find to go for a long ride. Granted his shoulder was still sore as a motherfucker from where he had been shot the other night, but he'd be damned if he was going to let that prevent a ride. The guys put in orders for beers and Bobby turned to survey the bar patrons. A second later he began to laugh and said in a dramatic voice, "Of all the bars in the world, she had to walk into mine."
Chibs looked over his shoulder. "The fuck are you talkin' 'bout?"
"Look who's here." Bobby replied and nodded toward the pool table at the back of the bar.
"Fuck me." Tig muttered as he spotted the Parker sisters and Tara. He glared at Bobby. "What are you trying to pull?"
"Nothing!" Bobby feigned innocence. He didn't mention that he had called Jaci earlier in the day and she had said something about being at Big Daddy's that night.
"Goddamnit, Bobby." Tig grumbled.
"You wanna leave?" Bobby asked in a fake sympathetic tone. Tig shook his head no and turned back to the bar. Bobby just shrugged as he looked at Chibs. "Alright then, we're gonna go say hi."
"Go right ahead." Tig replied and stood rooted to the bar.
XXX
The girls were deeply absorbed in their pool game and talking shit to each other so they didn't see the guys approach.
"We ride all the way out here to get away from Charming and here you girls are waiting on us. What are the damn odds?" Bobby bellowed with a smile on his face.
The girls looked up and surprise shot across their faces. They moved to hug the guys.
"Your fellas know you're here?" Chibs asked good naturedly.
"Yes, they do." Vix motioned to the pool table. "And this is stress relief. Wanna play? Who's all with ya'll?"
Bobby stood with his arm around Jaci as he answered. "Tig's sitting at the bar."
"He too good to come and say hi?" Vix asked just for the hell of it.
"Tigger's in a bit of a mood tonight." Chibs replied. "As he is every night really."
Jaci resisted the urge to whip her head around and look for her ex. Instead she kept a smile plastered on her face and whispered to Bobby, "You knew we were coming here…so no happy coincidences. What are you trying to pull by bringing him? Don't try playing matchmaker, Bobby. It's done."
"I'm not trying to pull anything. He wanted to come." Bobby lied with a similar fake smile as Chibs talked to Vix and Tara. "And maybe I didn't exactly tell him you'd be here but what's the big deal? You guys should stop avoiding each other and talk."
"We're just going to keep the jukebox cranked up, shoot some pool for a little bit and then we're hitting the road. You guys come play anytime you want." Jaci offered.
The guys headed back toward the bar. "Holler if anybody gives ya any trouble." Chibs added.
XXX
As the guys walked away, the girls picked up their game again. If they kept the goofing off to a minimum, Jaci and Vix were actually very good players, Tara was an average player but then again she hadn't grown up in a MC clubhouse with daily access to a pool table.
Jaci headed to the jukebox again and sunk a few quarters. As she scanned the music library, she bobbed her head to music that was currently playing. She absently thought to herself that tonight wasn't so bad, even if Tig was across the room. She had willed herself to only glancing at him a few times and was pleased to find that each time she had caught him staring at her with only a semi rude look. Well eat your heart out, asshole. Hope you like what you see and it stings a little bit. She resolved to kill him with kindness, as Roxy loved to say. She would laugh and smile and one day that bastard would rue the day he dropped her.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?" Bobby finally asked. He had been watching Tig sneak glances at Jaci for the last hour.
Tig frowned and replied rudely. "Why the fuck would I do that?"
"Well you keep staring at her." Chibs explained.
"I keep checking to see if she's gone the fuck home yet." Tig snapped back with a lie.
"Whatever. She keeps coming over the jukebox…I think she wants you to walk over and talk." Bobby coached.
"Well, she can want in one hand and shit in the other, Bobby. I got nothing to say to her." Tig replied.
Bobby just glared at him. "What is your fucking problem? I mean really! What did she ever do to you that was so goddamn bad?" He threw his hands up in frustration. For some reason Tig was set on being mean and Bobby had had it. "Ok, fine… I give up."
"You should." Tig replied and shoved away from their table to get another shot from the bar. He wanted to get mellow as quickly as possible. At the moment he was pissed off at himself for not being able to keep his eyes off of Jaci. You know you can't go there…don't even start. It's all or nothing and you picked nothing so get over it asshole.
"Testy!" Chibs yelled after him with a laugh.
XXX
Jaci bellied up to the bar after making her song selections and waited for Corbin to get around to taking her order. The bar had filled up to about three quarters capacity so there was a bit of a wait. From over her right shoulder, she smiled as she watched Vix and Tara playing. Man, we really needed this break tonight. I'll be perfectly happy never to wield another sledgehammer my whole life. The guy next to her backed away from the bar with an armful of beers. They exchanged smiles and 'excuse me's' as she backed out of his way.
When she started to lean her forearms back on the bar she glanced to her left and found herself staring straight at Tig. He had been standing next to the guy that had walked away. The residual smile she had on her face faded instantly and her eyes widened in surprise like a deer caught in headlights way . Her brain sort of froze for a second but she finally managed to mumble, "Hey."
Tig grimaced at her like she had spoken Swahili and turned his back to her quickly. Jaci snarled her nose in response and her head shot back a little. Did he honestly just blatantly snub me? Oh hell no!
She cleared her throat and spoke to the back of his head. It was one thing to not go out of your way to talk to an ex, it was quite another to be standing 6 inches away and ignore them. "Seriously, Tig? It's two syllables 'hel-lo', one if you're into the whole brevity thing and want to just say 'hi.'"
Tig closed his eyes as she spoke to him for the first time in months. His heart was thundering in his chest. He inhaled and could have sworn he could smell her perfume even though that was impossible with all the smoke in the bar. He swallowed hard. Don't you fucking turn around. Do not do it! You turn around, you'll say 'hey', which will lead to 'how you doing?' and before you know it her claws will be in you all over again. You've been fucking staring at her all goddamn night…AGAIN. That road is a fucking dead end. SHUT THIS SHIT DOWN NOW! Corbin slid Tig's shot of whiskey across to him and he knocked it back and slammed the glass back down on the bar and walked away without a word.
Corbin looked to Jaci who was staring after the biker with a hard frown on her face. "You know him?"
"Used to." Jaci replied and turned her attention to the bartender. So much for sticking to beer for the night. She suddenly needed something a bit harder. "Can I get three beers and a shot of Johnny Walker Black please?"
"Oooh, hardcore, going for the good stuff." Larry mused from his perch.
Jaci smiled. "Wanna join me?" Larry nodded and she held up two fingers to Corbin. He put the shots in front of them and Jaci and Last Call clinked them together before downing them.
"Looks like you're an all around good shot, Miss Parker." Larry complimented. "Pool, liquor…"
"Should see me with a gun." Jaci said with a wink and walked off leaving him a bit stunned.
XXX
Vix and Tara had watched the exchange between Jaci and Tig with rapt attention.
"Did you talk to him?" Tara asked as Jaci returned.
"I said 'hey'…he ignored me and walked off." Jaci reported.
"Dick." Vix interjected.
"Yep. Why did I expect any different?" Jaci shook her head and pointed to the table. "Rack em."
They were half way through another game when Vix abruptly stopped playing and stared across the bar. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She took a pull from her beer and muttered, "Typical."
Jaci frowned and turned around to follow her sister's gaze. "What?"
Vix snorted. "Typical Tig, typical bar skank, typical guy bullshit to try and make the ex feel even crappier."
Her eyes landed on the guys' table, where a group of women talking to them. Well, perhaps talking is the wrong word. One woman was hanging on Chibs' shoulder, one had squeezed in next to Bobby and was whispering in his ear and Tig had just slapped his leg and let one skank sit on his lap. He locked eyes with Jaci for a second and had a smug look on his face.
"Goddamn it." Jaci muttered and turned back to the game.
"When are those guys going to learn it's about QUALITY and not QUANTITY?" Tara mused.
"He's doing that to piss you off." Vix snapped back. "Stop looking at him. Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing it hurts you."
Jaci nodded and focused on the game at hand but in the back of her mind she tried to figure out what game Tig was trying to play with her. His actions were contradictory; he wouldn't talk to her but yet he stared at her anytime they were in the same room together. Now he was flirting with some skank but smirking at Jaci like he wanted to make her jealous but why would he bother to try to make her jealous when HE was the one that ended things? Too many damn questions! Errrr! Jaci flat out blew an easy shot and Vix rolled her eyes.
A moment later a few guys that Vix knew from school came over to say hi. Vix introduced everyone and took special effort to let the guys know that while she and Tara were taken, Jaci was, in fact, very very single. Vix invited the guys to play a couple games of pool with them and they accepted. The guys offered to buy a round of beers but everyone was good, so they settled for buying Jaci a shot of Jack Daniels, she wasn't one to turn down free liquor.
Jaci and one of the guys squared off in a game, flirting like mad. Under normal circumstances, Jaci would have never been this playful with a college age guy but given the fact that Tig sat across the room right then with a skank on his lap, she was down for putting on a flirt fest, two could play the Jealousy Game.
Chibs watched Jaci and the college guys with amusement; Tig watched with a frown on his face. The Scot laughed, "Ooh, I think she just sucked the lime out of Tara's Corona bottle for her. Now THAT'S a bar trick." He looked to Tig, "YOU are an idiot, my friend."
The woman sitting next to Chibs snorted. "I can do that trick. It's not that hard."
Tig watched as one of the guys took Jaci's cell phone and entered his number into it. Bobby laughed and toasted Tig with his beer bottle, "Ahhhh, she's getting a young buck. Ignore my efforts from earlier, Tigger. They are no longer necessary."
After a few more games of pool, the college boys moved on and then finally left for the night. After they walked away, Tara and Vix both smiled at Jaci. "Very nice!"
Jaci laughed but then frowned. "Shit...does taking his number make me a cougar?"
Tara scoffed, "We aren't old enough to be cougars...at least I don't think."
"That dude is twenty two MAX. He thinks you're a cougar 'cause thirty one is ANCIENT to him." Vix explained with a giggle.
"Ah hell." Jaci sighed. "Well, it's not like I'm gonna call him so it doesn't matter."
"True." Vix agreed. "But he did serve a purpose." She nodded back at Tig. "Fuckhead there looks a little green with jealousy."
"Christ don't tell HIM that, you know how he feels about the color green." Jaci said with a tipsy laugh.
Vix rolled her eyes. "I know, 'Green is a Mayan color', blah blah blah. You hear what he did to poor Kipp?"
"No, what?" Tara inquired.
"You know Kipp's whole 'SAVE THE EARTH one SON at a time' - thing he got going? You know the recycling thing? Well apparently Tig will be last in the conversion line cause he refuses to go GREEN or toss his beer bottle in a GREEN recycle bin" Vix shook her head and glared at Tig who was glaring back from across the room. "What a fuck head man. I am surprised he is willing to touch money."
XXX
And so the Jealousy Game began between Tig and Jaci. He kept getting more and more cozy with the skank and after the college guys left, Jaci was seemingly out of ammo but then she smiled as she looked to the jukebox. She made her first round of selections; the lead song was Billy Joel's You May Be Right, which Tig knew was his ringtone on her phone and got his attention. All the songs that followed had very explicit memories for her and Tig.
After those songs played, she was back for more and Bobby met her at the jukebox. He wasn't sure what she was up to but it sure had Tig drinking more. He praised her jukebox warfare skills and donated a few dollars to her cause. She knew playing the songs was a juvenile move but Tig was throwing low blows tonight she was going to hit back anyway she could.
XXX
"Jesus, Tig…get a room or a bathroom stall or something." Bobby said as he watched with disgust while Tig sucked face with the woman who was now straddling him in his chair. And 'sucking face' was the right terminology to use; kissing implied a level of class and decency that was long since gone in the act. Bobby glanced across the bar to see if Jaci was watching the lewd show and was saddened to see that she was. Her head was slightly cocked and she looked confused, like she couldn't comprehend what she was seeing. "Take it down a notch. You know who is looking straight at you and you know it. You don't have to be so heartless."
"Yeah Bobby, I do." Tig lit a cigarette, took a drag, and blew out a stream of smoke. "If she doesn't like it, she can fucking hit the road."
The skank frowned and cocked her head at Tig. "You want me to leave?"
Tig sneered. "No dumbass…you stay right where you're at."
"Is that girl over there your ex or something?" The skank asked.
"Shut up." Tig said blankly. He stared at Jaci around the woman on his lap. As yet another all too familiar song played in the bar, Tig seriously considered walking over to the jukebox and knocking it over. The goddamn songs were killing him. Every one Jaci played sparked some memory of them either sitting around the fire pit on her back porch or driving in her car or of them making love. As much as he wanted to think that shit with Jaci hadn't mattered to him, he could honestly say that he had only fucked her a few times. For the most part, he had made love to her and that fact wouldn't stop screaming in his head tonight, no matter how many shots he downed.
XXX
"Have you learned your lesson yet, sis? Stop fucking looking at that douchebag. He obviously is trying to get under your skin. Stop banging you head against the wall of Tig." Vix admonished as she watched her sister knock back her beer.
"He's a lost cause, Jaci." Tara added.
Jaci stood with her back to the rest of the bar as she wiped more chalk on her hands, preparing for the next round of pool. She had officially lost her enthusiasm for the night. Any good time she had been having was long gone now. She had initially just been annoyed with seeing the woman grind all over him like some uncoordinated stripper, that whole scene had just been sad really. I mean really, who gives a lap dance to a guy that you just met like an hour ago? How trashy is that?
She hadn't been all that hurt by any of it until Tig gripped the skank's neck and pulled her in for a forceful kiss. How many times had Jaci felt that hand on her face, how many times had he stared at her with those cold blue eyes… although it had all been in a much more affectionate manner? Without a word, Jaci made a beeline for the bar again. She smiled at Corbin. "PLEASE tell me you can make a Long Island Tea."
He smiled back. "Sure can...guaranteed to put you on your ass after two of em."
She nodded, "Great! Give me that and another shot of Johnny Black. No wait…just Jim Beam." She grinned at Corbin. "I've already had Jack and Johnny…figure I'll just go ahead and get the Triple J Whiskey Trifecta."
Larry grinned at her as she raised her eyebrows, willing to buy him another shot. He held his hands up. "I'm good thanks. How many does that make for you?"
"Three…I think." Jaci answered and then shrugged. She was making her move up the alcohol ladder. Drinking had been her favorite crutch over the last couple of months; she figured she might as well stick with it. She downed her shot and took her drink back to the pool tables.
Chibs and Bobby took turns tossing Jaci regretful looks a time or two and she just rolled her eyes in return. Tara frowned as she watched Tig. Jaci had told her their breakup had been respectful, that they just hadn't been right for each other, so the doctor couldn't figure out why Tig was doing his best to hurt Jaci with all of his obvious antics. But who the hell knew exactly went on in the mind of Tig Trager. Jax had described him a psycho loser more than once to Tara.
XXX
After another half hour, the Parkers and Tara were actually about to call it a night when Tig's skank stood up and headed toward the bathrooms. At the last second, she veered toward the pool tables.
"J, get your head out of your ass. Here she comes." Vix hissed.
Her sister's odd warning broke her drunken revelry and Jaci turned around in time to see the skank making her way toward them. You have got to be kidding me! What the hell? Jaci stepped closer to Vix and Tara. "You two stay out of what ever happens here, ok? This is my shit. I'll handle it." A rush of adrenaline knocked the drunken cobwebs out of her mind for a moment.
Vix nodded reluctantly but added, "Ok…but if one of her little skank friends decides to come over and join the party, I'm jumping in."
"You enjoying the show?" Tig's make out partner asked as she stopped a few feet from the girls.
"Excuse me?" Jaci asked as she studied the woman. She was definitely a ten footer…better looking from ten feet away. She looked a little older than Jaci but her face showed a life of hard drinking and partying. Tig, you are scrappin' the bottom of the barrel tonight, bro.
"I didn't fucking stutter. You need to keep you eyes to yourself and stop fucking staring at me."
Vix smirked. "Is that a fact?"
The skank's eyes shot to Vix's. "I'm not fucking talking to you."
Vix stood up straighter and cocked her head. "Well, your ass is about to be talking to my foot if you don't calm down."
"Vix…." Jaci warned and reach out her arm to deter Vix from stepping to the skank. She looked at the woman again. Ok honey…you wanna play…let's play.
"What's your problem?" The skank inquired. "What's with the fascination with me?"
"Sorry if I offended you but… I just have this habit of staring at train wrecks…just can't stop myself." Jaci plastered a look of fake niceness on her face and leaned on the pool stick she was holding. "By the way, what's your name so I can stop calling you skank in my mind?"
"Melissa." She snarled at Jaci, obviously not taking kindly to being called a train wreck or a skank. "Is Tig your ex or something?"
"Honey, my past, present or future is none of your business." Jaci replied with a smile. "That doesn't get discussed with the likes of you." Tara laughed at that line.
XXX
Tig was leaned back in his chair smoking when Chibs spontaneously said, "Oh fuck." He looked toward the pool tables. "Your little friend decided to pay the girls a visit. That might end badly."
Tig and Bobby both followed the Scot's gaze and saw Melissa talking heatedly and waving her hand around while Jaci struck a cocky pose, looking slightly amused by the whole confrontation. Vix watched the pair talk with a smirk on her face and her arms crossed. Tara stood the side with her perm-a-frown in place.
"Oooh, I don't like that fake smile plastered on Jaci's face. Looks like she wants to level that bitch with a good hard right hand…or maybe that pool stick." Chibs added. "Your bitch makes a move on her, it's gonna get ugly."
Tig ran his hand over his face. Stupid fucking bitch...must have gotten tired of Jaci staring. "Bobby, go break that shit up, would ya?"
Bobby pursed his lips and shook his head. "Nope, you created that little situation…go clean up your own mess."
"Eh, fuck em both. I'm staying right here." Tig replied.
XXX
Melissa stepped closer to Jaci; the girls were practically nose to nose. "You need to mind your own business, bitch."
"You need to watch your mouth." Jaci said sweetly in return. "My sister's virgin ears are sensitive."
Melissa took a half step back and then shoved Jaci. Across the bar Bobby stood up but Tig grabbed his forearm, holding him in place. Vix moved to join the shoving match but Tara laid a hand gently on her shoulder, stopping her.
Jaci took the shove and stepped back slightly. Her drunken head swooned a bit and her anger flared. She had been just playing with the dumb girl but now she wanted to hit the her so badly…she could see the hits in her mind, could see the skank's face bleeding, could almost feel her hands hurting from the punches. She glanced quickly to the bar and saw Corbin and Larry staring back with rapt attention. She flexed her jaw and gritted her teeth in frustration and finally shook her head. Stay cool, stay cool. This shit tonight had gone far enough. He doesn't even want you, don't go making a fool of yourself over him. She shook her head once more and nodded at Melissa. "Look…as much I want to beat the holy fuck out of you right here and now…I'm not going to."
"Why the fuck not?" Vix exclaimed.
"I'm not going to tear up this bar and cause trouble for Big Daddy over there. Don't want him having to scrub your blood off the pool table here." Jaci held up a finger in Melissa's face. "HOWEVER…let me remind you that you do not LIVE at this bar. You do have to leave at some point tonight and when you step foot on that parking lot…your little skank ass is mine." Jaci plastered her famous super sweet Southern smile on her face and waited for Melissa's response.
"Fuck you bitch." Melissa replied and slapped Jaci's finger out of her face.
"Goddamnit, Tig. That's enough. I'm stopping it." Bobby declared and started to pull away.
"I got it. I got it. Calm the fuck down." Tig replied and crushed out his cigarette. He grabbed his beer and headed across the bar.
XXX
"Oooh…you in trouble now, bitch." Vix said with a laugh as she watched Tig approach. She nodded in his direction to alert Jaci. Just then her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She grabbed it and looked at the caller id…Juice. She hesitated to leave her sister alone but lately Juice was so high strung, he would freak out if she didn't answer."J, I gotta take this. You gonna be ok? Even with him coming over?"
Jaci waved her off while keeping her eyes on Melissa. "Yep, go on. I got this."
Vix headed toward the front of the bar so she could step outside to talk or probably more likely argue with Juice. As Tig walked past her, she said, "Hey, fuckhead, looks like your bitch broke her leash and ended up in our yard."
"Fuck you, pain in the ass." Tig grumbled in reply.
Jaci shifted her eyes to glare at Tig as he approached. He returned the favor. She laid the pool stick she had been holding down across the table and swallowed hard. Her blood was starting to boil. Her perfectly good evening had been ruined because of his game playing bullshit. Surely he had something to SAY now.
"I think its past your girlfriend's bedtime, she's very cranky." Jaci deadpanned.
Tig walked up behind Melissa and grabbed her hand, pulling her backward two steps. He snapped his head back toward the guys and their table. "Go." He said flatly.
Melissa frowned and started to walk back toward Jaci. "I wasn't finished…"
"No, you're done." Still gripping her hand, Tig scowled at the party girl and resisted the urge to slap her for starting shit with Jaci. "Get your ass across the bar…now."
Melissa glared at Jaci one last time and turned on her heel in a huff. Jaci and Tig faced off as Tara watched from a few steps away, not really sure what to do. Jaci raised her eyebrows at him, waiting for him to say something. He had not uttered one word since he dumped her and apparently he wasn't going to start tonight because he turned his back to her and watched Melissa walk back to his table.
Jaci was stunned at his ability to make her feel like she didn't exist. Ruin my night with some fuckin skank and you're just going to fucking walk off? FUCK THAT! All the alcohol she'd ingested had her feeling brave. She called after him, "Be careful pulling on her hair tonight, Tig. She's got cheap extensions; they might come off in your hand."
He flipped her the bird over his left shoulder and started to walk away. She inhaled sharply and fired back without thinking, "And have fun getting Chlamydia. That is if you can take it that far. You sure you can get it up for her? You got that limp noodle condition under control now?"
Tara let out a gasp. Her mouth fell open in shock at Jaci's insult.
The insult snapped into place in his head and Tig whipped around, covering the distance between them in a blink. "What the fuck did you say to me?" He hissed. He towered over her and was in her face, she was pinned with her lower back to the pool table.
He was almost shaking with sudden fury. Her snide remark had stung him badly. Of all the shit she could have said to him, he had never expected such a low blow to come from her. He was so fucking mad he wanted to shake her, actually he wanted to slap her. But in his head, he chanted don't touch her, don't touch her. He gripped the side of the pool table with his left hand instead. In his right hand, he held a beer bottle and gripped the neck of it, his finger pointing in her face over the top of the bottle. The gold rings on his fingers gleamed in the bar light.
"Watch your fucking mouth! You hear me, bitch?" Tig seethed at her. "You need to remember who the FUCK you're talking to!" He slammed his hand atop the pool table to emphasis his words.
Jaci had surprised even herself by spewing the insult but she was not about to back down now. He was NOT going to get away with this bullshit intimidation move. Jaci looked at the monster before her. His hair was wild, and deep lines riddled his face. He looked extremely tired and…old. His eyes were the worst for her though. Those beautiful blue eyes of his were crazy with anger; she wasn't entirely sure that he even really saw her in front of him.
She stood up straighter and pushed off from the table, bumping chests with him, almost daring him to get physical with her. "Who AM I talking to? I don't fuckin' know you anymore."
"I'm the same motherfucker that I ever was. Don't make me prove that you." Tig pushed back against her with his body and sneered.
Tara stood frozen in place, not sure what to do. She wanted to break up the situation but knew better than to stick her nose in Tig's business. If she tried to pull him away, she might catch a slap to the face. She threw a nervous glance to Bobby and Chibs who were on their feet and watching the scene. She turned her focus back to Tig. The way he was looking at Jaci made Tara grimace, she wasn't really sure if he wanted to hit her or fuck her, maybe it was all the same to him.
"Uh, you going to do something, Corb?' Larry asked as he turned in his seat to watch the biker getting in Jaci's face.
Corbin was watching the same scene with eagle eyes and nodded. "He lays a finger on her and I'm going to break this here Louisville Slugger over his head." He had his hand on the bat that rested under the bar. He knew that you didn't go sticking your nose into domestic situations but you damn sure didn't just stand aside and let a woman get hit either.
Larry nodded toward Bobby and Chibs. "'What about his friends over there?"
Corbin shook his head slightly, never taking his eyes off Jaci and Tig. "I'll worry about them later."
XXX
"Don't fucking threaten me." Jaci hissed. That evil smile on his face stung her. She shook her head with concern. "You're a goddamn stranger, Tig. What's happened to you?"
He ignored her question and held his finger in her face again. "Listen very fucking closely…you stay the fuck away from me. If you see me coming down the sidewalk, you cross the fucking street. If you're in a bar, the diner, the goddamn grocery store and I come in, you walk the fuck out. Tread fucking lightly around me, bitch. Understand me?"
Jaci resisted the urge to snort; instead she replied quietly, "No, I don't understand you…at all." This form of arguing was getting them no where and she suddenly wanted to end it. There was too much hostility; it shouldn't be that way with them, there was no reason for it. She glared at him, "Back up off me."
Tig stood his ground but she saw a little flicker of something in his eyes.
"Tig, back up." Jaci softened her stare and pushed against his chest lightly with both her hands. "Stop this…this is stupid."
"Stop what?"
"Hurting me." She answered bluntly.
He frowned, took a step back and looked her up and down. His eyes locked back on her. "I didn't fucking touch you."
"You didn't have to." Jaci replied quietly. "You've proven your point. I get it, so get the hell out of my way. Mission accomplished, Tig. I don't want to look at you anymore."
Tig clenched his jaw as he took a small step backward. He rammed his finger in Jaci's face. "AND…if you put one more quarter in that goddamn jukebox, I'm gonna put your fucking head through it. We clear?"
"Crystal." Jaci replied while glaring at him.
He stepped out of her way and watched her slide past him and head for the door. "Fucking keep walking bitch." He said, although with less conviction that he was expecting.
Tara quickly caught up to Jaci. "Jesus, Jaci. Are you ok?"
Jaci ignored the concerned looks from Bobby and Chibs along with Corbin and Larry. She stopped at the door and finally looked at Tara. She let out a ragged breath. "I'm fine. I'm fine." A humorless smile spread across her face and she looked up at Tara. "I guess I pushed him just a bit too far, you think?"
Before Tara could respond, Jaci said, "Ok…first off Vix NEVER finds out about what just happened. And don't tell Jax about this shit either. And for the love of God, NEVER repeat that limp noodle shit, ok? That was fuckin' stupid. I shouldn't have said that."
Tara nodded profusely. If Vix or Jax found out that Tig had been that aggressive towards Jaci, there would be a fight of epic portions. She had no desire to start World World III.
XXX
Vix had just hung up with Juice and was heading back inside the bar when she was nearly knocked over by her sister coming out of it. "Whoa! Where you going?"
"We're done for the night!" Jaci called over her shoulder without stopping the beeline she was making for her car with Tara hot on her heels.
Vix jogged a few steps to catch up to her sister and rattled off questions. "What the fuck happened? What did I miss? What did he do?"
"It's nothing. He pulled his bitch back. I popped off some stuff I shouldn't have but I just couldn't take anymore of the damn silent treatment! He got pissed and we yelled and I left. It's nothing, it's over."
Vix frowned. "Are you hurt or are you mad?"
"I'm fucking pissed!" Jaci said with a crazy laugh as all the alcohol she had drank that night really decided to kick in. She stopped talking and looked at the ground, to steady herself. A moment later she changed her tune. "Ok, I'm hurt. Like stab me in the heart and twist the knife kind of hurt. I'm bleeding out here, Vix. I don't understand what he's being such a dick. We broke up…it needed to happen. Ok, fine I get that. But nothing BAD happened between us, there's no reason for all of this shit! Fuckin' making out with a chick in front of me? Why the fuck does he need to do that?"
Vix couldn't think of a response, she was too surprised at Jaci being so rattled.
Jaci pulled her keys out of her pocked and tossed them at Tara, who caught them awkwardly. "Here...hope you can drive a stick."
"Errr, sort of."
Jaci walked around to the passenger side of her Mustang. "Well, grind em till you find em then."
Vix glanced at her sister, already sitting in the passenger seat of her car, then over to Tara who stood holding the keys to J's mustang "I.. I can't leave now; I just spent ten fucking minutes talking Juice into riding out here."
"I'll get her home." Tara nodded. "If you go back in there though... it's highly advisable to avoid Tig." She glanced at Jaci and added, "and tht is ALL I am gonna say on the matter."
Vix nodded, "Be careful with 3rd gear, it sticks sometimes."
Tara laughed. "She'll be lucky to have a transmission at all by the time we get to Charming."
XXX
Vix, who was never one to heed warnings, strode into the bar and directly over to what was currently serving as SAMCRO corner. "What the fuck did you do to my sister?"
Tig rolled his eyes. "Why…is she crying?"
Melissa smirked and went to open her mouth. Vix glared hard at her. "You don't want to mouth off to me, bitch. My sister got the heaping helpin' of patience in our family. I'll bust you in your pretty little mouth. Think of all the money your daddy spent on orthodontics down the drain."
The chick pushed away from Tig and walked over to the jukebox.
Bobby took a swig of beer. "J, ok?"
"As can be expected." She threw a glare at Tigger, "Tara is driving her home."
"So why are YOU still here?" Tig asked, highly irritated.
Vix sighed. "Waitin' on Juice... not that I owe you an explanation."
From over in the corner, the jukebox started blaring Def Leopards Pour Some Sugar on Me. Vix laughed, "Oh my... it's the Skank National Anthem."
All three SONS laughed. Bobby stood up. "Come on Parker, I'll buy ya a drink. Prime ya up for Juicey's arrival."
Juice walked in fifteen minutes later to find Vix sitting at the bar doing shots with Bobby and Chibs. He glanced in the corner and saw Tig smoking a cigarette while staring hard at a group of bar chicks dancing on the small dance floor.
Last Call Larry had seen Juice enter the establishment and make his way over towards her. Larry grinned and said loudly in Vix's direction. "Hey Vee, Bolt Boy has arrived."
Vix turned and her smile landed on Juice. "Hey Baby!" She wrapped her arms around him and snagged a kiss. "Bobby and Chibs were getting me drunk so you could take advantage of me."
Juice chuckled. "Thanks guys."
"She's all yours, bro." Bobby announced and he and Chibs bid good night to Vix and headed on over to the corner where they were greeted by a few of the girls.
XXX
Juice nodded to Big Daddy and Last Call. "Hey."Last Call saluted him with his glass..
"How you doin' Juice?" Corbin asked. "What can I get ya?"
He ordered a shot of Cuervo and a beer and then eyed Vix. "How primed did the guys get ya?"
"I can still walk and count pretty high." She answered with a laugh. "I'm good... I can drink the best of them under the table. Did you deal with the stuff at your Gramma's?"
"Yeah ... sorta... she's gonna have to rewire that whole damn place. Goddamn 1960's wiring." He downed his shot. "How was school?"
"Last Call here has agreed to be my Algebra tutor... cause the only K and Y that I know are in lubricant. What the hell I am supposed to do with them in a math problem beats the shit outta me." Vix said and then held up a finger. "I am not dumb, I am just the opposite of smart. But I don't want to think about all of that now... I want to dance."
"Come on, Vix." He groaned as she tugged on his arm. "Well pick something good at least." He chugged down his beer and allowed himself to be drug over to the jukebox.
XXX
Tara fired up the Mustang and made it out of the parking lot on the second attempt. She had killed the engine once trying to take off. As they hit the highway, she glanced over at Jaci, who was staring straight ahead and muttering while shaking her head. Tara winced, "Are you ok?"
"Fuck no." Jaci answered truthfully. "All this shit is swirling in my head and I'm kinda too fuckin' drunk to handle it."
"I have to ask this, Jaci. What do you see in him? I really don't get it. I wouldn't think you two have anything in common, you know with him being so much older and well…crazy and all."
"It's hard to explain." Jaci shook her head as her speech slurred slightly. "What YOU ALL see with him…it's not him. I mean it is, but there is more, there's BETTER. I've seen the better." She looked to see if Tara was understanding her and it was clear the good doctor was not. "THAT Tig back at the bar...that's not the REAL one." She shook her head. "Nope that's an evil twin or sumthin'. That is NOT the man I fell in love with." Jaci declared and then immediately slapped her hand over her face when she realized what she had just blurted out.
Tara winced, "Love huh?"
Jaci sighed, "Yeah. I guess so...but what's it matter? It obviously wasn't that way for him." Jaci sighed and rubbed her head, "Fuck I'm drunk."
Tara wanted to give her a heavy warning about abusive relationships but figured it would just fall on drunken deaf ears. Instead she said, "Well, don't worry about all that now. Let's just get a bottle of water down you and get you to sleep. You can crash on Jax's couch ok?"
Jaci waved her hand around and leaned her head against the passenger window. "Whatever."