in uncertainty. Since Julia is on her break, I can’t ask her to take this table for me, too, so I suck it up and walk over, pen and pad in hand, summoning the strength.
Thomas glances up, and when he sees me, his eyes flash with anger. The black eye he was sporting not too long ago has healed, though it seems he hasn’t forgotten why it was there in the first place, and who gave it to him. He eyes me with such a blatant disdain that I shift awkwardly on my feet.
“What can I get you?”
“Beer and a burger, little moon.”
I’m surprised that’s all he says, and for one brief second, I think I’m in the clear. I think he might actually listen to End’s orders to keep away from me. But I should’ve known he wouldn’t; nothing is ever that easy.
Once his food is ready, I bring it out to him, along with another beer. It’s his third draft of the night. But judging by the smell wafting off him, I can’t imagine this is his first drink of the day. That is just how Thomas and his friends are. They are partiers.
When I ask if he needs anything else, he leans back in his booth, his lazy eyes half-mast as they drag up and down my body. A tremor wracks my body, but it’s not a pleasant one.
“You think because you spread your legs for him and had his baby, you’ve suddenly found the perfect guy?” He laughs, and the sound is sharp and ugly. “I can assure you, you haven’t. Do you even know how many women he’s fucked in this town?” he goads.
My heart twinges at his words, but I steel myself, not about to let him see his words are getting under my skin. He’s telling me things I already know—preying on my deepest fears. I’m nothing special to Endymion. I could be replaced at any moment, and that’s such a scary thought. It’s crushing to even think about.
“What is it with you women and Endymion Black, huh? You guys lose your fucking minds when you get near the bastard.” He slams his fist down on the table, rattling the dishes. I glance around, pink rising to my cheeks when I realize the people dining inside are looking at us with frowns on their faces.
“Please calm down, Thomas. Just enjoy your meal.”
“You too good for the likes of me, babe. Is that it? You think you have some golden pussy because Endymion Black is the only man who’s been inside of it?” Thomas reaches out, his hand clasping onto my apron, and he tugs. The movement is so unexpected I go tumbling into his side of the table, my hip connecting with the corner. Pain flares, and I wince at the burn.
“What are you doing? Stop it,” I hiss, trying to smack his hand off me, but he doesn’t let up. His hand slides around the back of my thigh, dragging me closer to him. Panic flares, and I shove against him, but it does nothing. He’s incredibly strong for a man who is tipsy. When he reaches higher, almost exposing my backside to everyone, I’m just about to scream when a meaty hand grips onto Thomas’s shoulder and shoves him away from me.
Bobby is standing behind me, eyes ablaze with anger. “Get out, Tommy, and don’t even think about coming back. I mean it this time.”
“Fuck you and this stupid bitch. Oh, and fuck your wife, too, Bobby.”
Bobby lets out a growl, and his fist sails into Thomas’s face. His head knocks back, blood spilling out of his nose upon impact. A gasp rips from my chest, my hands flying to my mouth in shock. He drags Thomas up from the booth and tosses him out as if the man weighs nothing.
I whirl around when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. It’s Julia. Her eyes are wide, mouth agape in shock. “You okay, babe? Did he hurt you?”
I lie even though my hip is aching. “No, I’m fine. He just scared me is all. He was drunk and saying stupid things.”
Her face grows stormy. “I can just imagine what the bastard was saying. I heard Holly and Reina talking earlier. She wants to try to win Endymion back, so she broke things off with him. My guess is he isn’t too happy.”