Page 156 of His Big Bad Stick

I open the door to the coffeeshop and I see Simon standing there, not talking with Abrielle, but saying things to her.

Jess looks ready to pounce on the guy.

Abrielle has her hands on her stomach. She’s being protective of our unborn baby.

Not that Simon poses that kind of threat. Even still, words suck. Words can really do damage to a person. I think I’d rather take a punch to the mouth than hear someone say something to me if they’re angry.

I walk closer and closer to Simon.

Debating what to do.

I mean, I know what I want to do. I want to grab him by the back of his neck and walk him to the front window and put him through it.

History repeating itself for Abrielle and me, huh?

I’m well aware that being in my position now, I can’t do that to Simon.

It also doesn’t mean I’m going to keep my hands to myself either.

Not when I hear the word slut come out of his mouth way too easily.

I grab the back of his neck.

He tenses right up and throws his arms up and squeals.

I’m talking a legit squealing noise.

Jess starts to laugh.

Abrielle covers her mouth.

“We’re going to have a talk, Simon,” I growl at him.

“Oh, shit,” Simon says.

I simply toss him back, putting distance between him and my Abrielle.

He stumbles, grabs a chair, and puts it in my path.

“Whoa, listen, man,” he says. “I came in here for coffee. That’s not a lie. Abrielle will tell you that.”

“You came in here for coffee and somehow ended up calling her a slut?”

“I’m… frustrated. That’s all. Annoyed with how things happened. I’ll leave. I am leaving. I’m going right now.”

He turns and bolts for the door.

The coffeeshop has two doors.

Only one opens.

It’s poetic magic watching Simon go face first into the locked door.

The sound of the thud. His head snapping back.

Him falling back right toward me, almost falling into my arms.

I grab the back of his neck again and walk him to the door that opens and toss him outside.

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