💘( Mending the King! )✨

SEVENTEEN

[ Lochan Mor ]

( 🤴🔨👸💋💑🏍 )

" Suit yourself, darlin'. But if you change your mind, door's open. "

~ JAX TELLER to ALU ORTIZ

☆《》¤

ALU'S OUTFIT

THE SAMBEL CLUBHOUSE WAS ALIVE WITH ENERGY, the air thick with smoke, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. The brothers from Belfast had gone all out, welcoming SAMCRO with a raucous party. 

Currently, Jax and O'Neill were locked in a heated brawl, a circle of cheering bikers forming around them. Jax, shirtless and glistening with sweat, moved with the precision of a predator, dodging punches with ease and delivering blows that landed with a satisfying thud.

Alu stood among the crowd, leaning casually against a post, talking to Trinity, whose fiery personality had clicked perfectly with her own. They laughed and swapped stories, but Alu's focus kept slipping. Her gaze flickered back to the fight again and again, drawn like a moth to a flame.

"Not bad, huh?" Trinity nudged her with a knowing smirk, catching Alu staring.

"Hmm?" Alu tore her eyes away, feigning indifference, but the heat rising in her cheeks betrayed her. "Oh, yeah. He's holding his own."

"Sure," Trinity teased, arching an eyebrow. "That why you haven't heard a word I've said for the last two minutes?"

Alu laughed, trying to shake it off, but her attention was already drifting back. The way Jax moved, his muscles flexing with each punch, the sheer dominance in the way he overpowered O'Neill—it was magnetic, impossible to ignore.

When Jax ducked under a wild swing from O'Neill and delivered a punishing blow to his ribs, the crowd erupted in cheers. Alu bit her lip, a mixture of amusement and something far more dangerous swirling in her chest.

Trinity leaned closer, her voice low and teasing, "Careful, love. You keep looking at him like that, and everyone's gonna know."

"Know what?" Alu shot back, trying to sound nonchalant.

Trinity smirked, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief, "That you've got it bad for the Yank."

Alu rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched, "You're imagining things."

"Sure, I am." Trinity grinned, crossing her arms as Jax landed the final punch, sending O'Neill sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted, roaring in approval as Jax stood victorious, his chest heaving, sweat dripping down his brow.

Alu couldn't help but smile, shaking her head as Jax turned to face the crowd, a triumphant smirk lighting up his face. His eyes found hers for a brief moment, and the intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine, but she quickly looked away, and that was when she finally noticed Trinity's absence, making her curse under her breath, as she wanted to make it look like she was engaged in conversation with the girl, not drooling over Jax Teller. 

Jax chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, his knuckles still red from the fight, "You enjoy the show?" he teased, his tone dripping with cockiness as he made his way over to her. 

Alu rolled her eyes, "You got lucky, Teller. O'Neill let you win."

Jax chuckled, stepping closer, his voice dropping low, "Lucky, huh? I'm pretty sure I saw you cheering for me."

"In your dreams," she shot back, but her grin betrayed her.

Jax leaned in, his voice smooth and teasing, "Well, I'm heading to the shower. Figured after watching me win, you might want to join me. You know, save water."

Alu arched an eyebrow, biting back a laugh, "You wish, Romeo." 

He stepped back, hands raised in mock surrender, "Suit yourself, darlin'. But if you change your mind, door's open."

She shook her head, laughing as he walked away, his cocky swagger unmistakable, "Cocky bastard," she muttered under her breath, though the grin on her face lingered.

***

The SAMBEL clubhouse was a wild storm of music, laughter, and celebration, but amidst the chaos, Tammy's sharp eyes scanned the crowd. She wasn't one for the heavy drinking and partying that came with club life, preferring to stay sober and watchful. It was her way of protecting those she cared about. Tonight, her focus landed on Juice, who was swaying unsteadily near the edge of the room, a half-empty bottle dangling from his fingers.

He was a mess. His eyes were glassy, his shirt untucked, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and his movements sluggish and uncoordinated, which told Tammy he wasn't just drunk—he was on something stronger. The normally good-natured man looked lost, a shadow of himself.

She pushed her way through the crowd, ignoring the drunken shouts and laughter around her, and reached him just as he stumbled, "Jesus, Juan," she muttered, grabbing his arm to steady him. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into?"

Juice blinked at her, his eyes struggling to focus. For a moment, confusion flickered across his face, and then he smiled—a broken, desperate smile, "Tabitha?" His voice cracked as he reached out, his hand trembling.

Seven Years Ago

The hum of the car engine provided a steady backdrop as Juice drove down the quiet road, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting comfortably on Tabitha's thigh. His thumb lazily stroked the fabric of her jeans, a small gesture of affection he couldn't help but offer whenever they were together. She was his world, and he made sure she felt it every chance he got.

Tabitha leaned back in the passenger seat, her long hair cascading over her shoulder as she stared out the window, a soft smile tugging at her lips. The day had been perfect—time spent just the two of them, free from distractions. Her sweet sixteen was only a week away, and the excitement of it all danced in her sparkling eyes.

"You know what I want for my birthday?" she asked suddenly, her voice playful but carrying a hint of something more.

Juice glanced at her, his lips twitching into a smile, "What's that, baby?"

Her smirk turned mischievous as she swiveled in her seat to face him fully, "You."

He chuckled, the sound low and warm, "You already have me."

"Not all of you," she said, her tone teasing but her gaze was a determined one. 

Juice's smile faltered, replaced by a look of curiosity and mild surprise, "What are you saying?"

Tabitha leaned closer, her breath brushing against his ear as she whispered, "I want you to make love to me." Her lips grazed his earlobe before she kissed his cheek, her boldness tempered by the gentle affection in her touch.

Juice blinked, his heart thudding in his chest. Without a word, he pulled the car over to the side of the road, gravel crunching beneath the tires as the vehicle came to a halt. Turning to face her, he searched her face, his own filled with concern and tenderness, "Baby, that's a big step," he began carefully, his voice soft but firm. "I don't want you to feel pressured—"

Tabitha placed a finger over his lips, cutting him off with a smile that radiated pure certainty, "I love you," she said simply, her tone steady and firm.

"Baby—" he started again, but she interrupted once more, her hands cradling his face as she looked into his eyes.

"I know I'm young, and I don't have it all figured out yet," she admitted, her voice quiet but determined. "But I do know one thing—I love you, Juan Carlos." Her thumb brushed over his cheekbone, her eyes locking onto his as if she could see every corner of his soul. Juice's heart swelled, and a soft smile crept across his face as he brought his hand up to take hers, bringing it across to his mouth and pressing a gentle kiss to it. 

"You make me feel safe," she continued, her voice softening. "Like I can be myself, no matter how messy or complicated life gets. And I want my first time to be with you—because no one else could ever mean this much to me."

For a moment, Juice was speechless. Her words struck something deep inside him, and all he could do was lean forward and press his lips to hers. The kiss was slow at first, filled with unspoken emotion, but it deepened quickly, their mutual feelings rising to the surface.

His hand moved to her hair as he kissed her, the seatbelt digging into his chest as he tried to get closer. Finally, he gave up, unbuckling the belt and leaning in fully, drawing a giggle from Tabitha as he had practically lurched his whole body on top of her. 

"God, I love you," he murmured against her lips.

Tabitha smiled, her hands slipping around his neck as she teased, "Then shut up and show me how much." 

And with that, she pulled him back into another kiss, the world around them fading away as they became lost in each other.

Tammy froze, her breath catching in her throat, "No, Juice. It's Tammy. You're out of it. Let's get you to bed."

But Juice wasn't listening. He clung to her arm, tears welling in his eyes as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry. I should've been there. I should've—" His voice broke, and his knees buckled.

Tammy's heart twisted painfully as she guided him down to sit on a nearby bench. She crouched in front of him, holding his face between her hands to make him look at her, "Juice, listen to me. I'm not Tabitha," she said firmly, though her voice softened as his tears spilled over. "But I know what you're feeling. I miss her too." 

He shook his head violently, sobbing now, "It's my fault. I should've protected her. I was supposed to have her back, Tammy. And I didn't. I didn't—I let her down." He sucked in a shaky breath, rubbing his arm over his runny nose as he sniffled. 

Tammy sighed, pulling him into a tight hug, letting him cry into her shoulder. She'd always kept her emotions locked up, hidden away, letting only those closest to her see her break, but seeing Juice like this cracked something open inside her.

"It wasn't your fault," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You hear me? Tabitha's choices were her own, Juice. You loved her, you gave her everything you could. But her death? That's not on you. You've got to let that weight go—she wouldn't want you carrying it." 

Juice clung to her like a lifeline, his body shaking with sobs, "I can't stop thinking about her. About what I could've done differently. It should've been me, Tammy. Not her."

Tammy's throat tightened, but she forced herself to speak, "No, Juice. It shouldn't have been anyone. What happened to her was wrong, but you didn't put that gun in that cop's hand. You didn't pull the trigger. Tabitha loved you, and she wouldn't want to see you tearing yourself apart like this. You've got to let it go. For her. For yourself."

Juice pulled back slightly, his tear-streaked face full of anguish, "How do I do that? How do I stop feeling like this?"

Tammy brushed the damp hair from his forehead and gave him a small, sad smile, "One step at a time. You let yourself grieve, but you don't let it consume you. And when it gets too heavy, you lean on the people who care about you."

Juice looked up at her, a flicker of gratitude breaking through his despair. 

***

The music from the SAMBEL party outside still thudded through the floorboards as Tammy helped Juice stumble down the narrow hallway of the clubhouse. His weight leaned heavily on her, and she had to grit her teeth to keep from snapping at him. The man was a mess, his steps unsteady and his words slurring together into incoherent mutterings.

She finally stopped in front of Alu's door, knocking sharply. It wasn't a request—Alu needed to handle this.

The door creaked open, revealing Alu in a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, her hair damp from a recent shower. Her expression shifted from annoyance to concern when she saw Juice, "What happened?" she asked, stepping aside to let Tammy guide him in.

"He's taken something," Tammy replied curtly, helping Juice over to the bed. "Mixed with however much booze he's downed tonight, and he's completely out of it. I figured you'd want to keep an eye on him. Don't trust anyone else to."

Alu sighed, running a hand through her wet hair as she moved to help. She grabbed Juice's arm, steadying him as Tammy let go, "Thanks. I've got him."

Tammy hesitated, her sharp gaze lingering on Alu, "You better. Because he's still blaming himself for things that aren't his fault."

Alu nodded, her expression softening as she looked at Juice, "I know." The guilt hanging heavy in her voice. 

Seven Years Ago

The faint glow of the setting sun filtered through the thin curtains of Tabitha's bedroom, casting a golden hue over the bed where Juice and Tabitha lay entangled in the quiet aftermath of their love. The world outside was a distant hum, nothing but a forgotten backdrop to the moment they had just shared. 

Juice had been everything Tabitha needed in that moment—gentle, patient, and unwaveringly attentive. He hadn't rushed her or overwhelmed her, instead letting her set the pace, ensuring she felt completely safe and in control. There was no urgency in his touch, no greed or need to take more than she was ready to give. Every movement he made was with care, as though he understood the significance of this moment for her and wanted to honour it in every way possible.

He had been tender, his focus solely on her—her comfort, her emotions, and her experience. Tabitha had expected to feel nervous or self-conscious, but Juice had a way of dissolving those fears without saying much at all. It was in the softness of his kisses, the way his hands never lingered too long or too forcefully, and the quiet reassurances he offered through gentle touches and murmured words.

What had surprised her most was the absence of the pain she'd been warned about by her best friend, Alu. Juice had made sure of that, his movements so deliberate and gentle that all she felt was warmth, closeness, and a pleasure so profound it bordered on emotional. In his arms, she felt adored and cherished, as if she were the only person in the world.

Even now, moments after it had ended, she could still feel the weight of his presence—steady, comforting, and wholly hers. Juice had made her first time more than just a milestone; he had turned it into a memory she would carry with her forever, something rooted not in fear or uncertainty, but in love and trust.

Tabitha rested her head on Juice's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as his arm held her close. His fingers idly traced patterns along her bare shoulder, his touch gentle and calming. She felt safe here, in his arms, yet a small knot of doubt curled in her stomach, whispering unwelcome thoughts she couldn't quite shake.

Juice tilted his head, pressing a soft kiss to her hair, "You okay, baby?" he murmured, his voice low and full of care.

Tabitha hesitated, biting her lip as she stared at the rise and fall of his chest, "Yeah...I mean, I think so," she said quietly.

He frowned slightly, his hand stilling on her shoulder, "What's going on? Talk to me."

She shifted, propping herself up on her elbow so she could look at him. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she avoided his gaze as she fidgeted with the sheet draped over them, "I just...I don't know if you liked it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, you've been with...other girls before. College girls who probably knew what they were doing. And I...I didn't really—" 

Tabitha and Juice's relationship was a slow burn, complicated by their age difference and the circumstances of their lives. They had always been drawn to each other, but the timing never felt quite right. Juice, already in college on the West Coast, had left New York behind to start fresh and to be closer to his mother. Meanwhile, Tabitha was still in high school, navigating the complexities of adolescence while longing for something she couldn't quite name yet. It wasn't until Juice was gone, living his life thousands of miles away, that the depth of their feelings became undeniable.

The realisation hit them both during that year apart—a classic case of not knowing what you have until it's gone. For Juice, the distance only amplified the void Tabitha left behind. Despite gaining a reputation as the life of the party in his fraternity, with no shortage of female attention, it was all just a distraction from the one person who truly had his heart. Tabitha, still figuring herself out in New York, found herself missing him in ways she couldn't ignore.

When they finally admitted their feelings and decided to be together, the long distance became just another challenge they were willing to face. They built their relationship on late-night phone calls, endless texts, and weekends spent traveling back and forth. Juice would fly to New York one week, and Tabitha would make the trip to California the next. It wasn't easy, but they made it work.

Luckily for Tabitha, her older sister, Tammy, had become her guardian after their parents recent passing. Tammy's laid-back parenting style and trust in Tabitha's judgment made things simpler. As long as Tabitha was responsible and safe, Tammy had no problem with her traveling long distance or being in a relationship with Juice.

Despite the miles between them, Tabitha and Juice made every moment they shared count. Their weekends together were filled with laughter, affection, and a deepening connection that only grew stronger with time. The distance wasn't ideal, but in a way, it solidified their bond, proving to them both that what they had was worth fighting for. 

"Hey," Juice cut her off gently, his hand cupping her cheek and guiding her eyes to meet his. His expression was tender, his brown eyes filled with nothing but affection, "Don't do that. Don't you dare compare yourself to anyone else, especially not them. Ever." 

She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek, "Listen to me, Tabitha. Yeah, I've been with my fair share of girls. But that's all they were—just girls—a distraction. They didn't mean anything. They were never in my heart, not like you are. Being with you tonight...it wasn't just sex. It was you and me, together. And that made it perfect."

Tabitha blinked, her insecurities momentarily forgotten as his words sank in, "Perfect?" she repeated softly, her voice laced with doubt.

Juice smiled, his hand slipping from her cheek to tangle in her hair, "Fuckin' perfect. It wasn't about how much you know or don't know. It was about how much you mean to me. And you mean everything, Tabi. You always have."

A small, uncertain smile tugged at her lips as she studied him, searching for any hint of insincerity. She found none, only the unshakable truth in his eyes, "You're not just saying that to make me feel better?" 

Juice chuckled, his other hand trailing down her arm until it found hers, their fingers intertwining, "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, baby. I love you, Tabitha Monet. Every part of you. And nothing—no one—has ever come close to what we have." 

Her heart swelled at his words, the knot of doubt in her stomach unraveling as she leaned down to press a kiss to his lips, "I love you too, Juan Carlos," she whispered against his mouth, her voice steady and full of certainty.

They lay there in silence after that, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of the world forgotten. For that moment, all that existed was the love they shared—a love that was raw, real, and more powerful than either of them could have ever imagined.

Tammy watched as Alu guided her drunk and broken brother onto the bed. He flopped down heavily, his head lolling to the side as he murmured something unintelligible. Alu grabbed a blanket and draped it over him, her movements careful and precise.

Juice stirred, his voice low but audible, "What did he mean?"

Alu froze mid-step, turning back to look at him, "What?"

Juice's eyes fluttered open briefly, glazed but full of a raw, vulnerable pain, "Oscar...what did he mean? That night at your place. He said you lied...about what happened to Tabitha."

Tammy's head snapped toward Alu, her eyes narrowing, "What's he talking about?" She knew Alu could never stay away from that guy. 

Alu tensed, her face a mask of calm even as tension crackled in the air. She turned to Juice, her tone soft and soothing, "Oscar was trying to mess with your head, Juice. That's what he does. Don't let him get to you."

Juice mumbled something under his breath and closed his eyes again, seemingly satisfied with her answer.

But Tammy wasn't.

She crossed her arms, her gaze boring into Alu like a laser, "That's all? He was just trying to get under his skin?"

Alu turned to face Tammy, her expression hardening slightly, "Yeah. That's all. You know what Oscar was like. He'd say anything to twist the knife."

Tammy didn't respond right away, her eyes narrowing as if she were trying to read between the lines, "Right."

Alu held her ground, not breaking eye contact. The silence stretched for a moment, before Tammy let out a huff, shaking her head.

"Just remember, Ana, the deeper you bury things, the harder they claw their way back—and when they do, they don't just bite, they tear you apart," she warned, before turning to leave. 

Alu watched Tammy go, her jaw tight. She glanced back at Juice, who was now breathing deeply, lost to the haze of whatever he'd taken. Her hand brushed over his arm briefly, a flicker of guilt crossing her face, before she turned off the light and settled into the chair by the bed, keeping silent watch.

***

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