CHAPTER NINE // PANIC ATTACK

RILEY WASN'T THE TYPE TO GO OUT TO SOME BAR OR CLUB TO DRINK. No, she preferred the comforts of her own home or the clubhouse, but every once in a while a person could talk the once bubbly blonde into a night out on the town.

Tonight though was one of those rare occasions.

Lindsay, a part time worker at the animal shelter and someone Riley considered a somewhat friend — the teller woman didn't have many friends that weren't involved with the MC life — had invited Riley out for the night, pleading almost when Riley had initially turned the red head down.

After promising a fun night full of free alcohol, Riley agreed with some reluctance, but who was she to turn down free alcohol and maybe a night out would be good for her since she still hadn't stepped foot in the scrapyard. It was getting lonely drinking by herself and she desperately needed some fun.

The lights in the club were bright — almost bright enough to annoy Riley's eyes — but she ignored them as she followed Lindsay towards the bar, pushing her way through the crowed floor of dancing bodies.

A bead of sweat formed on Riley's forehead as she did her best to keep close to the red head, bumping into a couple making out, ignoring the looks they gave her as she continued to walk by without apologizing. It was their fault really in Riley's opinion.  — they shouldn't have been in her way.

"Ivan makes the best drinks!" Lindsay yelled over the loud music, turning around with a smile on her pale face. "We have a thing so he gives me free drinks." The red haired woman laughed as she tossed her long red hair off of her shoulder.

Tig would have loved Lindsay, Riley thought and a small ache formed in her chest at the thought of SAMCRO. Riley's last encounter with anyone from SAMCRO was the night Happy bailed her out of jail. It had been months since she talked to anyone else — it hurt too much.

"I don't really care how they taste." Riley admitted, making her voice loud enough for Lindsay to hear. "I just want them to make me drunk." She said more to herself than the bubbly red head in front of her.

The bar was of course crowded which made a sigh fall from Riley's glossed covered lips. This was one of the many reasons why she drank at home or in a clubhouse.

"Don't worry." The red head assured, seeing the look of defeat on Riley's face. "Ivan leaves my drinks under the counter." She smirked while leaning her body across the bar and grabbing a couple of bright pink drinks. "Here you go." Lindsay handed a glass to Riley, a satisfied smile on her face. "I know you can handle your liquor, but I'm warning you now these are delicious deadly."

Riley eyed the drink in her hand before shrugging and downing the pink liquid. It wasn't the first time someone had warned her about how strong a drink could be, but Riley didn't care — the stronger the better was her motto.

"To a fun night." Riley grinned as the alcohol warmed her body.

Lindsay nodded with a smile before grabbing two more drinks.

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THE MUSIC WAS TOO LOUD AND SWEAT WAS PRACTICALLY pouring down her body as she danced with some random man. Riley had lost Lindsay hours ago or what felt like hours ago, and all she wanted to do was leave. The heat inside of the crowded club was becoming too much and the random man was getting too handsy for her liking.

"I gotta leave." Riley pushed the man's hand away from her body as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Hey! Where are you going?" The man yelled as he reached for Riley's arm but missed as she quickly walked away from him and towards the exit.

She needed some fresh air and to find Lindsay so she could leave. She didn't want to leave without the red head that was a partying foul — you never left someone behind.

The cool air felt nice against her heated skin as she exited the club. Immediately her eyes scanned the outside for Lindsay, her bright red hair wouldn't be hard to miss especially in Riley's drunken state.

A panic formed in Riley's chest as she kept looking, hoping to spot the red hair but nothing. Tears began to form in her green eyes as she ran a hand through her dark hair. She wanted to go home that's all she wanted, the panic began to set in as she took a deep breath.

"Think, think." Riley muttered to herself as she walked a little bit down the light up sidewalk. What had Lindsay last said to her before they parted in the club. Riley tried to remember the conversation they had, but tears kept clouding her eyes and her brain couldn't think in its drunken state,

Riley fumbled for her phone in her bag her hands shaking as she dialed the only phone number she knew by heart.

"Pick up." Riley begged as the phone continued to ring. She knew he wouldn't pick up not that she blamed him. She wouldn't have picked up either.

Tears began to fall from her eyes as the automatic voicemail message played.

"Happy, it's me. I know you're probably looking at your phone wondering why I'm calling you, but I'm alone. I'm at some club and I'm all alone. Please." A sob broke through Riley's throat as the phone beep and a loud dial tone entered her ear. She had said too much — at least that's what the dial tone was telling her.

"Fuck!" The Teller woman yelled, earning herself a few stares. Riley quickly wiped the tears from her eyes before scrolling through her contacts. Hesitantly with a shaky hand she clicked on the contact, listening to it ring twice before his voice entered her ear.

"Bishop, I need you."

—

RILEY AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING, CONFUSED AND THIRSTY FOR WATER. She was in her own room that much she could make out from her heavy lidded eyes.

A groan left her lips as she slowly sat up in her bed. She tried to remember what happened last night but everything was a blank. How did she get home? Did she bring someone home with her? Riley didn't know because her brain wouldn't let her remember.

The brunette slowly walked out of her room, whispers entered her ears as she slowly tiptoed towards the kitchen. Her bloodshot green eyes noticed Bishop and Marcus stilling at her small kitchen table, the former running a hand over his face as Marcus continued to talk in a low tone.

"You can't keep watching her. She needs to finally get help." Marcus whispered.

"I know, Marcus." Bishop agreed with a sigh. "Last night scared me. She could have gotten herself killed."  The Santo Padre President sighed as he thought about how scared and lost Riley had looked when he finally found her.

Riley had heard enough, she loudly cleared her throat as she entered the kitchen. "Morning." She muttered as she made her way towards the already brewed coffee. "I didn't know you were in town." She raised an eyebrow as she stared at Marcus.

Of course she had called Bishop last night only after Happy didn't pick up. Riley mentally cringed as she remembered the crying voicemail she had left the stoic biker. It was probably for the best that he didn't pick up.

"I had some business to take care of." Marcus stated as his brown eyes took in Riley's appearance.

Riley hummed as she nodded at his words. She knew it was half a lie. Maybe he did have business to take care of, but Riley was certain part of his business had to do with her.

"Riley, I think it would be good for you to visit Wendy and Nero for a little bit. I know Abel and Thomas miss you."

She knew what he was doing. She knew Marcus figured by getting her out of town that her drinking would stop. Riley didn't drink around Abel and Thomas, she wouldn't let them see her like that.

The brunette ignored his words and stared at Bishop who had been quiet since she entered the kitchen. She wanted to thank him for answering her call and dealing with her, but she couldn't find the right words and her throat wouldn't open to let her speak.

"I'll think about it." Riley muttered before exiting the kitchen without another word.

Maybe visiting Abel and Thomas would be good for her. Maybe she needed to get away for a little bit.

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