Bumper Cars [EDITING]

° seventeen °

* A Week Later *

- Jax POV -

After the Indian Hills run, I walked in the house, and like usual, Henley was cleaning.

"Hey, babe", she said, once she spotted me.

I kissed her forehead.

"How was your run ?", she asked.

I had an immediate rush of guilt... I gave her another kiss, and a simple, "Fine", before going to take a shower.

- Henley POV -

I could tell by the way he acted that he was hiding something. I didn't want to think into it too deep, so I just pushed it to the back of my mind.

I finished cleaning the kitchen, then walked into the bathroom to pick up the clothes I know Jax left the on the floor. It took everything in me to not go through the pockets.

I just threw them in the hamper and grabbed my car keys and purse. There's only one person that I can talk to when I'm feeling crazy....

"I'm gonna go see Donna...", I yelled into the bathroom.

°°°

"I think he's a liar", I said, after Donna handed me my coffee.

"That's not surprising. He's put you through some stuff. Are you sure it's not just the past creeping into your head", she said, poking my temple.

"No. I think he's creeping in general."

She laughed.

"He just seemed to want you to stay too bad. I don't see him throwing it all away."

"You don't know Jackson. He's perfect at ruining good shit."

"Talk to him."

"And what the hell am I supposed to say ? 'I know you're fucking lying to me, so just cough it up before I find out and cut you ?!'"

"Maybe not those exact words... And maybe not have anything sharp near you during the conversation."

"I don't know if I want the truth. Maybe, I should just not say anything. Let it stay good."

She rolled her eyes.

"What ?", I asked.

"If you do that... You'll do that super passive aggressive thing that you do."

"I'm not passive aggressive."

"Yes. You are. I have to go get the kids. Just... Don't do anything too rash, okay ?"

"Yeah... I love you, D."

"I love you too, Hen."

°°°

I was at the hospital with Abel, when Jax walked in.

"Hey, babe", he said, kissing my cheek.

"Hey."

"How's my boy ?"

"He's smiling a lot today... Wriggling around, too."

"It's you. He loves you."

"Well, I love him, too."

Then, the last person I ever thought I'd see walked in.

Tara Knowles.

Jax didn't look surprised, at all. He already knew.

"Henley ? Hey, I didn't know you were back in town", she said, looking kind of disappointed.

"Really ? I've been back for almost 2 months. I didn't know you were back either."

"Few weeks. I saw Abel's name and asked Dr. Namid if I could assist on his case."

I just nodded and smiled... while my fucking world exploded. Jax knew she was here. He didn't give me a heads up, or anything. He fucking knew.

I never hated Tara. She and I were friends, then she slept with my boyfriend while I was pregnant with his kid, but I still never hated her. We never argued or fought, but I've had those dreams where I bash her face with a tire iron...

She's not a bad person. She just... She fucking broke my world. I've never been able to forgive that, ever.

She checked up on Abel, flashed Jax a smile, and left.

Jax put his hand on my shoulder and I shrugged it off.

"Hen..", he started before I cut him off.

"How long have you known she was here, Jackson !?", I asked, calmly, trying not to act how I was feeling.

"I found out before I left for Indian Hills..."

"No fucking heads up !? I came here everyday, while you were in Indian Hills.. You didn't think I should know ?"

He kneeled down in front of me, grabbed my face, and forced me to look at him.

"Tara being back... Has nothing to do with me and you. You're MY old lady. She's Abel's doctor, that's it."

"You fuck someone in Indian Hills ?", I asked, already knowing the answer.

He looked down. "Sorry", he whispered.

"No more bullshit ? Remember that !?", I whisper yelled, "God, I can't believe you, sometimes."

"You gonna leave, again ?", he said with an attitude.

"I'm fucking here, Jackson. I'm visiting your son everyday. I'm cleaning your house. I'm riding your dick. All I want from you... Is fucking honesty. I'm not going anywhere... Unless you give me a reason to."

"I know. I fucked up. I'm sorry, Hen."

"Yeah...", was all I could say to him.