Biker Bully

by Sam Crescent

  Chloe nodded. She turned toward her mother, and for the next hour, she watched her sleep. Lily looked so peaceful in sleep.

  One of Eagle’s guys showed up, but she couldn’t remember his name. Within ten minutes the nurse was there to tell them all they had to leave for the night. She hated the thought of leaving her mother for even a second.

  Tucking her hair behind her ear, she grabbed her bag and made her way outside.

  “Miss,” the receptionist said. “The cab driver left this for you.”

  Her suitcase was waiting for her, and she nodded. “Thank you.” She’d already paid the fare to the hospital, but in her rush to get to her mom, she’d forgotten about her luggage. At least he didn’t take off with it, not that there was anything of value there. Just some underwear and clothes, the usual stuff.

  “Do you need a ride home?” Eagle asked.

  She glanced around, knowing she should take the offered ride. “I can walk.”

  “No, don’t be silly. I can drive you to your place. You have a key, don’t you?”

  She did.

  “If not, you’re welcome to stay at my place,” Alfie said.

  “You have your own place?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve got a key.” She reached into her bag, pulling out the keys that included her apartment back in the city.

  “I’ll drive you, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  She didn’t see any point in arguing with the man. Eagle knew how to get what he wanted.

  Following Eagle and Alfie out to their car was surreal to her. Never could she imagine coming back home and taking a ride, and it was crazy. At one point they were all going to be a family.

  Eagle took her suitcase from her and placed it in the back of the car. Alfie opened the passenger door in the back and she climbed in, telling him thank you.

  Pulling on the seatbelt, she sat back and stared at the hospital. There was a risk her mother may not wake up from the coma, but the doctor said the risk was low. She didn’t know what to think or say. Everything seemed to be working against her when it came to her mother.

  Eagle climbed behind the wheel. No music played, and the tension in the car seemed to go up a notch or ten. It wasn’t that far from her home, so she didn’t have to put up with it for long.

  Taking a deep breath when Eagle actually pulled up outside of her home, she was relieved.

  “Here we go.”

  Alfie climbed out of the car before Eagle got a chance.

  “That boy is eager,” Eagle said.

  “He is?”

  “It’s great to have you back, Chloe.”

  “It’s great to see you, Eagle.” She did mean that. “I am sorry for the way everything went down. I didn’t want to come between you two. I hope you know that.”

  “I do. It’s just how it happened.” Eagle looked out of the window to see Alfie waiting. “You know that boy has never been the same.”

  “I better go inside.” She opened the door without another word and climbed out.

  When she reached to take her bag, Alfie wouldn’t let her.

  “Why?”

  “Because I can carry it for you.”

  She rolled her eyes but walked down the path and put the key in the lock, twisting it. She hadn’t done this in such a long time. It seemed so strange to be coming home, and her mother wasn’t even here.

  Straightening her shoulders, she turned to Alfie, and he placed the bag inside her door but didn’t come in.

  “Thank you for bringing my bag.”

  “I want to have coffee with you, or breakfast,” he said.

  “Alfie, I’m not here for us to get to know each other, or to have dinner, or breakfast, or anything. I’m only here for my mom.”

  “And while you’re here, I’m not taking no for an answer. You’re going to have breakfast with me, and we’re going to sort out our problem.”

  “You’re ordering me around? You really think that is the smart way to do this?”

  “Let’s see, I tried to be the nice guy, and what did that get me? Nothing. You left, and I haven’t gotten a single chance since then. So now I’m trying something else. I’m not going to let you go this time, Chloe. I don’t care who you’re dating.”

  “You heard that.”

  “Kind of hard not to. Dad had you on speakerphone.”

  She stared at him and glanced over his shoulder. “I don’t know.”

  “Look, you can try to push me away and I’ll even let you try, but I’m not backing down.”

  “It has been five years.”

  “Is there someone else? Is that why you won’t give me a chance?”

  She should lie, tell him there was someone else, but she couldn’t do it. “No, there’s no one else.”

  “While you’re here, give me a chance, Chloe.”

  “I’m not going to give you a chance at anything, but I’m not going to push you away or cause a scene. My mom’s legs, when she wakes up, she’s going to need help, and I’m going to be the one to help her. I’m going to get settled in.”

  “Okay.” He didn’t move.

  “I need you to leave, Alfie.”

  “I know. It’s good seeing you, Chloe. Even if you can’t say the same.”

  She closed the door after he left, and leaned against it. “It’s good seeing you as well, Alfie, really good.”

  ****

  Chloe was back.

  She was back.

  Climbing back into his dad’s car, he smiled at the man.

  “You do realize it’s not going to be that easy winning her back,” Eagle said. “She’s been gone a long time, and she’s changed.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Time changes us all, son.”

  “Yeah, and you didn’t give me the road name Rock for no reason.”

  “True.”

  Alfie was about to let anyone ruin his mood. There was a chance here; he saw it, could smell it.

  “She left before I got a chance to tell her the truth, to show her I’d changed. I’m not going to let her go now without her hearing me out.”

  “And if she doesn’t want to hear you?” he asked.

  “I’ll make sure she does.”

  “Whatever you do, keep in mind your position at the club. You can’t compromise that.”

  “I won’t forget it.” Alfie ran his hands down his legs, feeling nervous. “Dad, I never wanted this to happen, you’ve got to believe me.”

  “I do believe you. I’ve handled things like an immature child.” Eagle sighed. “I’ve loved Lily for a long time. I watched her go through hell with Kurt and to keep taking him back. I promised myself I’d be different for her, and when that fucking video played, I was so livid.”

  “I know.”

  “I didn’t mean to kick you out.”

  “Dad, I left.”

  “No, I wasn’t much of a father to you. I’m sorry,” Eagle said. He muttered the last part underneath his breath, but Alfie heard it.

  He smiled to himself, because nothing was going to take away the fact that he was happy.

  Chloe was back in town, and he couldn’t foresee any problems in winning her back, just so long as he didn’t do anything stupid.

  Five years was a long time, but it wasn’t enough for her to forget about him. He just needed for her to forget the pain.

  Eagle dropped him off at his apartment and promised to pick him up the following morning on the way to the hospital. After seeing Lily in the morning with Chloe, he intended to take her out for breakfast.

  Arriving at his place, he let himself inside and already heard Riley and Ian watching a movie. His friends had a key, and the moment Chloe arrived in town, he knew they’d be around to be with him.

  The moment he entered his sitting room, the movie was stopped, and he couldn’t see what it was they were watching.

  “You okay, man?” Riley asked.

  “Me? Yeah, I’m good.”

  “You saw her
, didn’t you?” Ian asked.

  “Chloe?” They both nodded. “Yeah, I saw her. It was kind of strange, seeing her after all this time.”

  “Good strange or bad strange?”

  Alfie went to his fridge, and rather than go for a beer, he took out a bottle of water. “It was good. She’s … beautiful.”

  “We’re here to make sure you don’t go crazy.”

  “Why would I go crazy?” Alfie asked. He placed the bottle against his lips and took a sip, the water quenching his thirst.

  “We know how it was fucked up the last time. You ever wonder why Daniel did what he did?”

  “He said he had the tape made, but he had no intention of showing it to anyone but me. He wanted something from me, but he changed his mind at the last minute. Said he didn’t want to have to deal with me in the end, as he didn’t think I’d take kindly to blackmail. He told me someone took it. Fucking liar,” Alfie said. “That guy wanted to hurt me, and he found the way to do it.”

  The only satisfaction he got from the entire incident was kicking Daniel and all of his family out of town. They didn’t have much choice seeing as Eagle was also on the warpath.

  It would have been easier for the Satan’s Crew to kill all of Daniel’s family, but Eagle, he liked to make people suffer, and if they’d stayed, the entire family would have been homeless, begging for scraps.

  His father had a vicious streak, and Alfie had barely survived it before.

  “He cost you Chloe, and now she’s back. You think people around town are going to magically forget what happened?”

  “I don’t care what they do and don’t do. Anyone who hurts her has to come through me, simple as that.” He was more than willing to take on the entire town. “You boys got my back, or am I out on my own with this one?”

  “You’re never alone, Alfie,” Ian said.

  “It’s an insult to think we’d leave you alone when it’s our fault as well. We should have been more careful.”

  Alfie finished his water, and left his friends to go and take a shower. He wanted to be ready in the event of Lily waking up and him needing a ride.

  Where he’d failed Chloe last time, he wouldn’t do it again. He intended to be everything she needed and more.

  ****

  Chloe jerked awake to the banging on the front door. Climbing out of bed, she saw it was only three in the morning.

  Who could be knocking on the door? Her mother never complained of nighttime visitors.

  Going to the door, she saw Alfie on the other side.

  Frowning, she opened the door, a little confused. “Alfie, what’s going on?”

  “Your mother’s awake. My dad got a call at the hospital. Do you want us to take you?”

  “My mom’s awake?”

  “Why didn’t they call here?”

  “My dad handled all the paperwork, and he put us down as the nearest contact information.”

  “Oh.” Of course he would, but she didn’t think her mother would like the invasion of her privacy. “I may have to change that.” Glancing down at her body, she groaned. “I’ve got to get dressed.”

  She wore a pair of fairy tale pajamas. They’d been on sale, and were three sizes too big, but she loved how comfortable they were.

  Rushing back to her room, which brought up so many memories, she quickly pulled on her jeans, a crop top, and piled her hair in a bun on top of her head. She splashed some water onto her face, and quickly washed her mouth out with mouthwash. She was ready to go. Donning a pair of flipflops, then grabbing her cell phone and keys, she met Alfie, who was still waiting at the door.

  “Wow, that took you, like, five minutes to do.”

  “I’m a girl who knows not to waste time.” One too many missed alarms would do that to a person. She hated to be late, and it hadn’t taken her long to build up her ability to get ready in a few minutes.

  Alfie opened the door for her in the back, and it would take her a short time to get used to the gentlemanly gesture.

  In the city, men often tried to steal a cab, or were rude. Not all men, but she’d never been that successful with any.

  “Thank you, Eagle, for picking me up.”

  “It’s no problem. How are you settling in?”

  “Like I never left.”

  Her bedroom was spotless. Lily had told her on several occasions she’d go into her room and just remember the time when she was younger. She missed her mom so much, and just the short time of being home, she knew returning to the city would be so hard.

  It was strange to her how comforting it was, just going to the fridge and grabbing some food, or sitting on the sofa, not worrying about the couple arguing next door, or the party that shouldn’t be happening that was going on down the hall.

  Living in the culinary dorms did have a lot of restrictions in what was allowed. Animals and parties were off limits. Couples could stay together, but the partner that wasn’t part of the culinary school had to pay half of the bills, or at least that was what she’d heard.

  She had her small apartment to herself, and she’d loved the independence whereas now, well, it was kind of tough to want to go back.

  All this in only a few hours. How was she going to handle days or even weeks?

  Ignore it all, Chloe. You’ll deal with whatever comes your way, like you have everything else.

  The silence in the car was almost too much to bear. Father and son didn’t speak. She had no idea what to say. The radio wasn’t on.

  “How is everything with you, Eagle?” she asked.

  “I’m good. The club is good. All is good.”

  She smiled. A man of few words.

  Silence once again.

  The joy.

  Nibbling her lip, she stared out into the dark, wondering what to say.

  “I heard you passed your culinary exam and you’re looking for a job to be a sous chef.”

  “I am. Who told you?” she asked.

  “Your mother did in passing.”

  She felt a spark of guilt. If it hadn’t been for her and Alfie, Eagle and Lily would have married.

  “Have you met someone?” she asked.

  “No.”

  Again, the guilt.

  “Don’t go there,” Alfie said.

  “I am sorry,” she said, looking toward Eagle. He glanced up in the rearview mirror.

  “Yeah, well, nothing ever plays out how it’s supposed to.”

  There was a brand-new tension in the car, and she’d been the one to cause it.

  Great, just great.

  Finally, after what felt like a millennium, they finally arrived. There was no one at the front desk when they entered, but there was a nurse filling out paperwork.

  Eagle took the helm, and the nurse walked them back to Lily’s room.

  Her mother’s lamp was on.

  “We don’t usually allow nighttime visits, but she was very confused and upset. We told her you’d been by to visit, and she just wanted to see you, Chloe. The only information we have was for Mr. Pace.”

  “It’s fine. Honestly, it’s fine. I’ll put my contract information down, and there won’t be any misunderstanding.”

  Eagle made a noise, and it sounded like a protest. Ignoring him, she walked into her mother’s room. Lily was sitting up in bed, glaring at the door.

  “Chloe,” she said.

  The glare turned to a smile.

  “How are you feeling, Ms. Decker?” the nurse asked.

  “I’m feeling better, thank you. Can I have a moment with my daughter?”

  “Of course.” The nurse left.

  Eagle and Alfie didn’t take the hint.

  “I’d like to talk to my daughter please.”

  “Mom, it’s okay. Eagle was the one who called me.”

  “How is that possible? He doesn’t have your phone number.” Lily rubbed at her temple and winced.

  It would seem every single part of her body was bruised.

  “Mom, stop. Don’t hurt yourself. You
’re bruised. You got hit by a car.”

  Lily moaned. “I remember, believe me.” She smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here. You’re here all in one piece.”

  “I know. I’m right here.”

  Lily cupped her face.

  “I came as soon as Eagle called me.”

  “Yes, how did you get her phone number?” Lily asked.

  “I used your phone,” Eagle said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like a car ran over me and had fun while he did.”

  “Was it a he driving?” Alfie asked, stepping forward.

  “I don’t know. I was crossing the road and I was sure I had enough time to get to the other side, but I think the car sped up.” Lily groaned. “No, that can’t be right. I’ve never upset anyone in my life to make them want to run me over, have I?”

  Eagle smiled. “No, you haven’t.”

  Lily nodded, and Chloe saw pain in her mother’s eyes. This was all her fault.

  “Mom, you just need to rest and let everyone else figure all of this out.”

  “You’re here,” Lily said, changing the subject.

  “Yes, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere else. I promise you.” She reached out, stroking some of her mother’s hair out of the way. “I missed you.”

  “Your date. You went on it, right? Please tell me you went on that thing?”

  She chuckled. “I did, and it wasn’t great. I was telling Eagle about it when I thought he was you.”

  Lily groaned. “I hate that.”

  “I’m staying at home, and after I talk to the doctor, I’ll decide what I’m going to do.” She touched Lily’s legs, and both of them were in casts. Not good.

  This was going to end with her staying in town, which oddly, didn’t upset or surprise her.

  “We’ll see what happens. The doctor has already done some tests. He said coming out of the coma really fast was a good sign. He mentioned something about shock, and the pain, and he wants to keep me monitored.”

  “I’m going to stay with you.” Chloe sat down in the chair.

  Behind her, she heard Alfie and Eagle take a seat.

  “You two don’t have to stay,” Lily said.

  “Yeah, I do, Lil,” Eagle said.

  No one else said another word on them leaving, and Chloe forgot they were there as she caught up with her mother.