UNFORGIVENESS

BEST LAID SCHEMES

🅣🅐🅡🅐

Upon returning home, and unlocking the door with my key, the sight of Jax's bike in the driveway immediately irked me. I was genuinely annoyed that he was back, not in the mood for any drama. Earlier that day, we had a heated argument before I left for work while he took a call, probably about Abel showing up at Gemma's as usual after throwing a tantrum. Work was hectic, and things didn't improve when a patient from Stockton came in with a fractured nose.

In her middle age, the woman did nothing but grumble about a coworker who was a recruit and had failed to properly clean her workstation at the fish factory where they both worked. This negligence led to the lady slipping on ice and injuring her face. I had to set her nose and book her a follow-up appointment in a few days. I wasn't looking forward to the woman's annoying complaining or that by the time I'd treated her and filled out the necessary paperwork for a workplace accident, I was tired and craving a glass of red wine. Preferably at home alone without Jax and Abel disturbing my peace with their drama.

Jax didn't flinch when I told him about the death threat from his ex, his focus was solely on Abel. I had hoped that when we moved in together, Abel would understand that I was a significant part of Jax's life and deserved respect as his father's partner and the club's matriarch. Just like Gemma demanded respect in her position, I expected the same from Abel, but he continued to deny me in every way. I had always suspected that it was because I wasn't his Mother, Jax always denied that he had any issues with me and that Abel vaguely remembers Tiki, putting his son's rude and arrogant behavior down to teenage angst.

During my routine search of Jax's secret compartment, I stumbled upon a letter from the parole board regarding Tiki's release. Initially, my instinct was to storm over to the clubhouse and dramatically confront Jax, but I realized I needed to handle the situation with more finesse. After all, I had been snooping in Jax's private belongings, I decided to discreetly return the letter and maintain a facade of normalcy. However, once Tiki was released, I strategically brought up the topic during a casual conversation over coffee with Gemma, When I asked her how she felt about Tiki's freedom. Gemma's rage at my comment ignited a chain of events I eagerly observed unfold. I was determined to protect my relationship with Jax and ensure that Tiki didn't disrupt our family. Although my plan hit a snag when Abel ran away and Jax directed his anger toward me, I remained confident that once they both calmed down, they would realize that Tiki belonged in the past and that I was their future.

I dropped my work bag down in its usual spot on the hallstand and glanced around the living room for signs of life, Abel would normally be watching boxing or playing on his PlayStation around this time, but all was quiet, and the silence made me nervous, that Abel was still not home, I hadn't stuck around to find out who called Jax this morning, but the look of relief on his face as I backed out of the drive had convinced me That he was safe at Gemma like all the times before. I moved to the kitchen and flicked the light on, my heart jumped as I caught sight of Jax sitting at the table, a blunt between his fingers and a whiskey glass in front of him. His kutte hanging over the back of the chair he was sitting on. I leaned against the counter and folded my arms in defense. He lifted his eyes and stared straight into me, his lips tight, his eyes red-rimmed and puffy that told me he had been crying, something I had never witnessed personally. He glared at me as if I was an enemy of SAMCRO and the hairs on the back of my neck prickled.