Chloe was beginning to get used to the world of SAMCRO. The clubhouse was no longer the intimidating, foreign place it had been when she first stepped through its doors. She was learning the rhythms, the unspoken rules, and—most importantly—who she could trust.

It wasn't easy, though. Not everyone in the club was as welcoming as Tig or Opie. Some were skeptical of her presence, especially given her brother's position as a deputy in Charming. Chloe had expected some resistance, but it still stung when it came. It wasn't anything personal; it was just the way things worked in this world.

But Chloe had made a decision. She wasn't going to hide. She wasn't going to shrink under the weight of their suspicion. If she was going to be a part of Jax's life, if she was going to walk this road with him, she needed to stand tall, be herself, and refuse to let the whispers get to her.

It was another Friday evening at the clubhouse, and Chloe had just finished chatting with Tara, Jax's ex and a fellow member of the town. Tara had always been polite, but there was a sense of distance between them. Maybe because Tara knew all the history with Jax, or maybe because she still had lingering feelings. Chloe didn't know for sure, and she didn't want to ask. But the conversation had been pleasant enough, and it was nice to talk to someone who seemed to understand the weight of living in Charming.

Chloe made her way to the bar, feeling the buzz of excitement in the air. There were a few people gathered at the tables, drinks in hand, and laughter echoing throughout the room. The music was loud, but it was the kind of energy she could lose herself in. Jax was leaning against the bar, talking to Bobby, who had his arms crossed over his chest, looking serious as usual.

When Chloe walked in, Jax's eyes immediately found hers, and she couldn't help but smile. He gave her a small nod, as if acknowledging her arrival.

"Hey, Sunshine," Bobby said with a grin, the nickname from earlier still lingering in the air.

Chloe rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her laughter. "You guys are never going to let that one go, huh?"

"Not a chance," Jax replied with a wink, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. The affection in his eyes was something she hadn't anticipated. She hadn't expected to feel so... comfortable in a world that felt so foreign at first. But here, with Jax, everything felt like it made sense.

Bobby leaned forward on the bar, his expression growing more serious. "You know, I wasn't sure about you at first, Sunshine. Figured you'd be another pretty face in the crowd. But I've seen you in action." He glanced at Jax with a nod. "You're tougher than most of the guys around here."

Chloe's eyes met Bobby's, and she could see the sincerity behind his words. She knew that respect was hard-earned in SAMCRO. That meant more than anything to her. "Thanks, Bobby," she said, her voice steady. "I don't take things lightly. You're right about one thing—I'm not here to play around."

Jax grinned at her, clearly proud of her ability to hold her own. "Told you she's the real deal."

Chloe felt a surge of confidence. For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged here. She wasn't just Jax's girlfriend, she wasn't just some outsider—they saw her for who she was. They saw her strength, her intelligence, and maybe even her willingness to fight for what she wanted.

That didn't mean it was easy. She knew that. The club still had its doubts, and some of them made her uncomfortable. But she wasn't about to back down. She was here for Jax, but she was also here for herself.

As if on cue, she noticed a familiar face sitting at a table near the back. The dark-haired man was eyeing her with a look that felt a little too intense for comfort. It was Juice. He had been quieter since the night she'd met the club, but she had seen him around, often exchanging words with Jax in private.

Juice was one of the more skeptical members when it came to Chloe. His eyes often lingered a little too long, and she could sense his hesitation. Maybe it had to do with her brother's position in Charming, or maybe it was something else entirely. Whatever it was, it was clear that Juice was still sizing her up.

Chloe steeled herself, setting her jaw. She wasn't about to let his judgment throw her off. With a deep breath, she walked over to the table where Juice was sitting. Jax and Bobby exchanged a quick look, but they didn't intervene. This was her battle to fight.

"Mind if I join you?" Chloe asked, her voice cool but friendly as she took a seat without waiting for an answer.

Juice raised an eyebrow, looking her over. He didn't speak immediately, just took a slow sip of his drink, as if considering her words. Chloe wasn't intimidated, though. She wasn't here to beg for his approval. She was here to prove she could handle herself.

"You're bold, I'll give you that," Juice said, setting his glass down with a light clink. "Most people would shy away from this table."

"I'm not most people," Chloe replied, meeting his eyes with a steady gaze. "And I don't need your approval. I just need you to know that I'm not going anywhere."

Juice studied her for a long moment, the silence between them thick with tension. "I'm not sure what you want from us, then. You're not like the other girls who come and go, I'll give you that. But my loyalty's with the club first."

"I understand that," Chloe said, her voice calm and unwavering. "I'm not here to change anything about how this club works. I'm just here for Jax. And I know you all have your doubts, but I'm not going to let anyone push me out. Not now, not ever."

Juice's lips twitched, and for the first time, he seemed to soften. "Fair enough," he muttered. "But if you think you can just waltz in here and act like you're one of us, you've got another thing coming. This life—it's got its rules."

Chloe leaned forward slightly, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made him shift in his seat. "I didn't come here to play games, Juice. I came here to be real. And if that's not good enough for you, then we've got a bigger problem."

For a long second, Juice didn't say anything. Then, a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Guess you're not as soft as I thought."

Chloe smiled back, her confidence blooming. "Not soft at all."

With that, Juice raised his glass to her in a quiet gesture of respect. "Alright then, Sunshine. You've got yourself a seat at the table."

As Chloe returned to Jax's side, a rush of satisfaction coursed through her. She had done it. She had stood her ground, made her presence known, and earned a bit of respect from one of the toughest members of SAMCRO. And the best part? She hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Nice work," Jax said quietly as she slid back into her seat next to him, his voice filled with admiration. "You handled that like a pro."

Chloe shrugged casually, though she couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not here to be anyone's punching bag, Jax. And I don't need their approval. I just need them to know I'm not going anywhere."

Jax's hand found hers, and he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm proud of you. You've got more than I ever gave you credit for."

"Maybe you should give me more credit from now on," Chloe replied with a confident grin. "Because I'm not going anywhere. And neither are you."

Jax laughed, his arm around her shoulder as they sat back and relaxed into the evening. There would still be challenges ahead—she knew that. But for the first time, Chloe felt like she could handle whatever came her way.