SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER IS HERE! I can not thank you guys enough for reviewing every chapter and whoevers stuck with me through all my writer blocks and gaps between updates! You guys are the real mvps! Hope no one hates me after the next two chapters! Big thanks to Love Ink for helping me with the last couple of chapters and the beginning of the new story. I'm still debating between titles. I've got it down to three. Angel With a Shotgun, Over Me Now, and She Will Be Loved. Tell me what you guys think, or if you have any other suggestions!
I do not own anything in this chapter, besides my ocs, everything else belongs to their rightful owners.
Chapter 47
!# $%^#$%
Juice found himself looking over the river, trying to wrap his mind about what had just happened. He was screwed. Rossi knew what he'd been doing, and it wouldn't be long before he was in a similar situation to Prulow that day in the alley. Only, it wasn't himself he was worried about. No. He was worried about all the people Rossi had threatened. The Perelli's, the only real parents he's ever has.
Mel and her son. Mel had saved him. No matter how badly it ended, he'd never forget that she opened her home to him when he needed it. All those night she kept him from starving and freezing in his car. The past year had been hell when it came to her and his relationship, but it didn't change that he owed her a lot. He'd never be able to repay her for everything she did for him. As much as he knew she deserved a goodbye, he knew it was a bad idea. They'd already said goodbye on his graduation. That door was closed, and he didn't want to open it again.
Then there was Savannah. The girl who challenged everything he knew, who made him a better person. He wanted to be a better person for her. She was the love of his life, the women he was ready to raise a family with. He still wanted that future with her. He wanted to save her from Charming. She deserved so much more than that life. It was why he'd continued to move the money over after that first initial time. He was making a future for her. For them.
Closing his eyes, he could picture her in his head. From her dark memorizing eyes that could look into his soul, to her chestnut curls that cascaded down past her shoulders. Her smile was what he loved the most, it took his breath away when she smiled at him. Her eyes seemed to sparkle when she laughed. He knew every curve of her body, every inch of skin like the back of his hand. Most of all, though, he love her. Her personality, her way of thinking, everything that just made her her. He could still remember the night they met like it was yesterday.
'Juice had been enjoying his rare day off. Of course, his one day off, he still ended up back at his place of work. It was the best place to pick up girls, and if he was lucky he'd get the chance to sleep in a bed tonight instead of his car. He was scanning the bar when he saw her. Brown hair, five foot nothing, but her heels gave her a few inches. The outfit she was wearing clung to her in all the right places.
He wanted to talk to her, but of course his mouth spoke before he could think of something to say. "Hey, baby. I don't think we've met before, because I most definitely would have remembered a body like yours." He said out before he could stop himself, leaning against the bar as he flashed her a big goofy grin.
Looking him over, the first thing she noticed was that he had a great smile. The second thing she noticed was that he had a nice head of black hair. It was short, spiked up in the front. His brown eyes sparkled when he smiled, she noticed. Unfortunately for him, growing up with a dozen surrogate 'uncles' like Tig and Chibs, especially like Tig, she knew a cheesy pick up line when she heard one. "Wow, nice line. Does that ever get you anywhere?" She laughed, the look of nervousness on his face only amusing her more.
He was cute, she'd give him that much. Nice build, good height, appropriate age from the look of it. He didn't look like a creep, so that was a good sign in her book. He chuckled, nodding his head in defeat. He knew it was long shot in working, but he had to say something before he lost his nerve. "Nah, that was actually my first try. Name's Juice, and what can I call you, beautiful?" He asked, flashing her that beaming smile again. "Here, let me buy you a drink," he added in when she didn't answer him right away, waving over the bartender and motioning to his own drink that he already had.
Savannah looked surprised as he motioned for her to take the new beer that'd been given to him. Smiling weakly, she nodded and popped it open. "Savvy." She introduced herself with a quick nod before taking a swig of her beer.'
Hot tears ran down his face at the memory. If he had only known then that she was the girl who would change his life, maybe he wouldn't have dragged his feet with winning her over. Closing his eyes, he could imagine all the times when they started getting closer until they finally kissed again. Their story would forever be engraved in his head and his heart, he was just hoping that it'd be the same for her when he's gone.
Hearing his phone go off made him flinch. For a minute, he was almost afraid to answer it. What if it was Rossi, asking him to come back? He'd changed his mind on letting him go. Taking a deep breath, it'd be worse if he didn't answer. "Yeah?" He said, his voice cracking as he held the phone to his ear.
"Hey, baby. Everything alright? You were gone before I woke up. I thought you didn't have work today." Savannah said over the line.
Relieve and fear went through him. It wasn't Rossi, but it didn't mean he was safe. She wasn't safe. Looking around, he knew he couldn't go into detail over the phone but a plan was quickly forming in his head. It was crazy, he knew that, but it could work. "Sav, I . . . I want you to pack a bag for you and me. I-I've got some shit to square away, but we . . . let's go on a trip. I know I'm not making sense, but please baby, please just do it. I'll explain when I get home." He said, his voice raw as more tears filled his eyes.
Savannah didn't have to hear the fear and sadness in his voice to know something was wrong with Juice. Growing up with the club meant she learned to pick up on certain things, like when things were bad. She'd been to a handful of lock downs, and she could just remember how Happy or Tig would pick her up from school and she could just tell something was wrong. This was her life, and she'd come to New York to escape it. Trouble found her anyway.
"Yeah, yeah, of course. I'll start now." She said, already searching for bags to stuff clothes into. When she didn't hear a reply, not even a grunt of acknowledgement, she got worried. "JC? Hey, it's gonna be alright. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Together. Just do what you need to do and I'll see you when you get here." She said, knowing he needed to hear it right now.
Juice took a shaky breath before nodding. "Right. Uh, I, uh . . . I love you, Savvy. No matter what happens, you know that, right?" He said, clearing his throat to fight off more tears.
Savannah felt her blood run cold. He was saying goodbye. She wasn't sure what had happened between last night and now, but she wasn't going to let him give up. They could fix this, whatever it was. She just needed him to believe that. "No goodbyes, Ortiz. You hear me? Don't you dare give me some bull crap goodbye." She said, tears coming to her own eyes now.
Smiling sadly, he nodded and wiped his face. "Please, Sav. I just . . . you know it?"
Sitting on the bed, Savannah's head was racing. She was so confused and scared for Juice, she didn't understand what was going on. All she knew was he was scared, and that couldn't mean anything good. He'd gotten himself into something he wasn't sure he could get out of. "Okay, JC. Okay. I know. I love you too." She finally said, her tears finally breaking free and falling down her cheeks.
"I'll be home soon." CLICK.
He looked down at his phone sadly. He knew she was right. This wasn't goodbye. He'd make sure of that, but he just needed to hear her say she loved him. Taking a deep breath, he scrolled through his phone and dialed another number. Holding it up to his ear, he wasn't surprised to get an answering machine. "Hey, uh, hey, Soph. It-it's me, Juan. I know this is outta the blue and y-you're probably busy, but I just . . . fuck, I just wanted to tell you I love you. You made that hell of a house bearable. I wouldn't have made it out if you didn't think I could. Hell, I wouldn't have graduated if you . . . if you weren't there to teach me."
He paused, taking a deep breath as he put his thoughts together. "Look, I won't leave an hour long message. I just . . . I got myself into some shit, Soph. I'm not asking for help, or for you to bail me out, but I . . . I got a girl, sis. Savannah, I really love her. I want a life with her, marriage and kids. Everything you got. I know you got your own life, but can-can you check in on her if things go south for me? Make sure she finishes school and sees the world? I got some money put away, I'll send you the info for it. Only you and Sav will know about it. Fuck, I-I gotta go. I love you, Soph, and, uh, and thanks for everything you've done for me. I want you to know I'm grateful. Love you, sis. Uh, bye now, I guess."
Closing his phone, he had to take a deep breath and hold onto the railing. This was getting to be a lot harder than he wanted it to be. He still had to go and see the Perelli's. He couldn't leave until he said goodbye to them. They helped him grow as a man, they gave him a chance when no one else would have. They took care of him the best he'd let them. They supported him and where there to see him graduate. They believed in him.
'Juice was nineteen, had only been in the city for a few months, and he honestly wasn't sure how much longer he could last. Maybe his step dad was right? He was a fool to think he could just pack up his shit and leave. He didn't have good credit, no credit actually, and no one to pay for his student housing, so he couldn't get a room. He had to trade his bike for a cage so he could have somewhere to keep his stuff.
He'd been trying to find a job, his thinking being maybe he could get an apartment after saving for so long, but no one wants to hire a kid with no address and going to school. He was temporary, they'd told him. They were looking for someone more permanent. This was his last hope, and his last clean outfit. His hair could be better, but he was hoping they didn't think badly of his hat he was using to cover the greasy curls.
Adjusting his hat, he pushed open the doors to the small diner. His eyes scanned the room to see a few families sitting in the booths, a group of college kids with textbooks laid out around the table, and some loners at the counter. It looked nice. Homey. He could see himself working here, even if it was as a bus boy. He grimaced when he noticed the horrible taco hat one of the current bus boys had to wear. He needed this job, he'd have to suck it up. It could be worse.
"Can I help you, mijo?" An elderly woman asked him from behind the counter.
She was a tiny little spanish woman, her age showing through her wrinkles. Her hair was a ashy color, white and grey mixed together. She looked kind though, he could see it in her eyes. She had warm eyes, eyes that made you trust them. His sister had those kinds of eyes. "Oh, uh, yeah. Yes, ma'am. I-I'm lookin' for a job. The sign said yo-you're lookin' for a busboy." He said, motioning back to the sign in the window.
The woman looked him over, taking in his wrinkled dress shirt, slacks that were too short on him, and a hat that covered up unruly hair no doubt. This boy was a mess. She should turn him away then and there, but then she stared into his eyes. He was scared. He looked like he'd seen better days. Pulling out an application, she passed it over and handed him a pen. "Fill this out. I'll check on you in a few minutes. Did you want something to eat too?" She asked, taking in the look of him again.
Seeing his eyes light up at the mention of food made her realize it had probably been awhile since he'd eaten. Juice blushed, embarrassed when he remembered the whole point of being here was because he had no money. No money meant no food. "Oh, uh, no thank you, ma'am. A water would be nice though." He said, knowing he could afford that much given that water was free.
Hesitating, the woman looked like she wanted to say something, but thought against it and just nodded her head. Once she disappeared into the kitchen, he got to work on the application in front of him. It was the basic questions he'd answered repeatedly again and again. He was just hoping this one was the golden ticket.
When the woman returned, she didn't just bring water with her. She brought a full plate of food too. His mouth watered at the site, but he was confused on why she was placing it in front of him. "Do you do drugs?" She asked him. He immediately shook his head. "Pay is $4.25 an hours. You have three strikes before my husband and I have to let you go. You can write down your sizes and I'll get you a uniform. You can as soon as you'd like." She said before putting the plate down in front of him.
He was blown away. He hadn't even finished the application and here she was giving him the job. Not that it was the best job, but it was something. It was more than he had a minute ago and now he had food. "Thank you, ma'am." He said, still in shock.
She held out her hand to him. "My name is Mrs. Perelli, and my husband, Mr. Perelli is the cook. What can I call you, mijo?"
"Jui-Juan. Juan Carlos, ma'am." He stuttered, blinking before he realized she was waiting for him to shake her head.
Reaching up, he took her out stretched hand and they shook. It was first step to changing his life around, and he had no idea. "It's nice to meet you, Juan Carlos."
Juice couldn't help the sad smile as he pushed open the door to the diner. It felt like a lifetime ago that he'd first stepped in here. He'd been just a kid then, and now he was older. Maybe not any wiser, but he'd like to think working here had helped him grow into a man. Mr. Perelli's had taught him all the lessons his dad hadn't. He'd talked to him about girls, about cars, he'd helped him a lot.
Mrs. P, he couldn't even begin to list everything she'd done for him. She's taken a big chance on him and he felt like he was throwing it in her face. All the faith she'd put in him to make the right choices, to make her proud, and he'd just stomped on it. She'd given him a chance when no one else would. He was ashamed of himself, and almost walked right back out before they knew he was here.
How was he suppose to say goodbye to the only real parents he'd had? How could he tell them he'd fucked up so badly it put them in danger? He was a screw up, just like his step dad always said. He'd finally proved him right, and he hated himself for it. He wasn't ready to see the disappointment in their eyes.
"Mijo! Oh, Juan, you're here." Mrs. P said happily, coming around the counter to greet him as she wiped her hands on her apron.
She wasn't even in front of him before she realized how scared and sad he looked. Something was wrong and all her maternal bells were going off. Her boy was in trouble. Touching his cheek, she could see he was seconds away from breaking. "Oh, mijo, come on. Come with me." She said, tugging on his hand as she brought him into the back. "You tell me what happened? Is it miss Savannah?"She asked, worry in her eyes as she saw the tears in his.
Shaking his head, he felt like scum. No, it was about him screwing up. He'd really done it this time and there was nothing he could do to fix it. It couldn't be fix this time, no matter how badly he knew Savannah wanted to fix it. He didn't have to be there to know Sav was trying to think of anything she could do to help him. She didn't have to know what he'd done to know it was bad. She just knew.
"It-it's, uh, it's not Sav. She's okay, we-we're okay." He said, wiping his traitor tears. "I screwed up, Mrs. P. Bad. I gotta leave town before it-it blows back on everyone."
She looked surprised, obviously that was the last thing she thought this could be about. He'd be surprised if she expected it. Juice had screwed up before; Mel, losing his job, dealing drugs, hell even screwing up with Savannah, but this was a new level of screwed up. "Juan Carlos, what did you do?" She asked, scolding him as if he'd just broken a glass. Fuck, he'd wish that was all he'd done.
Clearing his throat, he leaned against the counter and ran his hand over his head. It was nervous habit he hadn't kicked since cutting his hair. He laughed sadly at the thought. He could be dead by tonight and he'd worried about kicking a nervous habit. He was something alright. "I, uh, when Sav had her baby scare . . . I stole some money from someone. It was suppose to be a one time thing, they didn't need it. I started thinking about how much Sav and I could do with more of it. House, traveling, a good car. She wouldn't have to go back, Mrs. P. I could . . . I could keep her." He said, trying to explain to her to the best of his ability what had been going through his head.
She didn't hit him or scold him for how wrong it was, she simply just listened to him. She knew there was more to the story. Shifting around, he fidgeted with his shirt. "It was Mr. Rossi I stole from, he owns that fancy Italian place. I've been working there to pick up the lost hours since I lost the club job. Just some computer word, I swear. Nothing more than that. Luka, a friend from back home, he got me the job. Mr. Rossi is his dad. What do I do, Mrs. P? He knows I stole the money. He-he threatened you guys and Savannah. He's gonna kill me." He said, his wall finally coming crumbling down in front of Mrs. P.
The two sat in silence for a long few moments. He was sure he was gonna be slapped, kicked out and told never to come back. She'd tell him she regretted hiring him, that he'd been nothing but a problem for her. Instead, she surprised him by cupping his face. "Juan Carlos, I want you to listen to me, and do exactly what I say. Understood?" She paused, waiting for him to nod. She shook him when he didn't. He immediately nodded his head in understanding.
"You will not worry about my Pablo and I. You go home, you grab your things, and you get in that car of yours. You drive as fast as you can, mijo. You drive and you don't dare stop." She instructed, holding his face tightly in her hands.
He was shaking as she told him what to do. He couldn't believe this was happening. He didn't want to say goodbye to her. He didn't want to leave and wonder if she and her husband were going to be okay. He couldn't stand it if something happened to them, to her, because of something he did. He nodded in understanding anyway, against his better judgment. "I love you, Mrs. P. You've been . . . you always took care of me. I owe you so much." He said, his tears falling as he wrapped his arms around the older woman.
She returned his hug, squeezing him tightly as she took the smell of him. She wanted to memorize everything about him, knowing she wasn't going to see the boy she considered a son ever again. "I love you too, mijo. You will always be my son." She said, wiping his tears as she put on a smile for him. "Now go. Go!" She ordered, pushing him away. Her fragile form was shaking with sadness, but she wouldn't let him see her cry. She had to be strong for her son.
Juice hesitated, but nodded and hurried out of the kitchen. He had to get home before it was too late. He wasn't going to fool himself into thinking he could make it out of town. He knew Rossi was going to get him before he even got to the 'Welcome to New York' sign. Still, he needed to see Savannah one last time. He had to hold her, kiss her, tell her he loved her at least a dozen more times. He had to.
#$%^&*%
Juice opened the door to the apartment and felt a tug on his heart upon seeing the suitcases. Sav had done what he'd asked, but he knew it was with a conflicted heart. Their stuff was everywhere. She must have had to decide what they could afford to leave behind and what they could bring with them. He wasn't going to even consider what else the mess could have been made from. "Sav?" He called out, searching for his girlfriend.
His heart seemed to stop when she didn't answer. His mind immediately went to the worse idea possible. What if the mess wasn't because of her packing? What if Rossi had sent men over to grab him and she'd fought them? What if they took her instead when they couldn't find him? She could be hurt because of him, or worse. His heart raised with fear at the thought.
"Savannah? Sav, baby, are you here? Savannah!" He called out suddenly, fear taking over his thoughts as he looked for her.
Savannah hurried out from the back upon hearing the panic in his voice. Her hair was up in a messy bun, still dressed in her pjs. She hadn't taken the time to change, only to put her hair up and put a bra on. "I'm here. JC, I'm alright. I'm here." She said, crossing the room and cupping his face in her hands.
The relief on his face broke her heart. He was really on his last good nerve, and it only made her more worried. He didn't hesitate in pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he was afraid she'd disappear if he loosened his grip. "I was scared they took you." He mumbled into her neck, breathing her in. He wanted to remember the way she smelled. He wanted to remember everything about her, lock away every detail he could about her before she was ripped away from him.
She held onto him, confusion in her eyes she did. None of this made any sense to her, and she wished he'd just explain what was going on. If she knew the details, they could figure this out together. She could fix whatever was wrong and they'd be alright. "JC, please just tell me what's going on. Who's after you? Who's got you so scared?" She asked, pulling back just enough to look up.
He brushed back her hair, tears swimming in his eyes as he stroked her cheek. She leaned into his touch, begging him to just tell her the truth. "I screwed up. I-I thought I had it under control, Sav. I got in over my head, I got greedy and they found out. I'm a dead man walking, and-and you can't fix it, Sav. No one can save me." He said, his voice cracking as he wiped away his tears before she could see them.
Savannah refused to believe that. She'd yet to find a situation she couldn't fix. She wouldn't let Juice give up before she even understood what had happened. Nothing was impossible, and she needed Juice to believe that. "Let me be the judge of that. Who is after you, JC?" She asked, squeezing his hands in hers.
"The mob. I stole some money from Luka's dad. He knows, I know he does. He had pictures of everyone I care about. He threatened you. It's only a matter of time before he comes after me. I-I need to leave town. Tonight." He confessed, traitor tears falling down his cheeks.
Things were starting to connect in her brain. Luka wasn't just some old friend from Juice's childhood. He was somehow connected in all of this. Juice had said he was working at Luka's father's restaurant. Being a waiter, or another bus boy, wouldn't explain how much he was now making. No, Juice was doing something else for Luka's dad, and now it made sense. She wasn't sure how she'd missed it.
Looking down, she tried to think of how to fix this. She knew the mob was different than the club, but a traitor was a traitor. You killed thieves. They'd kill Juice if they got their hands on him, and she couldn't let that happen. He had to leave New York, but she didn't know where he could go. No, that was a lie. She knew exactly where he could go, but she didn't like the idea. She never wanted that life for Juice, but if it kept him alive who was she to not give him that choice?
"We'll leave together then. I'm done with classes, we can go back to Charming. You can come with me. I can get my mom to give you a job at the garage. We can do this, Juice. We'll leave right now. This can work." She said, squeezing his hands with new hope shining in her eyes.
He looked conflicted, not sure what to say. She was right, he knew she was. It could work if they got out of town before Rossi's guys came after him. They could make it to Cali no problem with her family on their side. He could work for her parents and still be able to have her by his side. It wouldn't be perfect, but he'd still be alive and breathing. He was about to tell her he was in when there was sudden banging on the door.
His heart stopped, his eyes widening as the banging continued. "NYPD! We've got a warrant for Juan Carlos Ortiz's arrest. Open the door." A man shouted from outside the door.
Both stood there frozen, not sure what to do. They couldn't run, they couldn't get far and it'd only end worse for them if they tried. Savannah knew this was it. Their plan was ruined before it even started. The life she wanted with Juice was slipping away. "No, no, no. JC, no. No, this isn't happening. No." She cried, shaking her head as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Knowing they only had seconds left before the police broke down the door and took him away, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He held onto her as long as he could before the need for air became too much. Resting his head against hers, he tried to block out the sound of police officers shouting on the other side of the door. "I love you, Savannah Teller. You are the only girl I've ever loved, and the only girl I'll ever love. This won't be goodbye, alright? You're gonna finish school and you're gonna travel, like we talked about. There's an account, full of cash for you and Soph. She's got the details. Please, just . . . don't forget me." He whispered, his voice breaking as more tears hit him.
Holding onto him, she didn't want to let go. "I won't. I won't, JC. I promise. Please don't do this. Don't go. I love you. I love you so much. Please, don't go. Please."
They both flinched at the sound of the door breaking open, police rushing inside and shouting at them. Juice simply held up his hands, not wanting to cause more trouble than he already had. An officer pulled Savannah away from him, causing her to panic as they forced him to his knees. "No! NO! No, please! He didn't do anything! Let him go! Please!" She screamed, struggling against the officer holding her.
"Sav, it's alright. It's alright. Stop struggling. I love you." He said, wanting nothing more than to just hold her and calm her down.
He winced when they cuffed him, but didn't resist as they lifted him back to his feet. Looking back, he felt his heart break seeing the girl he loved look so broken. He'd done this. He'd caused her heart to be so broken, and he wanted nothing more than to fix it. As they hauled him out of the apartment, he turned to get one last look at her. "I love you too, Juan Carlos." She called out, her tears staining her beautiful face as her body shook.
As he was led out, he knew this was it. He was on his way to his death. At least he could die knowing he was loved by a few. He was loved by her, and she wouldn't forget him. He could die a happy man because of that alone. Savannah Teller had changed his life for the better, and that was enough to get him through this. Knowing that, he walked out with a grin on his face. He'd be okay no matter what was lied ahead for him. He could handle it.