A week or so later
Eddie sat outside of Sully's in his truck, contemplating his plan. He and Janet had gotten through their first big fight, and seemed stronger for it. And while he'd done everything in his power to be restrained when he'd heard about Rooster kissing Janet, he still felt he had a little unfinished business to attend to. After all, he did have a reputation to uphold. He knew word of the kiss was bound to get hocked like a ripe loogie out of the Ridge rumor mill one way or another, and he couldn't have the town's populace thinking he'd gone soft.
Knowing Janet was off for the day, doing wedding prep stuff with Hannah now that they seemed to be getting along better, Eddie walked into Sully's. He'd had a chance to see Janet's work schedule for the week and knew Rooster was working today. The bar was busy, but not packed. Typical Saturday late lunch crowd. Eddie walked his purposeful Latekka walk – make that strut – up to the bar. Rooster looked at him, held his glance for about four seconds, then went right back to filling ketchup bottles, not even acknowledging Eddie's presence.
"Hey, what's a guy gotta do around here to get a draft?"
Rooster looked up at Eddie and did nothing to disguise the disdain in his eyes or his voice. "Oh, it must be my lucky day. God's gift has come in for his nectar. What'll it be, the Asshole Ale or the Shit-for-Brains Stout?" Glowering now, Rooster randomly pulled a draft and shoved it across the bar at Eddie.
The beer hit the edge of the bar with a splash, and a good amount of cool American lager landed in Eddie's lap. Eddie just laughed. Clearly Rooster didn't know that he knew about the kiss. This was going to be a lot of fun.
"You know, Rooster, you're pretty bold for a guy who goes around kissing other guys' girlfriends." Eddie looked up just in time to see Rooster's face go pale. Crap. As much as Rooster absolutely hated to admit it, Eddie did have some type of power over him. It felt like high school all over again. Rooster suddenly felt like he was in the middle of a John Hughes movie. It was not an unfamiliar feeling. His tone changed immediately,
"What? That? That was, that was, that was just a misunderstanding. I mean, (clearly backpedaling) I mean, Janet told you about that?"
It was good to see the twerp squirm. "Yeah, she told me." Eddie stood up and actually walked around the other side of the bar, something he had never done, even when Janet was working. For some reason he thought he would tower over Rooster but, as it turns out, not so much. Hmm. With no perceptible loss of wind in his sails, Eddie leaned in to come within about an inch of Rooster's face. This fairly brazen move had attracted the attention of everyone in the bar, which is just what Eddie had wanted. The patrons were prepared for yet another Eddie Latekka show. After all, he held the record for bar brawls in the Ridge. It was a sure bet.
Eddie could feel the momentum building and he truly did feel like he could crack Rooster with a mean right hook. But, the more mature Eddie prevailing, he knew that would do nothing to fix the situation. In all reality there was no harm done. He just kind of wanted to set the record straight. So he said quietly, so that only Rooster could hear,
"She tells me everything – you got that? And I know you and her have been friends a long time now. I got no problem with that. And, though I really don't owe you squat, for Janet's sake you need to know that I treat her right and have no intention of breaking her heart. She doesn't need a watchdog any more."
Rooster was quaking, whether with fear or disbelief it was difficult to tell. He was taken off guard by Eddie. He had no reply.
Eddie eased up a bit, stepping back slightly but still speaking just above a whisper. "I know you're just trying to look out for Janet, and I can't fault you that. But now that we've had our little chat, know this: If your lips get anywhere near any part of her body again, I will break your face."
With that, Eddie walked back around the bar, slammed his entire beer, and walked –make that strutted - out of the bar, leaving Rooster and every Sully's patron wagging their heads, mouths agape. Rooster tried to shake it off and announced to the crowd, feigning nonchalance, "Nothing to see here. Get back to your libations." Then, his black Chuck Taylors carried his rubbery legs over to the juke box, where he stood thinking for a minute, then with a hint of a grin, chose D14: "If You Leave" by OMD. Go, Duckie, Go.