Page 27 of When Life Sucks!

“Oh my, oh my…” I can’t stop the laughter that has burst forth. Then I have another thought! “Well, if Beast is my father-in-law, I can call him Dad.”

Sadie giggles and as we look at each other we both laugh hysterically at the tangled relationship we just unearthed. Oh, I can’t wait to call Beast Dad instead of Uncle. That’s going to have his chest pop and nearly burst out of his cut.

Checking on the apartment block an hour later, I’m disappointed to see an offer is on it. The owner has put a hold on the sale until he’s checked the offer out. I’m disappointed, but other things will come up. You just have to bide your time.

Arriving home, a note is on the kitchen counter asking me to go to the clubhouse. Now, I’m not keen on the idea, but I know that I will have to get over my feelings for the place if Jax and I are going to have a solid relationship. It would never be more than a fling if I didn’t visit the clubhouse, as it’s more than just a meeting place. It’s the center of the club, and as the old lady of the President, I’m going to have to do my bit.

I make a piece of toast as my stomach is a little off. I think that the cupcake was a bit too rich for me as it was very sweet. I’ll eat later when I’ve been to the clubhouse. I could pick up something from the diner on the way back here. It’s an option, anyway.

Banging on the door has me quickly running to it and opening it, sadly not thinking to check the peephole, because if I had I would not have opened the door.

“Okay, what do you want?” Yeah, I’m full of sass at the moment, but seeing my mother standing here ready to have a go at me is not the way I want to spend my evening.

“I need to speak with you,” snipping as she tries to push past me to get into the apartment.

Blocking her way so she can’t enter, I snarl right back at her. “What for? You’ve had what you are getting from me. I’m done with you. I honestly thought we had a good relationship if you take out the toxic shit you throw at me now and again. But…” shaking my head resignedly, “I was wrong, wasn’t I? I was just a money-making thing to you. You kept me from my father, so he couldn’t step in and stop you from being the lazy baggage you actually are.”

“Look, you need to send me the money again. I can’t pay the mortgage or the utilities. I can’t afford food even.”

“Get a freaking job like the rest of the world has to. You are nothing damn special to be given everything you want or need. You’ve lived off men all your life, and I can see that now I’m grown. You’ve looked down your nose at people all my life, but I never saw it for what it was. I’m done with you, and until you change your ways, I’m staying done. Now, get away from my door before I call the cops, or worse, the MC and my father.”

“Alice…” I push her away from the door and slam it in her face. I’m done, it’s enough. She can sink or swim on her own. She could always go live with her friend Mais; I think to myself a little spitefully.

A while later I walk into the clubhouse after giving the prospect on the gate a nice big smile. I think it took him back a little as he gave me a smile in return, but it wasn’t as bright as mine.

Looking around as I make my way to the office, I don’t smile at anyone who is sitting around and watching my entrance. I can see the old ladies taking notice and the club whores look shocked, but let them think what they like.

Tapping on the door, I open it and walk inside when I hear ‘Enter’. Coming to a halt right inside the door when Beast, Papa, Bolt and Jax are sitting looking at me.

“Hi, Goldie.” Jax grins and holds his hand out for me to walk around his desk.

That’s not why I’m here and I look at Beast, pointing a finger at him as I cock a hip. “You…What are you doing chasing after Sadie? Hm…”

Beast, of course, has no shame and gives me a cocky smile and a freaking wink. “She’s a fine-lookin’ woman, and I’m ready to settle my ass down, so who better than a woman who knows who she is, what she likes, and isn’t looking at me for my patch.”

Grunts of agreement are given by Pops and Bolt, and turning to look at Jax, he’s sitting back grinning and enjoying the show.

Spinning back to Beast, I smirk. “You know, if you get with Sadie, that makes her my mother-in-law. But you’d have to marry her first, you know, to make that legal.”

The room is silent as they all work out how that happens. Then Bolt grins, “But, you’d have to be married to Jax so that Beast is your father-in-law.”

Jax leans forward in his seat, placing his palms on the desk and pushing himself to his feet. “Well, we are very lucky then because Beast is ordained and can marry us as soon as Teckie gets the paperwork in order.”

“Look, I’m not ready to get married. We’re supposed to be taking it slowly.”

Papa is smirking, and it’s going to have my blood boil over, but I know how to slap that smirk off his face. “Oh, by the way, Papa, my mother came around demanding money.”

Jumping to his feet, I can see he’s already forgotten about the marriage thing and so has Beast. They are on the way out the office door when I murmur just loud enough to be heard, ‘Fancy, a Papa and a Dad. Who would ‘a thought it?’

I let Jax know that marriage is off the table for the moment, and he’s okay with that. He was just pulling his Pops’ chains and enjoying it too.

Walking into the clubhouse with his arm around my waist, Jax bellows, “LISTEN UP!! ALICE IS MY OLD LADY.”

Congratulations, foot stomps and excited hand clapping ensues. I’m rather surprised, especially after I have cut them all out of my life.

Stone, Gunner, Tank, Lethal, and Bones all come over and hug me tightly, then slap Jax’s back until I’m sure he’ll have an enormous bruise there later.

Belle and Jeanette both walk over and give me a small smile. “Congratulations, Jax, and Alice.” They both try to hug me, but I step back out of their way. They’re going to have to earn my respect and trust again, because I’m not going to give it easily.

---