Black Water | Jax Teller

Chapter 8

Vanessa knew she made a mistake. Mistake was a thick word, but she knew she was playing with fire. She never stopped loving Jax. She would never deny that. However, after the betrayal by Jax, she believed love could hurt. Loving Jax was pain. The way she loved Jax would never stop. She created a life with this man. She created lives with him. As the father of her children, she would always love him.

But because she loved him didn't mean she needed to be with him.

She knew her resolve was weakening when it came to him. She knew any day she was going to let him back in. But then there was Heath. She knew she should end it, but a part of her did mull over what Heath did say in that classroom. She was still pissed at him, but she thought maybe there was some truth to his words.

If she would've had her way, she and Jax would be divorced. Would she regret it? She didn't know, but Jax never let her find out or even set up a chance to know if it was what she truly wanted. They never met with lawyers or even a counselor to talk about the state of their marriage. She couldn't put the blame solely on Jax as she could've been stricter in the parameters of their separation, but she never felt separated from him.

Even in kicking him out the house, a prospect or patch still lurked around the corner. Jax's presence was always there. It was suffocating and probably, most likely, unhealthy.

She knew she didn't love Heath. She enjoyed his company. And she needed to talk to him. She knew if Jax ever found out she been with Heath, or any other man, he would go on a murder spree that would make Happy proud of.

Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when Jax placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Jesus Christ, Jax." She hissed as her hand went to her chest as she felt her heart pound against its cage.

He didn't say anything but raised an amused eyebrow at her as he eyed her.

"Your phone has been going off nonstop," he explained as he dangled her phone in front of her face before she snatched it.

"I'm surprised you didn't answer it." She muttered under her breath which he heard. She took a quick glance at her phone and it thankfully only her mother. She quickly put her phone in her jean pocket. She would talk to her later. She looked back at Jax while he grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. "Is Abel ready for practice?"

Jax nodded his head as he took a long sip of water. "We should go to brunch."

Vanessa looked at Jax confused as Abel had practice in 30 minutes. "Don't you think it's a little too late for brunch?"

"I meant after we drop Abel off, we should go together just the two of us." Jax clarified.

Vanessa looked at him skeptically. She had no reason to say no even if this offer was sounding like a date. She couldn't remember the last time Jax took her on a date that wasn't at the clubhouse or the cabin.

"Where are we going to take Thomas?"

"Let my ma have 'em. She already whines she doesn't see him enough anyways."

They both knew it was bullshit as Gemma seen the boys at least every day. Gemma saw the boys more than Vanessa's own parents did. Vanessa shook her head but sighed in defeat, "Fine."

Jax responded with a blinding smile.

______________

Lumpy's Family Restaurant was the oldest food establishment in the Charming and of course it was a locally owned business. It opened after the end of World War II by Lumpy Fitzgerald and his wife, Helda, and it was still run by the Fitzgerald family.