Chapter Three #2
I remove the phone from the box, switching it on, surprised it’s already been set up. Opening the contacts, I find a single number under Clay (call in an emergency situation).
Wow, the bloke has some willpower, I’ll give him that.
I consider returning it, but I have no idea where he lives. Plus, I could do with a phone, and there’s no way I can afford one anytime soon.
I log in to my Apple ID and find that all my pictures of the boys are still there. I find some solace as I scroll through the hundreds of photos, remembering every single moment in time.
Clay
Sitting in the corner of the club, I sip my whiskey.
Ever since I met Belle on the bridge, it’s the only thing I’ve been able to think about.
I have this overwhelming urge to make sure she’s safe.
I’m hoping that she doesn’t think it’s stalkerish sending her a phone, but she really does need one for her own safety.
My phone then alerts me to an incoming text from her, I saved her number earlier as ‘Beauty to my beast’.
I grin smugly, satisfied with my day’s work.
Beauty to my beast: Thank you.
I fire off a quick reply.
Me: No worries
I don’t want to push any further and scare her away. I think me rocking up at her place of work and sending her a mobile is crazy enough behaviour for one day.
“Shit, the VP fucking smiles,” Drifter jokes, taking a seat beside me.
“Yeah, until this dumb fucker sits next to me,” I retort, playfully.
“You didn’t get in ‘til late the other night, brother. All okay?”
I pick up my whiskey and take a sip before answering. “Yeah, of course.”
“Sure? You’ve been a little preoccupied.”
“Yeah, I’m all good.”
“Okay, but the last time you went for a ride that late, shit with your brother was playing on your mind.”
I pat him on the back. “Honestly, brother, I’m all good,” I say, knocking back the rest of my drink, the ice chinking in the bottom of the glass.
Joker brings over another round of whiskeys, placing them on the table and taking a seat opposite us. Anyone would think this was some kind of intervention, brotherhood style.
“Seriously,” I pick up the fresh drink and raise it in thanks, “I promise, I’m good.”
My phone vibrates across the table.
Beauty to my beast: Appreciated
Something so simple, yet it means she’s softening to me.
“See, told you, Pres. He’s just chasing some pussy,” Joker teases.
“Is he right?” Drifter looks across at me.
There’s no way I can deny it. She’s stunning, but that’s not my intention. “Nah, just someone who needs a bit of support. You guys were here for me when I needed it and she has no one.”
Drifter nods in acknowledgement, taking a sip of his drink.
"That’s an easy fix,” Joker announces. “Women always talk about that shit with each other, get one of the girls to help out.”
“Considering you have no idea about women, that’s not a bad shout,” Drifter adds.
“I just know that my sister would never talk about shit with anyone apart from one of her closest friends,” Joker replies.
I sit and think on it for a moment and realise they’re right, she doesn’t know me, she’s never going to trust me enough to talk about her secrets. But women, they have this magical way of getting to the root cause of issues.
“But who do I ask? I mean, Rochelle has been through the ringer recently.”
Drifter interrupts me instantly. “No chance, not yet, we are still fighting for IVF treatment. She doesn’t need the extra stress.”
Red walks past the table, chasing Meli, and we exchange a knowing look. I couldn’t think of anyone better, given everything she has been through lately.
“Red,” I shout, following her up the stairs.
“I need to take Meli to bed, Clay. What’s up?”
“I need a favour.”
Rock appears. I knew he wouldn’t be far behind. “What’re you harassing my ol’ lady for?”
“Calm down, Rock.” I laugh. “I need her expertise.”
“Too right, you do. You need to get that dick wet soon before it falls off.”
Red slaps him around the back of the head. “Ow, what was that for?” he demands.
“Meli!” She gestures to the little girl, reminding him that he’s in the presence of a toddler who is absorbing everything. “You have to watch your mouth.”
He rubs the back of his head. “I’ll take her up. You sort Clay out,” he replies, lifting Meli up in the air as she squeals in delight.
“One story,” she shouts after them as they disappear up the stairs.
“Yeah, yeah, Mummy.” He then whisper-shouts, “Shhh, two stories,” and Meli giggles loudly.
“I heard that,” Red calls up. “Come on, Mister Casanova, let’s see if I can help.” She links arms with me, guiding me back into the main bar area.
She’s taken to being an ol’ lady better than any of us ever would have anticipated after meeting her that first day. She takes her responsibility seriously and has become like a sister to all the brothers.
“Okay, the brothers don’t know this,” I say quietly, “but the other night, I came across this woman. Her name’s Bella, and she attempted to jump off a bridge. I only just managed to catch her.”
She puts her hand to her mouth in complete shock. “Shit, Clay.”
“Anyway, I need to make sure she’s okay, but there’s no way she’s going to talk to me.
She didn’t even want me to save her,” I explain, shaking my head in irritation.
I run my hand through my hair. “I need to know she’s okay, Red.
I can’t get her out of my head, and I don’t want her doing anything stupid. ”
“What can I do?” she asks.
“Joker suggested that you befriend her, get to know her, and hopefully, she’ll confide in you.”
“I can try, but I’m not the easiest person to get on with, as you all discovered.”
“Please, Red. I don’t know what I would do if she actually managed to go through with it.”
“You know it’s not your responsibility, though, right?” she asks, and I nod. But deep down, it is. I needed to save her.
“She works at the coffee shop on London Road and leaves at about five-thirty. Maybe you could happen to be passing at some point. She has nobody else.”
“Okay, I’ll try my best, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Thanks, I owe you.”
“Right, I best go sort those two out. I’m not sure who the toddler is some days, but I can guarantee I’ll get up there and he will be asleep on the bed with her on the tablet.”