𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐓 / / 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

CHAPTER 20

Stella sat in the twinkie with a sour expression on her face, twisting a piece of hair around her index finger whilst glaring out of the window. John B had pissed her off and she was still extremely annoyed over what he had said. She knew what his words where true, she had to break things off with Bohdi if she had any hope of her and JJ actually moving forward. Was she committed to putting the effort in? Absolutely she was, and from what had happened in that spare room perhaps he was too. If JB hadn't of stormed in when he did, Stella's mood wouldn't be so tainted. The vibe in the twinkie was off, and the ride out was mostly spent in silence, bar the rock music that sounded from the radio. Kiara was still upset over Sarah becoming involved, JJ was pissed JB had interrupted them, John B was annoyed at Stella and Pope sat uncomfortably through all the tension. Yeah, the night wasn't on the best of terms.

"Alright." John B rolled the van to a halt, switching off the engine.

The side door flew open as JJ and Pope scrambled to get out because that atmosphere was simply that suffocating. She couldn't agree more and too pushed herself up to make a swift exit. "Hit it, boys! We're going Recon mission."

"Yo!" JB haulted everyone's movements as he swung round from the drivers seat to face the group. "So, uh, I think I'm gonna do this one by myself."

Kiara sent a death glare his way and Stella had to stop herself from laughing as she sat back in her seat. God, as if it wasn't obvious enough, he now had to go meet Sarah by himself. "Really?" Jay asked as he made himself comfortable once more.

"What?"

"Nothin' bro."

"Look," JB ran a hand through his hair. "I just don't wanna spook Sarah with the peanut gallery."

"I just don't understand why we're involving her at all?" Kiara snapped for the 100th time that night. Stella didn't blame her, but she was getting bored of the argument now. It's all she had heard out of either of them since leaving Rixon's Cove.

"Kie, we're not involving her, okay?" John B let his neck sag. "It's— it's just, um, like a— a business meeting."

JJ made a noise and moved the joint he was rolling backwards and forwards. We all know what he was suggesting, need I say more?

"Whatever it is can you just hurry up?" Stella's lips where set into a firm line as she folded her arms across her chest. "I wanna go home."

"Look, once we get what we need, we cut her loose, alright?" The Routledge boy reassured once more and Stella couldn't help but glare at him. Liar. "Plus, we need the map."

Kiara thought about what he had said for a moment, but anyone could see the doubt in her eyes. "Promise me nothing's happening between you."

"Nothing is happening, Kie." John B scoffed.

Stella continued to glare.

"I'm being serious."

"Okay!"

"This isn't about you." The brunette girl continued. "And this isn't about us. This is about her. Dude she's gonna get inside your head. Just promise me nothing's happening between you guys."

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the Swayer girl's gaze and honestly felt as though his skin was going to set alight if she continued to stare at him with those piercing eyes. But he couldn't just tell Kie now, could he? It would completely ruin the plan! He swallowed down a gulp and turned back to Kiara. "I promise."

Stella rolled her eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing. How dare JB call her out like he had at the chateau when he just blatantly lied to Kie? He was such a hypocrite! Her knee began to bounce up and down subconsciously, the finger twisting her hair spun faster as her eyes never left John B. Fucking asshole. She wanted nothing more than to call him out, but knew that it would only make the situation ten times worse and more importantly would land her in a shit storm too. Save it for another day, she told herself. "Wow."