Chapter 37

Harmony

Harmony struggled against Jolene’s determined grip. The larger woman clutched her tightly from behind, refusing to let Harmony leave the kitchen.

“But it’s my fight,” she argued. “I have to make sure Nolan’s okay!”

Jolene talked calmly despite Harmony’s struggle. “Fighting ain’t always the right thing. Let Nolan handle it until the cops show up.”

“The police?” Did that mean it would all be over within minutes? Could they make Alan leave her alone for good? Harmony went lax in her friend’s arms.

“Yes, I called them and they’re already on their way. It’s almost over, baby.” Jolene’s hold relaxed enough for Harmony to break free.

“I’m sorry. I have to be there!” she called back, knowing the other waitress had only been doing what she could to keep her safe. But it wouldn’t be fair for Nolan to bear the brunt of Alan’s anger. He’d never done a single thing wrong and didn’t deserve this.

Passing back into the dining room, her eyes zoomed straight to the back corner where one of the customers now held Alan back so he couldn’t hit Nolan again. From the looks of the smug smirk on Alan’s face, he was the only one who had managed to throw any punches in the brief time Harmony had been kept away.

“Stop!” she shouted, forcing herself between them.

It was clear the customer wouldn’t be able to keep Alan back much longer. Determination gleamed in his cold eyes.

“Stay back.” Nolan pushed her behind him so that he was the one facing Alan’s fury head on.

“This is the guy you want over me?” her ex challenged.

“It’s not like that,” she whimpered, terrified of what he might do next.

“Oh, please,” he growled. “I followed you enough to figure things out. You spend every waking hour with this guy. Looks like he’s been sleeping over, too. Funny, cuz that whole time we were together you claimed to be saving yourself. But now you seem just fine jumping into bed with the first loser who came along.”

“Alan,” she sobbed. “Please stop. Please go away.”

“I believe the lady made herself clear,” Nolan said through gritted teeth, though he kept both hands extended downward in a gesture of peace. “If you leave now, you won’t have to explain yourself to the police.”

Nobody said anything for a moment.

“Okay?” Nolan urged.

Alan still didn’t respond, but stopped struggling to break free.

Nolan nodded, and the customer released Alan from his hold.

He immediately took another swing at Nolan, connecting with his jaw and forcing him to hunch over in pain.

The customer tried to grab Alan again, but he fought him off and continued to advance toward Nolan, punching, kicking, spitting, doing whatever he could to hurt the other man.

Nolan pulled himself back up to his full height but didn’t return his opponent’s advances. He just took one hit after the next while Harmony screamed and cried.