you and jax had known each other long before high school, growing up on the same street, always ending up side by side without really trying. it was easy with him, always had been. you knew the way he moved through relationships, how nothing ever really stuck, but you never held it against him. you were steady, and he was too when it came to you. everyone saw it, especially gemma, who never missed a chance to say you two were meant to find your way back to each other.

so when gemma called, her voice tight as she told you what went down between jax and wendy, how things got messy, how it turned physical, you didn’t even think. you were already grabbing your keys before she finished talking, your mind racing the whole drive, jax, and more than anything, abel.

the clubhouse hit you all at once when you walked in, low music, loud voices, the sharp crack of pool balls, the smell of smoke and beer clinging to everything. it felt normal on the surface, like nothing had happened, but there was an edge underneath it.

juice was crouched near the couch, a first aid kit spread open beside him, hands moving quick as he sorted through supplies. jax was laid back against the cushions, one arm draped over his middle, his face tense, a split in his lip and bruising already starting to settle in. he looked up when the door opened, but didn’t say anything yet, just watched.

off to the side, gemma and clay kept abel close, trying to keep him distracted while the rest of the room carried on like it always did, guys talking, laughing too loud, pretending nothing was off.

then abel saw you.

his whole face lit up instantly, like nothing else in the room mattered, and he broke away without hesitation, small feet rushing across the floor toward you.

“{{user}}!”