Slip

Chapter Five

Eric

Lighting my cigarette, I heard the bar door open behind me. It was Jason. I was ready for him to start asking fifty questions at once but surprisingly he didn't do that.

"You know you're my best friend, right?" He asked, taking out a cigarette from his pocket.

"Yes." I nodded, taking out a lighter. I knew he needed one because he never had one on him.

He took it and lit his cig. "And you know no matter what, you'll always be my best friend."

"I thought you'd turn around and tell me you don't want to talk to me again."

"It's just weird! My best friend likes guys now-"

"I've always liked guys."

His face began to flare but he calmed back down. "Oh.." He sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just remembering all those times we went to the gym and-"

"I only ever checked you out once out of curiosity and I've seen better." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh. Good." He nodded. "So you've never wanted to do anything at all with me?"

"Do you want me to?" I raised a brow.

"No!"

"Okay then, shut up about it." I shrugged and took a slug from my cigarette before putting it out.

Seconds later, Earned It by the Weeknd played from Jason's back pocket. He took it out of his pocket and brought it to his cheek. "Hey," he looked around for a few seconds. "I'm at Gary's Bar. Why? N-no don't do that. Look, I'll meet you someplace. It's not a good idea- Case.. Case." He cursed under his breath after I assumed who he was talking to hung up the phone.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

"Y-yeah," he began pacing the floor. "Marc and tell him to make sure that Chip does not come outside."

"Why?"

"Don't!" He shouted. "Don't.. Ask." He brought his tone down.

That was the first time that Jason Smalls ever raised his voice when he was upset. Something was really up. I texted Leo for his sake and got a reply of "k."

Jason was in a calm panic. He paced the ground and rubbed his hands together. It was pretty chilly but that wasn't the reason for his fidgeting. He was nervous. He wouldn't tell me what the problem was. One could only imagine.

He always had something going on. Whether it be with a woman or with money or dealing with the wrong people, it never really stopped. If it were any of those things this time, I wouldn't be very surprised.

After five minutes of standing in the cold and possibly catching the flu while we were at it, a dark blue convertible pulled up and parked right in front of us. A petite girl with dark curls got out the car, running to hug Jason. She looked to be the age of twenty. She could've been older. She should've been older.

Jason hugged her back, stroking her hair as she cried into his chest. "Casey, I need you to calm down okay?" he kissed the top of her head. "Tell me what the matter is."

"We have to tell Dad. I don't know what to do, Jason. I'm scared!" She cried.

Dad.
Casey.
Young girl.
Dark hair.
Don't let Chip come outside.

It all came to me as soon as she turned her face to glance at me. Casey was Chip's daughter. Jason's really screwed up now.

Jason held her face. "Why are you scared? What happened?" His eyes looked panicked as he searched her face for answers.

Maybe they're not together, I thought. Maybe they just became really close friends?

"Jason.." Tears rolled down her cheek. "I'm pregnant."

Or..

"Is it mine?" He asked, seemingly worried.

"Of course it's yours!" She punched his shoulder. "Whose else would it be?"

I watched as our world became slow and Jason's world fell to the ground. All the control he had slipped. His gambling, using women, and weekly bar visiting days were over. I never thought I'd see the day.

"I- When did you find this out?" He asked.

"An hour before I got here." She searched his face for acceptance. She couldn't seem to find it. "What're you thinking, Jason?" She took his hands.

Before he could speak, she called out "daddy!" I imagined  that was the first time that he ever heard her use that word and know that she wasn't talking to him. His eyes widened.

Chip smiled at the sight of his daughter. "Casey! What are you doing here?" His eyes trailed to their intertwined hands. His smile faded away once he hit realization that she wasn't there for him. "Why are you holding Jason's hands?" His face lost emotion. It wasn't sadness. It was anger crawling up his back and getting ready to bite his neck.

"Daddy, Jason and I have something to tell you." Casey opened her mouth to speak.

The words slipped out of Jason's lips as he stared at the ground. "We're having a baby."

The anger nibbled Chips shoulder. "You're what?" His eyes squinted.

"A baby." Jason repeated. "A baby.."

The anger bit him hard. "Casey, move."

"Why?" Casey frowned. Just listen to your father.

Marc rushed up to her and moved her to her car as Chip took three long steps to swing and punch Jason hard in his jaw. The more hits Chip got in, the more his face reddened. Jason didn't even try to fight back, knowing he deserved what he was getting.

Finally getting our heads out of the situation, Leo and I pulled Chip away from Jason because they were now on the ground. Chip spat on him once he was off. "She's only eighteen, Jason! You just ruined her life before it even began!"

"I know this!" Jason groaned.

Marc ran to his side, helping him up. "Charlotte! Grab the ice!" Charlotte went back to the door, holding it open for me and Leo to bring Chip back inside.

We sat him on the bar stool and he pushed us off. "Get off me! I'm fine!"