Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Pulling into the lot, It was strange not to see the massive row of familiar bikes. Sure, there was a couple, but I didn’t recognise any of them. It was weird being here knowing I wouldn’t be seeing Ron or Alex or Harry or Jackson or any of the other guys. 

‘After you left, the guys recruited some of the members from other charters’. Jemma told me randomly. ‘After Pulp and Newbie died, they needed some new members and then once all the drama over their arrest, they needed to make sure their turf would be safe while they were inside.’ 

‘How is everyone else handling it all?’ 

‘We’re all doing what we can. The girls have their own jobs so they are supporting their families right now. Even trying to carry on with some business, we are bringing in less than 20% of what we’re used to. The garage is hardly functioning, we’re only able to have two mechanics on shift per day which is cutting down how much we’re taking in from legitimate businesses’. 

‘Yeah, understandable.’ I noticed all the cars parked up, ‘Is everyone here?’ 

‘Yeah, they had to be here for your homecoming, Come on’. I couldn’t help but smile when she said that. ‘’Homecoming’’. It made me feel like I belonged. She got out of the car and grabbed my bag from the back seat. I got out too and we headed towards the clubhouse. 

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see what it was. As soon as I saw it was a Facebook message from Ryan, I put my phone away again. 

He would know I was gone by now and probably be wondering where I was. It's doubtful he’d think I was in a completely different country, I wouldn’t have been ‘’missing’’ long enough for him to panic, he’d probably think I was at work or at a friends house, but I’d deal with that later.

I’d email my boss and explain that I had a family emergency and I would let my friends know the truth… well, as much of the truth as they needed to know. Ryan didn’t care enough to get the police involved, especially considering what he likes to do, but I don’t want people I actually care about to think anything bad has happened to me. 

Walking into the clubhouse, it was exactly how I remember. Nothing had changed, except instead of randomers, the only people I could see were family. It was heartwarming. 

There was a man behind the bar I hadn’t seen before, but it was clear he was one of the members from the other charter that had come over. Eric was sitting at one of the tables with a pint, talking to Sarah. 

‘I thought you said all the guys were locked up, denied bail?’ I whispered, not wanting to offend anyone. 

‘Eric was arrested but released, He wasn’t actually involved in anything. The old man is too sick to even try. It's sad really’.  Jemma explained before walking off. As soon as she saw me, Sarah jumped up and rushed across the room with open arms. 

It took me a minute to realise, but as she wrapped her arms around me, I noticed she was pregnant! I had been gone 6 months, maybe she was that far along, maybe she just looked big because she was naturally really skinny. 

We hugged for a minute before she pulled away and held me at arm’s length. 

‘It's good to see you, Harley, Welcome back’. I thanked her and nodded down to her stomach. 

‘New arrival?’ She beamed the biggest smile and started caressing her stomach. 

‘Yeah, 5 months along, Me and Harry agreed that with everything that happened, a new addition to our family wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen. I smiled and congratulated her, telling her how happy I was for her and for Harry. 

‘Do you know the gender?’ 

‘A little girl’. I ‘’awwww’’ed again. 

‘Wow, that’s great’. She nodded. 

‘Yeah, and then those idiots had to go and get themselves locked up’. She rolled her eyes. I didn’t know what to say but she didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she hooked her arm in mine and pulled me over to the other girls. 

They all smiled and said hello, welcoming me home like Sarah did… all of them except Cleo. 

She just remained silent and stone faced. I made a point of saying hello to her but she didn’t even reply, she just walked off… 

Ok, weird. 

‘Have I done something wrong?’ I asked Sarah, but I guess Cleo wasn’t far enough away and heard what I said… although, I didn’t feel my question was out of line given how she was acting, but nevertheless, her reaction clearly begged to differ… 

‘Something wrong?’ I heard her say and turned to look at her. ‘You blow into town, cause trouble, get people WE love and care about killed and then blow out again. You’ve come back because Jemma thinks you’re going to be helpful in getting OUR family home, but I really just think you’re nothing more than a selfish child!’. She snapped. 

‘What are you talking about?!’ Jemma came over to see what was going on and the others just stood and watched the drama unfolding. 

‘People we love died to come and ‘’save you’’. If you hadn't been here, they would still be alive!’. 

‘Cleo! You can’t blame Harley for their death! It wasn’t her fault! They went to bring her home knowing what could happen! It's what we do for our family!’ Sarah told her, but she just shook her head. 

‘She isn’t our family!’. 

‘She IS family and not only that, she is blood. Show respect, Cleo’. Jemma told her, putting emphasis on ''blood'' and putting her in her place in the process. She just huffed, clearly annoyed, grabbed her bag and stormed out. 

‘Just ignore her, she’s been stressing out since Jackson went away’. Sarah told me quietly. I didn’t respond. I completely understand that they all must be going through hell, but to take her anger out on me was just a completely shitty thing to do. 

Everyone went back to their own business. I grabbed my bag and headed to the apartments. 

‘You can stay at my house with me if you like, until the guys are back’. Jemma called before I walked out of the room, I just smiled and shook my head. I thanked her but explained I wanted to stay here. She just shrugged and I headed back, going to the same room I stayed in last time. 

Opening the door, the room looked the same. I walked in and closed the door, instantly silencing the music from the clubhouse. Dropping my bag on the floor, I took a few more steps in and looked around. 

There were some clothes on the chair in the corner and a familiar jacket laid over the back of it. I smiled sadly knowing instantly it was Alexanders. 

I walked over and grabbed it, sliding my arms in and putting it on. 

It had obviously been washed, it didn’t smell like him, but just wearing it made me feel closer to him than I had in the past 6 months. I zipped the jacket up and climbed onto the bed, curling up in a ball and just laid there for a little while. 

Being back here without him is going to be hard, but if Jemma was so convinced that I could help them out, then I would do anything if it meant getting the guys back… 

Cloe is going to be a problem though, I can just see it!