Stolen

New Friends

I waited for Ivy to get out of the car before I fell in step behind her. Just as she put her key into the door it flew open. "What took you so long?" the deep voice questioned throwing a twizzler stick at her. "Zoe, this is Jax, my annoying roommate."

"Oh admit it, you know you'll miss my mad Mr. fixer upper skills when you move out." Rolling her eyes, Ivy pinched his chest as she scooted passed him making her way toward the hallway.

I offered my hand. "Hi, I'm Zoe". He reached his hand out to clasp mine, "Yea, we have been waiting for you to get here". His hand was huge just like the rest of him. His menacing size was a stark contrast to his jovial personality. I could not help but look at the free flowing designs that embellished his arms and upper chest. The swords and arrows that peeked out from beneath each sleeve might intimidate some, but I immediately felt at ease with him.

"Can I get you a drink?" he offered opening the refrigerator. "We have, err, water, water, and more water. So I guess water it is. You see, Ivy is the annoying one. Just because she thinks sugar is a carnal sin doesn't mean the rest of us agree!" He yelled toward the hallway.

I grabbed a bottle and followed him through the tiny cottage to the backyard. "Give me a sec", texting a message on his phone. "An assortment of the most sugary laden drinks are on the way", he announced with a mischievous grin. "As long as there is a diet coke somewhere in there I'm good and maybe some skittles", I added. He held up his hand to high five me. "A girl after my own heart".

"Where is everyone?" Ivy asked stepping out on the deck. "Luke went to try and talk Jonathan into hanging out with us tonight and Luna will be here in a bit. She had to take care of something." A passing look between them created the tension I felt in the air.

"So how are you settling in?" Jax asked pulling out a chair for me to sit. "It's a little overwhelming, but I feel like I have a direction, you know, something to focus on. I'm not used to being around so many people. It will take some getting used to." Jax scrunched his brow looking concerned. "Did you not have many friends back home?" "Um, I spent a lot of time with my dad until... Jaz cuts me off. "Ivy mentioned that your dad disappeared, I'm sorry you had to go through that at such a young age," rubbing my arm gently. I felt a pang of heaviness in my stomach. Ivy's phone rang before I could respond. "Sure, we'll meet you there." She said into her phone.

"Luna wants us to meet her down at Hurricane Mo's instead of hanging here tonight. Her meeting ran long. Do you guys mine?" Ivy asked. Before we could answer Luke slid open the sliding door and handed me a diet coke and a pack of Skittles. Smiling, I looked over at Jax who gave me a thumbs up. "I'm on board for whatever, you guys decide." He shouted as he headed into the house. "What is Jax on board for?" Luke asked. "Your sister wants us to meet her at Hurricane Moe's. Her meeting ran long." "I guess we can do that as long as we are all going. Is that ok with you Zoe?" Luke asked. "Sure", I said wanting to get to know the people I would be working with day in and day out.

"So I guess Jonathan decided not to show," I stated as I scooted into the backseat next to Luke. "Don't let it get to you. He has been moody since Bill died and none of us have been able to get him out of it."

"It feels like he is angry with me for coming here. I hope I didn't make the wrong decision." I sighed as I touched the raised scar that ran along the underside of my forearm.

"Nah, he's not angry with you. He is having a hard time dealing with Bill's death. They were really close. He was like a father to him," Luke assured me. "Does he have family?" I asked. "He lost both of his parents a long time ago. He never talks about them so I don't know the details. Lola, Bill, and I have pretty much been his family for the last several years."

It was a short ride to the bar which sat right on the beach. "Luna has a table saved for us around back on the deck", Luke said as he helped me out of the SUV. As we walked up the steps to the outdoor seating area, I saw a tall, very muscular girl waving us over. "You must be Zoe", she said putting her hand out to shake mine. I braced myself as I placed my hand in hers. She was as big and sturdy as her brothers. She had body ink running up and down her arms, her neck, chest, and even on one side of her face. One in particular caught my eye. It was identical to the circular markings that Jax and Luke both had in the same spot on the underside of their wrist.