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Chapter 3

#$&* #$&

The next thing she knew, it was morning and she was in her room at the Chateau. She was still in her dress from the night before, which was now rumpled from sleep. Her mouth was dry and felt gross. Her hair was a mess and felt like it was a bird's nest. Beside her bed she saw someone had left a bucket for her to puke in. She didn't even remember how she got home.

Groaning, she made herself get out of bed. Her head was pounding and she just felt gross. Half in a sleepy daze, she grabbed a towel and left her room to head for the bathroom. It was still pretty early so it didn't occur to her to look for any stragglers. With a quick glance into the living room, she saw Kiara fast asleep on the pull out. The three boys were unaccounted for, but only Pope was the early riser.

It didn't occur to her to knock on the bathroom door before opening it, but she quickly realized her mistake and regretted that choice. JJ had just climbed out of the shower, mid motion of wrapping the towel around his waist. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry. I-I didn't think anyone was awake yet." She quickly apologized, turning around even though it was pointless. She'd already seen JJ's equipment.

At least he had the decency to look embarrassed. It wasn't like she hadn't seen him walking around in his boxers before, but this somehow felt worse.

"Relax, Little P. Everything's covered." JJ's chuckle somehow didn't make her feel better, and his usual nickname for her definitely was not helping.

Blushing, she hesitated before turning back toward him. She tried not to focus on the fact that JJ was currently shirtless and wet in front of her. Something she saw every day but for whatever reason, in this moment, it was different. In typical JJ fashion, he had to make this encounter even more awkward with his cocky grin. He knew she'd checked him out and his ego was inflating even bigger.

It was then she noticed his bruised knuckles and a flash of the night before came back to her. Some creep had been getting grabby with her. She vaguely remembering Kiara and Pope being there, but she'd seen JJ fighting. "Does it hurt?" She found herself asking.

Confused momentarily until he followed her gaze to his hand, he seemed to understand and shook his head. "It stings a little, but it was worth it. What happened last night? One second you're heading off with your loser boyfriend and the next I find some kook pawing at you."

Her head hurt too much to have that conversation. "Can I shower before we go into gory details? I just feel really grimy and gross. My head is also pounding and I'm gonna need coffee before I get into it."

For a moment, she was sure he was going to demand she tell him what happened first, but after some debate with himself, he nodded and motioned her to the shower. "I'll start some coffee and find the Advil."

Grateful, she smiled weakly and nodded. They stood there awkwardly for a moment before JJ realized this was his cue to leave. Clearing his throat, he moved around her and headed off to find some clothes.

Once the door was shut, she stripped off her clothes from last night and jumped into the shower. The water was only hot for a few minutes, telling her that JJ must have used most of it with his own shower. She usually would have mind, but today the cold water actually felt really nice on her skin.

After her shower, she wrapped her towel around herself and returned to her room. Sitting on her side table was a fresh cup of coffee and Advil. Elora couldn't fight the smile twisting onto her lips and didn't want to. Sometimes, JJ could be a god send.

Changing into one of her bikini tops and Jean shorts, she ran a brush through her hair and went through her morning routine before wandering outside to find JJ. After a quick search through the house, she found him outside in the hammock.

"Feel like having company in there?" She called over from the front porch.

JJ lifted his head enough to spot her and grinned. "Only if that company is you, Baby P."

Rolling her eyes, Elora smiled as she headed over. JJ helped her into the hammock and she settled in beside him. His arm wrapped around her as she rested her head on his chest, her own arm draped across his stomach.

They were quiet for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company. As curious as JJ was about what happened the night before, he was gonna give her time to tell him when she was ready. It was one of the things she loved about him. He never pushed her or pressured her into anything.

Jake had always been the opposite. He was older and she wanted to keep his interest. He'd chosen her as his girlfriend when he could have picked someone more experienced and ready to be more intimate with him, something he reminded her constantly. Elora still remembered how mad the guys had gotten when Kiara accidentally revealed Elora had slept with Jake for the first time after he'd been pushing the subject for weeks.

It wasn't all bad though. Jake could be really nice to her and he treated her well. They had their fights, but what couple didn't? She thought they had a future together, but clearly she was the only one who did. She felt like an idiot for not seeing it coming.

"Jake broke up with me last night." Elora suddenly blurted out.

She didn't dare look to see what expression was on JJ's face. If he saw the news coming, she didn't want to know and feel even worse for not seeing it herself.

The fresh tears stung her eyes, but Elora refused to let them fall. She didn't want to cry anymore over Jake. Much to her surprise, JJ didn't make any snide remark. He just kissed her head and his thumb was rubbing circles into her hip. "His loss. You're better off without him anyways. I'm telling you right now, El. This is gonna be the biggest summer of our lives." He said, his gaze lowering to meet hers with a smile that was infectious.

Lifting her chin, she looked up at him curiously. "What if I don't ever meet someone better? What if he was it for me?"

JJ reached up and pushed her hair out of her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. The intimacy behind the act surprised her. "He was definitely not it for you, Elora James. He didn't fit with you. He hated surfing, wasn't into art, never clicked with us, and he didn't like who you are. He kept trying to change you into this idea of what he wanted. I, for one, always hated him."

That got a small smile out of her. "You hate every guy who makes a pass at me, JJ. You're worse than John B is."

His laughter made his chest vibrate under her hand. She wasn't entirely wrong. Any time some poor guy tried to hit on her, JJ was there to scare them off. Jake was just one of the few to make it past him. "Because none of the losers here deserve your attention. You're gonna go off to some fancy art collage and meet some hippie dork and have an amazing life." He said, his smile almost sad as he turned his attention to the sky above them.

Leaning back up, Elora took him by surprise as she pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. "Or I'll stay here with you guys and enjoy making paintings of you surfing every day and John B fishing. I'm happy with you and the guys here, JJ. Maybe there is no amazing guy in my future. Maybe I'll get a dog and be fine by myself."

JJ didn't believe that, and if he was being honest, he didn't want that for her. He wanted to see her happy and having an amazing life. Not that she needed a guy to be happy, but he didn't like the idea of her being alone. She was too kind and loving for that fate. "Not that you need a guy to be happy, but you deserve someone that likes you for you. Someone who will listen to you talk about the different paint styles you like and go to galleries with you. Someone that makes you smile and laugh and that's happy just because they're around you. That's the guy you deserve. He's out there somewhere." He said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"You and John B do all of that for me, JJ. You guys are all I need." She said, cracking a smile as she snuggled into him.

Exhaustion was hitting her finally. She felt safe and warm wrapped up in JJ's arms and it wouldn't be the first time she'd fallen asleep in them. Her eyes fluttered closed as she yawned, her nose nuzzling the crook of his neck.

She was already half asleep, completely unaware of what she was doing to the boy whose arms were wrapped around her. She seemed completely unaware of how perfectly she seemed to fit against him, and he'd never dare mention it to her either. Elora James would never know how badly her best friend just wanted to tell her he loved her, that he was in love with her and had been for a few years now.

"You're all I need too, Elora." He whispered, knowing she wouldn't hear him as she fell deeper into dreamland.

"Hmm, what'd you say, JJ?"

Smiling weakly, JJ cleared his throat and shifted around as he adjusted his arm underneath her. He knew it was going to fall asleep and be annoying to feel later, but seeing her fast asleep in his embrace was well worth the aggravation. "Nothing, get some sleep before the heathens all wake up." He mumbled, kissing her head before he closed his eyes.

So far, this summer was already starting to look up.

#%$#%^

What felt like ten minutes later, JJ felt a kick to the side that rocked the hammock he and Elora were sleeping in. "Why are we moving?" He groaned.

Upon hearing Elora's laughter from a far distance, he opened an eye to find he was laying alone now in the hammock and John B was standing over him. "Pretty sure your date from last night left you out here alone, man." John B snorted.

It left him confused for a second before he remembered the blonde girl he'd been intending on spending his night with. He'd stayed later after John B and the others brought Elora back to the Chateau too chill out. JJ knew if he'd gone with them and heard her crying more, he'd want another crack at the guy responsible for her being upset. JJ had every intention of using her to do just that, but he couldn't get Elora out of his head. She'd been crying on Pope as he carried her back to the Twinkie van.

Whether it was her loser boyfriend or the creep Kook who thought he could put his hands on her, he wasn't sure at the time. Now he knew it was Jake and he was glad he hadn't run into him again last night.

Squinting, he felt like cursing the sun for being so damn bright as he scanned the yard. It took him a second before he saw her. Elora was inside the screened in front porch with Pope laughing about whatever he was saying. She must have woken up before John B came out, which explained why his friend was assuming he'd fallen asleep out here with the girl from with the party.

Groaning, he rolled over to sit up and rubbed his neck. Sleeping in the hammock hadn't been the most comfortable place, but he knew Elora needed some good sleep after last night. If he was being honest with himself, he knew he usually got better sleep when she was with him too.

"What's on the game plan today, man?" He asked with a yawn as he stretched.

John B glanced back at the house before shrugging. "I've got the meeting with the social worker today. Elora's got work so she's not going. She thinks it'll show we're being responsible and shit to our case worker. Kie's gonna take her in a few."

Kiara had managed to score Elora a job at her family's restaurant 'The Wreck', one of the more popular tourist spots. All the locals loved her and she was popular with the tourists too. Elora always had a kind smile and wasn't bad to look at even in her uniform. The older folks liked her because she was genuinely nice to them and listened to their stories as much as she could.

"We doing a bonfire after?" JJ asked as he stood and stretched his back.

Feeling eyes on him, his attention shifted to the Chateau and he couldn't help but notice Elora glancing his way a few times. Smirking, might have purposely flexed a little as he stretched his sore muscles out. If John B noticed his sister checking his best friend out, he was pretending to be oblivious about it.

John B rubbed his neck, his eyes on the water just yards from his home. "Yeah, I guess we can. Think you can supply the drinks this time?"

Turning his attention away from the house, he nodded happily. "Of course. You should get going before you're late though. Pope and I will hold down the fort."

Their special handshake between Pogues ensued between them before John B heads for his van and takes off. Yawning, JJ turned and headed for the smell of food. Opening the door to the screened in porch, he paused when two pair of eyes turned to him. A grin curled the right side of his mouth when he noticed how Elora seemed to light up at the sight of him. He could have sworn his heart skipped a beat, but he knew that wasn't real.

"Hey," She said softly, a hint of a blush on her cheeks as she glanced between him and Pope.

He returned her smile and nodded his head. "Morning, Baby P. Nice pjs."

The sight of her sitting there in one of his old band t-shirts did strange things to him he wished he could ignore. Especially since Pope was there and it wasn't like he could act on his feelings toward her. Elora James was off limits to him, and he wasn't about to ruin not only his friendship with her, but his relationships with the other Pogues for some fantasy that in some other reality, he might have a shot with her.

Still, there was no harm in flirting with her.

He couldn't help but notice how her blush had darkened across her cheeks. Her fingers immediately lowered and adjusted how his shirt hid the shorts she was wearing underneath. "Thanks for letting me borrow it." She spoke up.

Raising his finger, he chuckled and shook his head. "Borrow my ass, princess. You stole that and we both know it."

Her laughter was like music to his ears and he felt that odd sensation in the pit of his stomach again. His eyes followed her as she uncurled her legs from beneath her and stood. "It's not stealing if I'm the only one doing laundry around here. It just happened to find it's way into my basket and I needed something to wear. It was cold sleeping out on the hammock this morning."

If Pope's eyes could have popped from his head, they might have just done it when he connected who'd been sleeping outside with JJ. What he thought that entailed, he wasn't sure, but JJ wasn't sure he wanted to be asked.

"Kie's making eggs for breakfast before the girls have to leave." Pope suddenly butted in, stopping any further attempt at flirting from continuing.

Giggling, Elora shook her head as she made her way towards the open doorway into the Chateau. "It's looks better on me anyway and you know it."

JJ's eyes followed her, his bottom lip stuck between his teeth as he reframed from saying the reply he so desperately wanted to say. His attention was taken away from the current pair of tan legs walking away from him when Pope smacked his arm. "Ow, man. What the hell?" He snapped, rubbing his arm.

"I should be asking you that? You are so lucky John B did not catch you two sleeping together. He would have killed you."

Glancing at the doorway to make sure neither girl was present, he turned his attention back to his friend. "Nothing happened for him to freak over. She woke up earlier feeling sick. We went out and talked in the hammock before we fell back to sleep."

If Pope didn't believe him, he kept his opinion to himself. For the most part anyway. "Just watch it. John B's already stressed enough with social services breathing down their necks lately. He doesn't need to add worrying about you making moves on his sister too."

JJ held up his hands in innocence. "We were just talking. That's all."

Silence fell between them for a moment before Pope got the courage to ask something that had been bugging him. "I didn't want to upset her right after she woke up. Did she tell you what happened last night while you guys were 'just talking'?"

Looking at his friend, he could see Pope was genuinely worried about their friend and just wanted her to be okay. Just like JJ wanted her to be. "Yeah. I guess senior douche finally ended things with her last night. She got wasted and then that creep swooped in. He's got her head all messed up, man. I hate it." JJ admitted quietly, definitely not wanting either of the girls to over hear their conversation.

Pope glanced over at the doorway Elora had left through before rubbing his neck. "Makes sense now why she was so upset. We should get in there before they come looking for us out here."

Clearing his throat, JJ nodded and motioned for him to lead the way. The two boys headed inside and were welcomed to the sight of the girls putting plates of food together. If it wasn't for them, JJ knew John B and him would be attempting to live off Ramen noodles and moldy old bread.

"Thanks, babe." JJ said, kissing Elora's cheek as he swooped in and took the plate from her hands.

Rolling her eyes, she said nothing as she grabbed a second plate and joined the three others at the table. JJ tossed his arm around the back of her chair without a second thought as he dived into a dream he'd had the night before. One that didn't include him and Elora macking in the hammock, that is.

As he looked around the faces at the table, and with the inclusion of John B, he knew this was what he wanted every morning. Breakfast with his family where everyone was talking and laughing. It was normal and happy, and he needed that in his life.

He just didn't know they wouldn't be having another breakfast like this together for a long while.