The Pull | Jax Teller

Somber

PART 2: Muddy Waters

"If you're honest with me there is no truth that I won't be able to handle."

At first, Delilah wasn't sure she heard him right. She thought that maybe he wasn't even speaking English to her. She knew it showed on her face as she eyed the depressed man in front of her. She went to open her mouth, but Jax squeezed her shoulder as a warning.

Her nostrils flared at these stupid social protocols she now needed to follow as an Old Lady. If Jax or Lip weren't about to call their friend out on his bullshit, she was. Besides, her title as an Old Lady didn't change the fact that Opie was like a brother to her. Didn't change that she loved Opie and wanted the best for him. With that, it meant she was entitled to call him out on his shit.

"I need to do this – for me." Opie repeated to her. "I need to get away for a bit."

"For how long?" Delilah asked as she looked into Opie's dark eyes. It was obvious he hadn't been sleeping as there were dark purple bruises under his eyes. She's unsure if he had even showered because it's obvious that he had neglected to shave as his beard was growing wildly.

"I called Mary. She has no problem coming down while I'm gone."

"How long Opie?" Delilah repeated.

"Ope, you take all the time you need," Jax interjected as he moved from Delilah's side and over to Opie.

Delilah bit her lip as Jax shot her a look that clearly indicated to calm down. Delilah took a forceful breath against Abel's head.

"You can at least say goodbye to the kids," Delilah told him before she walked into the kitchen.

Jax bit his lip as he held back his sigh as Delilah walked away clearly angry.

"Sorry bro," Opie told him. Probably for the first time in days a small smile worked its way onto Opie's lips.

Jax looked over at him confused wondering why he was apologizing for anything.

"I know once I leave she's going to bitch at you," Opie clarified.

Jax huffed at that but didn't deny it.

"You're going to have to get used to that. Women bitch all the time." Opie told him as his lips quirk even further. He struggled to maintain or even do such a simple facial expression. Jax knew it's because Opie was about to become lost in the memory of Donna.

"I wouldn't let Del hear you say that," Jax told him.

"She's not too bad. After all, she is willingly putting up with your shit."

Jax shrugged his shoulders as he led Opie to the door. "You be careful out there, bro. Take all the time you need."

Opie nodded his head as they gave each other a departing hug.

Jax walked back into the kitchen where he found Delilah feeding Abel. The growl of Opie's bike echoed in the background before they faded.

"He could've at least said goodbye to his kids." She huffed as she eyed Jax irritated.

"Del, he just lost his wife." If Opie really knew the truth about Donna, he was sure Opie would go down a rabbit hole that he would never get out of.

"He's a parent, Jax –"

"Del..." Jax interrupted.

"What?" She asked with narrowed eyes.

Jax walked closer to her as he leaned against the table. "He needs time. If this is what Opie needs right now, I'm not going to deny him that."