So this was not the interaction with Luke i planned on but it seemed to fit here. There will be another so dont worry this was not the one i originally planned on.
That being said sorry for any errors i wrote this pretty quick and posted it without closely proofing. so i apologize in advance.
Thanks for reading hope this didnt seem rushed. i wanted to put so much in the chapter that i had a hard time getting it in without skipping parts and rushing through.
Next we'll get into the Grady Whites cargo and Midsummer ;)
I picked JJ up from his house the next morning. Parking my car I slowly made my way up to the house looking around the yard. Hesitantly I knocked on the door with no answer. There was no answer and I decided to open the door. It was, with no surprise, unlocked and I pushed the it open and stepped into the living room. The tables were scattered with beer bottles and I could see the residue of white power on the coffee table in the center of the room. Luke wasn't in his usual spot on the couch which told me he probably hadn't picked himself off the ground from where ever he crashed that night. I made my way to JJ's room and there he was sprawled on the bed one leg under his covers that were tossed around. One arm was hanging from his bed the other under his pillow.
Shaking my head I sat down hard on his bed causing him to jump. He startled up turning to stare at me. I just smiled at him giving him a wave as he blink multiple time trying to clear the sleep from his eyes.
"What the fuck?" he groaned loudly falling back onto his bed running a hand through his hair.
"Morning sunshine." I said. "Come on we got shit to do." I jumped up and headed back to the door.
"You're a terrible friend." He called back to me and I flipped him off as I made my way back out of the house. Walking out of the Maybank home I was preoccupied with getting my keys from my pocket to realize the person walking up to the house.
"What the hell are you doing in my home." A voice froze me in place and I looked up, coming face to face with Luke Maybank. He looked to have been out all night, his clothes were torn and stained and his face was smudged with dirt. Taking a closer look his pupils looked to be blown and he had a slight stagger… and it wasn't even 11 yet.
"I came to get JJ…" I said shortly glaring at him as I made my way down to my car.
"Get JJ…" Luke repeated rubbing his stubbled chin as I passed him. "I'm sure that's all you were doing, I bet you were here all night with him."
"And even if I was? Its more then you've gotten in awhile." I shot at him and he grabbed my arm stopping me in my track.
"You better watch your mouth girl." He seethed his voice deep.
"Or what. You gonna feel like a real man hitting a girl." I pushed looking up at him refusing to back down. "You don't scare me Luke." I could see the rage in his eyes.
"Let her go." JJ came up pulling my arm from his dad grip and pushed me forward away from Luke and towards my car.
"You should bring your friends around more often." His dad said and I could feel JJ tense as he continued to push me forward. I kept my back to Luke as I got to my car only turning around to get in. Luke looked up at me as JJ got into the passenger seat.
"Just go Roe." He demanded and I did reversing away from the house. After we were on the main road JJ moved his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "What the hell were you thinking?" he asked.
"Hey I didn't plan to talk to him if that's what you were thinking." I shrugged. "He showed up as I was leaving to start my car. He's the one that started running his mouth." JJ just pursed his lips and turned to look out the window.
"Look I'm sorry if I took a step over the line, but I am not sorry for standing my ground with him." I said knowing JJ was over thinking the scenario.
"What would you have done if he had made a swing at you?" he asked and I tightened my grip on the wheel before smirking.
"Kicked him in the nuts." That answer got a chuckle from him and the tension finally eased in the car and I was able to breath in relief.
"Just don't." he shook his head with a smile. "For me just don't push it to that. I know I can deal with him but I don't need… want you to have to." I glared at him before slowly nodding.
"I promise… not to go to your house with the intention to provoke your dad." I chose my words wisely and I could see him roll his eyes. He knew I understood what he meant and I would honestly do my best but I wouldn't stand by as he pissed all over JJ and tried to bring him down. We pulled into Haywards and he was waiting for us with bags of groceries on the dock waiting to be put on the boat.
"You need to get these groceries over to Figure Eight," Heyward called out as he handed over the bags of food to us. As I took some, I placed them in a pile in the center of the boat going back for more watching JJ and Pope do the same.
"Get straight back here when your done." Heyward said turning around gathering more bags. "Rowyn keep these boys straight. No Fishin'. I promised delivery by this afternoon." I nodded holding my arms out for the bags in his hands.
"You got it sir." I state nearly running into JJ as I turned around.
"Rich folks don't wanna wait for you lazy sons of…" Heyward stopped his lecture for just a second looking at JJ who stood with his arm outstretched. "Oh, JJ thank you… sons of bitches."
Once the bags were loaded up I waived at Heyward as Pope pulled away from the dock. I sat on the edge of the boat one foot on the ledge the other hanging down the side of the boat, looking out at the marina. My eyes caught sight of a boat coming towards them that kept catching the glare of the sun. Whistling I caught the attention of the boys and JJ came out to stand next to me. "Look at that."
"That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wake setter. Number one in luxury, quality and performance." JJ stated lowering his eyes so he was looking over the rims of his glasses.
"200k easy." I nodded watching it as it drove by. "and look whose driving." I followed the boat as I saw Topper smirk as he passed us Rafe and Kelce at the bow of the boat. Rolling my eyes I turned my attention back to the water in front of us.
"It doesn't even look like the storm hit here." Pope commented as we pulled slowly through the banks of Figure 8.
"They got generators bro. Get used to it. And they say the juice will be out all summer at The Cut." JJ shrugged a knife fidgeting between his fingers. At the dock we all took our share of the bags splitting up at the road to go in different directions. I finished my drop offs pretty quickly pocketing the tips I got into my back pocket. Throwing hair into a ponytail I stopped hearing voices off to the side. I recognized one of them to be Rafe and I would assume the other was Topper. Going off the road and up a hill my heart dropped when I saw Pope on the ground with Rafe on top of him.
"Rafe, What the Fuck." I screamed running down the hill trying to pull him off but arms reached around my waist pulling me back. "Let go of me Topper."
"Stay off Figure 8, Pogue." Rafe said to Pope on the ground. Topper released me as Rafe turned around and I shoved him back.
"What the hell are you doing!" I yelled shoving him back again. He just smiled at me and grabbed my wrist to stop me from shoving him.
"Come on man just lets go." I heard Topper say but Rafe had his eyes glued to mine.
"What are you going to do about it." Rafe asked quietly to me his eyes cold as he moved his head closer and I flinched away trying to pull my arms back. Rafe just smirked and threw me to the side. Unable to collect my footing I fell to the ground my hands catching me. I turned to watch Rafe laugh as him and Topper turned away. Pulling myself up I moved towards Pope who was laying on the ground cradling his side.
"Pope. Oh God are you okay?" I asked reaching him placing my hand on his back helping him get up. I looked at him pulling his face into my hands so he would look at me. He tried to look away from me but I kept my hands firm on his face brushing blood from his forehead. "Come on lets get back to the boat." I held him as we walked slowly to the boat. Once on board I sat him down as I grabbed the first aid kit lightly brushing the blood from his head. He didn't say anything when I finished just went to the wheel and stood there waiting for JJ.
"Oh my god. Dude you wont believe what just happened." I heard JJ yell and I watched him run up the dock. "That was the best 100 bucks I've ever made! When I say count me in on all these grocery deliveries, Pope, I mean it." I was busy pulling the lines on the boat as soon as he got on and Pope pulled the boat out.
"Hey man you good?" JJ asked when he sat down. I could see JJ's wheels turning figuring something was off. Pope was looking away from him and his hat was further down on his head then normal. I came up behind them leaning on the back wall fiddling with one of my bracelets. It wasn't missed by her or JJ that a tear had made a slip down Pope's face. "Yo what happened to your face dude?" JJ removed Popes hat and then looked at me and I pursed my lips looking up at him meeting his eyes. "Jesus! What happened?" his jaw clenched as he looked at the dock behind us.
"Rafe and Topper jumped him by the golf course." I stated seeing Pope hesitate, JJ looked at me and clenched his fist. "They said no Pogues on their side of the island." I repeated Rafes words bitterly. "I got there as Rafe "finished""
After looking from me to Pope he set his jaw. "What are you going to do about it." I didn't like hearing JJ get so angry but I knew why. JJ couldn't bare seeing his friends hurt and he wasn't going to let this one go. Pope looked at JJ and then back at me before moving the boat forward deeper into Figure 8. After a few minutes we stopped and I went out to the bow and looked at the house in front of me more specifically the maroon boat docked by shore.
"2020 Malibu, 24-MXC," Pope repeated what JJ had said earlier.
"Worlds finest Wake setter." I added leaning on the edge looking at Pope.
"Number one in quality, luxury, and performance." JJ nodded. Him and Pope were at the stern. "This is war Pope. They hit us, we hit them."
"This is a colossal stupid idea." I comment coming up to them. They both look at me and I can see JJ scowl his lips thin. He was pissed, not at me but at the situation. "Hey im not stopping you I am just saying its stupid." I looked to Pope and pulled my sunglasses down. "Do it."
Pope removed his shirt and JJ pulled the bandana over his face adding is aviator glasses. I watched Pope jump in and swim to the boat. I placed myself at the helm ready to pull the boat out of the area as soon as this was over. Once Pope made it to the boat he got into Toppers boat and I felt my heart skip a beat praying no one would come out. After a few seconds Pope got back into the water and swam over to the ladder JJ had placed into the water for him. Coming up the ladder Pope held up the plug to JJ and me.
"I am so proud of you right now!" JJ laughed pulling the bandana down.
"Holy crap," I exclaimed letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Guys we cant tell anybody." Pope stated out of breath and I nodded turning to the wheel again.
"Yeah of course." JJ replied.
"No I'm serious." Pope looked wildly to me before grabbing JJ's shoulders. "Not Kie, not John B…. Not Sarah." He added looking at me. I agreed but I didn't like it at all. Keeping secrets never ended well, but Pope rarely pleaded with us for something like this.
"My lips are sealed." JJ agreed holding out his hand. "Give me that. Give me that." And Pope handed him the Malibu's plug tossing it as far as he could into the canal. "Okay lets get out of here." I nodded and put the boat in forward pulling it away from the now sinking 200K boat.
The rest of the morning went off without a hitch. When we returned Heywards boat and walked down the dock. A crowd of people was standing on one of the piers and an ambulance and cops were surrounding a boat at the end of it.
"Whats going on?" I asked as we got closer.
"They found a body." A girl sitting on some lobster boxes stated, I let my mouth fall open slightly and I stared at the gurney that was being wheeled down the doc.
"Scooter!" a women yelled running down the doc.
"Wait is that Scooter Grubs?" I asked.
"Yeah apparently he was out during the storm." Another girl said, "Not sure why but they say he was out in a Grady-White." I slowly looked at JJ whos eyes got big and I could hear Pope take a sharp breath. We slowly backed away from the scene and drove in silence to the Chateau. Pope got out and started to pace and JJ and I went inside to explain the situation to Kie and John B. I placed myself on the arm of the chair JJ was sitting at playing with his lighter.
"Okay, so, um… we didn't see anything. We don't know anything. We need to have total and complete amnesia" Pope entered the porch talking quickly.
"Actually I agree." JJ grinned closing his lighter with a metal cling and sat up straight. I raised my eyebrow at him and looked at John B amused.
"Really?" I asked. "You agree with Pope?"
"Hey I agree with him sometimes." JJ shrugged standing up. "Deny Deny Deny."
"Yeah well I don't… agree." John B said and was taken back.
"Okay what is happening here…" I ask. "Since when does JJ agree with Pope and since when don't you agree with Pope?"
"Yeah why?" JJ asked
"Think about it, "This is Scooter Grubbs we're talking about. Same dude that's buying individual cigarettes at the Porthole. Shit, one time I saw this dude begging for change in the Save-A-Lot parking lot because he needed gas... We're talking about a dirtbag marina rat who's never had more than 40 bucks in his pocket, and all of a sudden, he's got a Grady-White...? Just sayin'." He explained is hands up as he made his point. I couldn't help but agree with him. Something wasn't right about the situation.
"Shit." I said. "He has a point." The group relocated to the dock as John B continued to plead his case. Going back and forth with why Scooter was out in the storm and what could be on the boat.
"Look regardless of what is on that boat we cant do anything about it right now." I said sitting on the railing as JJ pulled the fishing line up with a fish tugging at the other end. Pope still wasn't convinced.
"Until we can do something we just have to lay low." JJ shrugged inside the shack.
"Right," Pope sighed. "...And how exactly do we do that?"
"Kegger?" Kie suggested and there was a collective 'yeah' from everyone. JJ and I had been selected to get the Keg and supplies in town.
"So we are just going to act like we didn't find a boat in the marsh that belonged to someone that was just found dead?" I asked as JJ and I left the store.
"Well cant really do anything else." JJ shrugged.
"Someones dead JJ. If this guy was smuggling… whatever what if someone comes looking for it." I say opening the trunk of my car as he lifted the Keg into the jeep.
"Don't worry Roe." He smiled patting his backpack. "I will protect you."
"Really… the gun?" I rolled my eyes shutting the trunk.
"You never know when your going to need a little extra." He grinned and I leaned on my car crossing my arms at him. "Come on its gonna be fine." He said putting his hands on my shoulders and I bit my bottom lip.
"Look who we have here." A voice behind us called and I groaned. Looking into JJ's eyes I could see him clench his jaw.
"JJ…" I whisper trying to pull him back but he turned quickly.
"You go some nerve coming over here." JJ said stalking up to Rafe.
"JJ don't." I grab his arm but he pulls back hard.
"Oh little but hurt about your pogue friend." Rafe taunted and JJ grabbed his shirt pulling him to his face.
"Why don't you pick a fight with me see who wins this time." JJ was dangerously close to losing it and people around us started to stare.
"JJ don't!" I said grabbing his wrist trying to pull him from Rafe.
"Keep yourself on your side of the island next time." Rafe said.
"Big man little talk." JJ said, "You don't scare anyone Rafe."
"JJ let him go." I said and this time I forced myself between them. I put my hand on JJ's chest and turned my back to Rafe. "This is not the place or time."
"He fucking beat Pope."
"I know but back up now." I warned.
"Yeah listen to the princess and run home to the dog house." Rafe taunted and I turned quickly.
"Go home Rafe before your daddy finds out why you real slum it in the cut." I threatened and Rafe froze his smile dropping. "Yeah I wont hesitate to tell him where to find you on the week days, im sure he would love to know where all his money goes."
Turning back to JJ who had his hand on his head he was trying his hardest to collect himself. I watched as Rafe yelled a 'fuck you' to us before leaving. "Are you out of your freaking mind!"
"Why are you protecting him." JJ yelled back and I froze my eyes wide.
"Protecting him… I was protecting you dumbass." I state.
"He deserves to get his ass railed and you chose to let him go. What the hell Roe." JJ was mad, I had rarely seen him direct his anger at me and he never rose his voice to me unless it was in fear for his friend or himself.
"Are you really yelling at me for keeping you from brawling in the street?" I asked crossing my arms.
"After what he did to Pope… what he did to you, he'd be lucky to walk away and you…" he paused turning his back to me before turning back to me. "you let him go… every time you let him just walk away."
"Because nothing is solved with him bleeding and you being put in jail for assault." I replied.
"It would be worth it." JJ seethed.
"For who?"
"Me…" he stated and turned to walk away.
"Wait where are you going?" I called after him, but he just kept walking. Part of me wanted to chase after him but the other part of me knew he needed to cool off. Fiddling with the keys in my hand I decided to head to the boneyard where we were meeting everyone else. JJ would show up once he was done sulking. John B had said as much when I explained that he ran off. I helped them bring the Keg to the center of the beach and Kie tossed him the tap. People slowly started showing up, and before anytime at all the beach was filled with Pogues, Tourons, and Kooks.
"You know why he's mad right?" Sarah said from her spot in the sand in front of John B.
"Pope got his ass kicked, yeah I know." I sighed rubbing my forehead, John B made a noise and I glared at him. "What?"
"Yes Pope got the back end of a golf club but its more than that." He said taking a drink from the solo cup in his hand. "He's pissed because Rafe continues to make eyes at you and he doesn't like it."
"What are you talking about?" I asked scowling but all I got was a look from Kie and Pope that said they agreed with John B. "Seriously? I thought it was just Sarah that lost her mind."
"Its obvious to everyone but you two. The way you look at him the way he immediately wants to protect you be close to you." Kie pointed out.
"You're his first call in the morning, and last at night." Pope added.
"The way you lay your head on his shoulder or how he wraps you in his arms when you both need it…" Sarah continued.
"Oh my god!" I groanded. "Look, we are friends… and even if he did feel something… he's my person, im not going to risk that."
"He can still be your person and you can still like him more that a friend." John B said his voice comforting. "Look I'm just looking out for you two, and i think you two are causing more harm then good." I nodded looking over my shoulder.
"Only one problem with all of your thinking…" I said finishing off my beer standing up. I pointed in the direction down the beach where a familiar blonde boy was laughing with a red headed Touron turning her in his arms. "I don't think he is really interest in me." I walked away from the fire and turned my back just as JJ leaned in to kiss the girl. I tried to distract myself, I mingled with a group of Tourons and Pogues starting a conversation with a boy I had seen around town. His hair was curled from the sea air and he had a bright smile. As the night progressed I found more and more in commen with him and as I relaxed more and more with the more cups of beer I had we ended up making out a little ways back in the trees.
Why did I have to keep myself from having fun. JJ was having his own fun that didn't involve me and I was happy to distract myself with the small ache I felt in my heart.
"You know your a lot of fun." The boy said and I felt guilty for forgetting his name.
"Shut up." I said out of breath pulling him back down to my lips.
"That's nice work you did on my boat there Pope." I heard a ways down the beach and I broke the kiss pushing the boy back a step.
"Yeah you feel like a big man?" That was Rafe. 'fuck' I thought.
"I am so sorry." I said placing a kiss on his cheek, before walking towards the yelling. When I got there Pope was standing with Rafe and Topper in front of him a group of Kooks close behind.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Pope said and before I could step in JJ was there pushing Rafe back. Before I knew what was happening all hell broke loose as JJ punched Rafe and Pope head butted Topper. It didn't take long for Kelce to get in and grab JJ's arms pulling the back allowing Rafe to lay a few punches at him. Pope was in a head lock with Topper.
"Let him go Rafe!" I yelled jumping on Rafe's back and I hear Kie and John B going to help Pope. Rafe threw me to the ground and I felt my head jar upon impact.
"Stay out of this Rowyn." He said but I wasn't going to sit back. Looking around I grabbed a long branch from the ground and used it to smack Kelce in the back which caused him to let JJ go. Finally free he jumped Rafe tackling him to the ground and started laying into him. Getting up I grabbed JJs arm and instantly felt him pull away.
"JJ stop!" I yelled. Looking over my shoulder. John B had retrieve Pope and Topper was backing up holding his jaw. Finally I got JJ off of Rafe and Kelce came up pulling him up and away.
"Get the hell off our side of the Island." A Pogue in the crowd yelled and received several 'yeahs' in agreement as the Kooks started to back up. After a tense few minutes the Party went back to normal less a few Kooks and everyone started whooping and yelling about the fight. I pulled JJ off to the side away from everyone pushing him so his back was against a tree so he couldn't run away from me.
"What the hell as gotten into you." I demand. "You could have killed him."
"There you go defending him again."
"Im not defending him and trying to figure out why you have this sudden urge to rage out on him."
"Its not a sudden urge. I have wanted to kick their ass for awhile now." He said trying to move away, but I put my hand up to stop him. "But every time your there stoping me."
"Oh I'm sorry i don't want to see you end up behind bars." I shout.
"You know why don't you worry about yourself." He snaps and I almost was hurt by the anger in his words. "Go back to the Pogue boy seemed to be having a good time with him."
"Really your going to talk to me about a good time?" I got defensive crossing my arms. "And why do you even care. You were having a good time over there with your Touron."
"I don't Rowyn kiss whom ever you please." He got close but I didn't back down.
"Is that your problem me kissing some boy I met?" I asked feeling myself ready to snap at him for his stupidity, ready to let out all the frustration for the fear I felt for him I the last few days.
"No problem." He walked past me.
"Really? That's why your over hear yelling at me over what happens at the party?" I asked and he stopped.
"You even know his name?" he asked. But I hesitated. "interesting."
"You know what JJ!" I yelled and I grabbed his arm turning him to me. "If you have such a problem with what im doing… who Im kissing…" I paused for a second giving my brain a second to catch up before my mouth spoke but I was to heated and there was no holding back anymore. "Then why don't you!"
"What?" he questioned his eyes locked with mine.
"If you don't like that I kissed someone then why don't you?" I was referring to him kissing me and I could see in his eyes that he was taken back and surprised. I saw the part of his lips and I realized I may have just made a colossal mistake. Maybe it was the alcohol in my system or the adrenaline from the fight, but I had just told JJ to kiss me and now he was just staring at me.
"Shit." I cursed pulling my hand off his arm. I didn't want to hear his response, I had just let everything out with no filter and I couldn't take it back. I backed up to turn closing my eyes. I didn't expect him to come after me, I expected him to go back to the party and try and forget. But then there he was grabbing my elbow turning me around, my back now against the tree he was backed into not just a moment before. Without any hesitation his lips were on mine, his hand cupping my cheek and i lost all remaining train of thought.