Chapter 6: Peanuts

"Hey, Hartley. Not working tonight?" Dale's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I instinctively closed my books."Nope," I replied, a hint of relief spilling into my voice. "You want to join me for dinner?""If you're not busy," he shrugged with a playful grin."I'm finished anyway, just catching up on some study I missed."As we settled into a comfortable rhythm, one of the waitresses came over, taking Dale's order with a friendly smile. That's when I noticed Ryan step through the entrance, soaking up the diner's warm lights, looking like a breath of fresh air."Is that your friend?" I asked, nodding toward him.Dale turned over his shoulder. "Yo Ryan!" he called out, and almost instantly, Ryan made his way over, sliding into the booth opposite us."Does Hadé know you're hanging out with the enemy?" Ryan teased, raising an eyebrow.Dale shrugged, a defensive edge creeping into his tone. "I quit the club, and he doesn't get a say in who I hang out with. Why are you gonna report to him?""I don't care what you do," Ryan said, leaning back with a casual air. His gaze flicked between us, a smirk gracing his lips. "So, are you two...?" His question trailed off, eyebrows waggling suggestively.Dale laughed, shaking his head. "No, Ryan. We're not on a date.""Sorry, I just had to ask," Ryan shot back, chuckling. "Well, good. More women for me." He winked, and laughter bounced about the booth.The mood shifted slightly when I asked, "How's the club?" My tone carried the weight of genuine concern.Ryan let out a sigh, eyes casting downward. "Well... thanks to Hadé's stunt on open day, zero members joined. A few of us have quit. The board requested a meeting with Hadé and Erik, most likely to discuss the disbanding of the club."I felt a pang of guilt shoot through me. "I'm sorry to hear that," I said softly."Are you..." Ryan struggled momentarily, trying to gauge the right way to approach the subject. "I would like the club to stay, but Hadé shouldn't be running it.""Then will you talk to the board? Tell them it was a misunderstanding?" Ryan's hopeful gaze pinned me down."I'm not doing that. He was in the wrong," I replied firmly, a knot tightening in my stomach."I'm not saying he isn't. But this isn't just about him. It's about everyone else in it. We have a platform to express our passion for motorcycles, and it's going to be taken away because of his big mouth. Would you please do this for the rest of the club?" Ryan implored, desperation lining his words.I held his gaze, fights of guilt sparking amid my resolve. "I wish I could do more," I admitted softly, but I couldn't shake the feeling that if I intervened, it'd somehow endorse Hadé's behaviour."You can do more. You're just too bitter towards Hadé." Ryan abruptly stood up, rejecting the tension in the air. "I'll see you later, Dale. I've lost my appetite."He left, swallowing the space between us with a mix of disappointment and unresolved tension. I sighed, glancing at Dale, who looked thoughtful, yet supportive."Good on you for standing your ground," he said, breaking the silence."Do you think maybe I was a little harsh?" I asked, still questioning my choice."Not at all. He and Josh are the worst out of the lot of them," he replied with a hint of determination in his voice."Oh good, someone else can see the misdeeds of Joshua Hendricks," I muttered, recalling how Josh had made vile comments at the race."You should face him too," Dale suggested."Nah, if anything, taking Hadé out makes a statement," I sighed, feeling conflicted about making enemies.I don't want to risk poking the bear. Josh. "Maybe. But sometimes, making a statement isn't worth losing something you're passionate about," Dale offered, his voice calm but insistent.I sat there in silence, contemplating his perspective. Perhaps he was right. I wanted the club to succeed, but could I risk encouraging Hadé's behaviour to keep it alive?"I'm just saying," Dale continued, his voice steady, "talk to the board to help keep the club, and then take your revenge out on Hadé at the checkpoint.""Speak of the devil," I muttered under my breath. The manager's stern warning did little to deter Hadé, who appeared unfazed as his eyes scanned the room, landing on me like a predator spotting its prey."Hey, Hartley," Hadé said, sliding into the booth beside me with that insufferable smirk plastered across his face. Tension clawed at my insides; I instinctively put a bit of distance between us."What do you want?" I shot back, my voice laced with frost.Josh squeezed in on the other side of Dale, his presence a repugnant reminder of the old boys' club I'd rather avoid. "Don't be like that," he chimed, grinning as though we were old friends.There was always an angle with Hadé, and I could smell something fishy.Hadé, with an arm casually draped over my shoulder, stroked it lightly, sending unwelcome shivers racing through my body. I flicked his hand away, but he pressed it back into place as if testing my resolve."I really wanted to apologise to you the other day," he began, adopting what could almost pass for sincerity. But I wasn't biting."Did I say you could join us?" I snapped, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface."Having a date with a traitor?" he jeered, turning to smirk at Dale, his plate of fries now being devoured by the sexist pig, Hadé calls a friend. "I'd appreciate it if you could find your own table. I'm busy," I replied curtly but Dale's patience was running thin tonight. "How childish can you be, Hadé," Dale said with a slight chuckle that conveyed he wasn't impressed."Funny how you're only saying that now. You never had a problem with how I've run the club until you found a reason to fan this—" Hadé's eyes flicked to me, piercing and filled with challenge, as if he were searching for a crack in my armour."Go ahead, slimeball," I challenged, raising an eyebrow. "Say it."I could see the flicker of hesitation in his eyes, but he masked it with a shrug, his gaze confident and self-satisfied. "I'm going to keep my mouth shut. I'm under scrutiny thanks to you."He's learning to control his tongue. Gold star!"Your undoing, Hadé," I reminded him pointedly. "Those are your words, not mine. You can't handle a girl who stands up for herself."I leaned back, the tonic of pride rising within me, my gaze shifting to Josh. He gave me a smirk that only fueled my fire. "I bet you're used to girls who are the submissive type. Those who dream of being taken by a biker but don't have the confidence to fight back when you're being a total sleazeball."Hadé's expression momentarily faltered, but he quickly recovered, flashing a grin. "Yeah, and they're more pleasurable. It could be your gain..." His voice trailed off, and his hand resumed its unwelcome journey across my shoulder."When pigs start flying," I scoffed, shaking my head at him."Can I get you jerks anything?" Sandy, interjected, her bright-eyed demeanour a refreshing change from Hadé's scowls."Tough crowd. Don't worry. I won't report you to the manager." Hadé said, winking at her before returning his beady eyes to me. But the moment was quickly claimed by Sandy's playful banter."Good luck. You didn't have much luck the last time you were here." She shot him a satisfied smirk that momentarily broke his facade.Dale and I chuckled at the jab, revelling in the brief victory, but Hadé's brows were knitted tightly, dark clouds amassing over his head."Sandy, can I order for Hadé?" I blurted out, unable to hide my laughter as I continued, "One Hadé is an arrogant, disrespectful slimedog burger with a side of 2 inches."Dale erupted in laughter, and even Sandy was unable to contain herself, her shoulders shaking as she giggled by the counter. I glanced at Hadé, whose grin vanished, replaced by the scowl of a tempest brewing."Yeah, I made a mistake last time with his order... turns out it's not 3 inches," I added, a smirk on my lips. "Also, I'll take my food to go, Sandy. Do you mind if I collect it around back? I don't want to witness another temper tantrum from Slimedog over here."The shock on everyone's face was palpable. Hadé's eyes flared with fury, his demeanour shifting from playful arrogance to steely rage. But instead of causing a scene, he coolly murmured, "I'd like to order the lady a drink," he said smoothly. "What's your favourite drink, gorgeous?"Is this guy have bipolar and just hasn't been diagnosed, or is he an actual slimedog?His sudden shift in tone left me flabbergasted. Was this some kind of mind game? I shot him a look, my skepticism palpable. "Is this a trick question?""No tricks, I promise."So, I answered, "Raspberry Fanta.""Two Raspberry Fantas, please," he instructed Sandy, who raised an eyebrow at his unexpected gentlemanly behaviour."Okay... do you still want to collect yours around back?" Sandy asked.I locked eyes with Hadé, uncertainty swirling inside me. "I will," I said firmly, ignoring the playful taunt I could feel brewing in his mind. "Dale, you coming?""Yeah," Dale replied, but as he moved to slide out, Josh slipped back into the booth, effectively blocking my exit.I looked at Hadé, and to my dismay, he had a grin so wide it could rival any Cheshire Cat."Are you moving or what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in my tone.Hadé smirked, "You're gonna have to climb on me to get out."Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Fine, you want to play this game? It's not like I would feel anything since your dick is micro."With a bit of defiance, I scooched over, trying to navigate a way around Hadé's outstretched legs. I glanced at Dale, who wore a very concerned expression."Come on, guys, just let her go," Dale urged, but I felt the playful atmosphere continue to swirl like a storm.In an impulsive moment, Hadé reached out and pulled me onto his lap. The warmth of his body enveloped me, and to my utter disbelief, I felt a hard-on pressing against my back. Was this guy seriously turned on right now?"Good choice, baby," he whispered in my ear, a thrilling yet chilling sensation sending shivers down my spine. "I'm more of an ass guy."He's getting kicks out of this. "Stop it!" I snapped, yanking my arm away in an attempt to squirm out of his smug grasp. In my effort to escape, however, my foot tangled with his, and I lost my balance, crashing to the floor with an ungraceful thud.Laughter erupted around us, drowning any remnants of dignity I had left. The flush of mortification warmed my cheeks, making me feel as if I were a human tomato. I glanced back, only to realise my skirt had ridden up too high, showcasing my neon pink underwear to the very audience I had hoped not to impress. Sandy, rushed over to pull my skirt down, her expression a mixture of concern and annoyance."I'm never wearing a skirt again," I muttered, wiping my clammy palms on the fabric as I tried to regain composure."Hartley, are you okay?" Dale's voice cut through the laughter as he reached down, extending a hand to help me up. The kind look in his eyes was a welcome contrast to the taunting chuckles of Hadé and Josh."Nice ass. Ten out of ten, wouldn't you say, Josh?" Hadé chimed in obnoxiously, and I felt my face flush deeper."You're such an ass, Hadé," Sandy snapped back, clearly vexed."Why are you getting upset with me? It's not my fault the girl can't walk properly," he shrugged, feigning innocence. I knew better; his deliberate tripping was no accident.Dale helped me to my feet, but embarrassment clenched at my insides, and before I could process the scene around me, I bolted out of the diner, needing to escape the echoes of derisive laughter. Standing beside my car, I desperately wished for the ground to swallow me whole.Moments later, Dale and Sandy emerged from the restaurant, carrying my discarded books. I averted my gaze, covering my face with my hands, my cheeks burning."I'm so sorry, Hartley," Dale said, his voice laced with genuine concern.I felt my bag being dropped before Dale's comforting arms enveloped me in a hug. The warmth of his embrace soothed my embarrassment, even if only just a little."Should I speak to the manager and get him banned?" Sandy offered, her voice fierce and protective, referring to Hadé."Don't bother," I managed, gently wiping the tears that had spilled down my cheeks.Doesn't matter where you go. Bullies will always be around. It's not right, but karma will bite them on the ass eventually, one way or another."I'll get you guys free meals on the house," Sandy announced, we nodded, and she left to go back inside the diner."I'll get you guys a free meal on the house," Sandy announced, her fierce spirit igniting a spark of humour amidst the wreckage of my dignity. Nodding, I watched her return to the diner.As I stood there, Dale turned to me, his warm gaze unflinching. "You okay?""I will be," I replied. The boys had parked their bikes next to my Ute, and that meant my night was far from over. I hadn't realized they were looming right behind me, their presence as ominous as a summer storm.Josh leaned casually against his bike, drink in hand, grinning at what seemed to be a private joke with Hadé, who sauntered over holding two drinks, swagger written all over him."You forgot your drink that I ordered!" Hadé said, mischief shining in his eyes. It was a thinly veiled taunt, his smugness making my skin crawl.Dale, always my protector, rolled his eyes and snapped back, "Piss off, Hadé." He slid his arm around me, pulling me closer. The warmth of his touch sent conflicting sensations flooding through me—comfort and anxiety rolled together like waves crashing against rocks."What's the matter, baby? Don't you like hanging out with us?" Hadé taunted, laughter spilling out of him like the soda sloshing in his cup. With a swift motion, he dumped the drink down my shirt, icy liquid enveloping me, sending a shiver coursing through my body."Consider your drink as payment for the lap dance you gave me." His laughter echoed as he turned, clearly revelling in the havoc he'd caused, underestimating my spirit.Without thinking, I lunged forward and shoved him. He stumbled, drink flying out of his hand, a fountain of sticky liquid falling like confetti onto the pavement."Damn it!" Hadé yelled, glaring at me, indignation painting his features. "That was my new favourite drink!"Satisfaction bubbled in my chest. I was sick of his arrogance. In a surge of rage, I kicked him straight in the nuggets.He dropped to his knees, groaning in pain. Part of me felt bad; the other part felt a delicious thrill at watching him squirm."You... you kicked me in the nuts!" he gasped, crumpled in defeat."Oh good, you have peanuts," I shot back, anger still spiralling within me. "I was kinda worried since you behave like a spoiled brat still in primary school."I turned my eyes to Josh, who had suddenly paled as if I had uncovered a ghost. He scrambled off his bike, his instincts screaming to escape but I was quicker. I snatched the drink from his hand and poured it over Hadé's head, covering him in the same sticky sodas he had drenched me with."You should have followed your own advice, Hadé. Kept your mouth shut," I said, relishing the moment, a triumphant smile spreading across my face. "You messed with the wrong girl. Let's see what the board thinks about this when they get a complaint about you harassing women in car parks."