Playing with fire -Jax Teller-

Chapter 6- Let me in

"What the hell took you so long?" Gemma asked taking in her swollen lips, flushed skin and her overall happier demeanor. Goddamnit Jax!

"Needed a smoke break."

She would let it go for now since half the club was still lingering around but this was going to be addressed. "Well I'm done now."

"Sorry Gem."

Gemma waved her off to go in search of her old man. She needed a distraction from the thoughts of her son's impending death.

Charlotte sat beside Donna with Ellie in her lap as they made plans to have a kid free lunch on Monday. Ellie snuggled into her chest letting out a small yawn. The party had died down and everyone besides Opie's family and Jax had left.

"We better get going." Donna said reaching for her sleepy daughter. Ellie let out a shriek holding tighter to Charlie's neck.

"I'll carry her to the car." Charlie laughed.

"Love you Ope." She hugged her brother after strapping Ellie in her car seat.

"Love you too shithead."

She couldn't help but feel guilty for wanting to keep whatever had happened between her and Jax a secret but she knew her brothers temper. He had beat up one too many ex boyfriends than she was comfortable with. She was confused and when she was confused she always wanted to go one of three people. Opie, Jax or Gemma. She knew she couldn't talk to any of them about how she was feeling.

The sound of Jax's bike tore her from her thoughts as he peeled out of the driveway and up the street. She stood at the end of the walkway watching him drive away until she couldn't see him anymore. Jesus Christ.

She walked back into the house just as her phone buzzed in her back pocket.

Jax: let me know when my mom and Clay go to bed and leave your window unlocked.

She absentmindedly smiled at the screen. The thought of him wanting to see her again so soon outweighing her guilt and confusion.

"That Jax?" Gemma asked causing her to jump.

"W-What? No."

"Don't you lie to me, Charlotte Elizabeth Winston. Jax already tried that."

She was dumbfounded. How did she know? She stood there silently trying to think of a way to talk her way out of this.

"Well? Are you going to say anything?" Gemma crossed her arms.

"I don't know what to say, Gem. He just— we just kissed. It's not like that."

"Do you know what your father would do if he found out? What Opie would do?"

"They won't find out Gem, ok. They can't."

"Your damn right they can't so it doesn't need to happen again. Do you understand?" She scolded.

Charlotte just shook her head. "I do. I'm sorry. Goodnight."

"Goodnight sweetie."

Charlotte slipped into her sleep shorts and tank top and climbed into bed. She was utterly exhausted. She had felt just about every emotion she could think of in the last 24 hours and was ending it with hurt. She knew Gemma was right. She couldn't keep something like this from her dad and brother and she didn't want to ruin her friendship with Jax. Shit. Maybe we've already ruined it.

She was also angry that Jax hadn't at least given her a heads up that his mother knew. She walked right into that one blind. Maybe if she knew she could have talked her way out of it and not had to feel so shitty now knowing that it couldn't happen again.