Spark in the Dark

Chapter 98

"Oh, yeah. It's flattering to be treated like some kind of Cro Eater," Shawn complained. Jax didn't say anything. Just put his cigarette to his lips to light it. "I'm going to go."

"Shawn," Jax said to try to stop her from leaving, but she stood anyways. He watched her start down the ladder and stood. "Shawn!"

Juice took notice of the situation at that moment from his bike. He took off his helmet and rested it on the handlebar before climbing off the bike and walking towards Shawn.

"Everything okay?" He asked when she got to the bottom of the ladder.

"Fine," she said shortly. "I'm going home."

Juice watched her walk away as Jax climbed down the ladder. Once he reached the bottom, he stood next to Juice and puffed his cigarette. Juice knew he couldn't ask Jax what just happened. Jax would tell him it was none of his business since he had no idea Shawn was his old lady. Jax looked at him and must have noticed the troubled look on Juice's face.

"I'm an idiot," Jax told him. "Do me a favor? Make sure she gets home alright."

"Yeah, okay," Juice said and walked back to his back. Shawn pulled out a moment later and Juice followed her. Once they reached her house, Shawn pulled into her usual spot in her garage and Juice parked next to her. "What happened?"

"I'm probably overreacting. Don't worry about it," Shawn said as she shook her head. Then she remembered the night before. All a girl did was sit on his lap and he told her the truth. She knew she couldn't keep this from Juice. "Jax... just tried to kiss me."

"He did what?" Juice asked, outraged. "Shit. I'm gonna-"

"Do nothing?" Shawn finished his sentence.

"How can I do nothing?"

"Well, for starters he has absolutely no idea we're even together. If he did, he never would have done that. Plus, if you go in there ready to tear his head off, it's going to be a little obvious we're together. And if those two reasons aren't enough for you, there's the fact that he's your VP."

"Son of a bitch," Juice said he realized she was right. "I hate this."

"Yeah, I know," she replied. There really wasn't anything else she could say. It was up to him now to decide when to tell them.

"I have to go. Jax is probably wondering what's taking me so long. We have a run today, so I'll call you later?"

"Alright," Shawn agreed. Juice stepped forward and kissed her cheek. He didn't want to force a kiss on her after what Jax had done. As he stepped away, Shawn grabbed his cut and pulled him back for a real kiss.

"Bye," he said when they pulled away.

"Bye."

Shawn watched as he got on his bike and rode away before going inside. Dondo called later that morning to offer Shawn the job. He didn't pay as much as Luanne did, but it was enough that Shawn would still be comfortable. She was relieved when he said he wanted her there the following morning. All she had been wanting to do the last couple of days was get on with her life and going back to work was a good start to that.

She spent the afternoon running errands, like getting some work clothes dry cleaned for the following week and getting groceries. She had no idea how long Juice would be gone, so she cooked herself dinner and put leftovers in the fridge in case he came over hungry later. It was getting dark and Shawn was sitting on her bed, looking into her closet, while she tried to decide what to wear for her first day of work. Her phone started ringing and she reached across the bed to grab it off her nightstand. She had assumed it would be Juice, but instead groaned when she saw Jax's name.

"What?" Shawn answered.

"I know I have no right to ask you for a favor right now after what went down this morning, but-"

"You're going to anyways?"

"Gemma is on her way home. Probably going to my house to see Abel. Or maybe the clubhouse. I'm not sure. We're on our way back, but we're not going to beat her there."

"You still haven't told her he's missing?" Shawn asked in shock.

"Please see if you can find her. I don't want a Cro Eater to be the one to tell her that her grandson is kidnapped."

"You want me to do it?"

"Shawn, please. I am literally begging you," Jax pleaded.

"Fine," Shawn said and hung up on him. She jumped off her bed and hurried down the steps. She barely even paused to grab her car keys off the counter on her way out.

First, she drove passed Jax's place, but it was dark and there were no cars parked out front. She kept driving towards TM. She pulled into the lot and parked her car. She was on her way into the clubhouse as Gemma came out.

"Have you seen Neeta with the baby?" Gemma asked as soon as she saw Shawn.

"No. Listen, Gem, why don't we sit down? I have something to tell you."

"I just want to see my grandson!" Gemma protested.

"I know. I'm sorry. Look-"

Gemma's phone ringing interrupted Shawn's sentence, not that it mattered. Gemma wasn't really listening to Shawn anyways. Gemma answered and Shawn tried to listen in to see who it was. Before she could, the guys all pulled into the parking lot. Shawn looked over to them when she heard them, but looked back at Gemma when she dropped her phone.

"Gemma?" Shawn asked and touched her arm. Gemma collapsed into Shawn's arms and Shawn barely was able to keep them both from falling to the ground.

"Mom!" Jax yelled as everyone ran over to them. He took Gemma from Shawn and gently laid her down. "Tara!"

Tara rushed over to Gemma's side. "Shawn, call an ambulance. Tell them she might be having a heart attack."