"Dawg, this place is hoppin" Shawn said to Jack as they walked through the club doors. "And don't forget, I'm the designated driver. It's the least I can do for you for putting me up for a few days."

"That's what worries me." Jack replied back rolling his eyes. "Even sober, you still drive like a whack job. I couldn't imagine if you were drinking."

"I didn't see any complaints coming from you on the way here." Shawn laughed.

"What! Apparently you didn't see my finger nails embedded into your dashboard." Jack turned around to look at him with an unbelievable look on his face. "You may know how to drive, but you still drive like an asshole." he said making it his final comment as he turned back around and approached the bar. "I'll take a Alabama slammer. He'll have just a coke."

Jacks hand was then placed on Shawn's shoulder as he smiled at him. "Don't worry, drinks are on me tonight."

"Thanks! You're such a pal." he said sarcastically as he turned around to look at everyone in the place. Shawn was in the mood for information, mostly on when the next race was. He needed a pay day and one quick. Something that would pay for at least through the weekend and get him at least a jump start on looking for his own place. He wanted something with a garage that he could do his own work in, maybe enough left over to get some tools for the job. He then looked at the clothes he was wearing. They were alright for having to borrow them from Jack, but he was used to a much nicer attire when going out to the clubs. Although, he was always over dressed in the clubs in Amarillo. What some people considered dressy in a place like this was more of a flannel shirt and ripped up blue jeans in Amarillo. And as matter of fact, the town was so small, they didn't even consider them clubs. They were over dressed barns with antique lighting. He was glad to be out of that town and he still wasn't sure what kept him around after his dad died. He should have left after that, but for some reason he still managed to stick it out. Maybe it was for his ma, but she had Seeley and Mykayla to look after her, so he was left blank to think about it.

"I see you looking at her....Go mingle, Bro."

"In this? In your dreams. I couldn't pick up a date at a funeral with this." he said sarcastically. 

"Now you're dissin' my clothes? Where's the love, bro?"

"Funny....I was thinking the same thing when you handed me your grandpa's hand me downs." he replied. "I mean look at you." he pointed to Jack's three piece sharp looking suit. "Gramps didn't have an extra one of those in his closet for you to give me?" 

"Don't hate playa...."

He watched Jack walk off and spit his game at the chick Shawn was eyeing and just rolled his eyes. Really? Is this what it was going to boil down to by the end of the night? he turned around to the bartender and slapped a ten on the counter. "Let me get a Corona, please." The bartender reached under the counter and pulled out a cold one, popped the top and slid it to him. "Keep the change......Hey, I have a question....I'm looking for some excitement, maybe some racing. Know of anything happening soon?" The bartender only pointed to someone across the dance floor and told him that they were the one to talk to about all that. Shawn turned around and looked in that direction but wasn't sure who he was pointing to until he made eye contact with the person. 

Taya stood talking to the manager about her work days and when she was going to need off for when she had the little one. Her shop was slow enough as it was and she had an opening for someone to help now. The loft was open for them to stay in and pay a little rent now and then and it was go to go. All she needed was a taker. He friends wanted her to get out and meet someone who would really get to know her and stick around for the little guy once she had him, but that was unlikely to her at this point. She was a racer at heart, and it was hard to accept the fact that she was going to have a baby, but at the same time she was happy. She was getting ready to go when she saw a guy coming over to her and she sighed. "What do you want? I gotta go."

Waving as she went through the doors of the club, Tessa gave the bouncer a wink when she passed him. He knew her so she didn't get stopped or carded. The dress she had on probably didn't hurt either. Red, sparkly, strapless and short described her attire for the evening. Tan legs in high heels and she looked good.

The music was pumping when she got inside. She paused for a moment and did a quick check of her cell to see if Piper had texted her back. Nothing yet and she tucked the phone into her small bag that was draped across her body.

Nodding, waving and the occasional shout out to people she knew as she crossed the dimly lit club. Heading to the bar Tessa smiled. No issues with walking in alone for her. She knew enough people she wouldn't be alone for long. Plus, after a cold beer and a minute to scope the place out she'd probably be on the dance floor anyway.

Making her way up to the bar she waved at the bartender. Flashing her smile again the Texas native drawled out her order.

"Hey Darlin', I'll take a Corona with lemon. You know what I like, hun."

She pushed some cash across the counter when he set the beer down in front of her. Waving off the change she picked the bottle up and turned around so she could face out toward the crowded dance floor. Leaning back against the edge of the bar as her eyes scanned the room. Lifting the bottle to her lips she took a long pull from it. Feeling herself relax as the cold liquid slid down her throat.

Jack had made his way over to the female in his usual nonchalant way as if he was some master player. Honestly, Shawn wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, cause it had been almost a year since him and jack had gotten together to hang out. The last time he'd seen Jack was in San Antonio when they went to a Spurs game together and it wasn't even the playoffs. Other than that, he always heard about how he got with this chick or that chick and how things went, but never actually seen it for himself. Although there was that one chick at the game that he wound up with that night, so maybe it was true. Shawn continued to watch as Jack strutted himself right up to the chick and sipped at his corona while he waited to see how things would pan out. It wasn't until the girl turned around though that Shawn nearly busted a gut and almost spit his beer all over the dance floor.

(Taya)

"What do you want? I gotta go."

Jack's eyes widened as the girl turned around and he almost wished he had retreated sooner when he saw the belly that came along with this one. This was one of those time when the phrase 'Open mouth, insert foot' came in as Jack spoke before thinking about what he was saying. "Whoa! Next time put a warning label on that ass that says 'excess baggage'. Damn girl." Jack then quickly back stepped and turned around, damn near running like the police were chasing him.

In the meantime as Jack was making his way back to the bar, Shawn noticed a brunette in a red dress approach the counter and order her drink. 

(Tessa)

"Hey Darlin', I'll take a Corona with lemon. You know what I like, hun."

Being that he was from Texas as well, the Texan accent was warmly welcomed as he heard her speak. It actually made him wonder what part of Texas she was from and didn't hesitate to throw himself into a conversation. Not that he missed the state or the little rat town he was from, but maybe in the back of his mind he did a little, so hearing the accent shot him through memory lane. Shawn looked to the bartender, "You know what, let me get one of those lemon's too, please." The bartender grabbed one and placed it on a napkin, sliding it to Shawn. "I can't believe I forgot that."  he mentioned to himself out loud, but it was directed at the woman in the red dress as if he was trying to start up a friendly conversation. It was only moments later, that jack strolled up and probably ruined any chances of Shawn carrying on a conversation with this chick.

"Dude, That was messed up! What kind of chick comes to a club pregnant? That should be banned, outlawed even, maybe even serve jail time. Damn!"

Shawn just shook his head in disbelief, looked to Jack, "And you say that I'm the asshole." Shawn then looked to the girl in the red dress with a very apologetic tone, Please excuse my shallow friend here. His parents dropped him on his several hundred times." Shawn even made an attempt to look for that chick so he could apologize for his friends rudeness....

Taya frowned at Jack, tears stinging her eyes as she watched him walk off. All she wanted was to tell her boss what was going on and leave, but someone had to ruin it, always. Why were people so mean just because she was pregnant? It's not like she was gonna stay and drink or something, she had no intention on staying even as long as she did. She shook her head and grabbed her stuff and took off towards the door. She was just gonna stay home from now on, stay home and go to the Torettos, that's it. If Cole was playing a sick game by telling people to do this, it was working, she was breaking.

Sipping at her beer Tessa turned her head when the man next to her made a comment that seemed directed toward her. She looked him over and gave him a smile.

"Gotta have lemon with my Corona. Some people like limes and think it's odd to go with lemon. I guess I just make my own rules."

With a little shrug and a smirk she took another drink from the bottle. Then her gaze shifted a bit as the man's friend came back over. Her eyebrows raised up as he made some kind of exclamation about a pregnant girl in the club. Tessa's eyes moved to look in the direction the other man had just come from. Sure enough there was a female that looked like she was about to cry storming toward the door.

Turning her attention back to the men.

"Dude, what the hell did you say to the poor girl. That was pretty harsh."

Tessa peered over her beer bottle at the man, shaking her head in dismay. She looked back over at the other guy when he apologized for his friend. Giving a little chuckled when he said something about the guy had been dropped on his head a lot when he was a baby.

"No worries. As long as he didn't say it to me. I'd have given him kick to the groin."

Smirking she gave the 'friend' a look that said, 'don't even start something' before she looked back at her Corona and lemon drinking cohort and offering her hand to him in greeting.

"Hi, my name is Tessa by the way. Originally from Texas, but I prefer the bright lights and fast cars of the big city here in Los Angeles."

(Tessa)

"Gotta have lemon with my Corona. Some people like limes and think it's odd to go with lemon. I guess I just make my own rules."

Shawn picked up the lemon and squeezed it in to his corona and took a small sip. He liked it with Lime too, but not as much as he did with lemon. "Must be a Texas thing." he smiled referring to her Texan accent as he took another sip from the long neck.

When Jack had made the comment about a pregnant chick being in the club, he couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed for his friends actions but was glad that the chick had spoken her peace about the matter. At least she didn't turn tail and run like he thought she would. In fact, when she spoke about kneeing Jack in the balls, Shawn only laughed and placing his hand to the side of his mouth as if he was trying to hide what he was about to say from Jack. "I'll hold him down and let you if you want."

Jack put his hand on Shawn's shoulder and smiled. "Go ahead and try. You remember boot camp....."

"That was nearly ten years ago, you twat. I'd be willing to bet my car I could whoop your ass now."

"Whenever you're ready, Son." he said throwing his arms up to each side of him as if to say 'Let's go now'

Shawn blew him off as Jack was trying to act all badass in front of the hot chick at the moment. Luckily, Tessa had intervened, completely ignoring Jack and introducing herself. 

(Tessa)

"Hi, my name is Tessa by the way. Originally from Texas, but I prefer the bright lights and fast cars of the big city here in Los Angeles."

Shawn Took her hand gladly and gave it a soft shake. "Nice to meet you. The names Shawn and I noticed from your accent that you were from Texas. As faint as it is, only another true Texan could notice something so minute." he smiled. "I'm from Amarillo, what part are you from?" he asked, but paused a moment. "You know what, Hold that thought...." he said looking to where the blond was heading towards the door. "I hate leave you with him, but I feel as though someone should go apologize to her for dumbshit's comment, since he won't." he said looking to Jack. "I'll be right back, don't let this pussy chase you away." he smiled as he got up and ran towards the door where the blond was getting ready to walk out.

"Guess that leaves just me and you, hot pants. By the way, Have I mentioned you look fan-fucking-tastic in that dress? Red suits you well." Jack spouted off like he stood a chance. He then picked up Shawn's beer and downed the rest of it in a single chug, looking to the bartender for another. "How about we ditch the chode and dance a little?" he asked Tessa.

Shawn was just now reaching the girl as he came to a slow stop behind her. "Excuse me miss....." he yelled to compensate for the loud music and get her attention. ....Miss? Wait a second, please?" he said hoping she would stop a moment. "I just wanted to apologize for my dickhead of a friend and what he said to you. He's a jackass and I'll give you permission to kick his ass while I hold him down." he smiled in her direction.

Taya sniffled and turned around to look at him. "I've been through enough shit to have your friend make it worse. He better watch his mouth." She snapped and looked up at him. "At least you're not like him." She said softer and cleared her eyes. "Just once I'd like for a guy to not judge me just because I'm having a kid....so they don't look at it like that and actually get to know me. Is that so fucking hard?"

Shaking her head Tessa glanced back and forth between the two friends as they threw verbal barbs at each other. Tessa took another drink from her beer. She shook his hand and returned his smile. Nodding a bit as Shawn excused himself to go apologize for his friend. Which was pretty noble of him and just made his friend seem like even more of a jerk.

Then she was left alone with the guy. Her eyebrow quirked up and she gave him a withering look. It's not like she wasn't used to idiots hitting on her. That was a everyday occurrence. Though, now that she was standing there with this guy, it made her wonder why there always seemed to be a pair like this. One decent guy and his friend the asshole.

"Sweetheart, I know just how fan-fucking-tastic I look. Which is to say, I'm waaaaaay out of your league. How do you know him anyway? He pick you up on the side of the road and you just never went away or something?"

Letting out a breath, Tessa tried to relax a little. The guy was just a jerk and she shouldn't let it bother her. She'd had worse guys than him hit on her before. This was no big deal. For the moment she should make the attempt to be polite. But, if the guy got handsy, all bets were off.

(Taya)

""I've been through enough shit to have your friend make it worse. He better watch his mouth."

He wasn't standing up for Jack or his actions either way, and he could even understand that this chick was upset, but to go and get an attitude like she was going to start some shit or even beat Jack's ass was a little amusing in itself. He had to give the chick credit for standing up for herself a little, but there was just no way this little thing was going to take on someone like Jack. Although he wanted to ask her what she meant by that, he kept quiet having this feeling she had a brother or two that might take the pleasure in it instead. Shawn really didn't want to get kicked out of a club tonight and he sure the hell didn't want to go kicking some punks ass because of something so small as this. Two Marine Special forces guys against typical civilians, was not going to turn out good. It would be better if she just took the apology and left things alone. He could only hope she would do that because it would be in everyone's best interest.

(Taya)

"At least you're not like him." She said softer and cleared her eyes. "Just once I'd like for a guy to not judge me just because I'm having a kid....so they don't look at it like that and actually get to know me. Is that so fucking hard?"

alright, now what do you even say to that? It's not like he would ever date a chick pregnant, yet alone with someone else's kid, but he wasn't the type to be ignorant about it either like Jack was. Searching for the right thing to say, he just looked at her and tried to assure her the best he could. "I'm sure there is someone out there for you, you just gotta have some patience. Good guys are hard to come by these days, but once you meet him, I'm sure you'll know it." he spoke sincerely to her. "I hate to be like this, but I have to get back to my company over there. I just wanted to apologize for my friends stupidity before you left. Under the circumstances, I'd invite you over, but I won't be able to control 7-11 over there, so you'd be on your own with him." He hoped she wouldn't take the offer of joining them, but Shawn wasn't rude not to invite her. Not that he didn't want her to come join them, he just didn't know what Jack would do if she did. And again, he wanted the least amount of problems. "So as long as you can ignore him, you're more than welcome to come join us....."

He left it at that as he walked away from the blond and returned back to his table. While he was over there talking to the blond though, Jack and Tessa were having there own conversation. One that if he had known would have gone like it did, he wouldn't have left Tessa alone with him in the first place. 

(Tessa)

"Sweetheart, I know just how fan-fucking-tastic I look. Which is to say, I'm waaaaaay out of your league. How do you know him anyway? He pick you up on the side of the road and you just never went away or something?"

"Ooooh...burn" Jack said sarcastically to Tessa as if her words didn't mean shit to him. "If anything, toots, I'm not in your league, but I felt sorry that you weren't with someone as awesome as I am, so I offered out of pity." he snapped back. "But you can go back to your dull little boyfriend wherever he might be. Just don't say I never offered you any of this." he said pointing to below his belt. just as Shawn came walking back up.

"Really?" he said coming up behind Jack and smacking him upside the back of his head. "I can't take you nowhere, can I?" Shawn then eyed that his beer was gone and looked to Jack. "How much have you had to drink anyways?"

"Not near enough." Jack replied as the bartender came with another Corona. He picked it up, popped the top and took a long sip from the bottle as he stood from the counter. He looked to Tessa and then back to Shawn. "Good luck with this one.....She's a prudie little bitch. You ain't tapping that unless you got the dough, mothafucka. I'm going to go mingle where someone as awesome as I am is wanted." he finished as he patted Shawn's shoulder and walked away.

Shawn only shook his head and looked to Tessa with sincerity in his expression. "I am so sorry. I have no excuse to give this time. He's just an asshole....." he replied before he was cut off by the sound of Jack's voice behind him.

"And by the way, We're old military buddies and he's one of my best friends." he said said to Tessa. He then peered over Shawn's shoulder and looked to him. "Never leave a soldier behind, right bro! Semper Fi!!!" he screamed towards the end and walked off again. 

"Apparently, he's a drunk asshole." he said looking behind him and seeing Jack disappear into the crowd. "Now where were we? Oh, you were telling me that you were from Texas and you liked the big city and fast cars." he recapped the conversation hoping she wasn't about to leave him all alone because of Jack. He pulled out a twenty and slapped it on the counter, "Two Corona's with lemon, please." His eyes then turned back to Tessa, "The least I can do is buy you a drink for having to put up with him." he said as the bartender placed two bottles with a wedge of lemon at the openings. He took one and handed Tessa the other. "So your a big city gal that likes go fast cars?" he asked intrigued. "You sound like my type of girl." he laughed a little. "What's your definition of fast cars?"

Tessa sipped again from her bottle of beer. Trying to formulate some kind of understanding on why guys like Jack acted the way they did. She was all up for being snarky but there was a point when it just got ridiculous and Jack had found that point. Running a hand through her hair she Tessa was grateful when she saw Shawn coming back over. Frowning as she watched Jack walk away.

"I'm not a 'prudie little bitch,' Jesus Christ, what is his problem? Whatever, doesn't matter. Maybe he's just having a bad day."

Finishing off her beer Tessa nodded in response to Shawn's apology for his friend.

"Not your fault."

She turned and faced the bar as Shawn continued talking to her. Placing her empty beer bottle on the bar, nodding when he offered to by her another drink.

"Yeah, I'm from a small town called Sweetwater. My family had a horse ranch when I was growing up. I guess it was fun when I was a kid. But, then... you know, shit happens and you grow up."

Frowning a bit, she probably said more than she should have on that subject. And it was something that she didn't really want to talk about. That was all behind her now, no use dwelling on it. She took the beer when he handed it to her and tilted it back for a long swallow. Letting out a breath as she settled herself a bit.

"Anyway... yeah. I like L.A. it's definitely more my speed. As far as cars go... I tend to prefer good American muscle, both old and new. I have a new ZL1 Camaro and my roommate she has a classic 68 Charger. But, I'm not a snob when it comes to cars. I can appreciate a nice tuned import as well. Not going to turn my nose up at them or under estimate them when it comes to the quarter mile sprint and as far as maneuverability, they certainly are sporty."

"I'm not a 'prudie little bitch,' Jesus Christ, what is his problem? Whatever, doesn't matter. Maybe he's just having a bad day."

Shawn only looked behind him where Jack disappeared to finally and shook his head slightly. "I hope so cause I have to live with him....at least for the time being until I get my own place. He never used to be like that. We've been friends for years but its just been recently that its been a long term friendship, so I have no idea what's made him like this."

"Not your fault."

Although that wasn't all true. He could have sent Jack off alone somewhere if he had known he was going to be a egotistical jerk. He could have even left Jack all by himself the moment he walked through the door and especially after the comment he made to that blond chick, he didn't have to leave Tessa here alone with him to go apologize. What he really should have done was made Jack go clean up his own messes, but after all the shit Shawn had done where Jack had to cover for him, he thought he owed him one or something. He felt obligated to to do it. Shawn just shrugged a bit, "Thanks, but I feel bad anyways."

"Yeah, I'm from a small town called Sweetwater. My family had a horse ranch when I was growing up. I guess it was fun when I was a kid. But, then... you know, shit happens and you grow up."

"Sweetwater? No way!" he smiled, "That's not far from Abilene, I have family there. I have to drive through Sweetwater all the time to get there. Not much action there at all, so I understand. Although I can't really say much about it. I hardly ever see that side of the family and we moved around a lot when I was a kid." he said himself on much of a sour note. Talking about his past kept replaying that night at the speedway when his pops went into the wall. It's why he didn't talk very much about it either, so he kinda felt her pain in some aspect. He liked to stick to racing and fixing cars, cause those were the best moments with his dad and truthfully, the only memories he wanted to remember.

"Anyway... yeah. I like L.A. it's definitely more my speed. As far as cars go... I tend to prefer good American muscle, both old and new. I have a new ZL1 Camaro and my roommate she has a classic 68 Charger. But, I'm not a snob when it comes to cars. I can appreciate a nice tuned import as well. Not going to turn my nose up at them or under estimate them when it comes to the quarter mile sprint and as far as maneuverability, they certainly are sporty."

"Nice. I have a 2012 Challenger, although I had my fair share of vehicles before it. Let's see, I had a truck...blah, didn't go all that fast until I put the supercharger into it and then blew the motor. That was my first car. Sad thing is, I bought it with my own money. Traded that off for a '69 Shelby GT 500 that needed a lot of work. I loved that car, even had it for quite some time. Did all the work with my Pops and brother. Then I rolled it about a dozen times....." he paused then, looking away for a brief moment to take a sip of his beer. He had to get away from the current conversation and change it quickly. Back to those memories.......Anyways, then I had '86 Nissan 200sx. It was a piece of shit, so I drove it until I saved up the money to buy a real car, thats when I got a Nissan 300Z with scissor doors. Great ride after I suped her up and won my Challenger. Sold her off for parts and put it all into the Challenger." That was his story about his car anyways and maybe perhaps he should shut up now, because he was probably boring her to death. She wanted to talk, not hear a rushing novel. And I'll shut up now as you probably don't want to hear about my whole car history." he said sipping at his beer again.

"Long story short, my love is for any of them. As long as they're fast, I can pretty much drive any of them. If I ever find something faster than the Challenger, I'd get rid of that too. But back to my point, I moved her for the same thing. I needed to get in the fast lane cause the rest was slowing me down. I have to head to Long Beach tomorrow morning, but do you know of anything coming up that maybe I can jump into? Just moving into the area, I'm not familiar with any of the main sites and usually they're invite only."

((OOC: I'm very sorry it took me so long on this. We can wrap it up if you want to make a final post. At least it got them introduced and him an in to some of the racing scene.))

Standing at the bar Tessa chatted with Shawn for awhile. Finding out that they were both from the same area in Texas was interesting. Things like that make you realize that the world in all it's vastness can be a small place. Contradiction in terms? Maybe, but still seemed appropriate in Tessa's mind.

Tessa listen and nodded in appreciation when he talked about the cars he's had. She noticed the look on his face and the way he paused and gathered himself when he mentioned his father and brother and then an accident. Obviously there was something in his past that he didn't want to bring up, so she stayed quiet and let it go.

"Yeah, cars are cool. I like mechanical things. I went to school for engineering. So, I know how things work and I like to drive but... I dunno, I like atmosphere and the excitment around the scene you know. Like even here at the club. I don't particularly enjoy getting people making stupid comments about my ass or whatever. But, the crowd, the thumping music. It gets me pumped up. That's what draws me in."

She took another drink from her beer while she thought for a minute. Considering his question about any races coming up. He was right, they were mostly invite only. At least the good ones. Shrugging a bit, she decided he was nice enough. A new guy in town maybe she'd cut him a break.

"Maybe I might know of something. If you wanna exchange numbers if something comes along I think you might be interested in, I'll shoot you a text. Cool?"