Page 97 of Still Bruised
“No trouble at all,” Bob said. “If you don’t mind giving me a sec, I’ve got a new guy in back. H needs to learn how to use the key machine. This would be the perfect time to train him on it.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Jude said, continuing to peel keys off the ring. “Take your time.” He smiled to himself. “I got all day.”
“I’ll be right back,” Bob said before disappearing into the back.
He hadn’t realized he’d have to get so many done, but as he stood there and pulled them off the ring, he ended up with ten different keys. Bob returned just as Jude got the last key off.
Jude lifted his gaze and came face-to-face with Rick Harwood instead of Bob.
Jude’s body tensed, his heart racing. The flight instinct kicked in and kicked inhard.He eyed the keys on the counter and considered his escape.
“Well, if it isn’tJudith?How’s it hanging, Judy-baby?” Rick asked.
Rage filled Jude’s gut, replacing some of the fear coiling there.
A slow, satisfied smile stretched over Rick’s face.
Jude glared at him, silent.
“Sorry it took me a minute back there, Jude. We’ll get these keys done for you lickety-split,” Bob said after he burst from the back room.
Bob picked up the keys Jude had set on the counter. Then handed them to Rick.
“No!”Jude yelled.
Bob and Rick froze and turned to eye Jude, frowning.
“Hedoesn’t touch anything of mine,” Jude growled, his gaze turning to Rick.
Rick’s eyes narrowed. “Then maybe you should get the fuck out of here,Judith.”
“Or maybeyoushould,” Bob snapped at Rick.
The surprise on Rick’s face would’ve made Jude chuckle if he hadn’t been full of rage. At the very least, it calmed him down a fraction of an inch.
“Idon’t speak to my regulars like that, and you won’t either,” Bob barked before he focused on Jude.“I’llhave these done foryou in just a few seconds.” He looked back at Rick. “You can go back to reorganizing the stockroom. We can teach you this later.”
Jude nodded to Bob and backed away from the counter, trying to ignore Rick. He wanted to leave and put as much distance between them as possible, but he wasn’t going to give Rick the satisfaction of running.
He wasn’t that same eighteen-year-old kid anymore.
Rick snarled in his direction before storming into the back.
Once the loud machine started and Bob’s back was to him, Rick ambled back out and closer to where Jude stood.
“Trying to fuck up my life? I need this job, Judith.”
Like you didn’t already fuck up my life once?He rolled his eyes. “Then act like an adult and you should have no problem.”
“Says the baby who wouldn’t let me touch his keys,” Rick spat. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. “You know, I’m glad I ran into you.”
Jude knew that treacherous smile all too well. Rick had worn it every single time he’d bullied Jude. He dragged his gaze away and tried to appear unaffected.
“I have to drive past your place on my way here in the mornings. You still live above the butcher shop, right?”
“It’s none of your business where I live,” Jude replied cooly.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Rick said, leaning on the counter to get a bit closer. “It was pretty early when I drove past this morning. We open up here at seven, so it must’ve been about quarter till.”
