Chapter two

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

I was working through my book when the door opened and Anna walked in or rather waddled in. The poor girl was eight months pregnant and she was huge. Not that I would tell my best friend that. She walked over to me and tugged my book out of my hand. “now girl … you are going to turn into a book the amount you read ...” I shook my head laughing at her joke. It was true I was always reading or working on something. It was my nature I didn't really do much of anything else. “how did the doc appointment go ...”

“he says the little bambina is doing fine .. and can't wait to come meet her god mommy..”

I shake my head still not sure why Anna and Jake want me to be the poor baby's god mother but I don't argue with her. “that's good … you better head upstairs before Jake escorts ya there..” I tease Jake was super protective of his wife. I was turning back to fill the customers coffee when a couple people I never wanted to see came strolling into the shop. I sigh and try to ignore them. Jason and Eric were two of the football players from our high school days. When I was younger their favorite game in school was embarrass the nerd or how can we make her cry. I was their favorite target and for some reason they just never grew out of it. Yet as I got older though it's only four years since then I did my best to ignore them. They strolled into the shop like they owned the place. I was heading over towards Jon's table when I didn't notice Eric had his foot sticking out to trip me. I tripped sending me and the hot pot of coffee to the ground. The coffee pot shattered splashing hot coffee over m e and glass all over the floor. I tried to throw myself out of the way so I didn't get cut when I felt two strong arms grab me before I hit the ground.

Eric and Jason were laughing hysterically at their table when I lifted my eyes to meet the same blue eyes I had seen when I served him his coffee. His voice was soft. “are you alright...”

I just nodded and stepped away from him trying to brush the hot coffee off my clothes wincing as I knew that there would be burns later. I grab the towel from the counter when I hear Jake come from the back, “what happened?” His voice is tight with worry.

“Nothing Jake it's my fault tripped I'll pay you back for the pot...” I knelt down to pick up the sharp pieces of the pot. I am surprised when Jon knelt down holding out the larger piece. “thank you … “ I stated quietly before cleaning up the rest of the mess.

“are you okay.. what do you mean you tripped ...” Jake frowned with concern. “did you get hurt ...” He walked over towards me.

Jon stared at me when I told Jake it was my fault, I kept working on getting the stuff mopped up and sweeping up the pieces. “No its not her fault...” my head shot up to look at him surprised that he spoke up. No one really besides Anna ever stood up for me.

“Pardon me sir?” Jake asked.

“I said it wasn't her fault … that guy sitting in the table over there who thinks its funny stuck his foot out before I could warn her she tripped over it …. she got splashed by the hot coffee would have fallen on the broken glass..”

Jake looked worried “did you get cut Shanna....” He started to check me over.

“I am fine Jake …. I didn't get cut … I promise …. he caught me..” I pointed to Jon who had coffee on the knees of his pants from where he knelt down to help me retrieve the glass.

Jake held out his hand to Jon and shook his. “Thanks....” He grabbed the mop from my hands. “Go back and change I am sure you have a change of clothes... and check to make sure you didn't get burned.” His voice was tight with anger. I knew he was not happy.

“Jake I am fine … I'll change my clothes and be right back out....” I knew he didn't like Eric and Jason but they never pulled anything in the shop before. I sigh as I head back into the back to change but I have to go by their table to get there. I hear Jason's snide remarks.

“Clumsy as ever aren't we … four eyes … ya'd think with those coke bottles you'd be able to see clear enough to walk...”

I just ignored him and went back into the back area making sure to check to make sure there was no feet or anything else put in my way for me to trip over. I went in the back to change.

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Jon watched her walk away then looked at the two guys sitting in the table. “real class act..” he muttered sarcastically. He took the towel Jake handed him and wiped off his hands and jeans.

“yeah … “ Jake sighed “Look I'll pay to have your jeans cleaned ...Mr B... “ When Jon just shook his head not to finish pronouncing his name he nodded “man.... thanks for helping out … I'll get you a new cup of coffee or ..” He looked back to see Shanna come back out with a large cup and set it down on Jon's table. “or Shanna will.... thanks did you get burnt...”

Jon watched her shake her head but he could see the red marks on her wrists under the long sleeve shirt she was now wearing. “its no problem man .. shit happens and they are just a pair of jeans...was more concerned she didn't get hurt than what was staining them...”

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Jake nodded and looked over at the two practical jokers “you two clear out .. you caused enough trouble....” he pointed to the door. Jake had no patients for immature men who got their jollies by tormenting others. It was one reason why he barely ever let those two into the shop with all the books and such he had there.

I shook my head and went back to cleaning up the mess that they had caused. It was not the first time they had done something to make me look like a complete idiot. They never seemed to get past the immature guys they were in high school 

“aw come on Jake man it was just a joke … she didn't get hurt … so she got splashed with some coffee its not like it was that hot ...” Jason protested. “it was just a fucking joke man... chill out …. “ He got up grabbing his coat.

“yeah right now get out … don't come back till you an act your damn age instead of your shoe size … both of ya..” he pointed to the door while I tossed the rags and glass in the dust bin. I shook my head he'd let them back in sooner or later. It was not a big deal. I went back to waiting on the customers. While I cleaned up my stations one thought in my head kept rolling over in my mind. Why on earth did Jon Bongiovi step up like that and defend me. He didn't get anything out of it hell he ended up with hot coffee on his jeans. My face blanched for a second because he helped me he ended up probably ruining his clothes. I took a deep breath to calm myself down and finished my work.