Free A Christmas Affair: A Seaside Cove Romance (Seaside Cove Romance Series Book 1) by Cora Davies Page A

stomped with all of her strength on his toes. She was relieved to find he was still working work shoes, and not boots as her heel connected with his three center toes. He howled and let go of Molly, grasping his foot. "What the fuck was that for?"
    "I told you to let go," she said walking as fast as she could without running, to unlock the front door and flip the sign back over. She felt as though she was shaking to the very core of her body, but forced herself to stay completely still on the outside. She had been angry with Jeremy before, but she had never been terrified of him.
    She flung the door open. "Go."
    The winter air filled the room as the seconds went by and Jeremy did not move. She refused to make eye contact, even though she could feel his glare boring into her. Finally, he stepped out the door. "You are a bitch; you know that? A bitch and a tease. I'm going to have a drink, then I'll be at my parents until you cool off."
    He walked out the door and Molly slammed it shut behind him. Watching as he walked into Jack's bar, she dug her cell phone out of her pocket and called Rachel.
    "Can you come back from break right now? I need to talk to someone." 

Chapter Twelve
     
    Jack drummed his fingers on the counter as he watched Jeremy drink with his friends. He had come in alone earlier, obviously pissed off and looking to get drunk. Some of his buddies trickled in over the hours to drink with him. Jack wished there was a way to keep the rich assholes out of his bar. They had their own bars to drink in.
    "Hey barkeep, get us another round will ya?" Jeremy shouted across the room. Jack nodded, saying nothing. Jeremy's group was rowdy, and as always it bothered the regulars, but Jack did not worry about any of them causing a fight. After all, these assholes parents signed most of the paychecks for Jack's patrons.
    Jack stood with an empty pitcher below the tap, wondering if he should fill it or make them leave. He wanted to make them leave. He set the pitcher down and looked up at the obnoxious group.
    "Just give them what they want," Eli said. He got into a lot of fights in his early days in town, and probably noticed the look of anger in Jack's eyes. Eli was always good for cooling a situation down. "Ten seconds of happiness ain't gonna be worth the trouble they cause if you cut them off or kick them out."
    "Thanks Eli," Jack said as he allowed his friend's words to wash over him. He was right. Jack slid a beer towards Eli and then walked over to rambunctious men with the full pitcher.
    "Bent over, head smashed in the carpet, she's going nowhere." Jeremy was in the middle of a demonstration that made Jack's blood boil. The man took out his wallet and handed a twenty to Jack. "Keep the change barkeep." He turned back to his friends and continued with his story. "She starts yelling "Ouch! Ouch! My earring is stuck in the carpet" so I say, "you mean I need to pound faster?"
    His friends all started roaring with laughter and slapping their knees. Jack figured them all for a group of kiss asses. He forced himself to walk part way back to the counter, but found he could not keep quiet. He briefly made eye contact with Eli before turning around.
    "You shouldn't talk about your girlfriend like that." Jack wished he could take it back the minute it came out of his mouth. Molly picked a guy like this, she must not care what is said about her in public. "What I mean is, gentlemen don't kiss and tell."
    The group of men started laughing again, all except for Jeremy who took a step closer to Jack. Jack could smell the beer and liquor coming off his breath, and figured if Jeremy was drunk enough, he might be able to cut him off without causing a problem.
    Of course, that only would have been if Jack had not opened his mouth a moment before.
    Jeremy lowered his voice so only Jack could hear. "I might have a bigger house than you, a better car than you, and an infinite amount of money, but who said I'm a gentleman?" Jeremy snorted