Chapter Six

Playlist

Afraid: The Neighbourhood

Let it Go: The Neighbourhood

A/n: Thanks to everyone for the favorites, follows, and reviews. I'm headed out of town for a book signing, so I'll be back next week with a longer chapter.

Jillian

I remained silent as Jax plies Opie with coffee. I manage to put together omelets as I calm my racing brain. I set the plates down in front of them. The only sound in the silent cabin is that of forks and knives hitting ceramic plates.

"Tell me about him," Opie says quietly.

"Leo?" I sigh. "Leo Piermont Winston is a little of me and a lot of you. Stubborn, smart as hell, funny, and at times rebellious."

"Yeah?" Opie glances up at me and smiles.

"Oh yeah, we've gone a few rounds this year," I say thinking of the knockdown drags out.

"He put his hands on you?" Opie asks. His eyes grow stormy.

I burst out laughing. "Are you serious right now? He knows I'd put my foot up his ass. Besides him and I have a bond. It's just the usual teen angst thing, made worse because It's just me. I mean, did you want to talk to your mother about the shit that comes with puberty?"

"Hell no, but she made me," Jax said.

I look at Opie, and we laugh. He looks less haunted. I know it's a brief reprieve, but I'll take that over nothing.

"I can't wait to meet him, Jilly. I know you. He must be amazing with you as a mother."

I sigh. "I did the best I could. I couldn't always give him everything, but he never lacked."

"That's better than most, Jilly," Jax said sadly.

There's a story there. "Jax?"

"Don't know if you'd remember Wendy. She was a crow eater. Ended up hooking up and getting married. Things were okay until she developed a habit. Crank whore was so addicted she couldn't even stop long enough to bring my kid to full term."

I cover my mouth horrified. "Oh my God. I am so sorry, Jackson."

"Damn near killed my son. So what you did." He points his fork at me. "That's admirable," Jax whispers.

Opie shifts in his seat but remains quiet.

"It's okay to be pissed. I expected that" I say to him.

"I don't know what I am. I want to meet him," Opie says.

"And you will. I'd never keep him away—."

"No, you fucking won't. The hiding shit is done, Jilly," Opie says viciously.

I nod biting my tongue. I deserve his mistrust and anger. I'll take it to a certain point.

"Ease up, big man," Jax says around a mouthful of food.

Opie grunts.

"When can I see him?" Opie asks.

I study him. He's looking better, but his temper is unpredictable.

"When do you think you'll be ready to? It's going to be heavy. I don't want you to meet him when you're not yourself and leave him with that first impression." I bow my head. Maybe it's selfish, but when it comes to my soon, there's very little I wouldn't do.

"I can get my shit together for my kid," Opie says menacingly. The anger and contempt rolling of his tongue makes my heart ache. This was never him.

"That's not what Pop says." I'm poking the bear. I know it. I'll risk the claws if it shakes him out of his stupor.

"Fuck you, Jillian," He roars.

"You'd have to work for that too." I continue to press his buttons.

"You're a real bitch, you know that?" Opie snaps.

"Yes, but you're proving my point. One comment and you're flying off the handle. I'm a mom first, and I won't see him hurt." I shake my head sticking to my guns.

"You think keeping him away from me hasn't done that already, Jillian?" He growled.

Low blow. "It was my call to make, and I wouldn't change it now. You can be pissed about it or move on." I refuse to show him any weakness. He's looking for a tender spot to rip into right now. I won't provide that, or back down. I'm fighting for my son's soul right alongside his. If Opie rejects him, it'd kill something inside of Leo. I can't let that happen.

"Glad you can be so sure of yourself." Opie voice spills poison that burns through me.

"Man, she's here now," Jax says.

"You taking her side?" Opie's gaze fixes on his friend.

"There are no sides. Leo is family, and Jax gets that," I say quickly to smooth the choppy waters. He's lashing out at the people he needs most.

"Always sort of hated that you two hit it off," Opie grumbles. His shoulders slump. Like that the storm is temporarily averted.

"God knows it took two of us to keep your ass out of trouble. You got a slow burn temper, but once it's activated, or someone hits s button, Jesus Christ," I whisper, remembering the fights he'd gotten into.

"This situation is fucked up, Jilly," Opie says.

"I know. There was no way to ease you into this. It's a sink or swim deal, and trust me I agonized over the place and time for the reveal. You aren't yourself right now, and we need you back. The club, Leo, Ellie and Kenny."

He gasps. "You know their names."

I nod. "And so does Leo. I kept up with you." I obsessed over you because I'm the dumb bitch who still loves you. You've fucked up any chance I had of normalcy.

"I don't know how I feel about that," Opie says.

"I wouldn't expect you to. I know it's a lot to take in." I'm bullshitting because that's what the situation calls for. It rips me apart that everything is so strained. I knew we weren't going to come in like a ready-made family and magically blend two households, but seeing suspicion in the eyes of the man id' sacrificed everything for was a tough pill to swallow. Still, I do it because there's no other choice. This life isn't an easy one, nor is it the best, but it's mine. The minute the stick showed two pink lines I was bound for life.

"Why are you still single?" Jax asks.

"Pardon me?" I say caught off guard.

"No ring, no man, why?" Jax drawls.

"Wasn't my top priority. I'm a single mother working two, sometimes three jobs. Dating wasn't a blip on my radar." It's partial truth.

"Hard to believe some PTA Dad, didn't want to whisk you away and pay for everything," Jax drawls. I fight back the urge to claw his eyes out. The man could be an instigator just like his fucking Mom. The thought of Gemma makes my stomach hurt. She'll have a lot to say about this.

"To love me they'd have to love my son like he was their own, and most men don't seem to be down for that. I saw it go sideways too many times for other friends. Figured I'd skip out on the train wreck."

I ignore Jax's knowing stare. He knows all about pining away. When his girl, Tara left town he'd fallen into a pit of pussy and club business, and never really climbed out. At least, not while I was around. I bite the inside of my check to keep my comments to myself.