Spark in the Dark

Chapter 185

When Gemma called Shawn's cell phone the next afternoon, Shawn seriously considered ignoring it. Ally had been up multiple times the night before and Shawn had no intention of leaving the house that day. She answered the phone on the last ring before it went to voicemail, only because she knew Gemma would just keep calling until she answered if she really wanted something, with the word 'no' on the tip of her tongue.

"Yeah?" Shawn answered.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?"

"If you want to drop off the boys, that's fine. I am so not leaving the house today."

"Rough night?" Gemma asked, sounding amused.

"How are lungs that small so powerful?"

"Wait til she's a teenager," she said jokingly. "I was calling to see if you could watch Abel, but you would be willing to leave the house just long enough to pick him up at Diosa?"

"You took him to a brothel?" Shawn asked completely deadpanned. "Where's Thomas?"

"Brooke has Thomas. I brought Abel with me, but some shit went down."

"What kind of shit?"

"You know that new girl? Sandy? Her old man came in here looking for money. He hit me and Nero retaliated."

"He hit you first, huh?" Shawn asked skeptically.

"Not exactly," Gemma said defensively. "Can you come get Abel or not?"

"I'll be there soon," she relented with a sigh.

Shawn got herself and Ally dressed, packed a diaper bag, and got her into her carseat. As she started her car, she realized just how long it had all taken her and already knew Gemma was going to be annoyed. She drove there and carried Ally's carrier inside, where she was greeted by police officers, whores, and a few club members.

Chibs saw her first and immediately offered to take the heavy carrier for her. She handed it over with a grateful smile. He lifted it up to get a better look at the baby as he carried it over to the bar and set her down. Shawn saw Gemma on a couch, reading Abel a story. She passed the book to Abel and walked over.

"Took you long enough," she complained.

"I had to get me and a completely dependant baby ready to go. It takes a little longer these days." Gemma mostly ignored her and began taking Ally out of the carrier. "Oh, Gem, I wasn't planning on getting her out. I just wanted to pick up Abel and go."

Gemma lifted the baby, gaining attention of the girls who were there. With a few gasps and a screech or two, they rushed to hover over Gemma and Ally. Shawn looked at Chibs, who sighed and rolled his eyes in response.

Jax and Happy came out of the back. Shawn made eye contact with Jax. He gave her a curt nod and seemed content with leaving it at that, but this was the second time he was going to ignore her since Tara died and Shawn didn't want to leave it like that. She stepped towards him. He sighed as he realized he had to talk to her. He said something to Happy and patted the man's shoulder as he walked away.

"What's up?" Jax asked when she got closer to him.

"I haven't talked to you since Tara died. I wanted to check up on you. See if you're alright."

"I'm getting through it, thanks."

Shawn narrowed her eyes at him. "Are we okay?"

"We're fine," Jax said casually.

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a bad liar?"