As Wyatt parked the Mustang across the road from the bar, Melody marveled at the amount of motorcycles taking up both parking lots. The ride had been spectacular and she hadn't experienced as much pain as she had expected. After they had detoured to drop Coal off at her house, Wyatt had taken them on a dizzying trip back to the bar. Now, she was ready for some food and maybe a drink to help relax her muscles.
               Taking Wyatt's offered hand, she almost stumbled at watching a gorgeous blonde in a red dress greet Oak by the front of the bar. Her tall, slender body molded to his perfectly as she wrapped long arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Melody looked away and grabbed Wyatt's arm, her side flaring up in pain.
             Wyatt missed what she had witnessed as he looked her over in concern. "Was the ride too rough?" His eyes searched her body looking for injury.
              Shaking her head, she smiled weakly at him. "No, I'm fine. Gotta be reminded that the pain doesn't go away overnight. Come on, let's get some drinks!" Melody's tone appeared off and had Wyatt cocking his head before he allowed Melody to tug him towards the bar. Not sure who she was more upset with, Oak or herself but at this point she didn't care. She was going to drink until she forgot about what she had just saw.

                  ——————————————
"Ya knowww, Wyyyaaaatttt?" Melody slurred her words as she waggled her fingers in Wyatts's face over her empty shot glass.
               "What Melody? I think your shutoff. Why don't you eat something?" Wyatt chided gently as he pushed her hand back down on the table and pushed the plate of fries towards her.
             Her mind felt fuzzy but she could still remember all the bad shit that was exploding in her life at the movement. She didn't want to eat, she wanted to forget. They had taken residence up at the bar and now Wyatt was regretting it as he played babysitter to Melody's' downward spiral.
      Why was she so upset? Did she expect anything different from a biker no less. To be fair, he had warned her about not mixing business with pleasure but she had hoped to find him different. Oh well, better to find out sooner than later. Melody stared at her empty shot glass wishing the bartender would  refill it.  Maybe she should quit now and head home, it wouldn't look that great for the new bar manager to get piss drunk in her new work place.
           "Listen, imma get a cab and ya let loooose, mkay?" Melody patted Wyatt on the back as she stumbled off the bar stool, his hands steadying her as he chuckled.
"I'll give you a lift. Not a good idea for you to be on your own." Wyatt spoke clearly as he steered her to the back exit.
               As they neared the back hall, Oak came around the corner and took both of them in.
             "What's going on?" Oak's rough voice broke through her fog, making her sneer as all her emotions threatened to spill forth.
                   "Donna worrrrryyyy, imma surrreee ya havvvvee bettta thangs to doooo," Melody held onto Wyatt as she swayed and saw two Oak's floating in her vision.
               "Alright, time for you to go home. I got this Wyatt, head back in and make sure Ash knows where we are going." Wyatt saluted before spinning around and heading back to the bar. Oak scooped Melody up, making her world tipsy as she clutched at his shoulders and tried not to puke.
"Imma finnnnne." Melody slurred as she stuck her bottom lip out like a petulant child. Oak just shook his head as he headed over to her Dad's Mustang.
                 Why was he taking her home, what happened to the blonde?  Melody tried to focus but everything was blurry as she fought off the poor me feelings. Should she be surprised he already had a girlfriend and forgot to mention her? He was her boss first and foremost and she needed to remember that and get her head screwed back on right.
             The drive to her house was quick and she felt her world tip again as he scooped her back up and brought her inside to a barking Coal.
           "Why were you drinking so much?" Oak sounded angry as he deposited her on the couch.
     "None ya biz", she triumphantly replied before hiccupping. Good thing she hadn't gone for that next shot, otherwise she would have gotten blacked out drunk. Instead, she felt antsy and warm all over and the way Oak was looking tonight, made her want to rub herself all over him. Narrowing her eyes at her wayward thoughts, she could only imagine what he had been doing most of the night.
           "Melody, I'm not going to assume anything but just hear me on this. Drinking your worries away never solves anything and only comes back to bite you in the ass the next day. I know you wanted to have a good time and I am glad you did, but it also doesn't look good to the other employees." She knew he was right as she felt nausea roll through her.
            She made a bee line for the downstairs toilet and barely had her head over the bowl before she emptied her stomach. Not seconds later, large hands were holding her hair back and rubbing her shoulder. Feeling all the aches and pains that were torturing her body had been one of the reasons she had drunk so much, that much was true. She refused to acknowledge the other reasons for her drinking. Her mind was a bit clearer after emptying her stomach and she was definitely too old to be drinking like a college kid.
               "I'm sorry." She whispered the words as she felt the shame start to sink in, tears burning the back of her eyes. Wiping her mouth, she moved to the sink as Oak stepped back and washed out the acidic taste before catching his reflection in the mirror. He was still fuzzy or maybe that was her mirror, shaking her head she sighed as she looked down at the sink.
               "What's wrong?" Oak asked quietly as he leaned against the doorway of the bathroom. She turned around and crossed her arms over her body as she thought about the blonde kissing him. Should she ask or was it none of her business? It's not like she had any claim over him, plus that woman was drop dead gorgeous and seemed like someone Oak would be with.
      Shrugging her shoulders, she decided to avoid the question and lay blame elsewhere.
       "Just needed a break. No stress, no fear, no pain. Drinking helped". All she wanted to do was lay done and forget about all her fears and pain. Can't even do that properly, Melody mulled darkly as she narrowed her eyes to fight off the double vision still wreaking havoc.  Blowing out a breath, she pushed away from the sink only to stumble forward. Catching herself, she shook her head at Oak before he could step forward to assist her.
      "Imma fine, Oak. Don't worry, that won't happen again." Melody gave him an apologetic face as she went to push by him.
     He didn't budge and this made her stop as she craned her neck back to look up at him.
      "What?!" She snapped as the silence stretched on with him just staring.
     He searched her eyes before stepping back and letting her pass, watching as she carefully maneuvered back to the living room.
     "Melody, you can't bottle up all those feelings and not talk about it. I may be your boss, but I hope you can also call me your friend at the very least." She didn't read too much into his words, knowing a friend was the most she would let him be from now on.
      "Thank you, Oak. I...I appreciate that. And you don't need to stay. I'm ready to pass out." Her yawn and discomfort made her realize how true that statement was. He probably couldn't wait to get back to miss blondie anyway, she thought as jealousy reared it's ugly head.
       He seemed hesitant to leave her, annoyingly staring as if he was trying to puzzle her out. Coal wagged his tail from the couch as she plopped next to him. She heard him follow her, his heavy boots and leather smell assaulting her senses as she groaned into Coal's neck.
             "You sure? I don't mind staying." He stood in the living room facing her, his hands rooted in his pockets. As much as she wanted him to stay, she wouldn't ask him to and knew it was best to send him back.
           "No, I'm fiinnne. Coal will keep me safe and warm." She nuzzled into him more, wanting to shut her mind off and drown in the darkness of sleep.
              "Alright. We'll talk tomorrow then. Sleep well, Melody."
"Night, Oak". Sleep had her voice drowsy as she watched him lock and shut her door behind him. Her dad's car started up but sleep was already dragging her under as she slumped over on the couch wrapped around Coal.

—————————————-
        Oak pulled back into the parking lot of the bar, watching some bikes head out as he nodded at them.
     The day had been successful and they had raised more money than their original goal. His brother and the club were loving the bar and it had provided the perfect outlet for this run. Thinking back to Melody, Oak knew it was dangerous to keep doing so but he couldn't help it.
      When Sasha had surprised him with a kiss earlier, it had been all he could do to hold back from pushing her away. Not wanting the public display to go on, he had cut it short and moved them quickly inside and back towards his office.
      She had assumed he meant to continue their foreplay but he had only shaken his head no. He had looked at her and seen the disappointment and anger and knew it wasn't fair to keep stringing her along. He wasn't stupid and knew she had her sights set on something more with him, but he didn't see that with her. Though she was great in bed, the rest of her personality and desires in life were not attractive to him.
      Sasha had stormed out of his office once he was truthful with her but instant relief came over him. She had taken it better than he expected and was glad she hadn't put on a public tantrum. Liking his life more private in that department, his thoughts strayed back to Melody.
     Her beauty was understated and she wore her heart on her sleeve. Genuine emotion always shined through and there was no act to decipher. What you see is what you get but at the same time, he hadn't quite figured her out. He knew she wanted him but to what degree he was clueless. Tonight she seemed to have been pushing him away and wondered what had caused it.
     Opening the door to the bar, he nodded at Garrett before finding his way over to his brother in the VIP section hanging out with some of the Red Devils.
         "Thought you wouldn't be back." Ash commented as he took a drink of his beer and settled back against one of the couches. Oak grabbed a beer from the ice bucket and sat down across from him on the opposite leather couch.
      Music still bumped as people started clearing out and finishing up their tabs. Darker lighting had already pushed some of the crowd out and lingering tipsy customers were being watched by staff. Oak just shook his head at his brother before catching the eye of Chuck leaning against the bar behind him.
              "No, just saw Melody back to her house. She was in rough shape and passed out by now. I'll grab her in the afternoon for the meeting." Oak took a long pull and motioned towards Chuck.
             "Not his biggest fan, Ash. What's the deal?" Ash glanced back and raised his beer to Chuck before turning back around.
               "I agree but it always helps to have friendly enemies and he's the one you have to watch out for. The Prez, his father pretty much gave him the reins to the club and he's soon to step up as President. I hate him more than you know, but I also know when to pick my battles." Ash finished his beer before setting it down onto the table.
         Though never proven, Ash knew Chuck had caused the accident that killed Brett, his best friend and VP before Oak. They had been racing up in Boulder and on the way home both had taken a sharp corner hard and fast. Ash knew Chuck, with less experience on a motorcycle, had run into Brett and sent him flying straight into a tree, killing him instantly.
       Oak tightened his grip on his own bottle as he watched Chuck push off the bar and head over to them.
       "Deckers, that was a great ride." Chuck pulled on his beer after speaking and sat down on the final empty couch.
        Both nodding back in thanks, Ash was first to speak up.
               "Always a pleasure to have other clubs along and the weather agreed."
           Oak grunted in agreement. "When's the next one for you guys?" Oak asked, wondering if he really should offer the bar up for a stop.
          "Three Saturdays from now, hope you guys can make it?" He looked back and forth before settling his eyes on Oak.
               "Was going to see if we could use your bar for a stop, maybe for the final one, not sure." Oak had called it and slowly nodded.
                "Either way works for me, just make sure it doesn't get too rowdy and we'll be good." Oak warned as they both knew he was referring to the incident from last weekend.
Chuck smiled and tipped his beer back.
                  "Would love to request your new bar manager be there, she was very hospitable last time." Oak cocked his head at the sarcasm and felt his fists form, knowing Chuck was trying to get a rise out of him. He hadn't missed his interest in Melody last time he had been here and had caught the end of some exchange he had with her earlier today. While he hadn't laid claim to Melody, he knew Chuck was no good for her and would make sure he knew that.
           "Unfortunately, she'll be on light duty. She fell hiking a few days ago and will be working in the office. Don't worry, I have plenty of bartenders to take care of your ride."
Oak felt his hackles rise just looking at Chuck and couldn't wait to take some of that out on Greg tomorrow.
           "Well, I'll see you around then." Chuck got off the couch and headed towards the bar where his club was drinking.
"Fucking asshat, makes me want to punch him." Oak ground out as he watched him laughing alongside his club members
                 "Don't let him get to you". Easier said than done, Oak thought as he stared over at Chuck, not liking his knowing smile.