CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile.

I frown at him, grab my drink and stand up, walking past the table and towards the door slamming it open I ignore the sound of Jax and Donna both calling my name. Crossing the lot I consider going up on the roof, but the skirt I'm wearing stops that thought in its tracks, the ribbons and straps hanging off it would be sure to get tangled on something and rip, not to mention trying to climb anything in a corset and stiletto boots would be next to impossible.

I end up sitting on one of the swings in the play area Gemma had built for the kids, Ellie and Kenny's frequent playing in the area is obvious by the pile of toys in one corner, and the discarded sweatshirt hanging from the top of the slide. I'm not alone for long; Jax crosses the lot in my trail Chibs in his wake, the box in his hands.

Jax pulls me off the swing and over to the picnic table tucked in the corner of the play area "You walked away before Chibs could finish."

I run a hand through my hair, a gesture I've picked up from Jax since my return. Turning to Chibs I half-smile "Sorry. What?"

Chibs sets the box on the table and pulls the shot glass from his kutte pocket, sitting it on top. "I was going to say that I can't take it without you sharing the first drink with me. But I know how much this cost, why on earth would you do that?"

"Cause I can." I mutter, moving the shot glass off the box "Open the bloody thing. After the shit we went through to get it I hope it tastes good."

Chibs raises an eyebrow as he works on opening the box again. I shake my head again "Long story, doesn't really matter."

Jax drapes his arm over my shoulder and pulls me into his side "You cold?"

I roll my eyes "Nope, but I'm not going to complain. Unless it takes Chibs an hour to open that damn bottle." I turn my gaze to Chibs as the wax seal on the cap of the bottle gives way, he pulls the top off the bottle and sets it back into the box.

He pours the first shot and lifts it to hand it to me but my shake of the head has him setting it down again. "I'm not having the first one. It was a gift for you, therefore you have first shot."

"Listen lass, no big words tonight." Chibs tries to push the glass towards me but I shake my head giggling.

"No big words. Chibs drink first. Chibs enjoy. Sarah try second. Okay?" I contemplate for a second the stupidity of arguing over scotch, but Jax's chuckle and Chibs' deep sigh let me know I've won.

He picks up the glass and looks at it thoughtfully "You know I really should be sipping this over ice."

"Meh." I throw my hands into the air "You can try that later."

"True. Cheers." Chibs pours the golden liquid into his mouth and sets the glass in front of me, filling it again. "Your turn, then maybe we should force one into Jackie."

I pick up the glass, looking up at Jax's face. "Don't think you'd have to force him."

I rest the glass against my bottom lip before tipping my head back and letting the liquid flow into my mouth. The amount in the glass is too much for one mouthful and I end up swallowing half of it in mid pour, the heat burns down my throat before settling into my stomach and igniting a low flame. Swallowing the second half I set the glass back on the table with a low clink and cough slightly. "Wow."

Looking up I see Chibs refilling the glass and pushing it to Jax, the three glasses have knocked almost a third of the bottle out already and I cough again realising that each shot is costing over 10 grand. Making a mental note to tell that to Jax later, when he's well past sober I grin as he pours the shot into his mouth and holds it there for a second before swallowing with a grin "That's some pretty good booze there."

Chibs nods and waves his hand to one of the crow eaters hanging around a drum, bringing her hurrying in our direction. "Go to the bar; tell the shit head behind it I want a glass and the whiskey rocks from the freezer."

She spins on her heel and vanishes through the doors, reappearing several minutes later with a glass and a white box that she's moving on her hand. Dropping the box on the table in front of Chibs she glares at him "Those are cold."

I giggle and roll my eyes "I would hope so; they came out of the freezer."

I can almost see the reply forming on the girls lips before she notes that both Chibs and Jax are shaking their heads and trying to stifle their own laughter, she spins on her heel and goes to walk away but before she can I reach out and grab her wrist. "Sorry about that. It was uncalled for."

She blinks rapidly and nods once before heading back to where she was standing by one of the flaming barrels with several other women.

Jax runs his hand over my arm and rests his head on my shoulder for a second "You're being nice. What happened?"

I giggle and push my fingers into his side "Turning over a new leaf. But have you not noticed who isn't present?"

Jax shakes his head and Chibs chuckles as he drops three of the frozen stones into the bottom of his glass, pouring some of the scotch over it. "Jackie wouldn't notice who wasn't here unless it was you lass."

I cock my head and look at Chibs "Really?"

Chibs nods, "Yep. He was wound up tighter than a nun at a sex shop when you were gone before."

Jax groans and drops his head to the table bouncing his forehead against the wood it takes a couple of seconds for me to reach and jam my hand between his skin and the table "Jax! Stop it."

Jax sits up straight again and rubs his forehead where it's slightly pink "Anyway, you were saying someone isn't here?"

I nod and glance around the lot again just to make sure I'm right, but the fact the night is still young makes me cautions "Ima isn't here. Yet."

Jax shrugs "Didn't notice."

I lean further into his arm "I know. But I'm going to go back inside now. My drink is empty and I left Donna and Al alone."

Jax chuckles "Yeah, you should. When we left Donna was starting some story about a night in Modesto and a fence."

"Fuck!" I jump to my feet and snatch my glass off the table, almost running inside.

Al is laughing so hard she's gasping for breath when I sit down and Donna's face is screwed up as she tries to speak "So there she was, on the wrong side of the fence, her shirt hanging from the barbed wire trying to explain to the security guard that she'd accidentally thrown her house keys through the fence."

I drop down into the chair and groan "Really D! Of all the stories, couldn't you have forgotten that one?"

Donna looks over at me and loses whatever control she had laughing so hard she ends up with tears rolling down her cheeks. I pour roughly a shot of vodka into the bottom of my empty glass and knock it back, waiting while Donna and Al get hold of themselves, their giggles finally fading out.

Al sits and stares at me, the seconds fading into minutes which eventually have me shifting in my seat "What? Do I have something on my face?"

She shakes her head "No, I'm just surprised at how relaxed you are."

I shrug "I'm surrounded by people who would die for me."

Donna leans closer to Al and out of curiosity I lean closer so I can hear the words my best friend is about to say "She means she's surrounded by people who love her, would die and kill for her."