It's Hard Not to Hate - An Outlaw Love Story

Chapter Twenty-Three.

The drive was mostly silent, classic rock played quietly in the background, Jax's thumb tapping along on the steering wheel every once in a while. Taylor was mostly focused in on the sounds of the tires rolling across the pavement, crunching leaves and gravel as they went. The closer they got to Sacramento, the more nervous she became. By the time her appointment came around tomorrow who knew what kind of state she would be in. Jax was doing his best to ease her worries, to be supportive and reassuring and optimistic. But she knew how this went. The chance of recurrence went down the farther out from remission you got, but the odds of the cancer coming back, in one way or another, were always higher than remaining cancer free for life. It was fact, proven by science, and no amount of optimism could top that.

They checked into their hotel as soon as they arrived; it was quaint and clean with decor that obviously hadn't been updated in at least twenty years. It wasn't quite as warm out as it had been in Charming, the summers were a bit milder up north, and the soft wind that blew around them brought goosebumps to Taylor's arms.

"Any good steak places around?" Jax asked as he nestled the bags in the corner of the dark room. He yanked open the curtains, allowing light to flood in, particles of dust floating in the rays.

"Yeah there's one not far from here. Couple of miles maybe." Taylor pulled her legs up underneath her on the bed and rested against the headboard. Jax leaned over her and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Let me shower real quick and then we'll go eat. That okay?" Taylor nodded and he disappeared around the corner into the bathroom, the sound of running water soon followed. She wasn't at all hungry, but she needed to eat something. And how could she say no to Jax offering to take her out for a nice dinner?

Taylor's phone began chirping from inside her purse, and she darted across the room to grab it, bringing it to her ear without even taking the time to see who it was that was calling.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Taylor, it's uh-"

"What do you want? Why are you calling me, Henry?" Immediately recognizing the voice the color drained from her face and she collapsed back on to the bed, her legs practically giving out under her weight.

"You're in town right? Or, you're going to be tomorrow, anyway?" He asked.

"How did you-?" None of her words were coming out right; it was as if her tongue had been expertly twisted into a dozen knots.

"My number must still be on file at Dr. Herman's office; I got a reminder call about your appointment tomorrow."

"What do you want?" She asked again, begging him for an answer

"I'm selling the house. Your name is still on the deed so I need you to sign, give your permission for me to sell. Can you come by after your appointment tomorrow? It'll just take a minute. I know I-"

"Fine, whatever," she muttered interrupting him. She hung up before she allowed him to say anymore. Her stomach began to churn, her body becoming tingly and numb as anxiety overtook her. Tomorrow had just become much, much worse.

Jax exited the bathroom, steam following him, a towel was wrapped tightly around his waist, beads of water escaping his hair and rolling down his shoulders. "Who were you talk-" He paused as he looked up at her. "Taylor are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

She had seen a ghost, or rather, had heard one.

"My ex husband just called," she said, her voice practically a whisper. It'd been at least a year since she had last spoke with him. Hearing his voice brought back a rush of feelings, burying her under a landslide of pain and grief.

Jax pulled the towel from his waist and ran it through his hair to collect the excess water. Taylor normally would've been distracted by his beautiful, naked body so close to her, but she felt stuck, trapped in her mind.

"Are you okay, baby?" He asked, taking a seat next to her and rubbing his hand over her thigh. She just shrugged, and he gave her leg a soft squeeze. "What did he want?"

"He's gonna sell our- the house we bought after we got married. Needs me to sign it away, basically. We gotta go over there after my appointment tomorrow."

Jax tucked her hair behind her ear and she turned her head to look at him. "I'm here, babe. He can't hurt you anymore. I won't let him." Jax always knew just what to say to her, and as he leaned forward and kissed her lips she almost forgot what it was that had upset her so much. Jax was all she needed, all she wanted. She could sign over this house, be done with this chapter of her life, and move on, with Jax by her side.

"I don't know why I'm even letting him effect me like this anymore," Taylor said with a dry chuckle. "I just, you feel betrayed, you know? So angry and broken and unimportant. Like the vows we had made were for nothing. He couldn't even stick by me in my darkest of times, when I needed someone the most."

"That just shows you what a horrible person he is, babe. I can't even imagine." Jax felt his walls breaking, his vulnerability beginning to slip away. She brought out a softer side of him, a side that was concerned with things besides just the club and his bike and his ego. A side of him that was slowly learning what it truly meant to be in love.