You Aren't From Around Here

Chapter 3 - Is This A Party or a Wake?

The wind in my face, my reddish hair is blowing around trying to escape the confines of the slightly too big helmet wobbling on my head. The sound of the motorcycle is hypnotic as we wind down several roads, passing through the small downtown area, then a small residential neighborhood before crossing over some train tracks into a more industrial area. My arms wrapped around the firm torso of an almost perfect stranger, my head rests against his shoulder as I inhale his scent. It's about 2 parts leather, 2 parts motor oil and exhaust and the rest is all male, he smells amazing.

We slow down as we approach Teller Morrow Automotive according to the sign on the wall. We pull in front of a large chain link fence and the gate swings open. As we pull through the gate, a tow truck pulls out. Jax expertly pulls the bike through the gate and backs it into a space where there are a number of other bikes parked.

The others pull their bikes in next to Jax, in such a precise way that I can tell they have done this many times before.

We are in a huge courtyard, parking on one side, an automotive garage, with several bays and quite a few car parked around, directly in front of us is a huge mural of the reaper on a brick wall, there is a covered area where the majority of people are. There is a huge grill with lots of food cooking, there are picnic tables with more food and people.

Jax helps me off the bike, removing the helmet he throws it onto his handlebar.

He looks to Chibs, who has gotten off his own bike which again was parked next to Jax, "Thanks for getting someone on that Honda, can you believe it runs!"

"Well shite, I can't hardly believe that it runs." He replies.

"My car does not need towed, it runs fine, I can't afford to have it towed." I say indignantly.

He grins "darling I would feel safer leaving you to eat that food than letting you drive that death trap. Come on let's go get some real food" he takes my hand and walks me across the lot towards the food, he grabs me a plate and we start filling them with lots of food. There was more food choices than at a Golden Corral, I can barely believe this is just a small party. We fill our plates, then as we walk toward a table, a skinny blonde with fake boobs pushes me out of the way and hugs Jax.

Did I call it, I bet she is "his type". Before I can even comment, he shoves her away and says, "go away Liza."

She looks me up and down taking in my jeans, pink shirt and cardigan sweater, "who the fuck let in the teacher?"

I look at Jax who quickly and loudly says "I said go away Liza, can someone please get this Bitch away from me NOW!"

The red head from the bar comes over and grabs her around the waist and carries her across the lot to where there is a small group of girls standing around, near a picnic table and a small patch of grass.

He comes back over, "she won't be bothering you again, brother"

"Thanks Ope, Opie I would like you to meet Katelyn, Opie here is my best friend, and has been ever since he saved me from Sally Porter in 2nd grade." At this Opie blushes.

I reach out my hand, "nice to meet you I saw you at the bar." He nods in acknowledgement.

Opie moves just a few feet away and turns to observe the crowd. We sit down and eat, as we are finishing, Jax says "darling, I will be right back, just stay right here with Ope" to Opie "watch her, I gotta deal with Gemma"

He gets up and walks across the lot and enters what appears to be the auto shop office.

Opie sits down and looks at me "so you really were going to eat at joes?" Laughing "you really aren't from around here."