Page 107 of Famous Last Words
“With somequestionableantics off the ice,” another says with a derisive snort, grinning into his glass.
“Can I get you anything else?” I ask flatly.
“Why would a nice girl like you go for ahockeyplayer?” the first guy asks, his gaze predatory as it rakes over me from head to toe. “Maybe Tadd wasn’t right for you, but I’m sure I could be.” He smirks and the others laugh.
I swallow hard, turning to ignore them, because I don’t want to be causing a scene here, especially not with Robbie so close by. They’re being obnoxious. And soon enough they’ll get bored and move on to another bar or some douche-friendly nightclub in the city. But as I walk away, I feel a hand grab my ass, forcefully and to the point of pain, causing me to drop the tray of empty glasses with an explosive crash.
Suddenly, everything in and around the bar comes to a startling stop. A deafening silence ensues, and it rings in my ears. I look directly at Robbie. His eyes meet mine, flitting to the asshole who grabbed me, his brows drawing together as a darkness comes over him like a threatening storm cloud. He stands with such haste, his bar stool topples over and clangs loudly on the floor. And then, without warning, he launches himself at Tadd’s friend right as all hell breaks loose.
CHAPTER 42
ROBBIE
My vision tunnels, and all I see is some asshole with his hand on Fran’s ass. She moves away quickly, and I know I should check on her, make sure she’s okay, but right now, the need to knock this motherfucker’s teeth down his throat is overwhelming. The rage that courses through me is debilitating; it’s like I have no control over my own body.
Grabbing him by his shoulders, I yank him out of his seat only to throw him onto the table. Chairs, glasses, and bottles go flying. People dart about. A few voices shout words I can’t decipher through the fury thundering in my ears. I think someone screams.
I force the guy upright by his necktie, causing him to choke, and I glare down into his eyes. He’s fucking grinning at me.Grinning. Goading me. My hand itches with the need to break his fucking nose, but I manage to refrain, and only because I know there’s already probably a few cameras pointed in my direction by now, filming the drama unfold.
“Think you can touch my girl and not get fucked up?” I seethe, pulling him so close I can feel his scotch-laced breath whip against my skin.
“Hey, man, I’m just joking around,” he scoffs, holding his hands up in surrender.
“Joking around? You think it’s fucking funny to grab women?” I shake him, tightening the neck tie and causing him to cough. “You so much as breathe in her direction again, and I will fucking end you,” I hiss through gritted teeth.
His eyes move from me, off to the side and back again before he offers a quick nod.
I let go of him, smoothing down the front of his suit jacket with a casual smile, like I wasn’t just moments away from knocking his teeth down his throat.
Turning, I point at Fran who is watching on, eyes wide and full of concern. I tug on the guy’s sleeve, yanking him unsteadily and pointing at her. “Now, say fuckin’ sorry,” I order.
The guy scoffs again, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath.
I shove him again. Hard enough he almost loses his balance.
“Sorry,” he says with such insincerity my palm itches to slap the smart ass right out of him.
Fran ignores him, shaking her head. “Get out of here.” She nods toward the door. “All of you,” she adds, glancing pointedly at Tadd as he strolls casually past me, pushing his friend toward the door before tossing a wad of cash onto the floor.
The moment they’re gone, the people left in the bar start to whisper between themselves, a few of them eyeing me suspiciously. I drag a hand over my chin, inspecting the damage, and I’m quick to move, picking up the glasses that have been left intact on the floor. Vera appears with a brush and dustpan to sweep up the broken shards as Fran remains standing in the one spot, arms wrapped around herself, clearly a little shaken.
Standing, I wipe my hands on the back of my jeans, closing the distance between us. I cup her jaw, and her eyes lift to meet mine. “I’m sorry.”
She shakes her head.“It’s okay.”
“I heard you drop something and when I turned around, I saw his hand on you, and I don’t know—” he huffs. “I saw red.”
“Hey, why don’t you head out?” Vera says, her voice low as she comes to stand next to Fran, wrapping an arm around her. “We’re going to close up soon. I’ve got this.”
Fran presses her lips together and reluctantly nods. “I’ll just grab my things.”
When she’s gone, I glance back at the mess, my eyes flitting to Vera. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
She laughs, brushing me off. “I served at a biker bar in college. Trust me. This isnothing. There isn’t even any blood,” she adds with a shrug.
I chuckle, turning back to finish the last of my Coke before shrugging on my coat as Fran walks out from the back room.
“You ready to go?” I ask, gently wrapping my hand around hers.
