Worlds Collide

Brotherly Chats

Brantley's POV:

I'd been though my fair share of chats with a girls brother or even her father but I'd be lying if I said that sitting here with Jax wasn't just a tad bit intimidating. Not because I felt threatened by him -okay, maybe not all because I felt threatened by him- but because of the reputation that he had. I may not be a California native, I may not be part of a 1% club, but I knew the reputation that SAMCRO and the SONS had. I knew that they were ruthless to a point and that they protected their own with everything they had.

Once Jax and I reached the playset on the lot -something that just seemed out of place considering this was a place of business and a club house too- I watched as he took a seat on of the swings before gesturing for me to take the other. Not wanting him to think that I was disrespecting him in anyway on his own turf, I took the swing and sank down into it.

"Want to tell me what that was back there with my sister?" Said Jax as he drew a cigarette from his pack and lit it before offering me one. I gladly took one from him, wishing that I had grabbed my own from the travel bag on my bike.

"I met her last night as my show. She intrigued me with a comment telling me that she knew more about MC's that I do. Knowing who she is now, I know that it would be pointless to argue that point with her." I said.

"And that one conversation led you to our shop, to conveniently have your oil changed and a tune up done?" asked Jax, his eyes glaring at me. I could understand why he was protective of Karli. Hell, if I had a sister, I would probably be the same way.

"I had some things I needed to work out in my head. Figured while I was out I could get my bike serviced. You dotn have to believe me that it was just pure luck that I ended up here. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't believe me." I said. Taking a long pull from the cigarette, I flicked the ashes and continued. "I don't make a habit of telling too many people details about my life since by I'm actually a private person."

"Says the man who performs on a stage every night and has however many followers on social media." Said Jax.

"My fans see the side of me that I want them to see. Not that I'm all that different from the man they think they know." I said. "But that's neither here not there. I said that to say this. Recently, I went though a pretty shitty break up. Girl broke my heart even after I bent over backwards to make sure she had all that she wanted."

"Been there." Said Jax, cutting me off.

"Yeah well, because of that, I haven't been myself lately. I've felt this energy inside me that no matter what I do just doesn't seem to go away. That is until I heard Karli laugh last night. I know it makes me sound crazy and you probably think that I'm just saying what I think you want to hear, but it's the God's honest truth man. Her laugh calmed me even if it was only for a split second." I said, moving the swing back and forth slightly.

"That just Kar. She just has this way about her that calms everyone around her." said Jax, the love that he has for his sister evident in his tone. "But that thing in her that calms people also allows people to use her and take what they want with no regard for how it makes her feel in the end. I've had to pick up the pieces more times that I want to count because some asshole used her to either get information on the club or whatever shitty motive they had for abusing her kindness."

"While its not the same situation, I understand where your coming from." I said, turning to look Jax in the eye. "In my life of work, its hard for me to tell if people like me for who I am as a celebrity or of they like me for who I am as a person."

"I can see that." Said Jax, flicking his cigarette onto the pavement. "Just like I can see that my sister likes you. She would probably kill me for telling you this but she has always had a thing for you. I remember her singing your songs even before you made it mainstream. Back then, her favorite song was Picture on the Dashboard. She still sings it now but she does add in a few new ones from time to time. Even has one of my sons singing your songs. The only reason the other isn't singing them is because he's not quite 1 yet."