Pannel & Hook

Chapter 18: Safety Net

*Trigger warning(s)- Teen drinking, adult language, and suggestive themes* please be advised

          In the eight weeks that followed, the Salt boys are now affiliated with us, Ace's little crush only grew while I stepped up as acting Squad captain.

Thankfully Kimi got discharged today and I haven't been this excited in so long. Belle was an angel by letting me cry in her arms every time I was overthinking about everything buuut back to the story.

"U excited bro". Manny asked with one arm on the steering wheel and the other holding Belle's hand.

Also, this became a thing. "Yeah, just a little nervous to be honest".

"Whatchu gotta be nervous for? Y'all already slept together".

It wasn't just that she was mine, it was that I was getting attached for the first time in a long while and I almost lost it.

"You guys what?!! Pete, you don't tell me shit". Belle shouted at me.

"We haven't...I mean we almost, anyway, how are y'all doing?".

I laughed nervously hoping they would change the subject.

"We're solid bro". Manny said as he rolled the wheel with his palm and slid his hand to grip her thigh.

Damn, that was smooth but we pulled into the hospital parking lot and made our way up to the fifth floor.

"Yo". Manny knocked on the wooden door and I saw the red lady again. Dressed in scarlet and white from necklace to painted toes.

Her glare at Manny looked as if she was slitting his throat in her mind but it didn't phase him in the slightest.

She left the bedside chair looking Manny up and down with disgust but stared into my soul as she passed through the doorway.

"Hello, bunny". Her scary yet beautiful face melted into a smile when she turned to see me.

"Hey, baby". Honestly, I'm well aware she's completely outta my league but seeing as how I landed her if she wasn't hooked up to an IV and they weren't in the room I'd...focus, focus, anyways- story. *Laughs nervously*

"Here are some clothes, we'll be waiting outside when you're ready."

I hand her my green bookbag before she grabs me by my shirt collar and collides her soft lips against mine.

Maybe 10 minutes later we got her fully discharged and ready to go.

Manny's mellow ass had an odd grin about him.

"Y'all know what today is?". He pursed his lips into his Cheshire grin.

"New year's?". Me and her in the back both turn to each other in confusion.

"Captains but still green". He laughed to himself before turning.

"Today's Founder's Day".

I came to realize 6 hours later that Nate, among a few others, founded the Lost Boys when he was in middle school and would use New Year as an excuse to rent out an expensive house and party like they were in the Great Gatsby.

We pulled into forest drive which was way into the hills and the party was already jumping by the time we got there.

I helped Kimi out of the car with Man-Man collecting our phones and locking them in the glove compartment along with his strap.

Manny had followed Nate's ride here so when we met up in the lot and made our way to the door, we were greeted by a sea of bodies dancing and vibing but even still they all parted like the one in the bible as Nate came.