Spark in the Dark

Chapter 86

Shawn and Jax parted ways after leaving the police station. Shawn went back to Cara Cara and spent most of her afternoon working with Chuckie. Since Luanne hadn't let Shawn do anything with the books before, there was a lot Shawn didn't know. Chuckie seemed like he really knew about accounting and was able to go over everything with her. She thought he was a little strange, but in that moment, Shawn was actually pretty grateful for Chuckie.

She and Chuckie were just about done when Jax stepped into the office.

"Wow, I get to see you twice in one day, huh?" Shawn asked.

"Chuck, I need to talk to Shawn for a minute. Alone," Jax told him.

"I accept that," Chuckie said and stood from his seat to leave. Jax closed the door after him and then sat down where Chuckie had been.

"I need to ask you something," Jax said.

"Okay," Shawn said and leaned back in her chair.

"Can you do this?"

"This as in Cara Cara?"

"Yeah, take over for Luanne. Run this place."

"Yeah. I mean, at least I think so."

"I'm going to need a solid yes or a no here, kid," Jax said with a smirk.

Shawn thought for a minute. "Yes. I can do this."

"Do you want to do this?"

"What is this about?"

"Clay found out about the girls getting caught for prostitution. Wants to shut the whole place down. I want to make sure you're on board before I fight to keep it up and running. I don't trust anyone else but you to be here."

"I can do this, Jax. I want to do this. I've been here for so long, I'm not sure I actually could do anything else at this point."

Jax nodded. "Okay."

"Should I be worried about Clay?"

"Nah, we have to vote on it. No way the guys will vote against it. They love it here," Jax told her. "How you holding up?"

"Oddly well," Shawn answered. "I was a mess last night, but..."

Shawn let her sentence trail off. She had been about to tell Jax that Juice had helped her feel better. Instead, she just shrugged and hoped that was enough for Jax.

"Can I ask you one more question?" Jax asked.

"You just did," Shawn said and Jax gave her a look. "I'm kidding. Go ahead."

"Lyla?"

"What about her?"

"She's pushing up on Opie."

"She is not. She likes him. There's a difference," Shawn defended her friend.

"So, I don't need to be worried about that?"

"I didn't say that. You sure Opie is ready for something like that?"

Jax shrugged. "I don't know. Me and Opie have been a little at odds recently."

"You want me to talk to him?"

"Nah, it's club shit. We'll figure it out," Jax said and stood. "I got to go. I'll see ya later."

Jax bent to kiss her forehead and then left. Shawn leaned back in her chair and looked up at the ceiling. She blew out a puff of air in frustration. He had said not to worry about Clay, and yet, here she was... Worrying. There was a knock and Shawn looked back down to the doorway to see Chuckie.