Fall From Grace

Chapter Three

Opie

"Is that your old lady?" Tara asks, sitting her beer down on the bar as Jax shuffles a deck of cards in his hands skillfully. "I didn't know she was back in town."

I've called Gracie my old lady since we were twelve. It's what Samcro calls their faithful wives but it means nothing and everything to me at the same time. I blow the smoke from my lungs and crush my cigarette into the ashtray before glancing up to see Gracie walk into the club.

"Holy shit! You look like a blonde fucking Gemma!" Jax yells - saying what we're all thinking as he doubles over - his loud laugh filling the large space. Gracie rolls her eyes and makes her way to us saying hello to a few girls from town that we grew up with.

"You know how she is. I don't want to hurt her feelings." Gracie assures as I try to hide my smile when our eyes meet. She looks exactly like Gemma except shorter and naturally blonde.

I watch her hug Tara - filling her in on the details of the last week and then she sits beside me at the bar, our arms touching and I notice she even smells like Gemma. That familiar vanilla that hits you like a fist at first but then fades away into a pleasant scent. "All jokes aside, sis. We're glad you're back. You belong with Samcro." That said Jax pours her a shot and I watch as she drinks it down in one quick gulp barely having a reaction to the clear burning liquid except for the slight twitch of her nose. "Thanks, guys. That means a lot. I hate Kitty couldn't tame her demons but at least she's at rest now. I hope."

Jax pours each of us a shot and I lift mine in the air. "To Kitty. May she rest in peace." Gracie smiles and lifts her shot glass clinking it with mine as we all drink the contents down quickly.

X

Gracie

"I'm not getting wasted. You guys don't have to answer to Clay Morrow."

Jax glances to Opie and laughs. "Since when? He's been on our asses since before dad died."

"Yeah, but you're blood of the first nine."

I watch Opie beside me, trying to stifle his laugh. "So are you." He whispers between us causing my eyes to widen. Okay, maybe I've had too many shots when I promised Clay I'd stick to beer. "Whatever." Jax, Tara and Opie all laugh together causing me to join in as I stand on shaky legs, reaching for Opie's arm to steady myself. "Yeah, you've definitely had enough."

"I've got to pee."

"Alright, come on." Opie takes my hand and guides me towards the bathroom - standing at the door like he's my god damn bodyguard. Something's never change. When I'm finished the guy Gemma warned me about is standing with Jax, Tara and what looks like a crow eater with curly red hair. Shit. I was enjoying catching up with my friends but like a good old lady I take Opie's hand and nod towards the back of the club house - letting him guide me into one of the few suites.

"Thanks. I just need a break for a few minutes. Jax keeps pouring me shots like I just got out of prison or something." I assure with a laugh as Opie closes the door and crosses the room, sitting beside me on the bed. "I need to talk to you anyway." He says softly - keeping his eyes forward as I give him my full attention.

"Okay, talk." I assure as he finally glances over to me. "I fucked up when you left, Gracie. I should have never let you leave without saying goodbye - I should have kicked Clay's ass in the bar that night and kidnapped you." I can't help but laugh, placing my hand on his thigh. "It's coo..."

"Don't say it's cool. Don't brush this off like it's no big deal. I know I hurt you and I'll spend the rest of my life making up for that."

"The rest of your life huh? Wow." I shove my shoulder into his playfully, trying to lighten the mood. "What does your weekly crow eater think about being indebted to me forever?"

Opie rolls his eyes at the thought. "You know better than that shit. You're the only girl I will ever love, Gracie." He whispers between us and I can't help but smile. "I just want to go back to how things were before I left. Forget about the past two years and all the heartache it caused."

Opie raises an eyebrow. "I seem to remember it going something like this..." He mutters, tilting his head slightly as I lean into him. Opie's hands sink into my hair as he pulls me towards him, demanding my tongue with his - causing my breath to catch in my throat. When he pulls away from me - gasping for air his gaze finds mine and the light I thought he'd lost is back in his deep blue eyes. "What about you? Any guys in Nevada I have to go kill?" He asked with a knowing grin. "Only like... ten."

His eyes go wide in mock shock. "Damn girl. Giving Jax a run for his money." I laugh out loud and shake my head. "Opie. I'm your old lady." I assure him as he leans into my kiss again.

X

"Looks like we didn't get an invite to the orgy." Opie says as I slap his chest and laugh, adverting my eyes as my brother from another mother shoves his tongue down Tara's throat forcefully. Jax is standing between her parted legs - that are wrapped around his back - with his hands buried in her dark hair while the head tattoo guy presses the crow eater into the bar matching Jax energy. Opie knocks his knuckles on the heavy wood of the bar telling Jax to find a room before Clay sends one of his lackeys over to check in then he smacks the guy with the Mohawk on the back of the head pulling his attention away from red. I stand behind Opie smiling politely but the girl narrows her eyes at me and storms away after Opie tells her to fuck off.

"Juice. This is Gracie. Clay's daughter."

I hesitate as Juice reaches his hand to me to shake, idly wondering where it's been before taking it quickly. "Pleased to meet you, Gracie."

"Juice?" I ask looking between the two of them. "Juan, but everyone calls me Juice. It's cool, uh. I should..."

"Juice is our computer guy. Clay's making him a prospect next week."

The mention of a computer catches my attention and I turn to Juice quickly. "Do you do any graphic design?" He looks to Opie for permission to speak. "Y-yeah. I've got a few programs for that."

My eyes light up. "One day I want my own beauty shop and I could really use someone's help designing a logo. I've never really been around computers much, except in school."

Juice brightens at the chance to talk computers. "Absolutely! I can bring my laptop by the shop next week and show you some of the software I use... if uh, that's okay with you? Ope?"

I glance up to Opie who lost his smile as soon as Jax left. He looks indifferent, shrugging a broad shoulder before glancing down to me. "Whatever man, I'm not her keeper."

"Okay. Cool. I'll uh... just go away. Nice meeting you, Gracie. Opie." I watch as they slap hands and Juice takes off in the direction of the redhead leaving me alone with Opie at the bar. "He seems cool." I say when Opie doesn't and he nods, finally turning his attention back to me. "He'll be a good member for the club one day."

I smile and nod. Samcro definitely needs that - people that will have each other's backs. "How's Piney doing? I haven't seen him around this week." Opie takes his seat at the bar - turning so he's facing me and he takes my hands in his, looking down between us. "He's alright. Been in the hospital a few times last month for his COPD. Finally started wearing the oxygen tank. Hard headed bastard."

I smile, agreeing. Piney does things his way. Like all of Samcro. "He's going to beat my ass when he finds out I'm failing English. I'll probably have to go to fuckin' summer school just so I can graduate."

"Shit. I can help you. I mean - don't expect an A or anything but I'm sure we can get it pulled up to at least a C."

Opie grins, looking up to meet my eyes. "That would be great. Clay's starting to get us more involved in the club. I can't spend the summer at Redwood High." I search his face, feeling my chest swell with old feelings. I love Opie. I've loved him for as long as I can remember. I love my dad too but I know he deals with illegal shit and the thought of any of them getting caught breaks my heart. I also know better than to tell any of them my thoughts because they will fall on deaf ears. Opie, Jax and Clay bleed Samcro.

X