Page 53 of Smooth Moves
“You call me ‘Little Army’ again, and I’ll shove that bruised head up your ass,” she muttered.
“Oh, I like her.” Gavin chuckled.
“Me too.” Elliot smiled. “Jordan, I’m Elliot Liberato, owner of Sofa’s Bakery. Come in and get cookies and coffee on the house anytime.”
“You’re on.” She shook Elliot’s hand, studying him closely. “I’ve seen you before.”
“Probably on TV. We do a big Halloween at the bakery each year, and last yearThe Strangerdid a huge story on us.”
Jordan brightened. “Oh, yeah. Sofa’s. My brother loves your croissants. And I think I saw a rerun ofBest Ofs on TV the other day, and you were on the Halloween special.”
“Yep. That’s all me,” Elliot said with no hint of modesty.
“Allus,you mean. He doesn’t run that place by himself,” Gavin added. “His sisters are partners. I’m telling Sadie you’re taking all the credit again. You’re in so much trouble.”
Cash cleared his throat. “I’m so glad you’re all getting along. But you know,Iwouldn’t mind free coffee and cookies, Elliot. Hello. Icepack? Head? Concussion? I saved your life!”
“I don’t know that I’d call it saving a life,” Gavin interjected.
“My face is my life. Thanks, Cash. But I thought that was a given. You’re welcome in the shop anytime for myfreebies.” He waggled his brows.
Gavin chuckled. Jordan grinned, and Cash groaned. “You’re not helping my headache, Elliot.”
Jordan took charge. “Okay, so the hero saved the day, somehow got his head bashed in—”
“The little guy had a hand weight,” Cash growled. “I made him drop it, and sadly it sailed through Mac’s car window.”
“Mac?” Jordan asked.
“The gym’s owner,” Gavin answered. “Who is not going to be happy about this at all. I might have to sit on him so he doesn’t give Brashear more bruises to cover the ones Cash already gave him.”
“And by little guy,” Elliot said drily, “Cash means the one who weighed two-forty. I probably could have handled one but not all three. I really do appreciate it, Cash.”
Cash stood and clutched the ice pack to his head. “I think it’s a stretch to say you could have handled any of those pricks, but you keep thinking that. And it was no problem. I haven’t had a fight in a while. I think I was due.”
“A while? It’s been a few weeks since I personally saw you brawl,” Gavin said, and not under his breath. When Jordan shot him a curious look, he told her, “A long story. I’m the one who told Cash he couldn’t leave unless he had someone to look out for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a concussion, but he refuses to go to the hospital and get checked out.”
“It’s not a concussion.”
“How would you know?” Jordan asked.
Gavin sighed. “Look, Cash. Go home. Get some rest. Mac will go after these guys—legally—for damage done to his car. And Elliot’s pressing charges too. You’ll need to make a statement to the cops.”
“Hell. It was just a fight. We don’t need cops and lawyers.”
“I’m making a statement?” At Gavin’s nod, Elliot sighed. “You’re right. I am. They deserve it. I just didn’t want the hassle. But if they targeted me because I’m gay, that’s got to stop.”
“I think they went after you because of your smart mouth,” Cash said.
“And because they’re homophobes—I know these guys,” Gavin added. “They weren’t happy when Mac kicked them out or when you basically told them to kiss your ass on their way out the door.”
Elliot frowned. “Oh yeah. I did, didn’t I?”
Cash would have rolled his eyes if it wouldn’t have made his headache even worse.
Gavin said in a dry tone, “Yeah, you did. You also made an easy target out here by yourself in the back parking lot. So it was probably a combination of them hating you, hating Mac, and hating gays. So, yes, you need to put the screws to them.”
“Okay.”
