Page 33 of Roughing
“That asshole is here to harass you.”
“He comes often enough, according to Leila.”
“Looking for you?”
“He doesn’t ask about me. Briggs, he’s not going to run me out of here. I don’t like him here any more than you do.” She said the last sentence so quietly I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly, but one look at her beautiful face, and I knew I had.
I ran through several possible comebacks in my head, but none of them worked, so I said nothing.
Gordon sat down at the bar and snapped his fingers at Heidi. “Rum and Coke and make it quick.”
Heidi stared up at him, her eyes wide with fear. She knew who this asshole was, and she was scared of him. I glanced at Michella.
“Are you sure I can’t thump him?”
“Just wait.”
“Fucking hurry up,” Gordon growled with impatience.
Carrying a tray of dirty dishes, Leila hustled back to the bar. Her eyes blazed with anger as she shook a finger in his face. “You need to leave.”
He snorted and shook his head. “Rum and Coke. Now.”
Leila gritted her teeth and turned to Heidi. “Why don’t you bus some tables?”
“Good job for her. She’s not useful for much else unless she’s working on her back.” I caught the stricken expression on Heidi’s face, but to her credit, she continued with her job and didn’t acknowledge him. I had no such problem confronting the asshole. I was halfway out of my chair when everything happened so fast all I could do was watch.
Trent whipped around and hauled Gordon off his stool. Holding him by the collar, he backed him into the bar counter and glared down at him.
“Listen, you asshole. If I ever hear you being rude to the staff again, I’ll give you something to really complain about. I’d hate to see that pretty face of yours messed up and all your teeth busted out.”
I gaped at Trent and wondered where this guy had come from. Trent wasn’t a fighter on the ice; he was a smooth skater with superior puck-handling skills, but he left the intimidation to other team members. It wasn’t his jam.
“Damn,” Michella said next to me.
“No shit,” I agreed. “I didn’t see that coming.” Jarrett appeared by Trent’s side for backup, and I was itching to join them.
“Me neither, but he does seem to have a thing for Heidi.”
“Really?” I snapped my head around to look at her. She was dead serious. I’d suspected something the other night at the Uni, but I’d dismissed my suspicions. Turns out I wasn’t as clueless as I thought I was.
“Don’t look so shocked. She’s cute and kind and smart. Are you questioning his interest in her because she worked as an escort?” Michella had her hackles up, and I’d be smart to proceed with caution.
She had me there. I was judging Heidi based on her previous profession. “I guess so.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“I’m a work in progress, but I’m trying.” Our eyes met, and a silent message of approval passed from her to me. I was getting somewhere.
“How about I show you where the door is?” Trent bellowed, catching the attention of everyone in the bar. I spun back around and was halfway out of my chair when Michella grabbed my arm.
“Sit down. They don’t need you, and you don’t need any more trouble with that asshole.” I slumped into my chair, but I wasn’t happy about being relegated to the bleacher seats when a fight was on the horizon.
“I can leave on my own. I don’t need this shit. Plenty of other bars on this street.” Gordon pulled Trent’s hand off his collar and stalked toward the door. Trent and Jarrett followed him. Desmond brought up the rear.
“I’m leaving anyway. I’ll make sure he’s gone.” Desmond dogged Gordon out the door.
“Thanks, man,” Trent said, turning back toward the bar.
