I picked up a slice then set it back down.
“Hot, hot, hot…” I said, waving my hand.
“Here…”
He picked up the pitcher and poured me a glass of water and ice.
“Wrap your hand around that,” he said.
I giggled.
“You tell that to all the women, right?”
He cracked a smile.
“Just do it.”
I did, my hand feeling better.
“I’m a nurse. I do know cold helps with burns.”
He poured himself a glass of water.
“Take it back, bitch!” someone yelled across the restaurant.
I spun my head around. My heart sank as I saw one of the guys who had accosted me. He was holding a plate toward Janice. She glanced around looking nervous.
To my surprise, Austin got to his feet and walked over to the commotion. I stood and followed, standing five or ten feet away from him. Derek, the asshole, noticed me and grinned.
“Here’s another worthless bitch. Did someone blow a dog whistle or something?” He turned to the waitress. “Take this shit back.”
“Just throw it away. I’ll bring you another slice.”
Derek threw the plate and pizza at her. It landed on her chest then slid down.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Austin asked, stepping closer to their table.
Two other guys, also wearing polo-shirts, sat across from Derek. Austin stared at them all one by one as if daring any of them to make a move. I felt scared and excited at the same time even though he wasn’t standing up for me.
“Let’s go, Austin,” I said, grabbing his arm. “You don’t need this shit.”
“Yeah. Listen to your bitch.”
In one fluid motion, Austin grabbed the pitcher of beer in the center of their table and threw it on Derek, soaking him. He stood up, pulling his shirt out.
“What the hell, man?”
“Oops,” Austin said, shrugging innocently. “Accident. Sorry.”
“Fuck you it was an accident.”
Austin glanced to the left then right.
“You guys saw that, right? I tripped over his pizza slice on the floor and almost killed myself on their table.”
Derek scowled, his eyebrows pointed down toward his nose and his brow furrowed deeply.
“You’re going to pay for this,” he said then stormed off toward the door.