Their shift passed with no major incidents and Mckenna headed home, agreeing to meet Romeo back at the Surf Club later that night. She had just got changed and was about to start on the dinner, when somebody knocked.
"I'll get it," she told Brax, who was sitting at the kitchen table and opening the door.
"Hey there Mckenna," a familiar woman said with a soft smile.
"Uh, hi," Mckenna replied with a frown, recognizing the woman from the prison and trying to keep back the panic she felt.
"Can I come in?"
"Sure."
"Ace, who's at the door?" Brax inquired as Mckenna stepped aside to let the woman in, emerging from where he'd been working and eyeing the woman suspiciously, "Can I help you?"
"My name is Angela Johnson, I'm a support worker from the prison," the woman explained, offering her hand and dropping it back to her side when Brax simply crossed his arms over his chest, "May I ask who you are?"
"Darryl Braxton, Mckenna's brother, and guardian."
"Your mum mentioned that you moved in here, can I ask why?"
"It wasn't working out..." Mckenna began, falling silent and looking at Brax as he spoke.
"Look, our mum has demons of her own and it wasn't the place for Mckenna to be," Brax told the woman matter-of-factly, "She's got herself a job as a lifeguard and is finally settling into being home, she doesn't need you reminding her of her time inside."
"I'm not here to upset anyone, but the prison warden is worried that Mckenna will find herself back inside if she's not kept on track," Angela added, "It seems that he's had plenty of run-ins with the Braxton family."
"I'm not going back there," Mckenna mumbled, "I was stupid and made a mistake, one that I've paid for... so will you please just leave me alone."
Without a word, Mckenna left the house and made her way down to the beach. Sat on the sand, she stared out over the water with her knees pulled tightly to her chest and allowed the tears to fall.
It was getting dark by the time she headed to the Surf Club, taking a deep breath and plastering a smile on her face as she walked inside. Casey was the first person to spot her, meeting her halfway and hugging her tight.
"I'm glad you came," He said as he led her over to the group he'd been standing with just moments before, "Guys, this is my sister Mckenna... Mac, I'd like you to meet my friends Dexter, April, plus you already know Romeo and Ruby."
"I hope you don't mind me crashing your hangout."
"Of course not," Ruby stated with a smile, "We were just about to head over to the Diner to get some food, why don't you come?"
"Please do," Romeo added, "It's not fun being the fifth wheel."
"Don't worry," Mckenna replied as she fell into step beside him, "I'll protect you."
Romeo chuckled and Mckenna shoved him softly, listening as Casey told her about a tourist that nearly took him out whilst surfing that morning.