Life of an Ole Lady

2

"Astrid?" He stuttered out. I nodded and dropped the weapon I had.   "Katie come out, we are safe." I said to her as she slowly slid out of the van and grabbed onto my hand with her trembling ones. I walked her over to the group of men that stood in front of me, seeing all of them after all this time was something that gave me a safe feeling along with guilt for the way I left. I was wrapped in a hug from my brother once I got closer.   "What happened? You don't even look the same." He said. I had died my hair blonde and got implants since the last time he seen me and I kept my freckles covered with makeup so I the only thing that was the same were my green eyes that matched his.    "When I left then I didn't want to be reminded of who I was before. I thought running was the best way to get me out of harms way but tonight proved me wrong." I said to him looking down. I looked up and seen Jax walking out putting a shirt on over his head. He had changed a lot. He was about twice the amount of muscle and he grew his beard out a bit and his hair was a bit longer and it was slicked back.   "What's going on out- Astrid? Is that you?" he said once he seen me. I nodded and he pulled me into a hug. I had always had a crush on Jax but I never let him know it. He was 5 years older than me and I was always just the little sister that they all was way to overprotective over. I was the only daughter any of the Son's had and it showed. I was spoiled growing up but I also wasn't allowed to do anything without a babysitter with me. So the fact that I lost my virginity to Jax on my 18th birthday is one of the reasons I left. He was drunk and supposed to be watching me that night and I knew he was the last person I should have slept with but I was young and stupid so I left the next day to keep anyone from finding out and to keep me from getting feelings for him. I knew the dangers of being an ole lady and I wasn't going to do that. So now standing here hugging him just felt odd. I pulled away and he pulled me into the clubhouse while Opie helped Katie.    "Where have you been?" He asked me as Katie and I sat down on the bar stools. Opie handed each of us a beer.  "Well I traveled a lot when I first left but I settled in Arizona about 4 years ago. That's where I met Katie, we work together." I stated to him and took a drink of my beer.  "What is it that you do?" He asked. I glanced at Opie and then back to Jax.   "Waitress at a bar and danced some. What has been going on with the club?" I quickly changed the subject, earning looks from Jax and Opie both but Jax quickly filled me in on all the changes.   "We really need a ride back to Arizona." I said to Opie once Jax walked back to get another drink.  "I will have someone take Katie back in the morning. You aren't going back." He demanded.  "Um excuse me? I am going back. I have a job and an appartment and an entire life back there and you can't just take that from me." I argued with him. He got up and slammed his hand on the counter making Katie jump.  "I wasn't the one that almost took it Astrid. But I did save your ass. Now you are staying here. Like it or not." He stormed off. Jax came back over to me.  "What was that about?" He said. I huffed and stomped off from him as well. I was livid. Who did Opie think he was telling me I cant go back? Fuck. That. I am a grown woman and I will do as I wish. There was a big long list of reasons why I left and this was by far at the top of that list. I walked outside and around back and my mood suddenly lightened when I seen my old truck sitting there. Still just as I had left it.