Falling for Trouble

Even with his tormented past, Abe still managed to be there for her. It was hard for her to hate the way he was when he showed her there was still someone in the world who loved her. It might not be the kind of love she wanted, but it was still there for her to take.

Time seemed to stand still as they stayed wrapped in each other’s embrace. She wished their scarred pasts weren’t hidden behind smiles and laughter.

Maybe one day they both would be healed so they could actually move forward.5Several weeks laterSince crying into Abe’s chest, Sophia hadn’t spoken about her mom, and he hadn’t said anything about his parents. She knew he still thought about their conversation, knew he always thought about it.

Sophia wiped down the counter of the bar and cut her eyes to the far-left corner, the corner where Abe drank his sixth beer, a busty redhead a little too close to Abe for Sophia’s comfort. He looked three sheets to the wind already, but that was no surprise, since he had taken four shots of Jack before the sixth beer.

She knew this wasn’t just another night of getting drunk and debauchery for him. It was his mother’s birthday and a seriously rough day all around for him. It always was. He had been aloof when she made him breakfast that morning, quiet unless she asked him something.

The redhead’s hand disappeared beneath the table, and Sophia knew exactly what she was touching. It didn’t matter that Abe pushed her away and shook his head, stopping whatever she was trying to accomplish. Jealousy still spread through her. A look at the clock showed she had about half an hour to go before she was off work.

“Honey, just go. I’ll cover for the last half hour.” Sophia looked over at Roxy, one of the newer bartenders. She was older, maybe in her forties, but had a smokin’ body and an awesome personality. “It looks like your boy is in need of a bed, some painkillers, and a big glass of water.”

Letting out a sigh, Sophia gave her a grateful smile and went to close out her till. Abe had been drinking all day. Hell, he smelled like a brewery when she showed up at his house this morning. It was rough for him, and she wished she could make him feel better, but she knew how hard it was, knew he struggled to get through each day.

Sophia started totaling up her tips, when she heard the sound of glass breaking. Abe stood toe-to-toe with some guy she had never seen before. The redhead pushed her way between them, a very stupid move on her part. She was trying to talk the other guy down, and Sophia realized he must be her boyfriend. This was so not what she or Abe needed tonight.

“Well, fuck. I don’t need this shit tonight.” Hunter Bronson, owner of Tiny’s and her boss, came busting out of the back room, his face set hard. “Fucking Abe ‘Trouble’ Rochester.” He looked at Sophia and narrowed his eyes. He stalked toward her and stopped right in front of her. “Get your boy outta here, Soph, before he knocks that guy’s teeth in and I have to call the cops.”

God, this day was going from bad to worse. “What about my till? I haven’t finished counting it down yet.” He waved it off and then pointed to Abe.

“You’re good, Soph. Just take Abe home before it gets ugly. I don’t want him thrown in county, especially on a day like today.”

It wasn’t a secret what today was, not when Abe’s parents’ death had been big news in their town. Melanie and Rosco Rochester had been prominent in Northon. They had their hands in community gatherings, bake sales, and auctions to raise money for the hungry and poor. They were good people, and everyone loved them.

She thanked Hunter and grabbed her purse. Pushing through the crowd of people now huddled around Abe and the guy who was about to get his teeth busted in, Sophia stopped beside Abe. The redhead’s voice was loud and shrill as she tried to talk down the preppy schoolboy. He was way out of his element, especially wearing a cable knit vest over his blue oxford. Yeah, he was definitely a prep, probably from one of the colleges in the neighboring cities.

“Hey!” Neither the redhead nor Oxford looked at her. “Hey!” That got their attention. “I suggest you leave. Like now. Abe has a pretty short fuse sober, but when he’s drunk, it’s nonexistent.” Oxford scowled and looked like he wanted to argue, but Abe started laughing and cracking his knuckles.

“Don’t stop this, Kid. I’ve been itchin’ for a fight all fucking day. I’m just glad this pansy-ass motherfucker thinks he can take me.” His voice was hard, like steel, but under that, she could still hear the slur. There was no doubt he could still whip Oxford, but she wasn’t in the mood to deal with the aftermath. Abe might be lit, but he was more than ready to throw down with this stranger. Sophia rolled her eyes.