Appetite For Destruction

-019

I rolled over in bed the next day to find it empty, the clock on the nightstand read '1:34pm' and I still felt mentally and physically exhausted. Picking my phone up I had several missed texts from my mother giving me all the updates on Tara, the last read that Jax had a stand off with the guy who took her but she was now safe and they were at the hospital. I felt myself relax at the thought of everyone being safe but then a spike of sickness as I recalled the night before.

I felt my face screw up as I thought about how easily the knife had slid into his stomach like it was sliding into hot butter, shaking my head I threw my feet off the side of the bed and sat up. I was for sure going to get in trouble for not turning up to run the office today but I also could give less of a shit. I showered and pulled on anything I could find before moving to the kitchen. I stopped at the door looking at the now spotless kitchen, another wave of nausea swam through my stomach before I opened the fridge and pulled the bottle of moscato from the shelf.

Twisting the lid off and chucking it on the bench I took four large mouthfuls enjoying the cool feeling of it running down my throat. Before I could do anything else there was a loud bang on the door and I considered pretending I wasn't here but just as the thought crossed my mind the sound of a key entering the lock and the door opening interrupted me.

"Evelyn?" My mother's voice sounded and I rolled my eyes as I took another sip of the bottle.

I moved towards the dining table as I spoke "Kitchen mom"

Within a moment Gemma Teller strolled into the kitchen in all of her lace and denim glory. She looked from me to the bottle in my hand and shook her head "it's the middle of the day sweetheart and it's not like you to drink by yourself either"

I smirked up at her as I took another mouthful "What do I owe the pleasure of this visit mother?"

She sat in front of me lighting a cigarette "You didn't turn up to work this morning, and you didn't turn up to help find Tara...Juice said he was out late helping you when I asked why he was so tired"

I chuckled reaching out to take the smoke from her hand as I inhaled and blew the smoke out before I spoke "car wouldn't start, Happy was busy"

I watched her raise an eyebrow and shake her head, she looked like she knew better than the lies I was giving her, before she lent back in the chair "anyway Evelyn, I came to invite you to the party at the clubhouse tonight to celebrate Tara's return...you will be there, I don't wanna hear any excuses!"

I rolled my eyes as she got up and kissed my forehead "I love you brat, I don't know what's going on with you but socialisation will help and being with your family"

I nodded and took another drink of my wine before telling her I loved her too as she departed. Once she was out I put my head against the table and sighed. The last thing I wanted to do was socialise with anyone but even I wasn't game enough to argue with my mother.

—

Happy POV

I was sitting at the bar with Tig and Bobby when Evie stumbled in, it was evident she was wasted from the minute I laid my eyes on her. After being busy helping the club today I hadn't had a chance to check back in with her after last nights disturbance. She wore one of my SAMCRO shirts and a pair of denim short shorts with her hair messily following down her back and a bottle of vodka in her hand.

I watched as Jax spotted her and his jaw rolled as he turned to me to see if I saw what he saw. I nodded and watched as Evie greeted everyone with a huge grin and moved towards me "hey baby" her glassy eyes gleamed up at me and I smiled at her feeling a little sad for her, last night was obviously weighing on her a bit. I'd never had that guilt that other people had when it came to other people's deaths, in fact I often thrived on the thought of torturing others, it soothed a part of me deep down. Other than the club, my mother, aunt and Evie I had never felt a connection with people I didn't know. They didn't mean anything.

I put my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me as she over excitedly chatted with Bobby and Tig. I wasn't really listening to what they were saying as I sipped my beer but she seemed content. I watched as Jax kept an eye on his sister but he was also wrapped up in Tara and having her back.

The night wore on, Evie kept drinking and cheered extra loudly when Lyla and Opie announced their engagement but I felt her tension whenever she saw Juice who seemed to be keeping an extra amount of distance from her tonight, something that just didn't sit right with me knowing my woman was obviously upset.

When he walked outside and Evie pushed off of me to follow I sighed deeply before following her out of the clubhouse.

"Juice!" She called as he tried to quickly walk off towards his bike when he saw her coming.

He stopped but didn't turn around so she spoke again "how many fucking times are we gonna talk about you telling my fucking business to my family?" Her voice was getting louder now and I could see her fists opening and closing as she stepped slowly towards him "you know what Juice? I fucking hate you"

Jax and Clay were now either side of me as she walked towards him "she's wasted, should we stop her?" Jax muttered, I shook my head no.

Juice spun around with his hands up "I didnt tell her anything Evie"

Without warning she lunged the bottle she had in her hand towards him but he ducked in just enough time, sighing I stepped forward and picked her up "you need to go to bed" I mumbled as she tried to wriggle out of my arms but eventually gave up when she realised my grip on her wasn't loosening.

As we headed towards home I wondered if this is how she was handling everything currently, how she was going to handle the fact I was now going away tomorrow rather than in two weeks like she thought?