This chapter does have a movie quote, it's in bold. But I tried to make it easier by introducing a couple of characters from the same movie. I hope you guys can get this one.

As usual, drugs are bad and I own nothing.

Ch. 9

I packed away my new stun gun in my messenger bag and headed out to Emmett's for poker night with the guys. Not that I thought that I would need it there, but you never know who you might run into. Emmett had promised me a couple of customers tonight, not a whole lot but enough to get my ass off of the couch. I didn't want to show up too early but not too late either. I didn't want everyone losing their money before they had a chance to buy. That would suck.

Emmett lived in a nice house right in town. You wouldn't imagine him living here if it weren't for the 'man cave' in the basement. The inside of the house was perfectly decorated with nice modern furniture and the yard was perfectly manicured. If you really thought about it, it didn't look like anyone lived there. I mean, usually there are signs of habitants, like trash in the trash can or dishes in the sink, but not here. It was strange. The 'man cave' was a different story though. It reminded me of a college dorm room, only bigger with no desks or beds. Emmett had these huge red plaid couches in front of the largest flat screen I had ever seen, complete with the game consoles that can grab and hold the undivided attention of any man child in the room. Nintendo or Xbox or Playstation, I'm not sure which, if not all, he had. There was a kitchenette and bathroom on one side and table next to it. Behind the couches was a poker table and a fooze ball table. But what blew my mind was the huge tub against the wall with the can crusher mounted above it. It was always full of crushed beer cans. Emmett is an avid recycler.

Upon entering the 'man cave' I realized that poker night was starting to resemble a party. There were quite a few people, and all of them men. I was immediately greeted by Emmett. It was almost like he was waiting for me.

"Bella. Yes. You're here. Nice." Nice indeed. Emmett was looking scrumptious in an old Forks football t-shirt and worn out jeans.

"Yep. I'm here, with my goodies." I said. Emmett raised an eyebrow at me and grinned crookedly. I realized then that 'my goodies' could mean something entirely different from what I intended, so I gave my messenger bag a little shake.

"Great" Emmett said chuckling. "Look, I was hoping that I could go ahead and buy mine first."

"Sure. Whatever you want. Are you scared I'm going to sell out or something?"

"Yeah, actually I am. There are quite a few guys here wanting to buy." He said as he handed me a wad of cash.

I opened up my bag and pulled out a quarter sack. "Quite a few? How many is quite a few?"

"Like everybody."

"Emmett! You said a couple customers. I'm not sure I'm going to have enough."

"Sorry Bella, I'm not good with numbers."

"Emmett, you're an accountant! How can you say that?" I laughed. "I can't believe people trust you with their money."

"Easy" he warned. "What's the big deal anyway? If you sell out, oh well, that's good. Right?"

"No, that's not good. It's bad for business to be dry. I like for my customers to feel like their dealer always has what they need." I whined.

"I'm sorry Bells. It just kind of snow balled. A few of the guys told a few other guys and well I thought this would be good."

"No Em, don't apologize. It is good. Thanks." I patted him on the arm and made my rounds.

While making my rounds I ran into Dante and Randall. I knew Dante from the Quick Stop in town where he works and Randall from the movie store where he works. They're best friends, which I don't understand because they're constantly giving each other so much shit.

"What's up Bella?" Randall asked.

"Not a whole lot. How are you guys tonight?"

"You holdin'?" Randall asked, all business like and serious.

"Uhh..." I was about to answer when Emmett came up beside me from out of nowhere and said, "Shit, everything but coke, heroin and your cock." We all got a good laugh and I shook my head yes.

"Good. Listen Bella, we heard you had some good stuff." Dante said.

"I do. How much do you guys want?"

"Just a gram." Dante replied.

"Alright." I dug out a little bag and handed it over to Randall who gave me the cash.

"You didn't get this stuff from the reservation did you?" he asked.

"No" I said a bit confused.

"Good, I am so tired of that nasty peyote shit they peddle around up here!" Randall explained.

I just laughed and shook my head at them. "You guys have a good night."

"Thanks Bella." They called as I continued to make my rounds in the man cave.

By the time I left I was sold out, but no one was left wanting.

When I got home it was about 9pm and Sheridan was still up. She was in nothing but her pull-up lying on the living room floor crying. Jackson was sitting next to her rubbing her back trying to sooth her. When she heard me come in she got up and came to me before I had time to set my bag down.

"What's the matter baby girl?" I asked as I picked her up and headed for the rocker. She just stuck her lip out in a pout and whined into my neck.

"I tried to put her to bed but she just cried and fought sleep the whole time. So I tried to get her to watch Cinderella but that didn't seem to work" Jackson explained. "I think she just wanted you."

She was still whimpering as I rocked her so I pulled out my old beat up ipod touch from my jeans pocket and unplugged the ear buds. I found out not long ago that for some reason Dwight Yoakam sooths her. So I set the volume low and played 'Close Up The Honky Tonks'. She was asleep before the song ended.

"I never would have thought of that" Jackson said quietly.

"I know, it's the strangest thing." I got up slowly to put her to bed. Just as I was about to head up stairs there was a knock at the door. I turned to look at Jackson. "Katie?" I asked. Please be Katie.

Jackson shook his head no. He looked as worried as I felt. We walked to the door together and I peaked through the peep hole. Seth was staring right back at me. Shit.

"Who is it?" Jackson asked.

"Here," I said as I handed over Sheridan gently. I needed her to stay asleep. "I need you to take her up stairs to my room and lock the door."

"Bella, no. Who is it?" Jackson started to panic.

"Jackson, just go up stairs ok?" I said in a whisper.

"No! I'm not leaving you. Let's just call Charlie. You don't have to do this."

"Shhh…quiet." Last thing I needed was for Seth to know that I wasn't alone. "We're not calling Charlie, that's not an option. I NEED you to take Sheridan upstairs and lock the door." I said sternly. We stared at each other for a few seconds before he started upstairs. "Jackson?" he turned to look down at me. "My old softball bat is in the closet." I faced the door and waited until I heard my bedroom door close and the lock click. Then I reached into my messenger bag and got my stun gun. As I turned it on I started to feel sick. Just yesterday I was excited to get to use it, but not now. Now I didn't want to have to get that close to Seth. I had ignored all his pages over the weekend and I knew he would be pissed. Even now as I peered at him through the peep hole I could tell he was pissed. The way the porch light cast an eerie shadow across his face was menacing.

He knocked again. Louder this time. And I jumped a bit. "I know you're in there Bella."

Shit.

I opened the door just enough to slip through and closed it behind me. I wasn't about to invite him in. I kept my body between him and the door. As much as I wanted to run being that close to him there on my tiny front step, he would have to go through me to get inside. "What do you want Seth? Why are you here?" I tried to sound tough and I thought that I did. But he just laughed.

"I want weed Bella. And I'm here, at your house, because you won't call me."

"Well, I'm all out. You'll have to find someone else."

"Bullshit." He grabbed my left hand, the one not holding the brass knuckles and slapped a roll of cash into my open palm.

"No Seth!" I threw the money at his face and it bounced off his forehead and hit the ground. "I told you, I'm dry."

He sucked in a breath through his nose, his nostrils flaring. "You're really starting to make me mad." He backed away from me but only to pick up his money, this time he shoved it in my jeans pocket. "Now, take the fucking money and go inside and get me what I want. NOW!" He was in my face now and I was scared.

"I-I c-can't." I spoke softly. "I'm telling you the truth Seth, I'm all out. I swear. I went to a party tonight and got wiped out."

He looked me in the eyes and I stared back. It was the truth, even if I wanted to sell to him, I couldn't. He seemed to see that I wasn't lying.

"Tomorrow," he said and started to walk away.

I couldn't let this happen again. Not here. Not at my house. "Page me," I called to his back. He turned and looked at me. "I'll call. I promise."

"Fine," he said and disappeared into the darkness.

I went back inside, locked the door and put the stun gun back into my empty messenger bag. Then I ran upstairs and knocked on my bedroom door. "Jackson" I called as I turned the knob. It was unlocked. I pushed the door open in a panic. "Jackson!" My room was empty. "Jackson!" I heard the lock on my bathroom door click and it flew open. Jackson stood there with the bat on his shoulder. Relief washed over me. "It's ok now. Where is she?" He moved out of the doorway and pointed to my tub. I moved past him and peered into the tub to find my baby girl curled up in the bottom on a towel asleep. I picked her up gently, so not to wake her, and held her tightly to my chest. I can't afford to be so stupid. Stupid! Stupid! I scolded myself. I took her and laid her in my bed. I needed her close to me tonight. I turned to see Jackson still standing in my room with the bat on his shoulder. His knuckles white from clutching it tightly.

"It's alright now Jackson," I said as I pulled the bat slowly from his grasp.

"Bella," he said quietly. I met his eyes and waited for it. The question I dreaded. Please don't make me tell you Jackson. It was selfish of me I know, but admitting it to him was like admitting it to Jeffery. He would be disappointed that I've failed and that I've turned to dealing and that I've put our little girl and his little brother in danger. I knew that if Jeffery were still here he would be so disappointed in me and that feeling literally made me want to vomit. Jackson must've heard my silent plea because he never finished.

"Jax, maybe you should leave," I started.

"What?" he asked in disbielf. "Are you? Are you kicking me out?"

"No, I would never kick you out! I'm just saying that I would understand if you wanted to leave. I wouldn't blame you for leaving if you didn't feel…safe."

"I'm not leaving, Bella. You couldn't make me leave." He said with too much conviction for a sixteen year old boy.

"You're sure?" He nodded.

I gave him a half smile. "I guess I'm stuck with you then." I tried to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said as he let out a breath loudly.

"Thanks Jax," I said as I stepped to him and gave him a hug. When he returned it, I squeezed him tighter. "I'm sorry," I said so quietly I don't know that he heard me.