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chapter twenty two, TITLE
"so" John B's voice trailed off, looking over at Elaine as he slowed outside her house. "I just want you to know that I care about you Lane, and I understand why that isn't easy for you" She nodded, her chest feeling heavy. The nickname playing on her mind in repeat as he spoke.
"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" She moved and got out from the van, looking back as he drove off. She let out her breath and turned to walk toward the house.
The girl couldn't help but notice the set up of bright shining lights outside of the chateau. She furrowed her brows, deciding to walk over.
"Are you kidding me? You could have paid for restitution!" Pope yelled and as Laney heard it, she picked up her pace.
"or literally given it to any charity!" Kiara let out and as Laney got closer she could see why they were upset.
There JJ sat, in a huge hot tub surrounded by no doubt very expensive lights with a bottle of champagne in his hand. "or better yet, you could have helped us buy supplies to get the rest of the gold out of the well!" Pope continued and JJ rubbed his forehead, clearly stressed out.
"Okay well, you know what, I didn't do that!" JJ shouted, standing up to reveal the many large bruises scattered on his torso. Laney let a gasp out of her mouth as she looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I got a hot tub for my friends, I got a hot tub for my friends. you know what? No, you know what? Screw friends, I got a hot tub for my family. I got this for you. Guys look what I did for you! All right? Look at this! Look at this!" He let out, each of their hearts breaking as they watched him.
"JJ" Elaine choked out.
"No, you stop being emotional. It's fine, okay? I mean it's sweet, right?" He began saying, but Kiara walked toward him, ignoring the fact she was still wearing clothes and climbed into the hot tub, pulling JJ into a hug immediately.
As soon as she did he curled into her arms, sobbing. Elaine's tears slipped down her cheek as she got into the hot tub too, moving towards the pair and joining the hug too.
"I just couldn't do it" JJ let out, wrapping his arms around Laney. "I can't take him anymore!" He cried out. "I was gonna kill him" She closed her eyes, holding him as tightly as she could.
Pope walked over, not getting into the hot tub but wrapping his arms around the three. "I just wanna do the right thing" JJ let out.
"I know, I know" Kiara cried, the four standing there hugging for a while longer.
When Elaine woke up it took her a second to remember the night before. She had spent the night at the Chateau with JJ, Pope and Kiara. She was laying on the pull-out couch, Kiara next to her. As she sat up she could hear Pope working outside.
