Caught in the Middle

Chapter 9

I'm at the local pub, the place Jacks would do some business at.  He didn't really tell me much about what he did or what he delivered, but I thought this would be a good place to start.

The room is filled with pungent smoke and I wonder how people are able to breathe.  I glance around the small space that consists of the bar, pool table, and a couple of booths.  A group of men are playing around the pool table so I go and sit at the bar knowing I will attract their attention.

"What can I get ya, honey?"  The bartender asks coming up to me.  He has a beer gut and his hair is starting to go bald in a few spots.

I smile at him batting my eyelashes, hoping he won't card me, "A long island ice tea."  I say glancing to the group of men behind me.  They notice me now, but they are talking to each other.  I know they are trying to rile each other up, getting the courage to come and talk to me. 

The bartender hands me the drink and I start to give him some money, when a hand shoots out and hands him a 20 dollar bill.

I look over, my eyes wide, "Eric?"  I ask jumping up and he pulls me into a hug.

"Hey Jules, where have you been?"  He asks as I pull away from him and we sit beside each other at the bar.   I notice that the men at the pool table are glaring at us, but I ignore it.

"I...um... moved in with my step brother." 

"I didn't know you had a brother."  Eric says then turns to the bar tender, "Just a shot on the rocks."  The bartender nods and starts making the drink.

I nod taking a sip of my drink, "Well we were separated and sent to different foster homes, we just recently found each other."  I pause as the bartender puts Eric's drink and change in front of him, "Have you seen Jacks?"  I blurt out.

"You mean he wasn't with you?"  Eric asks, taking a drink of his scotch.  He is hiding something, he was Jacks best friend, if anyone knew anything, it would be him.

I play along with this game, "No, he just kinda disappeared on me, I've been pretty worried about him."  I say taking another drink, "When I didn't hear from him, I came back to see if he was alright."  Then I lean into Eric, giving him a pointed look, "He is alright isn't he, Eric?"

Eric glances at me and shrugs nonchalantly, but I see something flicker in his eyes, fear?  "How would I know, I haven't seen him since the last time you guys crashed at my house."

I open my mouth to ask another question when he jumps off the bar stool, "It was nice catching up with you Jules, but I gotta go."  With that he swiftly exits the pub making me more confused than when I first came in.

As I'm finishing my iced tea one of the men from the pool table staggers over to me, a goofy grin on his face.  "Hey baby, whatcha drinking?" 

"Nothing, I'm finished."  I say and stand to exit the pub when the guy grabs my arm.  The guys' eyes are blood shot from the alcohol and I can smell the liquor on his breath as he leans into me.

"Why don't you let me buy you another?"  He asks looking back at the bartender.

I shake my head plastering a smile on my face, "No, that's alright, but I must really be going. Thanks anyways."  I try to walk away but his grip tightens on my arm.

"Now, there's no need to be so rude baby, it's just a drink."  He slurs stepping closer.

I put my hands on his chest and push him back, "No.  I'm fine, now let go of me."  I'm surprised that I'm acting so brave right now.

He squeezes harder making me wince, "Now look b*tch, I saw the way you were looking at me and my buddies over there, so why don't you just come ahead and join us."  He says as he starts pulling me towards his buddies. I feel fear seize in my gut as his buddies smile at me from afar.