Since I've Been Lovin' You | Happy Lowman/OC (Book 2)

eight | Bachelorette & Jesus Christ

TWELVE MONTHS SINCE ARREST

Despite all that had happened over the last year, when it came time for Lyla's bachelorette party, Victoria and Tara refused to be denied. The two of them had planned a girls trip to San Francisco, and Victoria was almost as excited as Lyla. The last year had been hard for all of them, and both Victoria and Tara hoped this would be just what the bride to be needed to clear her head before the big day. They didn't plan on drinking too much or making any big mistakes, but getting away was something they all desperately needed.

They'd survived Jax nearly dying, Cameron being a psychotic stalker, Lyla having a near mental breakdown over the state of her and Opie's upcoming marriage and the decisions she'd made, and a meddling crow eater who taunted Victoria every chance she got. It'd been a long, long year.

It didn't matter if Cameron had gone radio silent almost as if he just completely disappeared off the face of the planet, or that they'd be hours from home, or that the guys were still locked up and couldn't go with them. They were going whether anyone argued or not. Victoria hadn't heard from Cameron at all since the time with Abel, and she thought that maybe after all this time, he'd found something else to occupy his mind. Maybe a new girlfriend, or the second restaurant was opening like he'd been working on. Whatever it was, she hardly thought of him these days.

Life was good, and it was even better when she thought about the fact that in just two short months, Happy would be out and with her again.

Everything for the trip had been planned in advance. Gemma, with the help of a few of the crow eaters, would watch Thomas, Abel, and Piper. Victoria had used up the small amount of vacation time she'd earned at the station, and Tara had more than enough to use for a weekend away. Phil had agreed to stay at Victoria's house just in case. And Chibs, well, Chibs was going even though he didn't want to along with Miles to keep an eye on them.

He'd done nothing but complain for the last two weeks about his involvement, and Victoria felt like at any moment he could put his foot down and refuse to let them go, but Opie had signed off. Even Happy had given his approval, which Chibs had to hear from his mouth because he didn't believe for a second Happy Lowman would agree to a weekend getaway while he was stuck behind bars.

It took a lot of begging on Victoria's part, a lot of promises once he was released, but she finally wore him down. He didn't like it, and he complained almost every time they spoke, but he'd agreed to let her go have some fun with her friends. With Chibs in tow, of course.

Things had been calm in Charming. No one said it out loud, but it felt like a new beginning almost. In just a few short weeks, they'd all be whole again, and they could forget the last fourteen months ever happened. They could move forward.

The day finally came for them to leave, and Victoria felt excited and nervous. She'd packed her bags filled with swimsuits and dresses for going out, a few pairs of sandals and heels, and all the other necessities. She met Tara and Lyla at the garage, and they loaded up Gemma's Cadillac SUV with all of their luggage.

They hit the road early in the morning, and since San Francisco was less than three hours away, they got there just before noon. Opie had paid for them to stay in an oceanfront condo, and the second they stepped out of the car, Victoria felt all of the stress leave her body.

The air was warm and smelled of sea salt, and even from the parking lot they could hear the sound of waves crashing against the sand. Their new environment lightened everyone's mood, and even Chibs seemed to be smiling as he wheeled out a baggage cart for their luggage.

"We're going to be on our best behavior, aye, ladies?" he asked as he and Miles started piling their stuff onto the cart.

"Of course," Lyla said with a big grin, a pair of sunglasses covering her eyes. Chibs just gave them each a look that said he didn't believe a word of it, and the three of them took off into the hotel to check in, leaving the two guys to handle the bags.