Strays

Holy Shit

Chapter Twelve

Jaycee

I woke up this morning to find Crusher sleeping at the foot of the bed. It shocked the hell out of me since he usually keeps his distance. Anti and Lucifer warmed up to me within the first few days I got here, but Crusher has always regarded me as nothing more than an intruder in his home. I'm not complaining about the change of heart, but it is weird.

Even weirder is that I'm actually in a good mood today. Lately, I've been letting the whole isolation thing get to me. Not today, though, because Wendy, Abel, and Thomas are coming for a visit. I'll finally have someone besides Donny to talk to. Thank God for that, because it was hell trying to convince Tully to let them come at all.

I know the reason I'm here is protection, and he doesn't want anyone knowing exactly where I am. Which is why we compromised: Donny is picking them up from Wendy's apartment. He might even blindfold her so she can't tell Jax where I am.

I think it's a bit much, since Wendy would never hurt me or sell me out — I know that for a fact. He's just paranoid, but I got him to understand that with having family comes responsibility. These boys are a huge part of my life, and I promised them I'd always be there for them. That's a promise I intend to keep.

I'm waiting out on the porch when they pull up the long driveway. Once the truck is in park, Wendy gets out, followed by Abel.

"Jayce!" he exclaims the second his eyes land on me.

Scooping him up into a hug, I place a kiss on his cheek. "Hey, Abe. I missed you, bud."

"I missed you too," he says slowly.

I smile when Thomas is lifted out of his car seat. Wendy brings him over and I say, "Hey, Wen."

"Hi, Jay. You know he made me wear a blindfold most of the way here?" she asks, giving Donny the side-eye.

Shaking my head, I chuckle. "Tully doesn't like people knowing where he lives. I had to compromise to get you all here. Come on in for some peanut butter cookies and milk."

"Yay!" Abel cheers, clapping his hands.

Leaning down to his level, I say, "And for dinner... we're having my special chili."

"I love chili! You're the best, Jayce!" he says as I open the door and let everyone in.

The second Abel is fully inside, he starts exploring. Tully told me to lock the bedroom door while they're here, but other than that, he can explore all he wants. I put the dogs out back for now, but it's only a matter of time before he realizes they're here.

Taking Thomas, I kiss his forehead before turning to Wendy. "So, how are things?"

"Okay at best. We've all been missing Bobby... and you, of course. Jax especially. He would never admit it, but I know he has a lot of regret over how shit went down between you two. Especially the Chibs situation."

His life would be a lot simpler if he'd just let me be happy with his vice president, that's for sure. Nodding, I take three glasses out of the cabinet and pour milk into each. Setting Abel's cup in front of him at the table, I put three cookies on a plate and leave him to it.

"It took me getting out from under all of it to realize I wasn't really living my life," I tell her seriously. "It wasn't fair that everyone else was free to find significant others wherever they pleased, but I had such strict rules. As if I'd ever find someone outside the lifestyle who could handle me coming home bloody and bruised — let alone be okay with me not being able to tell him anything."

She nods and leans against the counter. "Yeah... I don't think any of them ever once thought about how being alone all the time was affecting you. I'm glad you've found someone, though. He does make you happy, right?"