Whispers of What We Were

Chapter 23

"So... I was thinking for Christmas we get the kids a dog."

Tara turned from her position between Jax's legs on the couch and put down her book. "Are you serious?"

Jax laughed. "Yeah... I mean, the kids are getting older. A little responsibility would be for them. Plus, it would be good to have a guard dog."

"Ok fine... But when they lose interest it's going to be you cleaning up after it and taking it for walks."

Jax wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her cheek. "No problem. I love dogs."

Tara shook her head and kissed Jax. "You are a dog."

"Woof."

"This is going to be a Christmas present for you more than Emily and Abel isn't it?"

"Woof." Came Jax's playful reply.

"Down boy."

The couple laughed. It had been three months since Tara and the kids had officially moved back into their home and things had been going great.

Emily and Abel were thriving at school, Tara was enjoying her work at St Thomas immensely and Jax and the club, for the most part, hadn't had any serious trouble. Even things between Gemma and Tara were considerably better.

"So, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"I'm on call but if nothing comes in I am going to have lunch with Donna. Her and Opie have been having a bit of trouble. She just needs someone to talk to."

"No wonder the guy has been so moody lately."

"She thinks Ope's having an affair."

"What? No way. Clay has just been riding him a little hard since he's been out of jail. Wants to make sure he's still a part of the team."

"Maybe tell Clay to cool off a bit? The guy needs to spend done time with his wife and kids."

"Yeah, that would go over well. Don't worry, he'll lay off. We just got a few things we need to tie up."

"Ok... You know I would kill you if you were having an affair right?"

"I know. Worse than the dog house."

"You got that right. I mean, I know about the clubs road rules but..."

"Those aren't rules I follow Tara. Ok?" Tara nodded. "I love you."

Tara smiled. She shouldn't have let her insecurities get the better of her. "I know. And I love you too."

SOASOASOASOA

"C'mon Donna. I'm sure Opie would be thrilled if you stopped by the garage."

"I hate going over there."

"Jax said they didn't have any club business today. It's just Teller-Morrow Automotive. Don't tell me you don't want to see your man all sweaty working on a car."

"Fine."

Tara smiled as she pulled the old Cutlass into the clubhouse lot but her smile immediately faded when she saw Jax helping some slutty blonde off his bike. Tara slowed the car to a stop.

"Umm... I see Ope in the garage. I'll just go say hi." Donna couldn't get out of the car fast enough.

Tara on the other hand took her time walking over to Jax. She channeled her inner 'high school Tara'.

The blonde was first to notice Tara's approach. "We're a little busy here at the moment sweet heart. Why don't you find some other biker to spread for?"

Jax turned to look at Tara, stunned.

"Oh, I'm sure my husband has a few minutes to talk to him wife." Tara said with a sickening sweetness. Something she had learned from Gemma.

Jax knew he was in trouble. "Ima. I gave you a ride home, now get out of here." He turned to Tara. "Tara, you want to go inside?"

Tara narrowed her eyes, "You bet your ass I do." She glared at the blonde before storming into the clubhouse. Tara prided herself a little on the fact that Jax followed her like a wounded little puppy.

"Tara... It's not what it looked like. She's one of Luann's girls. They've been getting harassed lately. She felt unsafe. Needed a ride back into town."

"And the SAMCRO prince was more than happy to help out the little porn star."

"It's not like that." Jax led Tara into his dorm room so they could have a little more privacy. "Luann needs a little muscle right now and the club needs a lot of cash. Me and a few of the guys are helping them out... That's it."

Tara crossed her arms across her chest.

"Besides... You know how much I hate blondes." Jax said, trying to lighten the mood.

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long have you been helping the porn Barbies?"

"I don't know. Almost a year."

Tara sighed, closing her eyes. "Jax... Did you sleep with her?"

"Tara-"

"I honestly don't care. We were separated. I just need to know." She pleaded at him with tears in her eyes.

"I was fucked up back then Tara."

"Just tell me!"

"Yes! I slept with her!"

"Ok." Tara said simply.

"Ok?" Jax had never been more confused.

Tara smiled sadly. "I love you Jax. I hate that we were apart but I have no right to be mad at you... Just no more rides home? Please?"

"Of course." Man, Jax loved this woman.

"Good." Tara turned to leave.

"We ok?"

"Yes. No slutty porn star is going to scare me away." She gave Jax a kiss. "Dinner at your mom's tonight?"

"Yeah, I'll meet you there at seven."

"Ok."

Tara walked out of the clubhouse. The blonde, Ima, was leaning against her car. Tara couldn't help but walk over to her. "My husband will no longer be giving you rides to or from work."

The blonde smirked, "that's ok. I guess I'll be the one giving him the rides from now on."

Before Tara knew what she was doing her right fist clenched and connected to Ima's nose.

Ima's hand went straight to her bleeding nose, "you bitch!"

"Stay the fuck away from my husband."

Both Opie and Donna, who had been talking in the garage, came running over. "Nice shot." Opie said while Donna smacked him.

Tara turned to Donna, "You ready to go?"

"Definitely."

SOASOASOASOA

At seven that night, Jax walked into his mom's house, greeted by Emily and Abel.

"Dad, you're just in time for dinner." Emily said.

"Yeah, hurry up. I'm starving." Abel said.

"Ok, ok." Jax walked into the dining room and saw Tara setting the table.

"Hey baby, how was the rest of your day?" Tara asked.

"Obviously less eventful than the rest of yours." Jax said with a smirk on his face.

"What do you mean?"

Jax made his way over to his wife. "I got a call from Luann a couple of hours ago." He whispered in her ear. Tara smiled at her husband. "I love you."

"You better." Was her reply.

"Hey Tara..." Gemma started as she came into the dining room with dinner. "After dinner we need to talk about a phone call I got from Luann."

"Had to be done." Tara said.

"That-a girl." Gemma said.

END CHAPTER.

I really don't know what my intention was with this chapter... but I kind of dug it... Hope you guys do too!