EIGHT
Jaxson
Slinging drinks is one of my favorite parts of owning a bar.
Sure, I could hire a couple more bartenders, work fewer hours, and keep myself behind the scenes. But where’s the fun in that?
I love being behind the bar. Mixing drinks. Talking to regulars. Meeting new people every night. There’s never a dull moment. Watching people enjoy themselves in a place of my design and creation is pretty fucking special.
The atmosphere in the Brewhouse is good for my soul, I swear. Since Madelyn walked away from me, life has just been a string of days to get through. This place, this bar...it’s been my lifeline.
Some nights are more chill and laid back. Others, the energy is amped, and the crowd gets loud. I live for those nights. The nights when we hit maximum capacity and I can barely hear myself over the chatter, laughter, and music. I find peace in the chaos.
I’ve never been one to enjoy being alone. Not that I can’t appreciate my own company and quiet—I can. But I prefer to be surrounded by people. It’s where I’m in my element.
I’m mixing a batch of Cosmos for a bachelorette party when the energy in the bar shifts. Nothing actually happens as far as I can tell. Everyone is still talking, still laughing, still having a good time. No, nothing tangible to explain the rush of tension and negativity that sweeps over me. Not at first.
I glance around, seeing nothing to explain the change. I shake it off.
Finishing up the drinks, I pass them off to the bride’s sister. She introduced herself earlier, but I’ll be damned if I remember her name now. She thanks me with a flirty smile and a wink before rejoining her group. They greet her with a loud cheer that has me laughing.
I turn to the next customer, but something catches my eye. As I’m asking the girl what she’ll have, I watch as Madelyn’s new husband struts his uptight ass into my bar.
I involuntarily tense. I was really hoping not to see the happy couple for a while. I knew it would be impossible in a small town like Blackwood, but I figured they’d at least avoid my bar. I brace myself, expecting to see her follow him through the door, but she doesn’t.
The fuck? I watch as he postures, puffing up his chest and looking me dead in the eye. He heads straight to the bar, orders a drink from Noah, and continues to stare me down. Huh. Someone must have told him who I am. It was obvious he had no idea the last time they were here.
Not sure what the stare down is about. I’m the ex. He won. He got my girl.
I’m even more curious as to why he’s in my bar alone less than two weeks after getting married. Where is Mads?
Something must be seriously wrong with this guy. If I had my ring on Madelyn’s finger, I’d have her at my side. Always. I damn sure wouldn’t be spending my nights holed up at the ex-boyfriend’s bar without her.
Fuck it. I don’t even know what I’m thinking. Don’t know why I care. It’s not my business. I don’t have a place in her life anymore. She made sure of that.
I turn away from him and continue pouring drinks for my patrons. It’s a Thursday night and while we’re not slam packed, we’re not having a slow night. Business is still booming. There’s a steady flow of people to and from the bar. My entire staff is busy, constantly on the move.
I watch as my waitresses deliver drinks and food—all perky attitudes and pretty smiles. I found that people really enjoy being able to order food with their drinks. Makes customers happy. Puts more money in my pockets. Win-win.
The building the Brewhouse is housed in used to be a firehouse, so it came equipped with a decent sized kitchen. I could have gutted it with the rest of the building, but something told me to leave it. I gave it a few upgrades, though. Turned out to be a smart move. Right now, we only serve appetizer type foods, but I’d like to eventually expand a bit and maybe add a full menu.
But that’s a thought for another time.
Especially when my gaze drifts over to the douchebag just in time to see him grab Zoey’s arm. I wait a second before reacting. I watch to gauge the situation. But all bets are off when I see her try to pull away and he won’t release her.
My eyes quickly dart to Noah’s. He nods, fury blazing in his eyes. He saw it, too.
I’m there in seconds, placing my tall, muscular frame at Zoey’s back.
“Let go of her arm. Now.” My voice is deep, rough. I’m barely containing my anger.
His eyes shoot up to mine and the asshole smirks. He releases her and she backs up, her body coming into contact with mine. I put my hands on her shoulders and pull her further into me. It’s a protective gesture and she realizes it because I can feel the tension drain from her body.
My eyes stay locked on the douchebag, but I lean down close to her ear.
“You okay?” I whisper.
She turns her face toward mine and gives me a clipped nod.
“Good,” I tell her. “Go to Noah. I’ll be with you soon.”
Another quick nod and I watch as she scurries behind the bar to where Noah waits. He pulls her behind him and says something to her quickly before turning back to me, arms crossed over his chest. His way of telling me he’s got my back, if I need him.
I don’t. Not for this.
Turning all of my attention back to Douchebag—I’ve decided that’s his new name—I lose just a little bit of my calm.
“I’m gonna need you to keep your hands off my staff. Off any unwilling person, actually.”
He rolls his eyes, scoffing like a petulant teenager.
“This is your one and only warning. Keep your hands to yourself or you can leave my bar. I won’t have you assaulting people in my place of business.”
His brow raises and that arrogant fucking smirk makes another appearance.
Finally, he speaks, “Oh? So you don’t like when people put their hands on your property either. We have that in common.”
I work to keep my face a stern mask, but there is so much wrong with what he just said, I don’t even know where to start. I may not have been interested in college, but I’m not a stupid man. Obviously, he’s insinuating that I’ve had hands on Madelyn, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth. As for referring to women as property, well...that’s all types of fucked up. My hatred for this stupid fuck just went up a few levels.
“One. Zoey isn’t anyone’s property. No woman belongs to any man.” Inhaling deeply, I remind myself to stay calm. As much as I want to, I cannot punch this guy in the fucking throat. “However, she is my employee, so her well-being is my responsibility. I will not have you, or anyone else, come into my bar and endanger my staff or patrons by putting hands on them.”
His jaw tenses and ticks, but he says nothing, so I continue.
“Two. If you want to accuse me of something, you should man up and say it.”
I wait. I know we’re drawing a crowd. There are several people lingering nearby to watch and see what goes down.
“If that’s how you want it.” His head dips down before his stare meets mine again. The look in his eyes is downright menacing, but I’m not afraid of him.
“You need to stay the fuck away from my wife.”
That’s exactly what I thought. What I don’t understand is what put this idea in his head.
I’ve seen Madelyn exactly two times since she’s been back in Blackwood. He was with her both times. The first was the night here in this very bar where she trampled all over my heart. The second was when she slid a ring onto this asshole’s finger and promised herself to him for life.
Before I can respond to him, he takes it one step further. One step way too fucking far.
“Madelyn is mine . She has my ring on her finger. My last name. She’s in my fucking bed every night. Riding my dick. Screaming my name when she comes.”
He thumps his fist to his chest every time he says “my” like she’s a possession. That’s obviously how he views her. He’s not finished, though. Not yet.
“Stay away from her. You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Seriously? Fuck this guy. I don’t know who the fuck he thinks he is coming into my bar, threatening me, running his mouth about Madelyn like she’s some common whore. I damn sure won’t stand here and let him disrespect her. I’m appalled at the lack of respect for his own wife. I don’t know where I find the strength, it takes every bit of self-control I have not to lay this motherfucker out.
“Look, asshole. I’m not sure why you feel the need to come into my bar to swing your dick around, but you’re done. Get the fuck out. You’re not welcome here.”
A few people start clapping, which only pisses him off.
“You can’t throw me out! This is Holden’s bar. I’m family. He won’t let you do this!”
He’s getting loud now, becoming more of a disturbance. I glance over at Gabriel and nod. He leaves his post at the door and heads my way.
“I can. And I am.” Now it’s my turn to smirk. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but that’s my name on the sign outside. Holden might be part-owner, but he’s not here. I am and you’re dealing with me. Though, you should probably be happy that he wasn’t here to hear the garbage you just spewed about his baby sister.”
His face pales a bit. Gabriel takes hold of his arm and starts moving toward the exit, but it looks like the fight hasn’t left him just yet.
“I’ll be back! You can’t keep me out.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean back against the bar top and smile.
“You might be right. It’ll be up to Holden whether or not he lets you come back. I’ll leave the decision to him after we talk about what happened tonight.”
By the time I finish my statement, Gabriel has him out the door without another word.
Everyone in the bar starts clapping. I chuckle at the whistles and cheers.
“Alright. Settle down.” I shake my head, still chuckling. “Sorry about the bullshit. I know y’all didn’t come here for that, so let’s not let one asshole ruin everyone’s night!
Another round of applause signals the end of the drama. Now that he’s gone, I can double check on Zoey and get back to work.
I fire off a quick text to Holden asking him to stop by the bar when he’s not busy. As much as I hate to admit it, I know Holden will allow him back in the bar—if only for his sister. I knew it when I said it, but I’ll only put up with so much before I overrule whatever Holden says.
And I’m not protecting this asshole. I will tell Holden every single thing that was said tonight. Holden is protective over his sisters, especially Madelyn. He won’t be happy to hear what her new husband had to say about her tonight in a bar full of people.
I check to make sure everything is under control at the bar before escaping to the back office. Noah is waiting there with Zoey. I give him my thanks and he wordlessly heads back to the front. He knows I’ve got this handled.
Zoey is the cute little blonde waitress from the night of the wedding. I’ve gotten to know her a bit, but she doesn’t really let anyone in. She’s sweet and friendly but knows how to put on a front. Her flirtations that night were a ruse, a cover for whatever makes her so shy and closed off.
“You really okay, Zo?” I look her over. She looks a little shaken and her arm is red where he held onto her.
“Yeah, I’m good. He creeped me out more than anything.”
“I’m sorry that happened. I know you haven’t worked here long, but we’re family here. We take care of ours. I don’t tolerate that shit in my bar and neither will any of the other guys. Anything like that ever happens again, just get someone’s attention and we’ll handle it. Even if you have to scream. I want you to feel safe working here.”
“Thank you, Jaxson.” Her eyes glisten with tears, but she smiles.
I don’t know her story, but something tells me she’s not used to kindness. She’ll find it in spades here.
“You don’t need to thank me, sweetheart. It’s my job to make sure you’re protected.” I look directly into her eyes, letting her see the honesty and care.
She finally nods, another smile forming on her lips.
“Now. If you wanna take the rest of the night off, you can. Or you can finish out your shift. It’s up to you. You’ll be getting paid either way.”
She stands, without hesitation, and tells me she wants to finish her shift. She heads back to work and I sit in my office to relax for a minute.
The tension and adrenaline finally start to leave my body and I drop my head back, letting out a deep breath. Closing my eyes tight, I try to push back the feeling of dread swimming in my gut.
I have a really bad feeling about this guy. I mean, I don’t like him on principle, but there’s something...I don’t know... off about him.
I’ll talk to Holden about what happened and express my concern, but that’s all I can do. I will always look out for Madelyn, but it’s not my place to involve myself in her personal life anymore.