Back To You

According To Plan

By the time the night started to wind down, I was buzzing but not drunk. The laughter, the familiar faces, had me feeling light and warm. It was a kind of comfort I hadn't felt in a long time, and everything just felt right for some reason. I leaned back in my chair, letting myself bask in the familiarity of it all, feeling a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth as I looked around at everybody.

Gemma was the current center of attention, as she told a story about the old days, that made the guys laugh. Renae was leaning over in her chair with her head resting easily on Juice's shoulder, talking to him as he rolled a joint. I shook my head at how cute they were, and how natural they were with each other. I looked over at Chuckie as he stood behind the bar, tapping his prosthetic fingers against the counter as he scanned the room with a look of contentment. Most likely because he was happy to have everyone... Well almost everyone all together again. Just like I was.

As the conversations started to slow down and people began to call it a night, I thought about the long ride down here and how I hadn't had any rest in two days. I figured it was time to head  home myself, and get the feel of the place again. I let out a breath as I stood up, a little wobbly but in control.

"Alright, y'all, I'm about to head home! I gotta get some rest after all that traveling I did!" I called out, getting a chorus of goodbyes in response. Remembering I didn't have my keys, I scanned the room for Polo, and spotted him playing pool with Half Sack. I made my way over to them just as they finished up a round.

"Polo!" I called out, catching his attention as he was setting up the balls. "Did you finish looking at my car?"

He turned toward me and nodded, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, I checked it out. Just needed oil, and I went ahead and changed the tires. Got it runnin' smooth again for you." He said, and I paused.

"All that? How much do I owe you?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"You good, but you been drinkin'. You should let me drive you home."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You act like I'm blackout drunk or something. I'm just a little tipsy, I've driven like this before. I'll be fine."

He shook his head, giving me stern look. "Sheeeiit! You crazy if you think I'ma let you drive home tipsy. I can take you in my car, and have Rat drive your car, then he can ride back with me."

I wanted to argue, but I could tell he wasn't gonna let up. "Alright, fine..." I said, and he nodded.

We walked to his car... a black Chevy Impala, and he opened the passenger door for me. I gave him a fake glare as I slid into the passenger seat, and he chuckled as he shut the door and circled around to the other side. After he started the engine, I gave him the address, and he put in into the gps on his phone. As he pulled out of the lot, I leaned back in my seat and looked out of my rear view mirror as Rat trailed close behind us.

When we pulled up to Jax's old house... well our old house... mine now, I felt my stomach twist. This was my first time seeing it in two whole years and while the house itself still looked the same, the yard was overgrown, and unkempt. I sat there frozen for a second as I took in the house that held so many memories, both good and bad.

"This is your house? You rent or own it?" Polo asked, cutting the engine and looking over at me.

I stared at the house for a second before answering. "I own it. This is the house I used to live in with Jax. He gave it to me back after... he got sentenced."

Polo looked at me, as a mix of surprise and respect crossed his face. "Damn, a whole house? That's love right there."

I let out a soft laugh but didn't respond. I swallowed hard, as I took in what he said. Yeah, it was love. A complicated, painful kind of love, but it was real, and it ran deep. As I stared at the house, my gaze drifted over to the carport where Jax's bike and truck still sat, covered in dust but untouched since the day he left. I remembered the times when I would pull up to see him working on something in there with a cigarette in his mouth, lost in his own little world. I let out a sigh, as I thought about how much I missed him, but Polo eventually snapped me out of it.