Page 72 of Finding Lexie
Lexie ignored the slight tone of accusation in his tone. He was stressed, and she couldn’t really blame him. She wasn’t too happy with what Theo had said herself. She’d gone out of her way to be nice to the man, and she had to admit that he made her nervous.
“Right,” she told Midas and the rest of the team, who were now gathered around them. “I talked a bit to Theo, small talk, then came over here when you called.”
“The cops mentioned one of the four men who were here said something about you,” Slate added, speaking up for the first time. “Then claimed Theo jumped him for no reason. They hadn’t even said two words to him when he attacked.”
“Will he get in trouble?” Lexie asked, concerned about the mentally handicapped man now.
Midas sighed and shook his head.
“What?” Lexie asked.
“You. The man all but threatened you, and you’re worried about him.”
“Jail’s not going to help him,” Lexie insisted.
“And being allowed to roam free starting fights is?” Jag asked.
Lexie pressed her lips together in frustration. “No, but he needs medical help. And maybe a friend more than he needs to be locked up and the key thrown away.”
“Lexie! Are you sure you’re all right?” Ashlyn exclaimed, trying to push her way through Slate and Pid to get closer. But Slate didn’t budge. “Hey, can you move it?” Ash complained, pushing harder.
Slate looked more amused than anything as he finally stepped to the side. Making it obvious that the only reason she was getting through was because he was letting her.
“I’m fine. I wasn’t ever in any danger,” Lexie said. “How’s Natalie? I can’t believe she stepped in with her shotgun like that.”
“She doesn’t take shit from anyone. It’s why she’s such a good manager. I’m assuming this is Midas?” Ash asked, nodding at the man holding her.
“Oh, sorry! Yeah, guys, this is Ashlyn, one of the other full-time employees at Food For All, and, Ash, this is Midas, and these are his friends. Aleck, Pid, Jag, Slate, and Mustang.”
“Dang, girl. You didn’t tell me you’d hooked up with a Hotty McHotterson…or that his friends were so easy on the eyes.”
Pid stood a little straighter and puffed out his chest a bit. Everyone laughed. Except Slate.
“Cut it out, asshole,” he muttered, lightly punching Pid in the arm.
Ashlyn frowned. “Look who’s calling who an asshole,” she muttered back, taking a step away from Slate so she wasn’t within arm’s reach.
Which bothered Lexie. Even if she and Slate were getting off on the wrong foot, he wouldn’t hurt her. But apparently Ashlyn wasn’t convinced. Lexie quickly tried to deflect the tension. “Natalie was amazing. She won’t get in trouble, will she?”
“Naw, she’s good,” Ashlyn said. “I think things here are about as settled down as they can be. Why don’t you go ahead and head out.”
“Oh, but don’t you guys need help cleaning up and reassuring everyone when they come back that things are okay?”
“We’ll be fine. Have a great weekend. By the time you come in Monday morning, things will be back to the same old boring routine.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am. I already got the go-ahead from Natalie. And she told me she’s gonna look into hiring some extra security maybe. You know, some big hulks to hang around in our busy times, like Friday afternoons, just in case.”
“Oh, that’s good. I’m sure that will help make people feel better too.”
Ash turned to Slate. “You need some extra cash? You’re mean-looking enough…you’ll scare any bad guys away.”
Slate narrowed his eyes and glared at her.
She laughed, but it wasn’t a relaxed and carefree sound. “Chill. I was just kidding. If you keep frowning, your face will freeze like that.” Then she smiled at Lexie before heading into the back room.
“I like her,” Jag declared.
