𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐓 / / 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

CHAPTER 25

Whilst the rest of the Pogue's went back to John B's, Stella insisted that she wanted to go home and take care of her hand and of course the blonde that was attatched to her hip just had to come with her. It was still wrapped in the sleeve of JJ's hoodie, blood staining the grey marl colouring. Everyone else seemed far too excited to be worried about her injury, and she didn't blame them either. Her head was still baffled that they had actually gone and found the gold, that this whim that John B was set on had actually came true. He had gone against all their doubts and proven them all wrong, and boy, was Stella glad about it. Now, they just had to figure out how to get it out from under the Crain's home and find a way to sell it, but that was a problem for another day.

When the twinkie pulled up outside the Swayer residence, JJ hopped out of the driving seat and JB replaced him. Her boyfriend helped her out of the van, watching her hand as he did so, and Stella scorned him for being so cautious with her. She wasn't used to attentive care, never had been, she wasn't sure how to take it.

"You gonna let me wrap it up?" He asked as they approached the front door.

"Your dick or my hand." She retorted. "I can do it myself you know."

"You're so stubborn." Jay scoffed. "Just let me take care of you for once, yeah?"

"Hmm," the corner of her lips curved slightly as she pushed her way into the house. "Depends if you're gonna do a decent enough job or not."

The smell of smoke and booze filled her senses as she stepped over the threshold, but it was only Barry and Danny who where still up, Richy passed out on the smallest couch, scrunching his tall ass onto the furniture. At least he hadn't snuck into Stella's room and made himself at home. He knew better than that, they all did.

Barry glanced up, his eyes red from the weed he'd no doubt been smoking. "What's up, Stel?"

"Ey, Baby Swayer." Danny called, sounding just as high as he refused to take his eyes away from the laptop which was playing one of the Die Hard films.

"Alright, you guys got any vodka?" She asked as she walked forward into the light.

"Um, yeah should be some under th—" Bear cut his sentence short, eyes widening slightly. "The fuck happened to your hand, sis?"

Danny snapped his head round, jumping to his feet quickly as his legs carried him forward. "Stella, what you do?"

"I fell on a fence." She answered quickly, sensing the uneasiness of JJ behind her, snatching her hand back to her chest and cradling it.

"Yo, JJ, grab the vodka from under the sink." Danny commanded. "I'll get the first aid box. Stella, sit next to Barry."

"No, it's fine." The girl brushed off. "It's not even that bad."

JJ scoffed once again from behind her, shaking his head as he reached for the alcohol. "She's lying."

"JJ!"

"Just go sit down Stella and let me see it." Danny repeated, leaving no room for negotiations.

With a dramatic sigh, she trudged over to Barry, flopping down next to him on the worn out couch. Her brother sat up a little, pulling her injured hand towards him as he began to unravel the makeshift bandage. As he glanced at the wound he scoffed, picking up a pack of Malboro's whilst shaking his head as he passed her a cigarette before lighting his own. "So," he began. "A fence, hm? That's what you're going with?"

Stella rolled her eyes, using her free hand to take a drag from the smoke. "What? Don't believe me? We where trying to get into the old Crain's house and I slipped."