𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐓 / / 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

CHAPTER 11

From next to her Danny laughed, nudging the girl as she leaned back in the chair, finishing off the remains of her cigarette with a scowl on her face. "Not your day today, is it Stels?"

"I came home for some peace and quiet," she grumbled. "Not to deal with obsessive junkies, Jesus."

Rafe walked into the room and immediately looked towards Stella. She knew he would never try anything, not around Barry and his friends at least. This was unchartered territory for the Kook and he was swimming with the sharks. He knew that Stella could ruin him in an instance, all she had to do was snap her fingers and he would be out on his ass. Danny had dragged him out of the Swayer home before when he wouldn't let up, and Barry had cut him off for a month as punishment. He didn't want to go through that shit again, and she knew it too. Plus, Rafe also knew that JJ had a gun and he didn't wanna piss him off just yet, he needed to be tactful. Her eyes raked over his body like chalk as she decided that he really didn't suit salmon fucking pink and when she finally made eye contact with him she raised an eyebrow, daring him to speak almost.

Thankfully, Barry stepped in before he could, rising to his feet. "Hey, country club!" That was his pet name for Rafe, and the comment made those in the room snicker, including Stel.

"What's up bro?"

"What's good with you, man?" Barry held his hand out and the two proceeded to do a 'bro' handshake.

"Shoulda' worn a wife beater." Rafe joked.

"As long as it ain't that colour of that shirt," Stella shot, finally leaning forward to stub the cigarette out. "Salmon pink ain't your colour, sweetheart."

Danny bellowed out a laugh, slapping his knee in the process whilst Barry chuckled before saying, "She ain't wrong, man. Plus, you couldn't beat nobody Rafe."

The Kook bit his lip aggressively, undoubtedly holding back a comment that would land him in the shit. Stella and Danny sat on the edge of their seats, willing him to do so, but Barry called him along before he could say anything and the two disappeared further into the Swayer's home.

Danny began to laugh again. "Fucking Kook, I can't wait to beat his ass one day."

"Yeah, well make sure you invite me when you do." She said nudging him with her elbow.

"Speaking of ass-whooping, I got you a little somethin'." Leaning over the arm of the sofa, he grabbed his backpack and pulled it into his lap. Reaching inside, he pulled out an object which was carefully encased in bubble wrap, before passing it over to Stella.

She took the item from him whilst placing her hand over her heart, gasping dramatically. "For me? You shouldn't have."

"Just open it, you goof."

She went to work in unravelling the wrap, being careful not to rip it as the girl found it very therapeutic to pop the stuff when she was stoned. Taking away the first layer and putting it to one side, she pulled the thin tissue paper away from it, revealing her gift from Danny. She let out a laugh, shaking her head as she slipped the item over her fingers and held her fist up. "Pink brass knuckles, Danny? You really think I like pink this much?"

"Look, I know how unsure you felt about the gun, and I know you don't feel comfortable carrying it around. So, I thought this might be more your style. It'll give me a peace of mind too, we all worry about you just as much as Baz does." He shrugged, picking up a forgotten spliff and placing it between his lips. "Doesn't mean you get to skip out on gun practice, though. As for the pink thing, I think it's more your colour than gold."

She grinned and wrapped an arm around his neck as he lit up. "I love them, thank you."

Sucking in a hit, he offered her some before stating, "But if you ever use them on Rafe Cameron either let me know or video it coz' I don't wanna miss that shit."