CHAPTER EIGHT // HOLD ME LIKE A GRUDGE

RILEY STILL HADN'T GONE BACK to the Mayan's clubhouse even after Bishop's late night visit a few weeks prior. If there was one thing Riley Teller could do right it was hold a grudge.

Happy hadn't called her either since she verbally attacked him, not that she expected him too. Riley knew her words were harsh towards him that night, but she was over everyone telling her how she should live her life. No one knew what went on inside of her mind day after day. No one understood what it was like to live her life and relive trauma she went through day after day.

A sigh passed through Riley's lips as she sat outside the animal shelter smoking a cigarette. She was hungover (that was nothing new though) and the nicotine filling her lungs was the only thinking easing the painful headache and nauseous stomach at the moment.

There was only a couple more hours left on her shift and while she normally loved being at the shelter, taking care of all of the animals, today was a day she wanted more than nothing to be home sleeping off the hangover before drinking a bottle of whiskey in the comfort of her home while dealing with the struggles of the inner workings of her mind.

The alcohol would keep her thoughts at bay for a little while, let her breathe for a little bit until they surely, slowly, and silently crept back in and reminded her of everything.

Taking one last pull of her cigarette before tossing it to the pavement, Riley ran a hand through her hair before making her way back into the shelter, placing a weak smile on her face.

"Hey Riley, can you go check up on the puppies? Kelly said they might need another feeding."

Riley nodded at her coworker not saying a word before walking off towards where the litter of puppies the shelter had rescued were being kept. It was a highlight of Riley's day to take care of the puppies, they were adorable and needed so much love that she knew she could give them without fucking it up that it made her feel useful for once in her life.

Animals never judged her and that's why Riley loved working with them so much. People were a different story.

A genuine smile quickly formed on Riley's face as she entered the room and little whines could be heard from the room. The brunette quickly entered the pen, grabbing a few of the small feeding bottles on her way in before sitting down in the middle of the pen, laughing as the puppies stumbled over towards her, jumping on her and licking at her face.

"Okay little ones calm down." Riley laughed as she picked up the small brown and white puppy that she had given the name Polly. "Don't worry you'll all get fed." She promised.

The door opening made Riley looked up from the puppies and towards the door where Kelly stood with her hands on her hips.

"There's someone outside for you, Riley." The short woman said as she made her way towards the pen. "I'll take over for you." She said, bending down to take Polly from Riley's hands.

"Do you know who it is?" Riley asked with annoyance in her tone. She wasn't annoyed at Kelly, just annoyed that someone was bothering her during the only moments she felt peace.

"A Mayan." Kelly said with a shrug. "I didn't ask his name."

A sigh left Riley's lips as she stood up from the floor and made her way silently out of the room, wondering why someone from the club was visiting her at work.

The Teller woman squinted her eyes as she exited the building, quickly she spotted Angel's bike parked next to her car.

"What are you doing here Reyes?" The brunette questioned as she stood in front of him with her arms crossing over her chest.

"Damn Teller, I haven't seen you in weeks and this is how you greet me?" The Reyes man chuckled as he stared at the angry looking brunette standing in front of him. "Okay, okay." He held his hands up in surrender as she continued to stare into his soul with her hazel eyes. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. You haven't come by the scrapyard and you're not answering anyone's text."

"Pretty sure your Pres made it clear not to come around anymore." Riley stated with a bitter laugh.

Of course those weren't Bishop's exact words, but they might have been in Riley's world. It also didn't matter that he had pretty much extended her an olive branch the night he visited her. Riley didn't care. If her drinking was too much for Bishop then he didn't need to see her anymore or deal with her.

Angel ran a hand over his dark hair. "I don't think Bish meant it that way."

"Did you come here to defend Bishop to me, because I don't want to hear it Angel." Riley stated matter of factly.

"Nah. That shit is between you two. Look, I want you to come to the clubhouse tonight." His brown eyes practically pleaded with her.

A scoff left her lips as she ran a hand through her hair. "Why?"

"Just come, Teller. It can't be fun drinking by yourself every night." The Mayan biker pointed out with a raise of his eyebrow.

"Maybe." Riley said after a moment. "I gotta get back inside now. Next time just send a text, Reyes." The brunette said with a roll of her eyes.

"Next time answer your phone, Teller." He replied before getting on his bike and riding off, leaving Riley to contemplate his request as she finished the final hours of her shift.

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RILEY SAT IN HER HOUSE LATER that night still debating with herself if she should go to the clubhouse or not. Angel was right that it would be more fun than sitting all alone with her thoughts and bottle of whiskey, but seeing Bishop look at her as she got drunk throughout the night would only send her into a rage.

There were so many nights that Riley spent thinking and wishing she was different. Wishing things in her life has gone differently. If only Jax were still here maybe just maybe she wouldn't drink so much and maybe Happy and her would have a different relationship. She knew it was a waste of time to think about all the 'what ifs' , but more days than she liked to admit it was the only thing that got her through the day.

Riley poured herself another glass of whiskey, drinking it down quickly. So no, Riley Teller wouldn't go to the scrapyard tonight, because Riley Teller knew how to hold a grudge like all Tellers before her.

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AN —
I haven't updated this in forever and I'm so sorry! My girl Riley 😫 no bishop in this chapter but he'll be in the next one!