He Comes at Night

Disturbed

Do we love Carter or do we love Carter? Yum

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Out of instinct, Nina lifted her lips slightly to shoot a friendly smirk his way. But his serious expression remained unchanged and she felt her face slowly fall at his lack of reception. 

"So, new kid," Ronnie asked from across from the burning fire, "Where did you even come from anyway?" his drunken tone sounded much too sarcastic and it was clear where this was going.

Trish frowned, "Ronnie can you ever not be an asshole?"

Jax though, didn't seem fazed by the rude outburst as his gaze lingered on Nina for a few seconds longer. 

Finally, he smiled.

"No it's okay," he reassured Trish as he looked away from Nina, Turning his attention to Ronnie, "California. Santa Monica if you want to get technical," he stated firmly, before taking the last sip of his beer.

Ronnie let out a laugh, genuinely amused by his answer for some reason, "You one of those little surfer bitches?"

Nina felt Carters chest lift and fall with an exhale, preparing himself for the inevitable. It was always his job to keep his friends in check. A fight was surely going to break out between the two if he didn't intervene. However, Jax didn't seem offended as he calmly set his empty bottle down in the sand.

"I surfed here and there. Waters out there can be real deceiving, lots of shit lurking below. Rip currents that'll drown you, sharp coral that'll slice you, big ass sharks that'll eat you. Now, I don't know about you, but anyone willing to take that on is anything but a bitch. If I'm being honest, I'd say the real bitch was the one with their ass in the sand trying to act tough when they wouldn't last a second out in the break," he let out breathlessly, more cool and calm than ever.

Carter adjusted Nina off of him gently, in preparation for the effect Jax's words might have on a very intoxicated Ronnie, although he started it. 

"Alright buddy, maybe it's time to put the bottle down," Carter suggested as he walked towards his friend. Who suddenly stood up with furrowed brows.

"What the fuck did you just say to me," Ronnie hissed in a disgruntled tone, as he launched from the sand, face scrunched with offense, "I'll slap that look off your pretty fucking face bitch, don't play with me!"

As Carter barriered himself between the two, Jax remained still, looking up at Ronnie's reaction with nothing but amusement. 

Nina wasn't sure what to make of the situation as she watched her boyfriend attempt to diffuse it, but she knew that neither of their reactions were normal. 

Suddenly Jax stood, talking slow steps towards the pair. 

"Everything's cool dude," Carter reassured Ronnie as Jax reached down, pulling the bottle of tequila from his clenched fist. Their gazes locked just as he pushed the glass rim to his lips, chugging it until it was empty.

Wiping his liquor coated mouth, he chuckled, "Yeah dude, everything's cool," he mocked, repeating Carters words to a bewildered Ronnie.

Nina looked on in awe, never had she witnessed Ronnie, a 240lb linebacker, back down from a challenge, even with Carter holding him back.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, adding to the dramatic experience. The clouds over the vast water lit up, giving warning of the incoming storm and thankfully giving everyone a chance to break from the awkwardness that spread within the group. 

As tiny drops of rain pelted Nina's forehead, she stood. 

It was time to get inside. 

Quickly, Trish followed her lead and began to prompt everyone, "Okay team, let's get inside before we melt."