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His dark eyes pin me in place, and I can almost see the gears turning in his head, plotting his next move in this twisted game they play.
“Leave her alone,” someone mutters from a corner, but the protest is weak, tired—no match for the energy that radiates off Ricky and Snake.
“Aw, she doesn’t want us to leave, do ya, Jane?” Ricky’s friends form a semi-circle around me, barricading me behind the bar.
“Actually, I do.” My attempt at firmness wavers as Ricky inches closer.
“Come on, give us a smile,” Snake taunts, his tattooed arms crossing over his chest in a challenge I know all too well.
My palms are slick against the countertop, my mind racing for an escape route. “I think you’ve had enough fun for one night.”
“Fun’s just getting started, ain’t it, boys?” Ricky grins, and I catch the glint of complicity in their hungry looks.
“Maybe for you,” I snap back, trying to keep the tremor from my voice. But it’s there—I hear it, and worse, they hear it too.
“Seems like you need to loosen up, sweetheart. Why so tense?” Ricky taunts.
“Back off, Ricky,” I say, more sharply than I intend.
“Make me,” he drawls, and I know then this isn’t going to end with a polite ‘goodnight’ and a turned lock.
Fear pools in my gut, a tangible thing, and I brace myself for what comes next.
“I said back off.” My voice slices through the tension.
“Aw, she’s feisty,” one of the men hollers, his words slurring together as he steps closer.
The space between us is an ever-narrowing chasm filled with their predatory smirks and whispered threats.
“Where you gonna run, Jane?” Ricky mocks, blocking the only path to the door, his stance wide.
My heart tightens, a drumbeat of desperation urging my feet to move but they’re rooted to the spot. I’m a rabbit cornered by wolves, the playful banter a distant memory.
As they taunt me, I form an escape plan.
“This is your last warning.” My voice trembles despite my best efforts to remain composed.
“Or what? You’ll cry?” Snake sneers, his face too close, his breath foul with the stench of whiskey and cigarettes.
“Maybe she needs someone to tuck her in tonight,” another chimes in, laughter erupting around me.
“Enough!” The word explodes from my lips like a gunshot.
In my peripheral vision, I see the patrons hurrying out the door, their eyes darting nervously our way.
“Let’s see if you’re as tough as you talk,” Ricky says, advancing a step further.
His friends are an echo chamber of menace, their collective body language a tightening noose.
“Fellas, if I were you, I’d leave.” Mandy has her cellphone out and is holding it up as though she’s recording them.
“What are you going to do? Record us?” Snake laughs. “We’ll just delete it.”
Mandy smiles. “Oh no, I’m not recording you, I’m doing a Facebook live.” She turns the cellphone around so it’s facing her. “If you’re watching this, please call 911 and have the police come to the Tin Cup.” Mandy turns the phone back around, smiling at the group of men.
“We were only fucking around,” says Ricky. “We weren’t going to hurt her.”
Mandy gives him her big innocent eyes look. “No, of course, you weren’t. Best get going, fellas.”
