Memory Lane

Chapter 27.

Tara

The clubhouse had calmed down after the big blowout with Viviane. I could hear some of the other ol ladies whispering and gossiping amongst themselves about the situation. Gemma was nowhere in sight, so it explained why they felt so comfortable talking about Desiree. She and Gemma had disappeared into Gemma's office to give Desiree some much-needed space from everyone. Jax had followed in her footsteps and had been sitting on the roof for more than an hour with Opie. Even though Opie was his best friend, I do wish he wouldn't close himself off to me when he was down or sad. But given that I was the one who was responsible for how he was currently feeling, I had no room to correct him or point out this flaw.

My main goal was to lay low and hopefully have everyone forget about Viviane. The last thing I needed was anyone pondering the incident and asking questions. Viviane had clearly mentioned that she was called to come here, and I didn't need anyone, especially Gemma, trying to connect the dots. For the most part, everyone in Samcro was familiar with Desiree's villainous mother, I was the only one here who would be crazy enough to call her. And I didn't need that information to drive a deeper wedge between me and Jax.

We were still struggling as a unit after my fight with Desiree, and this information would only shut down any progress we've made. Plus, if Jax and I separate, the new leading lady in his life would fall back on his mother. His controlling, manipulative mother who knows no boundaries. There is no doubt in my mind, that Gemma would insert herself and dance on the rubble of my marriage. She would take great pleasure in Jax giving her his access to my boys, and that was what scared me the most. Gemma having full access would open the door to so many things. From Wendy, the club life, staying in Charming, and of course her ploy to replace me with Desiree.

"Hey Tara," I looked up to see Unser standing before me, "mind if I sit?" I shook my head and he sat down next to me. I liked Wayne, I did, but he was always too eager to give into Gemma's demands. He would rat on me if he knew about what I did, with no hesitation. "Crazy day we're having huh?" he said in an attempt at having small talk.

"Yeah, can't wait till this is all over," I tried to keep my answers short and vague. I couldn't give him anything to go off of or speculate.

"It will be soon, I'm sure this will all be taken care of so we can all go back to our normal lives." Wayne started to fidget nervously next to me. I knew he wanted to say something more but he was having trouble spitting it out.

"What is it, Wayne?" I said giving a heavy sigh.

"I think you should try talking with Desiree," I cut him off before he could continue, "look, Wayne, I don't think that would be a good idea."

"You're probably right, but I figured that she would benefit from talking to a smart and educated woman like yourself."

"I'm a surgeon Wayne, not a therapist."

"That's not what I meant, the longer Desiree stays here, the more danger she's in. If it's really this Pope guy coming after her, then she would benefit from leaving Charming."

"Don't you think that advice would seem odd coming from me?"

I could see Wayne growing frustrated with me, "look, it was just a suggestion. I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt. I mean look around you!" Wayne gestured to the maxed-out clubhouse, "we're like sitting ducks, waiting for something bad to happen. We have kids in here! Sitting here isn't protecting us, it's prolonging the inevitable."

"Careful, don't let Jax hear you say that" my answer was cold and I know it was mean, but I was just so frustrated with how my life had become centered around Desiree and her problems.

Unser was less than appreciative of my sass and scolded me, "what has gotten into you, what happened between you two to make you act like this. This isn't like you, Tara!"

"Probably her conscious eating her up about making that phone call," Gemma said barging in on our conversation. I was completely caught off guard by her presence, but I couldn't let my guard down.

"What are you talking about?" I tried to act oblivious.

"Oh please, no one else in here was dumb enough to call that woman."

"Funny, because I didn't know that woman until about two hours ago," I tried my best to keep my composure. I had to deny all her allegations at all costs because as soon as she could confirm that I did call Viviane, all hell would break loose.

Gemma chuckled under her breath, "Wayne can you give us a minute?" Unser looked between the two of us and gave Gemma a look. He mumbled something under his breath before getting up from the couch to leave. Once he was a safe distance away Gemma sat down next to me on the couch. "You must be pleased with yourself."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true, you're my smart one remember? I mean, you got exactly what you wanted, Desiree is insisting on leaving Charming because she's so guilt-ridden by putting everyone in danger. She's dead set on leaving tonight, made me promise not to tell Jax."

"So, why are you telling me?"

Gemma turned her body to me and brought her hand up to my face to run her hands through my hair. "Because I want to remember you this way before I tell Jax about what you've done."

"He'll never believe you."

"Maybe, maybe not, but I do know that if that girl leaves tonight. I will come after you."

"Jax would kill you."

"After I kill you." My mouth dropped a bit by her words but she was so calm it was slightly terrifying. "Oh, and before you run and tell Jax that I threatened you, I'm going to go read my grandkids a bedtime story."

I tried to regulate my breathing as she walked away from me. Gemma had always made threats but none like this, this time she was intentional and not looking for a power dynamic. If Desiree followed through with her plans, that would make my life become a living hell with Gemma. And given the mental state Jax was in, he could easily believe his mother if she got to him first. There was no telling of what could happen to me if I stayed here with my children. There was only one thing left to do to ensure my safety and that was to kill Gemma Teller...