by Paula O'Hara
I made my way to the bar counter, ignoring a few inappropriate touches and words that were sent my way.
"Hey, you," I called over the music to the bartender, who was currently shaking someone's drink up.
He looked towards me and gave me a nod, telling me he'd be with me soon.
I sighed, leaning my front against the wooden counter.
Only a few people were sitting at it with mostly everyone else was doing God knows what at the dark leather couches in the lounge area, or grinding on each other.
Soon, the bartender came up to me and gave me a wide smile.
"Hey, I'm Timothy. You can call me Timmy," he seemed really nice, "what can I get you?"
"What's the address of this place? I'm uh- my friend's picking me up," I told him, and thankfully he believed me and handed me a business card with the address on it.
I thanked him before beginning to make my way towards the front door of this place so I could leave and call 911.
Before I could get far, my arm was grabbed.
I looked back and saw it was Hunter's friend who had already harassed me earlier. What was his name? Zach, I think.
He gave me a drunken smile while my eyes landed on Hunter making his way through the crowd and towards us.
"I need to go," I told the drunken man, over the music, who was gripping my arm gently but hard enough that I wasn't able to get away.
"Leaving all alone?" he asked, a sort of mocking tone in his voice.
I frowned and directed my eyes at Hunter who was standing now a little bit behind Zach.
I doubt Zach would be letting me go unless Hunter told him to, so there was really no way I'd be able to call 911.
"Please, let me go," I felt tears brim my eyes, actually scared right now.
I was also so exhausted and so very disappointed in Hunter. I didn't know him at all, I had come to realise.
Maybe him and I had moved a bit too fast. So what if he could make me feel sexually good? That didn't mean we were meant to be together.
We had started out so fast and with so much vitality, but now it felt like we'd just gone off too soon. It really sucked, because I did like him a lot, based on more than just the sex.
Hunter looked defeated and I had a strong hunch that he had also realised the same thing.
I looked away when I couldn't stop a tear from rolling down my cheek.
"Let her go," I heard Hunter tell Zach.
A few seconds later my arm was free and without glancing back, I made my way out of the club and back to the parking lot.
I squeezed my phone and made my way to Hunter's car.
I sat down beside it, leaning my back against it as I let myself cry. These were tears of tiredness, frustration and fright.
With slightly shaking hands, I dialled 911 and brought my phone up to my ear.
"911, how may I help you?" I sighed in relief at the female voice.
"My name is Willow Knightley," I sniffled a little, wiping the tears from my cheeks, "and I need an ambulance."
I told her the address of this place and what I knew had happened, that Oliver had been shot in one lung and was now on the brink of death.
"I have an ambulance there in five minutes, darling, and a couple of patrolling police cars with them."
"Thank you," I spoke quietly before she told me I could hang up.
I looked at the time, it was almost 3 AM in the morning.
"Do you want me to drive you home?" I jumped at Hunter's sudden voice.
When I looked up, I found him already looking down at me.
I probably looked like an utter mess, but the moment he realised I had been crying he didn't hesitate to squat down and cup my face in his hands, quick to wipe away my tears.
"Willow, I'm so sorry."
I just shook my head to rid his hands from my face before turning to look away.
"I shouldn't have acted like that," he continued.
"You shouldn't have," I mumbled, opening my brother's contact on my phone.
He was the only person who would come get me at any time of the day from anywhere and since I would not be getting into Hunter's car, I started calling him.
I ignored Hunter's gaze when he realised I was calling someone.
"I've already called 911," I informed him quickly and coldly, "they're here soon."
"Good. You were right, Willow," he sighed while placing his hand on my thigh. I let it stay there for both of our sakes.
"What the fuck are you doing calling me at this hour?" I heard my brother's tired and annoyed voice, almost making me smile.
"Alex," I breathed and felt Hunter tense beside me, "I need you to pick me up."
29
"Will you both explain to me what the actual fuck is going on?" Alex spoke, walking towards Hunter and I. I had gotten up from the ground and started making my way towards him. He looked pissed.
"Why the fuck is there an ambulance and police cars here?" He asked again, quietly, but still clearly frustrated.
I was frustrated too. It was 3 AM and I needed to get away from here.
I just shrugged as he stepped up to me. Hunter was standing a foot away, keeping his distance.
"And why the fuck is she here?" He then narrowed his eyes at Hunter.
I kept my eyes on Alex as Hunter shrugged and replied, "her friend got shot. He called her to come over, or something."
"Is Prez being arrested?" Alex then asked.
How did he also know about this whole club thing?
"Yeah, probably. You're out, though, so you won't get any shit."
My older brother let out a tired laugh, "thank fucking God for that. And you?"
Hunter had already told me he'd be getting into trouble, but thinking rationally - even at three in the damn morning - there were several obvious reasons as to why he wouldn't go to jail.
"I just want to stick around here and get it over with, you know? Rather them just take me down to the police station now than pick me up from my house. Mum would freak."
"Damn straight," Alex murmured, running a hand through his hair.
Just then, commotion sounded from the entrance of their clubhouse, so we all turned towards it.
Oliver was being carried out with an oxygen mask on his face and on a stretcher.
Behind that, principal Green was being escorted into a police car with his hands behind his back.
"Jesus fucking Christ," Alex laughed, "never thought I'd see the day. Prez fucking deserves it for all the shit he's put people through. All that violence just for a bit of new territory."
I turned back to look at my brother just shaking his head at the Principal, knowing exactly what kind of a leader he really was like to be endangering his men in this sort of a fashion just to get more power.
"Can we go home?" I asked, unable to stop myself from yawning.
"Yeah," Alex gave me a small smile, raising his arm a bit as an indication for me to come to him.
I smiled softly and wrapped an arm around his side, leaning myself against him with his arm going over my shoulders.
"Just a sec."
"What friend would you come here for in the middle of the fucking night, though?" Alex suddenly asked me, both of the guys' pairs of eyes landing on me.
I let out an awkward laugh, "a good friend?" A seriously good and longtime friend who I used to fuck but now don't because I'm together with your best friend? Duh.
He seemed seriously suspicious, but I shrugged it off.
"Hey Hunt, thanks for making sure she's safe," Alex gave him a small and genuinely appreciating smile.
"No problem," he returned it with a tight lipped one.
We said bye, and as much as I wanted to talk this all out with Hunter, I let Alex bring me to his car so he could drive me home.
I got into the passenger's seat and, as Alex had just entered the driver's side, I saw a police officer heading towards Hunter.
He seemed to be aware of the fact and was patiently waiting for them.
As much as the situation interested me, I needed to just let myself lean my head against the window and close my eyes.
"Are you seriously okay? Did somebody do or even lay a goddamn finger on you inside the club, because I swear—"
"I'm fine, Alex," I murmured, "please, I just need my bed."
I felt his hand on my thigh comforting me, before it left and he began driving.
My phone vibrated on my lap, but I didn't have time or energy to look down at it before I fell asleep.
I woke up in my own bed, comfortably under the duvet while cuddling one of my pillows.
Not to sound freakishly stalker-like, or anything, but it smelt a bit like Hunter which was very nice.
Tiredly, I reach over to grab my phone and check the time.
I realised it was 2 PM, but decided I'd stay in bed the whole day anyway.
Messages from Hunter had come in very, very early this morning.
From: Hunter: Wills I'm seriously sorry.
From: Hunter: I shouldn't have tried to fuck you. It was for all the wrong reasons and a complete dick move.
From: Hunter: Pllease, can we talk later today? I could come over? I'm really sorry.
From: Hunter: You were right, by the way, when you wanted to call 911. Doc never fucking showed up and Oli would have died without you. x
Would have died. That meant Oli was alive now which was a huge relief.
From: Hunter: I acted like a complete asshole I understand if you're mad at me. I just want to talk and apologise in person x
To: Hunter: Come over in the evening.
I was definitely not over his disgustingly misogynistic and unsympathetic behaviour at the clubhouse.
Like seriously, what sane minded person would put their own needs first in a situation where a friend was dying and also not be willing to call 911 to save them.
Suddenly my door opened and Alex rushed in.
I quickly locked my phone and gave him a confused look when he sat himself down on my bed with an excited smile.
"You literally remind me of a four year old," I told him, giving him a slightly disapproving look for just barging into my room like this.
I could have been naked or even with Hunter.
Alex chuckled, giving me a shake of his head.
"Will, I'm throwing the biggest fucking party of the year on Friday. You're invited, of course, and can invite a few of your friends."
I furrowed my brows, my head still on one of my pillows, "but don't we leave to Thailand on Saturday?"
Exactly in a week, Hunter and Alex would have just graduated high school and we'd all be on our way to Thailand for our annual summer vacation together.
It would definitely be weird since Hunter and I were now together, and only his mum knew.
"Yeah, but I'm still throwing the party," he told me.
I raised my brows at him, "hangover on a plane? Don't you know how much that sucks?"
He then grinned while I felt my phone vibrate in my hand. It was probably a message from Hunter that I'd be checking once my brother left.
"I remember exactly how much it sucks, Wills," he told me, reminding me of last year's summer holiday. Alex had looked like absolute death. "It's the best way to start the holidays!"
"Sometimes I wonder if mum and dad dropped you when you were a child," I gave him a sweet smile which made him laugh.
"You're an idiot, but you and your friends are still invited," he told me, getting up from my bed, "it's gonna be huge!" He finished off with the worst Donald Trump impression, making me sigh dramatically with a smile on my lips.
"Thanks, Alex. You have such a way with words," I joked and he shot me a grin while making his way towards my door.
"My pleasure, Will. I'll see you around!"
"Bye," I managed to say before my overly energetic brother had left my room and closed the door behind me.
Neither of us was very good at being open with our feelings, so thanking him for picking me up at 3 AM from the clubhouse would be weird.
I opened my phone and looked at the message I had received from Hunter.
From: Hunter: Okay. How are you?
To: Hunter: I'm fine, thanks. did you get into a lot of trouble with the cops?
From: Hunter: Long story. I'll tell you everything when I get there.
I guess the date he and I were supposed to go on today was cancelled now... but I needed to let him know that I still wanted it to happen soon.
To: Hunter: raincheck on our date tonight?x
From: Hunter: Yes, please x
30
Hunter
'Local principal arrested for organisation of vigilante group turned violent gang'
From: Zach: heard your girl went to visit her boyfriend in the hospital today ;)
It was like the whole fucking club knew and it pissed me the fuck off.
I hated the idea that she might have feelings for Oliver, and also hated the fact that they used to fuck.
The way she had been so fucking worried about him last night and early this morning, I swear...
To: Zach: sure.
Zach was a good friend and liked to joke around a lot, but this wasn't something I felt comfortable joking about in the least.
I knew the men at the club had taken an interest in her; she was younger than any girl who'd ever stepped in that dirty place and by far the most heartachingly beautiful.
It wasn't normal to be talked back to at the clubhouse by a girl, especially someone you were together with.
The men in that building were used to constant respect from their women and made sure they were physically punished if ever going against them.
It was fucked up, I understood that, but keeping up your status and sense of power were one of the most important things there.
Yet even when Willow had gone against my word and been stubborn in front of the other men in the same room, I still couldn't even think about being physical towards her.
I felt horrible after squeezing her wrist too hard and still hadn't properly apologised for it.
Sex had been the only thing I could have done to let the others think I didn't let her walk over me like that, show the fuckers I was in charge even though in reality I wasn't in charge of her and doubt I would ever be.
I loved how free she and her heart were, standing up for herself and doing what she thought was right.
Willow was mostly right everytime though, especially about calling 911.
If she hadn't called them when she did, Oliver would be dead right now and most likely the clubhouse would still be up and running, ruining lives.
I had been a complete idiot for not letting her call them in the first place and wanting to wait for Doc so that I wouldn't get my ass in trouble. It was selfish and so fucking stupid.
To: Willow: I'm coming over now, we need to talk.
I was supposed to go visit her in the evening when there was less of a chance of us getting caught by Alex, but I needed to see her now.
I began driving to hers from the police station where I'd been all morning and had virtually had no sleep.
I was so fucking tired but wanted to sleep next to her.
No charges were pressed against me since I had been naíve and underage when signing the contract that basically forced me to stay with the club and go with their flow.
Prez on the other hand, along with a couple more of the older men who were in charge, had got ten plus years.
From: Willow: i just woke up from a nap and i look like a mess but sure...
It was already 4 PM, but I doubt she had slept much if she'd already gone to visit Oli once earlier today.
I felt like a complete dick, how could I fuck up so quickly after she agreed to be my girlfriend?
After the fifteen minute drive to their house, I had already climbed up the tree and onto the lower part of their roof.
I made my way to her closed window easily and saw her getting out of bed.
She spotted me
immediately without me having to have had knocked.