What Goes Around (Bulldogs MC #3)

2: That Girl Was Me

^^ Shelby ^^

"So, how was it?" I ask Shelby as I watch her wiping the counter down. She grins at me and stops to lean opposite me.

"It was amazing!" She gushes. "I met some really interesting people and found most of the talks really interesting. If I never fly again though, it'll be too soon!" She laughs. She'd told me about the flight when Mel and I picked her up from the airport. It had been delayed by three hours and from what Shelby said, it had been constant turbulence.

I laugh and grab a muffin from the display case, pouting when she tries to slap my hand away. "Try flying from London to New York, sitting next to a guy that obviously never heard of a shower!" She screws her nose up and shudders. I lean forward and whisper, "Did you meet any nice men?"

She laughs and shoves my shoulder. "It was for women in business!" But I can see the faint tinge of pink on her cheeks and I gasp.

"Oh my god, you did!" She doesn't say anything but I can tell I'm right. I laugh and let out a cheer, fist pumping the air.

"What's got you so bloody cheery?" I hear Skids ask from where he sits with Jay, Smiler and Banjo at a table behind me.

I turn around and throw him a wide grin. "Shelby met a man!" He laughs as Smiler and Banjo roll their eyes. I look at Jay and see him chuckling, but even from here I can tell it's forced. My thought is confirmed when he drops the act and turns to look out of the window. I raise an eyebrow and turn back to Shelby. "Someone's jealous!" I whisper again.

She shakes her head and frowns at me. "You know, I think all that loving you get from Smiler has gone to your head, and now you see romance wherever you look."

I grin at her as she walks around me to clear down a table that has just been vacated. The café has begun to settle down after the evening rush and there are only a few customers left now. I notice a girl sitting at a table near the door. She catches my eye because even in the Arizona heat, she has her hood up. Her eyes are focused on the table-top as she eats her sandwich. Turning back to the guys, I see Smiler watching me already, and he winks as he catches my eye.

"I'll just take these out and I'll get you a refill," Shelby tells me as she walks past with several plates balanced expertly on her arms. I've always been jealous of people who can do that. I can barely manage to carry a cup of coffee without dropping it and spectacularly coating everything within a five-foot radius with it. I focus on my napkin, folding it in various ways and pretending for a moment that I'm an expert in origami. I only look up when I hear Shelby yell.

"Hey!" She's just walked out of the kitchen and is looking at something behind me, a furious expression on her face. I turn to see what's bothering her and notice the hooded girl making a dash for the door. Before she reaches it, Smiler and Jay are in the way, blocking her path. "She hasn't paid!" Shelby explains.

I watch Smiler take a small step forward towards the girl, and notice how she steps back, her eyes wide with fear. Her hands are shaking and I finally get a good look at her face. Her eyes are filled with unshed tears, surrounded by dark circles, and her cheeks are gaunt.

I slip off my stool and put my hand up. "Let her go," I tell the guys.

"What?" Jay asks, looking at me as if I'm crazy.

"I'll pay for it. Just let her go," He and Smiler share a look before stepping away from the door. The girl rushes to it as soon as they do, but she turns to look at me briefly, nodding as she makes a hasty exit.

Smiler walks towards me and cups my face with his hands. He looks concerned as he watches me closely. "What was that all about?" He asks.

I sigh and lean into his touch. "A year ago, that girl was me."