15: Banjo Isn't Flirting


^^ Mel ^^

It turns out that backing away from the club isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Every morning, I have at least two members in my kitchen and breaking the habit of going to Shelby's or the clubhouse after work has been harder than quitting smoking. So today I realised my mistake. I've been trying to completely avoid the club - kind of impossible when you're living with a member - instead of doing what I normally do, just without immersing myself in it like I have in the past. And that's why I'm currently parked outside of Shelby's taking a few deep breaths before I go in.

It takes me five minutes to give myself the kick up the arse I need to get out of the car, but when I open the door to Shelby's and look around, a confused frown settles on my face. Everybody is here because obviously the one day I decide to pop in, it turns into Bulldogs central. But that's not what makes me frown. The guys all sit around two tables, except for Jay, who sits at the counter with his back to them. I roll my eyes and pull up a chair next to Smiler, kissing him briefly as I do. They all look at me, obviously surprised to see me back here, but I ignore them, turning to Smiler.

"Why is he sitting over there on his own?" I thought I'd asked quietly, but Philly answers from across the table.

"Because he knows we're all pissed with him,"

"Um, why?" I ask, still not getting it.

Philly sighs and leans forward, making eye contact with me. "Because you're one of us, and he didn't have your back,"

I groan and tip my head back, blowing out a breath before meeting his eyes again. "I'm not one of you. I'm the outsider; I'm not even from this country. You guys, Mel, Shelby, everyone knew each other before I even left England, let alone met you all. You guys are a family; I'm like the sister in law or something,"

Philly clears his throat and raises his eyebrows at me. "You took on another MC, set fire to their bikes, took a bullet for us and pretty much saved our asses. You saved Mel and Lena that day. You helped Banjo get back on his feet. You're one of us. If you were a guy, you'd be a fully patched member. Old ladies don't do that shit. You're one of us,"

I look around the table at them all, my eyes wide, before standing and pushing my chair back. "What the fuck is going on? Is this some 'body snatchers' thing?" They all look at me like I'm insane. "Okay, Pest is being silent. That never happens. Banjo isn't flirting. Again, that never happens. Ash, Smiler and Jay are like the three bloody musketeers, and now they're divorcing or something. But weirdly, Philly - who never speaks unless it's to make a sexist comment-" I pause and glare at him. "I noticed the ones you slipped in there by the way. Anyway, Philly is being all deep and meaningful and speaking in full sentences. Most importantly, your fucking President is on the outs, sitting over there on his own. Shit, I have no idea what to make of this!" I walk over to Jay and grab his arm, pulling him off the stool and shoving him into the chair I just vacated. I circle my finger, signalling them all. "You lot are the Bulldogs MC. Everything else that happens is separate. Nothing should split this club up unless you decide you don't want to be a club anymore. You're vulnerable like this, and with Banjo and that bloody truck, it's obvious that there is no worse time to be vulnerable. So quit being little bitches, put on your big girl panties, and get back to being the fucking Bulldogs!" I'm breathless from my rant and take a step back. I look back at them to see Smiler and Ash grinning at me strangely. "What?" I ask, exasperated.

"Told you, you're the glue," Ash says with a smirk.

I'm lost and look to Smiler for help. "You said you were done holding us together, but you can't help yourself, babe. It's who you are,"

I groan as I realise he's right. Not even ten minutes ago I'd been determined not to immerse myself in the club, and here I am doing exactly that. "Well, fuck," I sigh, moving to sit on the stool I just dragged Jay from. I don't make it though, and the next thing I know, my head is meeting the floor with a resounding crack.

***

When I open my eyes, I know instantly where I am. The fluorescent lights and scratchy sheets make it obvious, even if I couldn't hear the beeping of the heart monitor right next to my head. I raise my head slightly, wincing when it throbs, and see Smiler sitting next to me staring into space.

"Morning," I say, croaking slightly.

His head snaps back to face me, and he smiles slightly. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

I sigh. "Like I head-butted a floor,"

He chuckles and squeezes my hand. "Probably because you did,"

"I passed out?" I ask, even though it's obvious.

He nods. "Yeah. I'll let the doc know you're awake. You need anything?"

"Some decent painkillers," I chuckle, and he leans down to kiss my hand, squeezing it softly before he leaves the room. I'm shocked when he walks back in a few minutes later with Dr O'Brian. "Oh god," I groan.

The doctor raises an eyebrow and grins. "That's a lovely welcome, Lenni,"

"Sorry doc, just used to seeing you when it's something bad," I say, joking to try and cover my anxiety.

"It's nothing bad," He smiles and I sigh slightly. "I saw you in the emergency room and thought you'd prefer a familiar face," I grin and nod slightly, wincing again. "How's the pain?"

"My head kills, doc. I know I'm allergic to the good stuff, but surely there's gotta be something decent you can give me?"

He laughs slightly and looks down at the chart in his hand. "I'll get you some Tylenol, and see how you get on. Now, to the reason you fainted," The look he gives me, reminds me of when my teachers used to tell me off at school, and I gulp. "You're dehydrated and your blood sugar was dangerously low. When was the last time you ate properly?"

"Last night, I think?" I ask, looking at Smiler who shakes his head slightly. "I didn't?" He shakes his head again, frowning. "Um, well then I don't know. The night before I guess,"

"Lenni, I understand that sometimes people forget to eat. Especially when they have a lot going on; looking after Benjamin, for example. But your blood results show that you've not been eating properly for at least a couple of weeks, and you haven't been drinking enough fluids. You can't survive on coffee," He raises an eyebrow at me and I kind of want to shrink back into the bed and disappear. "We're replacing your fluids through an IV, but you need to eat regularly, or you'll end up back here in worse shape,"

I nod and smile at him. "I will, doc. I promise. When can I get out of here?"

"Not until that bag of fluids has all gone through, and you've eaten something," He nods at the large bag of fluids on my drip stand and I groan as I see it moving one drip at a time. He smiles again before excusing himself and leaving me alone with Smiler.

I watch confused as Smiler sits next to me, but refuses to look at me. "What?" I ask him.

"This is my fault," he says quietly.

"What?" I ask, completely confused. "How is it your fault?"

"A couple of weeks. Since me and Ash fought," He says, finally meeting my eyes.

"It's not your fault, it's not anyone's fault but mine. I'm old enough to know I need to eat and drink properly. Nobody is responsible for that except me," We both pause and look at the door when we hear raised voices, and I groan when I realise they belong to Jay and Robin.

"Why are you angry at me?" Robin yells, and we hear Jay groan.

"I'm not angry at you! I'm angry at myself. I'm angry at Mel and Shelby. I'm just fucking angry at life!"

"Then why the hell are you yelling at me?" Robin shouts back.

"Because you're yelling at me!"

I groan and pull my blankets back, pulling my drip stand closer so I can get out of bed. Smiler opens his mouth to say something but stops when I glare at him, holding a hand out to help me instead. He opens the door for me and I take a few steps into the corridor. I laugh slightly when I see Jay and Robin having a standoff. "Okay children, settle down," I say, waving slightly when they turn to look at me. "Both of you get your arses in here now," I don't wait for them to answer, simply turning back and climbing onto the bed. Smiler slides on next to me and I snuggle up to him, grateful for the contact.

Robin and Jay both look sheepish as they enter the room, pulling chairs up close to the bed. "How are you feeling?" Robin asks, and I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, I'm fine, just fancied a change of scenery," I gesture around the room and she grins. "Do I have to lock you both in a room until you sort this out?"

"Nope, Jay just needs to man up," she says, rolling her eyes when Jay scoffs next to her.

"You just need to stay out of it," Jay mutters.

"Stay out of it? Look where we are right now. And you expect me to stay out of it?" Robin answers back.

I groan and look up at Smiler who's watching on, amused. "Oh god, it's like having two children. Two bickering, snarking, complaining children," I whine, burying my head in his chest, grinning when I feel it rumble with his laughter. I look back at the two of them who are now having a stare down. "Oh for fuck sake! Enough!" I snap. "Robin, I love you for sticking up for me and defending me, and I really do appreciate it. Jay, snap out of it. You're moping and feeling sorry for yourself, and you're taking it out on everyone around you. Stop it,"

Jay looks up at me and I see the hurt in his eyes as he speaks quietly. "You were right," he says, and I look back at him, puzzled. "I did doubt you, even though I had no reason to. I looked at Shelby and saw the anger on her face, and I sided with her. I don't know why; I just did. I have no reasons and no excuses. I miss you, Len. You've been by my side since you got here and now I feel like I'm having phantom limb syndrome or something. You're not there anymore but it still hurts," He shrugs and looks down at the floor.

Robin catches my eye and I see the guilt on her face. Suddenly I can't do it anymore. I can't be angry with him. I miss him too, and it hurts having him being around, but not really being there. He's my closest friend, and I know he screwed up big time, but more importantly, he knows he screwed up big time.

"I want two things," I say, trying to keep a straight face when his eyes dart up to meet mine,

"Anything," he says.

"Firstly, don't ever doubt me again. Or if you do, at least ask me and give me a chance to explain before just assuming the worst," I smile slightly when he nods. "Secondly, I want a massive slice of chocolate cake, with whipped cream and sprinkles," He grins at me and I shrug. "What? I'm starving, literally," I point to the tube in my hand. And then I realise I've been well and truly played when Robin looks at Jay and smirks.

"Told you it would work," she tells him, and my jaw drops when they high five.

"Wait, what?" Smiler asks, lifting his head to look at them. "So the kitchen scene, and this was all just a game?"

Jay shakes his head. "Oh no, the kitchen bit was genuine. But then Robin found me after school that day and told me she saw Lenni wanting to give in when we were arguing, so she came up with this little scheme. Of course, we didn't know you'd be in hospital or anything," He says, and I think he feels a little bad about where they did it.

Robin shrugs and brushes some imaginary dirt off her shoulder before checking her nails. "What can I say? I'm a genius,"

I scowl at her before my face brightens. "How's Adam? Slapped him again recently?" I ask, grinning when she blushes as Jay and Smiler both look at her suddenly, waiting for an explanation.

***

Three days later, I find myself outside of Shelby's again, except this time there are no nerves. At least, not for me. But when Mel looks up as I walk in, I see the worry cross her face as she spots me. I smile at her as she bounces Lena on her knee and I walk over to sit at their table.

"Hey," I say, chuckling when she breathes a sigh of relief and smiles at me. I reach for Lena and blow raspberries on her neck, making her giggle. "How are you both?"

"We're okay. I mean, apart from the crippling guilt and major humiliation," she shrugs, and I look at her wide-eyed, before laughing loudly.

"Subtle," I say, looking up as Shelby joins us. They both share a look and I shake my head before they can speak. "Don't say anything. It's over, let's just forget it and move on, okay? I just want things to go back to normal," They both nod and I grin at them.

"Jay's not talking to us," Mel says, and Shelby shoves her shoulder.

"She literally just said she doesn't want to talk about it!"

I laugh again. "It's fine. And Jay will stop pouting in a day or two. He feels like an idiot and is looking for someone other than himself to blame. Leave him to it; it's like a toddler having a tantrum. If you ignore it long enough, they get bored and start behaving again,"

"Is that right?" I look up and see Jay standing behind me, raising an eyebrow as he looks down at me.

I look back at the girls and nod my head towards him. "See? It works, and quicker than I expected, too!"

They laugh as Jay groans, before pulling a chair up next to us, kissing Shelby's cheek and ruffling my hair. "As much as I enjoy your company, ladies," His voice trails off and he looks at me.

I raise an eyebrow and look at the girls again. "Uh oh, he wants a favour,"

"Only a small one," he says, holding his thumb and finger an inch apart. "That Liam kid, how well do you know him?"

I shrug and frown. "Not that well. He helped us find Robin and got me drunk on cheap vodka,"

Jay raises an eyebrow at me and nods slowly. "So if the club needed a favour from him?"

I laugh. "Sorry, did I forget to mention that he squeals like a fangirl whenever he even hears the Bulldogs mentioned?"

"Are you exaggerating again, Lenni?" Shelby asks, and I tilt my head as if I'm considering it.

"Okay, maybe slightly. But he does blush and stutter if that counts?" Jay laughs and shakes his head, before stealing Lena from my lap, ignoring my scowl. "I mean, I think he's straight though, so it depends on what sort of favour you need," Shelby snorts with laughter before walking away from the table shaking her head. Jay glares at me and I smile innocently. "You know I love you, either way, just be honest with yourself. Oh, and make sure he's legal. I'm pretty sure he's only seventeen,"

"Okay, I'm going," Jay says, standing and holding Lena out to Mel.

I laugh and grab his hand. "He'll help you. We'll catch him coming out of school if we leave now,"

Jay nods and I say quick goodbyes to the girls before we head out to the bikes. We get to the school a few minutes before the final bell rings and park up near the bottom of the steps. I laugh as the students start piling out, all of them taking a second look at Jay on their way past. He leans over to mutter in my ear. "I feel like I'm an exhibit in a zoo,"

"Well, the Bulldogs don't really tend to hang out at the school. The only time most of these kids see you guys is at Shelby's or riding past them on the street," I look up as I spot a familiar head of dark hair heading down the steps. "Liam!" I call, waving when he looks up.

He spots Jay standing next to me and his eyes widen before his cheeks tinge slightly pink and I look at Jay with a raised eyebrow. Liam walks over to us and shoves his hands into his pockets. "Uh, hey," He says although it sounds more like a question.

"Hey. So, the club needs a favour, if you're up to it?" I say, watching as he runs a hand through his dark hair again, before nodding and looking at Jay.

"We just need your computer skills for an hour or so," Jay tells him.

"Sure, when?" Liam agrees instantly.

"This evening, if you can? We'll meet you at Lenni's in a couple of hours,"

Liam nods again. "Sure, I'll uh- I'll see you later then," He looks at me puzzled, but I just grin and wink, before swinging my leg back over my bike as Jay does the same. I look around and see several pairs of eyes glued to Liam as he says goodbye to us both, laughing and shaking my head when he's surrounded by people as soon as he walks away.

***

"So, what's that all about?" Robin asks, nodding her head towards the kitchen. Liam has been in there with the guys for almost two hours now, and Robin's curiosity has finally gotten the better of her.

I shrug and look back at my laptop, finishing up my work for George. "No idea. I don't ask about club business,"

"Why not?" Robin asks, looking confused.

"Because I don't want to know. My extent of knowledge about the club pretty much runs to their name and that they make money doing security. I don't need to know anything else, and I don't want to,"

"Fair enough," She shrugs, before pulling a textbook out of her bag. We both look up as there's a knock on the front door, and Robin rolls her eyes as she realises I'm not moving.

My eyes go wide as I hear her greet Adam, and I shoot out of my seat to catch them at the door. They both look at me wide-eyed as I slash a hand across my throat, trying to warn him not to come in.

"Is that the kid she slapped?" I hear Smiler call from the kitchen.

I swallow and shake my head, before realising he can't see me. "No, it's uh, someone selling... polish," I stutter before turning back to Adam. "Run!" I whisper, but it's too late as Smiler appears next to me.

"Polish, huh?" He asks, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

My shoulders slump and I turn back to Adam. "Come in, and I'm sorry in advance,"

His eyes are wide as he looks at Smiler. "Sorry for what?" He asks, stepping in slowly.

"For the third degree you're about to receive from these idiots," I sigh.

And then I choke as I see Robin cup a hand around the back of Adam's neck and pull his head down to kiss her. His eyes widen for a split second before he closes them and responds. She pulls away and looks at Smiler with a raised eyebrow, challenging him. "He's with me," she says, before dragging Adam towards her room by his hand.

"Uh, hey!" I call after them. "Door open!" I turn back to Smiler, and I'm pretty sure my eyes are bulging out of my head as he scowls.

"I did not need to see that," he growls, before turning back to the kitchen, leaving me alone in the hallway wondering what the hell just happened.

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