“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I flinched, hearing Grant’s voice.Dammit.I must have missed him walk in, because I would have gotten behind the safety of the bar had I seen him.
“Nope. Just an ex-boyfriend who I wish would ghost me already.” I turned to head toward the table of customers whose drinks I carried, dismissing him before he could try to engage me again.
“You think you’re so damn funny, Patience.” I heard his angry words behind me and felt a chill race up my spine. Grant wasn’t going to let me go or stop hounding me. He was like a rabid dog after a bone, and instinctively, I knew if something didn’t stop him, someone was going to get hurt—either me or anyone who got in his way.
I took a deep breath and turned to face him. Quickly, I scanned the room looking for Tucker, but he wasn’t there. Iknew he was going to test drive that truck, so I didn’t really expect to see him, but I was hoping he’d be back already. There was no sign of Noah, Carson, or Griffin either, so I was on my own against Grant.
Don’t let him know you’re scared, Patience,I silently told myself as I drew up and gathered my courage.
“Grant, I can’t be the first woman who’s ever broken up with you. This needs to stop because Tucker’s right. I’m going to file a police report and request a restraining order. You need to quit this.”
“Tucker.” His nostrils flared with anger as he spat out the name. “You’ve been whoring for him when you wouldn’t even kiss me.”
People were starting to pay attention because Grant wasn’t trying to keep his voice down. He was making a scene, and I was all for it because the more people that saw his crazy—the easier it would be to file that report and get that restraining order.
“My relationship with Tucker is none of your business, Grant. I went out with you on a few dates. I should have stopped after the second one because I already knew it wasn’t going to go anywhere with you. If I led you on, I’m sorry—that wasn’t my intention.”
“Yes, it was!” he all but yelled in my face. “You’re nothing but a cock tease!”
“First, I’m a whore. Now I’m a cock tease? Which is it? By definition, whores don’t typically tease?”
“You bitch.” He stepped closer to me.
“I’d rather behisbitch thanyourgirlfriend, Grant.” I raised my chin with false confidence that I didn’t feel. “You need to go, and you need to stay away from me.”
“You need to get out of here now, and don’t come back,” Payton, the owner, said, moving up beside me and partly pushing me behind her body.
Hailey came at me from the other side, putting her body between his and mine. It was then that Noah and Tucker both walked into the bar. They took a quick assessment of what was happening and not only am I pushed even farther back, but Payton and Hailey are also both now situated behind Tucker and Noah.
Relief washed through me as the men handled the situation from there. Tucker is angrier than when I almost accidentally ran him over, and the calm, cool, jokester Noah isn’t so calm, cool, and collected anymore.
I flinched as Hailey wrapped her arm around my shoulders for support. It’s then I realized that I’m visibly shaking and there were tears running down my face.
“I’ve called the sheriff. He will be here in a moment,” Payton said as she shoved her phone back in her pocket. “Grant won’t be allowed back in the bar, Patience.”
I nodded, still unable to speak. Noah and Tucker have Grant cornered, and he won’t be going anywhere until the sheriff takes him away. “I’m sorry,” I finally croaked out, leaning my head onto Hailey’s shoulder. The sobs were caught in my throat, and I was fighting them for all I was worth.
“Hey. You have nothing to be sorry for, Patience. He’s the one who’s the issue, not you,” Payton replied, pulling me into a hug. “Once you talk to the sheriff, I want you to get your boyfriend or Noah to take you home, okay?”
I nodded and thanked her, not correcting her boyfriend comment. “Hailey, will you go from table to table and let people know that once everything is taken care of, there will be a round of beers on the house as a thank you for their patience?”
“Sure.” Hailey reached out and gave my hand a small squeeze of support. “You’ll be okay?” she asked quickly.
“I think so,” I offered, looking toward where Tucker was standing with Noah.
His gaze met mine from across the room, and suddenly, I didn’t know if I’d be okay or not. Though, it had nothing to do with Grant’s crazy ass and everything to do with Tucker.
When he left, he’d be taking my heart with him.
Chapter 10
TUCKER
Nine.
Ten.
I kept mentally counting to ten, so I didn’t reach out and kill the guy. If I had my way, he’d be locked up for good, because I knew men like him. He was a narcissist and a loose cannon who was about to hurt someone—most likely Patience would be his intended target.
