"I wasn't expecting both of you today." Jaxson hugs me, squeezing the air out of my chest. I run my hands over his freshly cut hair. This is new.
"I'm sorry, next time I'll leave Filip at home." I wink at him.
"Aye, like hell ya will." Filip jokes as he pulls Jaxson into an embrace. We lower ourselves to the table. Kozik sits a short distance away talking with Happy. When I catch his eye, I throw him a quick wave. He smiles at us both.
"What's with the hair Jackie-Boy? Yer new man like the 12 year old boy look?" Filip torments the blond. I slap his leg and change the subject.
"How are you feeling Jax?" I ask, my eyes automatically flitting to his rib cage where I knew his wounds were barely healing. His hand hovers over the spot out of protective instinct. He looks down at the table.
"Eh, it's healing." He shrugs, folding his hands in front of him.
"What about makin new friends? How's that goin?" Filip lowers his voice.
"We're finding ourselves surrounded with colorful new friends." Jax grins, slightly reassuring us.
We talk about how Tara and Gemma are "really" handling this. Filip sings my praises over running TM and the clubhouse. I brag about the leadership he's taken in the garage. Jaxson laughs at us, putting his head down for a moment.
"It's about fucking time you worked this shit out. Now maybe shit can just go drama free for a bit." He chimes in, laughing.
"Who you kidding Jaxson? Have you met the rest of our family?" I'm just happy to see my brother again.
He looks better than the last visit when I came with Tara and Abel a few days after he was released from the hospital. This visit does wonders to relieve my fears that kept me awake at night. That had been Filip's plan. He is starting to worry about the screaming, middle of the night wake up calls. He even had some battle wounds from my clawing at his chest when I didn't realize the difference between my dreams and him shaking me awake.
I know he had talked to Jaxson about it and the two shared the concern. Jaxson's last phone call requesting this little visit was enough to tell me that he knew more than I was telling him. His lingering gaze is trying to determine if I was losing my mind. I flash him a smile, trying to cover up the underlying fear that plagued me.
Gemma tried to get me to come see Clay with her several times but I came up with excuse after excuse, still struggling with the disgust I felt for him and Tig. Filip and Jaxson finish up their coded conversation before we are told that it is time to end our visit. Kozik and Happy stand up at the same time. Turning away and leaving the two men there is terrible and something I'm not sure I can handle much longer.
Outside Stockton, Filip and Kozik discuss club business. I lean casually against the seat on Filip's bike waiting for them to finish up.
Over the past couple of weeks, Filip and I had settled back into our previous relationship and everything had pretty much gone back to normal. The latest round of lockdown only lasted a couple of days. The missing family members are an obvious hole but the guys help me around the garage and Gemma is supposed to be off house arrest by the time we find out what Tara is having. Lyla drags Tara and me into wedding plans, getting us to try on dresses and look at hair styles.
"Ready to go dear?" Filip walks back over to me. Kozik watches us carefully, an odd expression on his face.
"Yeah, I gotta get back to Gemma's and let her know how Jaxson is doing." Right as I finish my sentence, my phone rings. "Speak of the devil."
I hit the button, answering the phone.
"Hi mom."
"Hey baby. You finish up?" Her voice is eager for news.
"Yeah, Filip's gonna drop me off on his way to TM." I update her.
"Good. Good. I'll see you soon." She hangs up without argument.
"I better get you over there before she calls Unser." He laughs, climbing onto his bike and starting it smoothly. I jump on behind him and we take off, Kozik right next to us.
"Listen baby girl. I'm all for happily ever after, but I just don't think you shoulda forgiven him so easily. Look at you, all blissfully stupid." Gemma complains. "Herman's a good man ya know?"
"Why are you so against this? I mean, you push Jaxson to the Junkie and my brother to the porn star but I can't be happy with Filip?" I ignore her mention of Kozik as I clean the last of the dishes, setting the plate in the dish rack and turning around. I dry my hands on a nearby towel and lean against the counter, waiting for my answer.
"I know how hurt you were before. It wasn't pretty baby." She takes another hit from her tightly rolled joint and hands it to me. I take it gladly and join her at the table.
"I wasn't innocent in that. I lied to him too." I counter, allowing the sweet smoke to roll over me. "You gonna tell me that your life with Clay or even with John has been all roses and fairy tales?"
"No it hasn't but Filip's married." She points out, taking the joint from me.
"Don't worry about that. Let me." I push myself up from the table and grab my purse. The sound of a motorcycle breaks my thoughts. "Filip's here. I'm heading over to TM. Need me to send the prospects or one of the girls over?"
"No, Tara's bringing Abel over later." She dismisses me, waving her hand. I roll my eyes and leave.
Filip's waiting at the end of the driveway. He looks amazing and I pause to stare of a minute. He pushes his sunglasses up on his forehead and glances at me, an instant smile forming on his lips. I saunter over to him, taking my time.
"Ready to go sweetheart?" He holds my hand as I swing my leg over the back of his bike.
"Yeah, we better get to work before Opie kills dad." I laugh as we take off.
"I just need to know what color it is lady; red, blue, fucking yellow?" My dad is practically yelling in the porn star's face. I hurry out of the office and put my hand on his arm.
"Can you do me a favor and get Phil to prep the cooler for the beer delivery?" I distract him easily and turn my attention to the irritated blond.
"Sorry about that, he can be a little cranky if he doesn't have a shot in the morning. What do you need?" She looks around the garage, checking out some of the guys. Filip is working on a newer mustang and when she catches sight of him she smiles.
"Never mind doll, I found what I was looking for." She saunters over to him and leans against the driver side door. Kozik is suddenly at my elbow.
"I heard you like to put porn stars outta work Bree." He watches the two interact with me.
Filip is explaining something to the petite woman and he gestures to the engine. She pays no attention to what he's saying and instead she stares at his TM shirt unbuttoned and a wife beater underneath. When she giggles and runs her manicured hand down the exposed part of his chest, I see red. I march over with Kozik close behind, laughing at me.
"So what is it I can help you with?" I ask her again, stepping between the two.
Filip is smart, he moves back to the front of the car, making himself busy again. Kozik joins him but stares at the two of us with a huge grin.
"Don't worry, Chibs is more than capable of helping me with anything I need." She purrs at him and avoids my gaze all together.
"He has his hands full." My hands tense at my sides and Opie catches the little scene from his own bay.
"Whoa, whoa. Let's just see what we can help you with. Right this way." He jumps in and leads the girl to the office. She's disappointed but follows him anyway. Opie shoots me a look over his shoulder and I realize how stupid I'm being.
"What was that?" Filip asks me, coming back over to where I'm standing.
"How would you like it if Kozik was feeling me up?" I demand, completely ashamed of my jealous fit but unable to stop the words before they're out.
"She wasn't that bad." He says, his smile fading a little.
"Then go fuck her in the office." I turn on my heel and head for the clubhouse. The sounds of his footsteps follow me. The bar is empty and I assume my dad is in his dorm room. I head straight for the kitchen.
"What the hell is that all about?" Filip asks and the irritation in his voice stops me.
"You didn't push her away." I pout a little, my anger fading slightly realizing how silly it all sounds now. "SHIT! I'm sorry Filip, I just saw her touch you like that and I got a little mad. I know how this works for you guys; I shouldn't have thrown a fit."
"Come here baby." He opens his arms for me as he stands in the doorway of the kitchen. I step over to him, head hanging down and lean into him.
"I just hate the idea of you with other girls." I mumble into his chest.
"It's just you love. No one else." He puts his finger under my chin and forces me to look up at him. "It's kinda cute when ya go all jealous old lady on me."
I reach up and give him a kiss, stopping his laughter in his throat. His hand winds into my hair and he holds the back of my head, keeping me pressed against him. The sound of my dad clearing his throat interrupts our moment. I peek at him around Filip's shoulder with a guilty expression.
"I'm not gonna have two porn star daughters am I?" He laughs loudly at his own joke before heading back outside.
We follow behind, Filip's arm wrapped tightly around my waist. The blond bitch watches us from the door with a disappointed look on her face. I giggle as Kozik swoops in and takes advantage of the situation.