As if he knew I was talking about him, our eyes met again. It was clear to everyone, except Richard, that Axel wasn’t interested in a conversation.
“Axel,” Jonas called.“What will ya have? Luca here needs to know what to bring you.”
His eyes widened comically as he walked away from Richard without another word. I tried to hide my smile.Yeah, buddy. I understand how annoying he can be.
Pulling out the chair across from Jonas, I waited for him to take his seat. When his defiant green eyes found mine again, there was nothing I could do but smile. “Hello again.”
His mouth tipped up with a hint of a smirk. He evidently enjoyed pissing people off. “Hello, Luca.” My name rolled off his tongue like it was meant to be there. Leaning forward on one elbow, he spoke without breaking eye contact. “What do you suggest?”
I shrugged. “It depends on what you’re in the mood for.We have a wide selection from IPAs to lagers and of course, top-shelf liquor if that’s your fancy.”I paused as his eyes bore into me, obviously catching on to my recognition of his nationality. “Would you like to look at a menu?”
He slowly shook his head. “Not really. I’dfancya beer. What do you suggest?”
“You could do thePaulsnerlike your friends. But something tells me you don’t go with the crowd. So maybe aHeinekenorGuinness.” I pointed my pencil at him. “I might even be able to find aBrewDogfor you.”
Decker grinned. “Luca here is the best! The man knows his beer.”
His eyes narrowed as he propped his chin in his hand, one long finger crossing his lips. Axel Hughes exuded control and careful contemplation. “I see that. All excellent choices.” He sat back and smirked. “Surprise me.”
I accepted the challenge. “Okay. You asked for it. I’ll be back, gentlemen.”
Turning, I heard Decker say something under his breath, making the others laugh. Axel Hughes was living up to his reputation on the ice, and the Nighthawks were in good hands. Shaking my head, I made the short walk back to the bar as they carried on and ribbed one another. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught sight of a rare Axel Hughes smile before turning back to Mitch. “Do you have aBrewDogback there?”
“I think so. Let me check the other cooler.”
As I entered their order into the computer, my good mood came to an abrupt end when Richard barked my name. “Luca.”
My stomach twisted, but I knew how to handle assholes like him. “Yes, Richard? What can I do for you?”
“Look at me when I speak to you,” he barked again, louder than I would have liked. He was ready to put on a show as the bar fell silent. Biting the inside of my jaw, I glanced at Mitch, then turned to the seething man. “You were late. Again. Don’t think I missed you trying to sneak in.”
“I was here before five, but the back door was locked. It took me a minute to come around to the front.”
Folding his arms over his chest, he glared up at me. “You know the rules. And I saw you come in. Talking to the hockey player is no excuse.” He stepped forward and poked me in the chest to make his point. “You should have been here ten minutes before your shift.”
“Look,” I said, trying to appeal to his humanity, “You know I work with seniors, and sometimes they don’t move so fast. Today I had a veteran with Alzheimer’s that I…”
He raised a hand and cut me off. “I don’t care if you had to place all the old people in New York. The only thing that concerns me is what you do here.” Pointing at me, he made hiscase, just as loud as before. “You were supposed to be on the floor, serving customers at five. Not coming in the door.”
Biting the side of my jaw, my face burned as I looked away.
“Are you listening?” he barked.
“Yes. I’ll do better. I need to serve my customers. If we’re done here.”
“Oh,” he sneered, “we’re done here, alright. So done that you’re fired.”
It shouldn’t have been a surprise. He’d had it out for me since the assistant manager hired me before she quit. As my brain registered what he said, my mouth fell open as my chin hit my chest. “What? Why?” My eyes darted around the room, then back to Richard. Just like every rich asshole on a power trip, he was lording it over me for everyone in the bar to see.
“You’re no longer employed here. Get your shit and go.”
My brows rose as I stared at him. I wasn’t beyond begging. “Richard, please. You know I need this job. Please don’t do this.” I’d given up caring that everyone could hear me. “I didn’t have a choice. It’s my job.”
Shaking his head, he was unaffected by my plea. “Your old people are not my problem. Butyoucreate one formeevery time you’re late. I need someone who will make this job a priority, and that’s not you. So get the fuck out.”
Stunned into silence, my ears buzzed as my blood pressure rose. The scrape of a chair across the wood floor echoed across the bar. The chair fell back, the sound echoing off the walls. I looked up to find Axel Hughes closing in, wearing a murderous expression.
Rising to his full height, he stepped between us, cutting off my view of my boss. Heat radiated off his body, sending toffee and bourbon into the air. His hands were fisted, and I imagined he was scary as hell. Richard shuffled backward in surprise as Axel stepped closer. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
