The Best of Us

Chapter 11: Plans Gone Wrong

Following their shower, Kozik made quick work of getting ready and then heading straight to the club while Annabelle took her time. The girl felt like a whole new person following the night spent with Kozik. So much had happened in the last two and a half months. Annabelle had always cherished her time with the club and her family, but none of it compared to how happy she felt with Kozik in her life now. Annabelle had always known that something from her life was missing, but being with Kozik made her feel complete. She never wanted to go back to how she had felt before. Despite all of the good that the guys and the club had brought her, she belonged with Kozik, and she knew that now. 

Not needing to be at the clubhouse anytime soon, Annabelle allowed herself the luxury of breakfast which she was in the middle of preparing when her front door suddenly swung open and then slammed shut once more. Annabelle didn't even bother looking to see who had stormed into her house. She didn't need too. Only one person had the audacity to let themselves in without an invitation. 

"Hey mama. Thanks for getting me in trouble with dad." 

"I'm sure you're alright. He told me he took it easy on you. And I knew he would. When's the last time he actually disciplined you for something?" 

"Not a good enough reason to use your daughter as a scapegoat though, is it?"  

"Now, is that anyway to talk to the woman keeping your little boyfriend a secret for you?" 

Annabelle glared at her mother who wore her usual arrogant smirk on her face. The younger girl rolled her eyes in annoyance but served up two plates of food regardless. Gemma took the food gratefully as Annabelle came around the counter to sit beside her mother at the bar. The two ate in silence for a moment before Gemma finally brought up the topic of Kozik. 

"He spend the night?" 

"Yeah." 

"First time?"

"Yes."

"So? How's it going?" 

Annabelle played with her food for a moment and did her best to avoid eye contact with Gemma. As happy as Annabelle was with Kozik, she wasn't looking forward to the part in their relationship where her entire family judged her for being with him, as well as for the fast pace of the relationship too. Still, Annabelle knew her mother and knew that in a battle of deciding who could go the longest without breaking, Gemma would be named the winner every time. 

"We're official. He's my Old Man. I'm his Old Lady." 

"And?" 

"And nothing. He and Happy have asked for a transfer down to Charming. They are voting on it in an hour. Then we'll figure out a way to tell the club." 

"And when they freak out?" 

"There's nothing they can do to stop it. I've already decided. If they revoke Kozik's transfer, I'll go with him back to Tacoma." 

At this, Gemma leaned back in her seat, needing the extra resistance to keep her from reeling completely from her daughter's revelation. 

"Really? You like him that much?" 

"I don't just like him, mom. I love him." 

"Bullshit! You've known him for barely two months and you're ready to abandon your family for him? The people who took you in? Who raised you. Treated you like one of our own?!" 

"I wouldn't be abandoning you guys, mom! Look, even if it comes to that, I'll still want you guys to be a part of my life. If dad or Jax decide to disown me because of this though, then that's their problem. It wouldn't be my fault if you never saw me again."