What Goes Around (Bulldogs MC #3)

10: The Teenager Seal Of Approval

^^ Adam ^^

Every parent or carer will know that receiving a phone call from the school, asking you to attend a meeting that day about your child, will always be nerve-wracking. Especially when that child isn't really your child. Add on to that the fact that we also have a lady from DCFS coming this afternoon to assess whether we are suitable to look after that child and the fact that today we get the results that will hopefully mean Banjo won't lose his hand, and I'm sure you can imagine that my nerves are well and truly shot. So far this morning, I have managed to spill my coffee all over myself due to my shaking hands; I've shut my own fingers in the back door because I wasn't paying attention, and I've tripped over the coffee table in the living room. Twice. Oh, and I also slipped getting out of the shower and narrowly missed splitting my head open on the bathroom sink. It's been a fantastic start to the day.

For the safety of myself and everyone around me, I decide to drive the car today rather than taking the bike. I'm not convinced that I wouldn't end up dropping it and sliding down the road, leaving a pretty trail of sparks behind me as I go. I decide that more caffeine is not going to help my nervous disposition this morning, so when I get to Shelby's, I very sensibly order a bottled water and a muffin, hoping that my stomach can handle that. Also, I figure that at least if I drop it, it won't severely injure me or anyone else. I'm sitting at the counter very carefully picking off bits of my muffin, making sure I chew properly so that I don't choke when I get the urge to turn around and look outside. I'm glad I chewed properly because the sight I see causes an unstoppable giggle to erupt from my throat, which almost certainly would have led to choking. Jay is outside the door, and I'm currently watching him go through a little routine. He paces a few steps, before reaching a hand out to the door. Then he pauses, shakes his head and paces again. He looks like a pre-pubescent schoolboy who is about to own up to his crush. He must feel my eyes on him because he looks up and sends me a pleading look. I roll my eyes and stand up slowly, making sure I have my balance before letting go of the counter completely. As I open the door, his pleading look turns to panic as he realises that the barrier between him and the café is no more.

"Why hello there, Jay. How are you this fine morning?" I grin at him, laughing when he tips his head back and groans. I stumble a bit as I laugh and he raises an eyebrow at me.

"Are you drunk? Already?" He asks, glancing at the watch on his wrist to confirm that yes, it is only nine a.m.

"No! It's just been a hell of a morning. My body seems to be at odds with my brain today. Or maybe they're in sync, seeing as they're both fucking scrambled,"

"Lenni," he interrupts. "You're ranting,"

I scowl at him. "And you're avoiding. Now stop being a little bitch and get your arse inside,"

We have this little standoff that lasts for about a minute before I turn my head towards the café, with a grin on my face. I'm about to shout for Shelby when Jay's hand suddenly appears over my mouth. He shoves past me, almost knocking me on my arse as he does, muttering about 'fucking women'. I grin triumphantly when he approaches the counter, but when he grabs the edge and I see how white his knuckles are, I actually feel a little sympathy for him. I move to stand next to him and nudge him with my hip.

"You've got this," I murmur quietly, looking up when I hear the clicking of Shelby's heels as she approaches. Now, I don't know how these two feel, but this is majorly fucking awkward even for me. I feel like I should say something to break the silence, but my mind is a total blank. I'm never speechless. Shit, this is going terribly. "He'll have a coffee," I say, looking between the pair of them as they look anywhere but at each other. It wasn't the most inspired thing I could have said, but it works as I see Shelby move to the coffee machine while Jay's shoulders relax. They don't even speak as Jay pays for the coffee, and he only nods when Shelby passes it to him. I sigh and take a sip of my water when he turns to walk out the door. Then I wish I hadn't. Today is really not my day.