Memory Lane

Chapter 5. My Brother's Keeper

Opie

I rode into the parking lot of Teller-Morrow, my plan was simple, protect the guys. I hadn't bothered to go home last night because I didn't want to say goodbye. Desiree would never accept it, and Lyla was already so in the dark that she'd freak out. I also wouldn't have been able to look at Kenny and Ellie in the eyes; they reminded me so much of Donna that saying goodbye seemed like I was saying it to her.

The guys were being handcuffed when I arrived. Roosevelt was standing there with their warrants with a smug look on his face. When I approached him, he waved the papers in the air. "So, you came to say goodbye?" he said smiling. I gave a heavy sigh, "yeah," before he had time to process it I had already punched him in the face. He fell to the ground and I elbowed the other officer behind me. Blood dripped from Roosevelt's nose and two officers ran up to me on both sides.

"Why the hell are you guys standing there? Get him out of here!" he barked at the other officers. I was handcuffed immediately and thrown in line with the other guys. Jax gave me a look and I said nothing to him. Hitting two officers was a sure way of landing behind a cell, and I knew Roosevelt hated me enough to make it happen. I had no idea of the time I was looking at, but I needed to stay close to the guys.

They started to lead us into the truck and chain our feet to the ground. Jax was looking at me with a smirk on his face, "Is this you becoming me?"

"How'd I do?"

"Not bad," he smiled as the truck rumbled to life getting ready to whisk us away.

Then suddenly, I heard the screech of tires coming down the road. I didn't think anything of it until I heard Roosevelt yapping angrily at his phone. He opened the doors of the truck and grumbled before he instructed the other officers to unchain us. Jax and I shared a confused expression before I heard Desiree's voice screaming outside. Jax's face became pale as he tried to register the voice he was hearing.

"Opie!" she hopped into the back of the truck and started to hit me. "What were you thinking you cow!"

"Des, what are you doing here?"

She finally stopped hitting me and tears welled up in her eyes, "I made a deal with Patterson, I gave up everything that I knew for full immunity for you guys."

Everyone was too stunned to see Desiree that it was impossible to register what she was saying at the same time. She was shaking as she started to yell at the officers to unchain us. Roosevelt attempted to calm her down and instructed the other officers to take her out of the truck. Patterson began to talk to Jax, Tig, and Chibs about the charges that were dropped. I could tell Roosevelt was unhappy about my release as he wiped his bloody nose with a tissue.

"Okay, let's move guys, we have bigger fish to fry!" Patterson yelled as she instructed the men to follow her. She shared a look with Desiree before she said, "congratulations Desiree, you were right." She said nothing further as she jumped in her squad car with a bulletproof vest on. Desiree remained quiet as they drove away and then she practically jumped on me.

"What did you just do?"

"I may have...uh...led to the arrest of a lot of people today," she said sheepishly. I was very shocked, confused, and intrigued all at the same time. I looked around at my family who was still staring at Desiree in disbelief. She started to notice everyone staring at her and I could see the fear resurface in her eyes. "I think they want to say hello to you..." I forced her to turn around and see Gemma standing close to her. For a minute they just stood there before Gemma dragged Desiree into a bone-crushing hug. Tears ran down Gemma's face as she held on to Desiree, "my God, I thought you were dead."

"I know," Desiree said with the same emotion. Gemma held Des's face in her hands, "don't you dare leave again." Desiree shook her vigorously at the promise she couldn't technically control. Chibs walked up to Desiree and said something in Scottish before he planted a kiss on her forehead and hugged her. It didn't take long for her to become engulfed in hugs from all around. Everyone around her showed genuine happiness at her return.

"Juicy," she said petting Juice's haircut. She moved his head from side to side as she examined his hair choices. "That's...different," Juice only laughed at her.

Even though we were outside, you could practically hear a pin drop when her eyes landed on Jax. He was standing next to Tara, who held a tight grip on his arm. He gave her a reassuring look before he pulled her forward to see Desiree. He towered over her and she looked up at him with the same expression. They hadn't said a word to each other yet, which only added to the suspense.

"Hey," Jax said awkwardly. This caused Desiree to let out a nervous laugh, a smile crept on her face and she hid it with her hand. "Hi," she said in the same tone he used. His hand dropped from Tara's and he dug them into his pockets, not knowing quite what to do with them.

Desiree toyed with her hands as she looked at Jax nervously. She looked like she was contemplating doing something but didn't really have the nerve. I gave her small nudges on her back until she was close enough to hug him. She got the hint and reached out for him; he fell into her arms in a silly-looking manner. As if he was trying to hug her without offending Tara. But as soon as he was in them, I could see his face become full of emotion. His eyes began to water as he engulfed her in his arms.

Desiree may have been his second love, but she was the only one who knew him like no one else. Tara was great for Jax, don't get me wrong, but she battled between her world and his. She had to be trained on how to be an old lady, Desiree was part of the few women who were made for the role. Although their time together was short, her effect on him lasted for years, maybe even until now.

Desiree and Jax broke away and I could see her wiping away a few tears that managed to fall. Her introduction with Tara was short, awkward, and forgettable. They shared nothing but a "hello" and an awkward handshake. Des noticed the ring on Tara's hand and she quickly retracted her own. I could tell she was becoming overwhelmed as I saw her start to breathe rapidly. I pulled her underneath my arm as we followed everyone back into the clubhouse, hoping to understand the details of her deal with Patterson.