Fall From Grace

Chapter Six

Gracie

"Okay. Thanks." I close my cellphone with a sigh, running a hand through my damp hair as I sink down onto the bed - clutching my aching heart. I knew Opie would take the news of me leaving bad but his heartless words shattered my heart.

The beauty school told me they could refund a partial amount of the tuition I've paid them but no luck with the landlord. After a ten minute lecture on the high demand of his apartment complex he pretty much told me I was shit out of luck and he'd be keeping my first three months rent if I didn't show up next week.

Can I really let all of my dreams go to be with Opie? For a man who claims to love me so much he didn't budge at the idea of coming with me. My gaze falls to the small black box sitting on my dresser and the ache in my chest spreads through me. An engagement ring.

Take that and pay your fucking tuition.

Tears flood my eyes.

Nothing would make me happier than being Opie's wife. I would love and honor him fiercely but now everything is ruined.

I lay down on my bed and bury my face in the pillow, bringing my knees to my chest as a sob escapes me.

X

It's dark outside when I wake up and the ache in my chest is only growing as I sit up slowly and look around the room. I've slept all day. Shit. I pick up my phone seeing that no one's tried to contact me and let it fall back to the bed, pushing myself up and crossing the room to the box on the dresser. A gasp falls from my lips as I open it and marvel at the sparkling princess cut diamond shining up at me. It has to be at least a carat and shined to perfection.

There's only one job that would provide Opie with enough money for this ring. Running guns for Clay. I sit the box down carefully and place my hand on my aching chest. I have to go talk to him - give Opie an ultimatum to save his fucking life. I'll stay in Charming - marry him, give him a houseful of beautiful babies but he has to leave Samcro. I'll hold a gun to Clay's head and force him to let Opie out if it means saving his life.

Turning to my closet I grab a pair of dark jeans and a pale blue shirt - changing quickly before brushing through my air dried hair and placing the ring box in my pocket. There's nothing I can do about my puffy face and red exhausted eyes but I grab some lipgloss and head downstairs quickly.

To my surprise Gemma is sitting at the kitchen table looking over paperwork for the auto shop. "Hey baby. You alright?" She mutters, lost in thought as she types away on a large calculator. "Yeah. I'm fine. Have you seen Jax and Opie?"

Gemma looks up at me slowly, removing her reading glasses. "They're still at the bar. Apparently the party started back up this morning." She rolls her eyes at the thought - searching my face. "You sure you're alright?"

I must look as bad as I feel but I can't lie to Gemma. My shoulders fall as I sink down to the chair beside her. "I told Opie about Pasadena." I pull the black box from my pocket and hand it to her with a frown. "He threw this at me and told me to pay my tuition with it. He said if I leave don't bother coming back."

"Oh, honey." Gemma looks at me sadly. "You know Mary left Opie and Piermont every chance she could. He can't handle that shit like normal people."

"I know. I don't want to hurt him. I love him so much Gemma." I shake my head as the tears begin to fall again. "I just wanted our own life together. Away from Samcro. Even if it's just for a little while."

Gemma reaches for my face and forces me to look at her. "Then go talk to him. He loves you Gracie. He wants to marry you. Do you think my Jax will ever settle down with Tara? Ever marry her? Opie isn't like him. He's devoted to you."