I glance up and see Charlie the Creeper walking through the doorway. He glances at me and then quickly looks back at the menu.
“That’s the one.”
“Why were you asking about him?”
“He’s been following me,” I say. “I’ll tell you more later. Can you take his order?”
“Sure.”
Terry heads to the cash register while I head to the back room to text Deklan. When I return, Terry is handing the guy his coffee. He heads to the back of the shop, just like he always does, and shoves his nose inside his newspaper.
I go back to taking orders and pouring flavored caffeine. Only a couple of minutes pass before Deklan is at the door of the shop. He scans the room as he enters, pausing as he sees Charlie the Creeper in the back. Dek glances at me, and I confirm with a nod toward the creeper.
“Who is that?” Terry asks quietly.
“My husband. That guy has been following me around.”
With long, purposeful strides, Deklan walks up to the guy.
Charlie sees him and immediately drops the paper. He starts to stand, but Deklan sits him back down with a hand on his shoulder. He leans over and stares the guy in the face, speaking softly. I can’t hear what he’s saying, and I’m suddenly terrified he’s going to shoot him right here at my workplace.
“Shit! What’s he going to do?” Terry asks.
“I honestly don’t know.”
Other patrons are taking note of the exchange between Deklan and Charlie. One of the hipster regulars pokes his friend in the arm and gestures toward them. Another customer looks over to Terry—as if he could do something about it.
Deklan stands up straight, and Charlie the Creeper stands as well. His face is completely white. Neither of them looks in my direction as Deklan grips Charlie’s arm tightly and leads him out of the shop.
“Dude, your hubby is huge!” Terry lets out a long whistle.
For a moment, I feel a deep sense of pride.
Yeah—that’s my man.
“He looks like he’s gonna kill that guy!” Terry laughs nervously.
All my smugness dissipates as I realize Terry might be right.
“I think I should go after him,” I say. “The line is gone. Are you good for a few minutes?”
“Sure,” Terry says. “Don’t be too long.”
“I won’t.”
I toss my apron on the counter and rush out of the shop. I look around but see no sign of Deklan or the creeper. I head around the corner in the direction of the apartment and spot Deklan’s Viper parked near the entrance to the alley. I approach slowly and hear voices.
“You have about four seconds to give me a better answer,” Deklan says, “or I’m going to rip your balls off.”
I peer around the corner and into the alley. The dumpster used by the coffee shop is up against the brick wall, and behind it, I see my husband. With him are two men I recognize from our wedding though I never got their names. They’re holding Charlie the Creeper up against the bricks as Deklan slams a fist into the guy’s face.
Blood spatters as the guy’s nose cracks, and he cries out.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Deklan shakes his head slowly.
“Wrong answer.”