A Second Chance Ch. 4
Turning the corner, Liz could feel her legs burning, it felt really good to run it gave her time to think about how things were going in her life, and occasionally her past. Today however, her mind was thinking about how she walked into Marks office, finding his co-worker with her legs around his waist.
FLASHBACK
Making her way up the elevator she was excited, she just got her promotion as the head L&D nurse. It meant more money, but it gave her a normalish schedule, while she would still have to work overnights from time to time, she would be able to have a life again. She was sure that would make him happy.
As the doors shut, she hit the button she needed to head up to his office. Liz was excited, she knew that they were fighting a lot recently, he wanted her to stop working and become a housewife, but she wasn't ready for that yet, plus he hasn't even asked her to marry him, so why on earth would she give up a great career if he wasn't even ready to ask her to be his wife.
Letting out a sigh, she wasn't even sure that she even wanted to marry him, he was always talking down to her, trying to make her into something that she wasn't, hell he even hated it when she called Luna weekly. Why wouldn't she call her best friend? Hell, she even moved to a little town in California, and she did seem to have a good thing going. She did too, or at least that's what she keeps trying to convince herself of. Why she didn't know.
Seeing the doors open, Liz shook off her doubts that she was having about Mark, every couple hits a rough patch at some point, and perhaps this was theirs. They just had to get over whatever this was, and things would get back on track.
Walking down the hall, she could see that his door was closed, assuming that he was on the phone, she smiled as she walked past Becky, she was a sweet lady, a wonderful receptionist. "Hey Becky!" she said to her.
Becky adored Liz, always so kind, bringing in snacks and lunch for people of the office. "Afternoon Elizabeth." Laughing at her face, "I'm sorry but I don't think I can call you Liz. He's in with Charlotte, FYI."
Snorting, "You're the only one that I allow to call me by name full name, I hope you know that." She retorted. Making her way around the desk, she didn't even bother to knock, just walked in.
"Mark, I got some great…. " stopping mid-sentence. Her eyes finding her boyfriend in mid thrust with Charlotte.
Looking up, he could see her face, trying to quickly pull out and fix his pants, "Lizzy, I can explain….."
Waving her hand, "Explain what? That you just fell into her pussy? Are you serious?" Her eyes burning with the urge to cry. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction, "You are a piece of shit," her eyes finding Charlotte who looked a bit afraid, if she wasn't trying to keep her temper in check, she would have broken her fucking jaw, but no, he already made her look like a fool, he wasn't going to get her arrested on top of everything else.
Her eyes looking straight into the other woman's eyes, shaking her head, "and you can go fuck yourself."
Mark moved around the desk, "Lizzy, please, it didn't mean anything, you've been working so much, I just needed to relax a bit." Making an attempt to hug her, he watched as she took a step back. This wasn't going to work, she was his, and she would have to get use to how he wanted things.
Liz watched his face, she could almost read his mind, he wasn't sorry, he would do it again and again, and expect her to just understand. Taking a step back, she just shook her head, "I don't give a shit, you stepped out on me, and probably not the first time. This" waving her hand between them "is done." Not even waiting for a reply, she turned and booked it down the hall, she needed to get the hell out of there, before she would do something that she might not regret.
Before she even got to the garage, he was blowing up her phone. Growling out, she wanted to smash the fucking thing, but right now she needed to call her friend. Getting into her truck, she called Luna, she would have sage advice.
"Hey Lizard Breath, what's cooking?"
Tears started to stream down her face, "I just walked in on Mark fucking Charlotte." Trying to keep her voice from cracking.
Luna instantly saw red, "Oh god, are you OK? Do you need anything?" Ready to head to NJ to see her friend.
Wiping her face, she could see that Mark was calling in, "I'm about to change all my numbers, he keeps calling, and I can't deal right now." Crying a little harder as she drove, no destination in mind. "What do I do?"
Luna could hear her friends heart breaking, she could see that Happy was watching her, wiping her face, "Think past the anger and hurt, do you think you could ever forgive him?" Hoping that asking self-reflecting questions would help her make her choice.
Pulling into a parking lot, Liz needed to get control of herself. Letting out a shaky breath, she took a moment to really think about Luna's questions, after a solid minute, she knew. "No. I don't think I can. When I looked at him, he was giving excuses, he didn't even have the decency to pretend to be sorry."
Gripping the phone tightly, Luna was livid, she met Mark a few times, never disliked him, but she didn't like him either, she knew there was something wrong with him, just could never figure out what it was. "Then you know what you need to do. It's going to suck, but you need to do what you need to be happy and healthy."
Seeing him call in again, she knew what needed to be done, "Yeah, I know. I just got this amazing promotion at work, so, I can afford to live on my own anyway." Straightening her back, she smiled into the phone, "I love you moon beam."
"I love you too Lizard Breath."
"Thanks for the pep talk, call you in a few days. I have to find a place and all. I'm going to change my number, so I'll text you when I get it. Love you, bye."
"Bye."
Hanging up the phone, Liz made her way to the apartment, walking in she could see that 99% of the shit was his, good, she really didn't want to bring anything with her. Running to the closet, she grabbed her suitcases and quickly filled them with her clothes, and anything else she couldn't leave behind.
Walking through the apartment, she doubled checked everything making sure anything that mattered to her was with her, once she cleared the house, she took her key off placing it on the counter.
Driving toward the hospital, she was going to post up for a few days at the hotel across the street until she could find a 1 bedroom to rent. Turning off her phone, she checked in, and made her way to the bed. Falling in, all she could do was cry. Cry for the end of the relationship, cry because she's known for a while now that he wasn't the guy for her, cry for being that woman that kept hoping he would change.
Somewhere in all of that, she made a promise to herself, she would never find herself in a position like that again, if whoever she was with couldn't match her hustle or loyalty fuck them.
END FLASHBACK
Slowing down, Liz found herself in front of the diner, leaning over a bit, she took a few gulps of air to fill her lungs. After a moment of deep breathing, she knew that thinking about Mark was useless, he was a fucking loser, she wasn't. Looking down at her watch, she was still about 3 miles from her house, and Luna was going to meet her at her place for lunch.
Stretching out her legs for the last part of the run, she was about to take off, but heard her name from behind her. Turning she found Happy walking out of the diner. "Hey Happy."
His eyes picked up on the moment she entered the parking lot, quickly paying the bill he made his way outside, looking at her, he could see that she was a little tired from her run, but he couldn't help but admire her running shorts, tank, and even her braided hair. "You run?" Curious about the girl, he remembered that Luna liked to run too.
Stretching out her arms, "Oh yea. I try to do at least 5 miles a day, some days 10. I was going to bug Luna to come with me but had to work today. What about you?" she asked him, making sure to keep a little space between them.
Shaking his head, "What the fuck you running so far for?" He could never understand why Luna did it, now Liz.
Laughing at his face, "Endurance. Stamina. Exercise. And if shit popped off, I know I could escape. Not all of us are 6-foot bikers." She teased him.
Stepping down, he could see that she was just at his chin, "No, I guess not. I can give you a ride to your place." Hoping that she would take him up on the offer.
Mentally biting her lip, she wanted to do nothing more than to say yes, but messing with your best friends ex, that just seemed shady. Giving him a small smile, "I'd love to, but alas I still need to finish my circuit. Next time, you can pop my bike cherry." Snorting at his face. Giving him a small wave, she turned and booked it to the house as quickly as she could.
Happy swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving her ass, fuck. She didn't say no, just not today, and she was OK with him being the one to take her on her first ride. This was dangerous, he knew that he was starting to play with fire, but the pull towards the woman was hard to ignore.
Making his way to the clubhouse, he found himself heading into his dorm, needing to get his mind right. If he couldn't stay away from the woman, he was certain it would send Luna on a rampage, not that he was concerned about her wanting him, but after the way he treated her, she wouldn't want her friend to get hurt.
"FUCK!" he yelled out to the empty room.
Standing up, he made his way out to the garage, needing do something with his hands, he was certain that he was losing his fucking mind.
Lighting a smoke, he took a big hit, he could feel Gemma watching him, turning his back to her to get under the car, that was another problem, Gemma, and Luna knew him well enough to read him, he couldn't have that shit getting out. Grabbing a wrench, he got to work, unfortunately his mind kept going back to a perky red head.
Gemma watched him, she could see that his was twisted up with something, hoping that it wasn't residual feelings for Luna, as much as she loved him as a member, and as part of her family, she'd shoot him if he messed with her daughter again. Hell, if Jax thought he was a threat to their relationship, he'd kill him no questions.
For now, she was going to keep her thoughts about the matter to herself, don't need to be starting shit until she had the facts in front of her. However, she'd keep an eye on him, and call his ass out if she thought he was getting to comfortable with the situation.
Liz sat with Abel on her lap, smiling at Luna was going through the motions with Tristian. Hearing about what happened to her, she could understand why she kept training so hard, it was good for her, it could help her gain control over herself.
Smiling down at the baby, well almost toddler, she could see that he wanted to go to his mama, giving him a little tickle, "In a minute dude, she's almost done."
Like he could understand her, he settled down and waited for his mom to finish up.
Watching her push Tristan made her smile, it reminded her of when Luna's dad would push them, in the beginning she hated that he would be so hard on her, but now, at 5'5, 135lbs, she could defend herself with the best of them, and all the griping she did, she was never more grateful for pushing herself to keep going.
Smiling as Luna was teaching her how to disarm a knife, laughing when the kid was able to flip Luna on her ass. "YEAH!" She yelled out, earning a smile from Tristan.
Flipping back up, Luna looked over at her friend, shaking her head, "You're such a troublemaker." Her eyes finding Tristan, "That was fantastic. Keep up with the exercises, and practice your motions," looking at her watch she knew that Elliot was going to knock on the door any minute, "Go clean up sweetie."
Tristan felt great, she was faster, stronger than before. Constantly pushing herself, but being able to take the knife from Luna, that was a defining moment for her, while she knew that she wasn't really fighting her, Luna didn't pull punches, she trained her hard. Looking over at her friend, "Thanks." Running into the house, she grabbed her bag and quickly showered.
Luna watched Liz stand, holding a squealing Abel, reaching for her son, "Don't worry little man, when you're a little older, we'll teach you too." Smiling when he started babbling mama at her.
Liz heard the door, "I'll grab it," heading inside she found Tristan's dad on the other side; opening the door, "Afternoon, she's in the shower." Stepping aside to let him into the house.
Elliot looked down at the young woman, "Thank you." Smiling when he saw Tristan come around the corner, "Good day?" he asked.
Tristan smiled up at her dad, "YES, I was able to disarm Luna and flip her on her back. It was amazing." Not able to stop grinning.
Pulling her into a hug, that was all he wanted to hear, that she was learning something useful, and having fun while doing it. "That's great kiddo." His eyes finding Liz and Luna watching, "Thank you for everything. See you guys next week."
Waving goodbye, Luna locked the door as he left house. "I really like that kid. She's so tough, and smart." Sitting down with Abel in her lap.
Sitting in the chair across from her, "No doubt, I don't know if I could have moved past what happened to her if it was me. She's impressive." She really meant that.
Nodding, "I know, I don't think I could have either." Seeing her friend in deep thought, "What's up Liz?"
Finding her eyes, "I ran into Happy on my run," not even sure why she was telling her this, nothing happened, "he offered me a ride home, but I declined." She added quickly. Not wanting to offend her friend.
Letting out a sigh, so it was true, they were attracted to the other, but at least Liz was worried about her reactions. Knowing Liz, if she said she didn't care, Liz would miss interpret that as she did care, and avoid him like the plague, her best bet was to pretend to be oblivious to the whole thing. "Really? Next time you should take him up on it, being on the back of bike is amazing." She had to contain her laugh, it was visible her body relax at the words.
Seeing that she meant it, it confused her, she didn't care if she clung to her ex like a spider monkey? But one thing she knew in her heart, Luna never said anything she didn't mean. "I guess if it presents itself, I will." Leaving it at that. One ride, what could it hurt.
Shaking her head, "I need to get dinner ready, you staying or heading home?" she asked making her way to the kitchen.
Needing to shower, "I'm heading home, my kitchen is finally done." Relieved, it had been a long 3 weeks, "Only thing left is my master bedroom, and bathroom. But I told them to take a week, I just needed a little peace and quiet for a few days before they came back banging everything."
Laughing, Luna could understand, "I get that. Holy shit, while I don't regret doing the renovations, at the very end, I was going to snap." Walking over, she gave her friend a hug, "Good thing you only live around the corner."
Opening the door, she just nodded, "Call you tomorrow, we still on?" Hoping that Luna wasn't going to back out.
Rolling her eyes, "You know I am. See you bright and early." Smiling as her friend took off. Before she shut the door, she could hear the rumble of a couple bikes, knowing that Jax was bringing someone with him, her guess, Happy and Otto.
Happy sat around the table with Jax, Otto, and Luna, who was laughing at Otto. It never ceased to amaze him how open she was with everyone one of them.
Luna could feel him watching her, giving him a quick glance, she could see that he was happy, that he wasn't still pining for her, and he moved on. But she could tell that he wasn't really aware that he had. Hmm.. A little push couldn't hurt.
"So, Happy, Liz said that you saw her on her run." Enjoying watching him get a little tense, "thanks for offering her a ride, but she's thick headed, she wouldn't want to impose." Seeing him relax a bit.
Shrugging his shoulders, "She's a redhead, they tend to be difficult." He joked.
Snorting, she could agree with that, "Perhaps, but I think regardless of her hair color, she'd be difficult." She could see the others watching them, "Don't' get me wrong, she's a sweetheart, but if she thinks she an imposition she'd trudge through snow before asking for help."
Jax laughed, "Why? Doesn't think she needs help?" He liked Liz, she was cool, his mom liked her, and she didn't seem to be bothered or interested in them as a club, more as people. He liked that.
"It's not I'm a woman hear me roar thing, but Liz was raised by a single mom, so, she was used to doing everything on her own." Smiling at the memory, "Actually, our friendship started with a fight in the school yard." Laughing at their faces, "Not us, Tommy he was a 5th grader, and we were in 3rd grade, he pushed a little girl from our class. Well, I didn't like bullies, neither did she." Taking a sip of her beer, she locked eyes with Happy, "She picked up her backpack and swung it at his face, knocked him on his ass, and when he hit the ground I jumped on him, made him eat dirt. Liz holding his arms for me. It was love at first fight."
Otto couldn't help but laugh, "Jesus, you know I can actually see you guys doing that." His eyes finding Jax, "And now, her friend is here, ready to knock someone on their ass." Looking at Luna, "You going to make someone eat dirt?" he teased.
Raising her eyebrows up and down, "Damn right. She goes high, I go low."
Happy laughed at the thought of it, it didn't surprise him that's how they became friends, "So what you're saying is, don't let her hit me with a backpack?" Joking.
Shaking her head, "Nope, she'll knock you on your ass, and if I happen to be around, I'm helping. Doesn't matter what the context is. She's my ride or die." Looking over at the men at the table, "So, be on your best behavior." She teased them.
Holding his hands up, Happy just nodded. Smiling at everyone.
Otto and Jax shared a look, Happy normally didn't like threats made about him or the club, but yet, he seemed to get a kick out of the idea.
Otto looked at him then at Luna, wondering could it be that they were finding their way back to each other, but as he looked at her, he could see that wasn't the case, she only looked at him like a good friend, but looking at Happy, it was obvious that he was feeling Liz. Sparing another glance at his kid, she was trying to push them together without making it obvious. Knowing that Happy needed a good woman, and that he learned a lot from his mistakes from Luna, he would subtly help out his brother.
Wrapping his arms around his lady, "And what do you ladies have planned for tomorrow?" Knowing that she was leaving early to spend the day with Liz.
Leaning over to give him a kiss, knowing that he wasn't going to be happy, "We are heading up to the mountains, there's a few trails I've wanted to hike. Liz is an experienced climber, so we are going to climb the cliffs."
Luna watched his face go from chill to stressed in a matter of seconds, her eyes looking towards Otto, he seemed amused, turning her eyes to Happy, he seemed just as annoyed with the idea like Jax, not wanting to laugh, which would cause one or both of them to snap.
Happy was doing everything in his power to keep himself from standing and heading over to her house, but he was sure that would be out of line. So, there he was sitting on his hands like a fucking asshole. His only hope was for Jax to tell her she couldn't go, but the way Luna was watching him, he knew that he wasn't going to. FUCK.
Letting out a slow breath, Jax was finally able to make a coherent thought, "What about you, are you a good climber?" Hoping to God she said yes.
"Of course, wouldn't go up if I couldn't climb. I'm crazy, not stupid." Placing her hand on his shoulder, "I promise to be safe; we climbed the Dome in Yosemite, this isn't going to be too hard." Hoping that would put him at ease.
Shaking his head, "I swear to God, you die I'm going to bring you back so I can kill you myself." Giving her a swift kiss.
Snorting, "Sounds fair." Standing up, she cleared the table, "Heading to bed, have an early morning." Finding the guys watching her, "Goodnight."
Happy watched her walk down the hall, his mind thinking about Liz on the mountain, not liking the idea at all, his eyes finding Jax watching his lady. "You good with this Pres?"
Turning towards his friend, "I hate the idea, but it's who they are. She is so understanding about this life, and how things are done, if I can't be a little understating in her interests, I'm just being a dick." Heading out to the back porch, he lit his cigarette, handing the guys a beer in the cooler she kept out there, "At least now she has someone to go with her."
Otto could understand what Jax was saying, outlaw or not, there was give and take in any relationship. Hell, he met Luanne while she was in front of the camera, that wasn't easy for him in the beginning, but he loved her, and did everything he could to get her to place to work in front of the camera and not lose the income. "Good for you. You know that Luna wouldn't do anything to risk herself or Liz," thinking about what she said about her childhood, "and wasn't her daddy a solider or something? I'm sure that she has a whole lot of interests that would set your teeth on edge."
Happy snorted, but thinking about it, if they've been friends since they were little girls, that means Liz and her share a lot of interests, which means, she was just as adventurous. Not like that really mattered, she wasn't his, couldn't be, and shouldn't be. Taking a swig of his beer, he just leaned back, enjoying the night, and doing everything he could not to think of her. Which was becoming increasingly hard not to do.