Last Summer

JJ

The plan was in motion.

All of our elaborate parts slowly coming together. Pope had perfected it down to every detail, but the last phase was the most important one.

"What part are we on?" I asked, chucking a french fry at River

"Four." She replied, tossing it back. Harper and I sat on her bedroom floor, while River sat on her bed.

"Alright, lovebirds. You two have to go on a date, but Topper has to see it." She told us, smirking. We both nodded then looked at each other.

"Okay, but where?" Harper questioned.

"The marsh."

"The marsh?" I looked at River, my mouth full of cheeseburger.

She nodded, "Yup, you're going to take her out on John B's boat. But you have to go by Topper's. Take the long way. Sarah said him and Kelce go out typically on Friday nights."

"Got it. Prepare to be dated." I laughed, Harper blushed.

..........................................................

Harper and I pulled the HMS Pogue away from John B's dock.

"I'm nervous." Harper admitted once we were on the water.

"Don't be nervous. It'll all be okay." I locked my eyes with her's. She was fucking hot. She twisted the end of her hair around her finger and looked away, her face getting red.

Maybe this fake dating wouldn't be fake.

We pulled through the marsh, right through River told us to and like clockwork, we passed Topper and Kelce boarding Topper's boat.

"I'll sink that bitch one day." I told Harper, which made her laugh.

"Perfect timing to be funny." She said, covering her smile with her hand.

"I know. I'm beautiful and hilarious, a total package." I stood up and flexing my biceps.

She laughed and tossed a beer at me from the cooler.

I watched out of the corner of my eyes as Topper's boat roared to life. He quickly pulled it away from the dock, coming up next to the HMS Pogue.

"Wow, Harper. You really are running around with Pogues." Topper shouted at the red haired girl.

She quickly turned nervous and twisted her hair again, "Leave me alone, Topper."

I stepped into character. I walked across the boat to Harper, putting my arm over her shoulders, protectively.

"Back off, Kook. Clearly, neither you or your Kook friends are good material. Rafe even fucked up with River."

That made both Topper and Kelce laugh, "Nah, we just have a problem with picking girls who like trash." With one fast movement, Topper threw an empty can. It bounced off my chest, harmlessly.

"Fuck you, Kook!" I yelled back, my anger making me hot. I stepped towards the edge of the boat before Harper grabbed my arm, pulling me back, "Babe, don't." She begged.

I stopped and looked at her, stepping back.

"Get your dog on a leash." Kelce told Harper.

"Screw you." She mumbled as the Kooks pulled away.

"We have them right where we want them." She spoke after they were out if sight.

"Now, it's River's turn."

"Phase four can now commence." Harper smiled and sipped her beer.

I like her.

I pulled out my phone and texted River:

Me:
Phase four complete.

River:
Got it, phase five begins tomorrow.