I watched as JJ drove Kiara's car with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear lever. My face was red as I thought about every touch, every thrust, and every sweet thing he whispered in my ear. I bit my lip as I tried to comprehend that I, Beckett Winslow, had sex with JJ Maybank.
I couldn't look away from him as he took a turn, his hands making a smooth rubbing sound against the wheel as he straightened out the car. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, a smug look overcoming his face as he realized I was staring. "What, Winslow?"
"Your girl?" I teased, referring back to what he called me as I raised an eyebrow. He shook his head, smiling to himself as I continued. "I don't remember ever being 'your girl'"
"You've always been," he shrugged casually, keeping his eyes on the road as a blush creeped up his neck. "I didn't think I had to ask."
"Always?"
"I mean, sure, you were annoying, but I always had a thing for annoying Kooks."
"Because I was the annoying one," I hummed, nodding off and looking out the window, unable to help the smile on my face. Fuck, the things this boy does to me. "The thought counts," I said, referring to him not asking me if I wanted to be 'his girl'.
"Well, I guess I'll have to find the right moment to ask." He moved his hand from the gear lever to my thigh, squeezing as he pulled into the parking lot of The Wreck. "Even if you're already mine."
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the fluttering of pure happiness in my stomach as I got out of the car. The stupid grin on my face was impossible to wipe, and as I walked up to The Wreck, I feared Pope and Kiara would be able to tell exactly what happened.
We spent much more time at my aunt's place than we intended and I didn't think it was a big deal considering we weren't meeting John B until three, but as I saw the look on Kiara's face when JJ and I entered the building, I could tell it was a bigger deal than I thought.
"Where were you guys?" She barked, her eyes darting between the two of us. JJ shrugged, strolling pass and tossing the car keys to Kiara. I was envious of the way he played it cool while leaning against a wall and looking out the windows. He didn't bother to give Kiara a second glance as he watched the area, listening to the police sirens in the distance.
"We're here now," I offered, doing my best to keep from exposing myself. "Any news on John B?"
Kiara scoffed, taking a seat next by herself. She didn't answer my question, instead opting to stay quiet. I sighed, wishing I could get a moment with her to talk about what's going on between us.
"I don't think he's caught," Pope said, walking over to where JJ was. "They wouldn't be patrolling still if they caught him."
"Let's hope," JJ sighed.
"You know," Kiara started, looking between Pope and JJ. "We were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too. God knows if they spotted you and Beck on the way back from her aunts."
I felt confused at what they were saying, but I just chalk it up to be something that occurred while I was getting bitch slapped by my aunt. I nodded along, doing my best to follow the conversation.
"Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B," Pope declared, a look of determination plastered on his face.
"So, find him before they do?" JJ questioned, looking confused. Pope grabbed the keys to JJ's bike, twirling around the metal in his hands. Pope didn't reply as he headed for the door. "Pope?"
"I'm gonna get gas for the boat," he muttered.
"Hey, you be careful," Kiara cautioned him. I almost choked at the glare he sent her. I clearly missed something else.
Pope turned to JJ and I, completely ignoring Kiara. "Meet me at the dock at three. Don't be late."
Pope left, slamming the door behind him as he went. Kiara followed shortly afterwards, leaving JJ and I in the restaurant. We went outside next, but stayed on the deck, being careful not to over step boundaries while Kiara and Pope argued.
"–I'm sorry I hurt your feelings!" She cried, but Pope revved the engine of JJ's bike, cutting her off. They went back and forth– Kiara trying to talk and Pope cutting her off the sound of the bike. When Pope was satisfied, he peeled off, leaving Kiara in the dust.
I was about to say something to Kiara, but my attention was caught by noise in the sky, and as I tipped my head back, I could see a helicopter flying over our heads. I gulped, knowing this meant the search for John B was getting more complex.
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Thunder clapped in the distance while we packed food for John B's trip, taking anything that would last a long time from the cupboards of The Wreck.
"You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope?" JJ asked Kiara as he stuffed canned goods into a box. I tried to keep an annoyed look off my face, but it irritated me that JJ and Kiara could talk without a problem, but Kiara and I couldn't. It hurt. And I think it hurt more because I had no idea why.
I still felt bad though. This girl continuously strives to keep her friend group the same, yet left, right, and center, someone's messing things up for her. Between JJ and I, John B and Sarah, and Pope's newfound feelings, she couldn't catch a break.
"It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation," Kiara replied, putting bread into the same box JJ was using. "Is that going to be enough food for them?"
"I mean, for a couple of weeks, and that's all they need, so.." JJ explained, trailing off at the end as he shrugged on his backpack.
"Look," Kiara said seriously, "I think I actually hurt his feelings."
"You're only human, Kie," I reminded her, trying my hardest to break down the wall she put between us.
"Yeah, what she said. Don't beat yourself up too much," JJ agreed, taking a couple of cans out of my hand to place in the box. He picked up box, following Kiara and I out of The Wreck. "He's completely changed his feels. The past twenty four hours have been Jekyll and Hyde."
"I mean, he did lose an important scholarship. Then, we peer pressured him into getting completely fucked. And from what I've heard, he was messed up," I said, shrugging my shoulders as I opened the trunk to Kiara's car, allowing JJ to place the box in there.
"I hate to admit it," Kiara mumbled, her voice soft as she looked between JJ and I. "I miss the old Pope. At least I knew what to expect from him—"
"Where have you been?" Anna's voice yelled as she slammed her car door, approaching the three of us as we loaded the car. JJ and I did our best to appear busy as Kiara talked to her mom, explaining that she spent the night here.
"We were up half the night, scared to death, lookin' for you!" Her mom sighed, placing both her hands on her hips. "Were you even gonna tell us?"
"Well, I'm telling you right now."
I felt my body go stiff as Anna's eyes landed on JJ and I, glaring as she clued in that we were packing the car. She furrowed her brows, looking between the three of us. "What the hell are you guys up to?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Anna, we gotta go," JJ muttered, walking around to the other side of the car to hop in the passenger seat. I followed awkwardly, sliding into the middle seat in the back.
"No. Absolutely not. Have you heard what's going on??"
"Mom, I'll explain later."
"Have you seen the storm??"
It was hard to watch Kiara defy her mother's wishes, but as I thought about John B, I knew it was what needed to be done. We didn't have anymore time to waste.
"This is not safe, Kiara! These cops are armed! You'll get shot!"
Kiara snapped, yelling at her mother with pain in her voice. "Mom! John B needs me!"
I looked down, hating how uncomfortable I felt. It was just like that moment when you'd go over to someone's house, and they'd get into an argument with their mom and tell them to fuck off. It's a different type of uncomfortable, and it's hard to shake once the feeling falls on your shoulders.
As I looked at JJ, I could tell he was uncomfortable too. Anna banged against the window of the car as Kiara cried, putting the car in drive and peeling away.
I missed that tone of voice. It was the same one my mother used when she was frightened. A mother's love is deep, but so is her worry, and as I looked out the window, seeing Anna Carrera with a horrified look on her face, my heart sank. But not because I felt bad for Anna or Kiara, my heart sank because I wanted my mother to worry for me like that again.
I do anything for that.
Author's Note:
This one was suppose to be longer, but I decided to make it shorter so that I could update twice tomorrow like I usually do. I hope y'all enjoyed it.
Don't forget to vote & comment!
xx Juno