MATILDA , jj maybank

16

MATILDA! CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
PUSSY WHIPPED
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"No Effing way! You brought her here?" Kie asked as Sarah sat beside John B "So what? She's in on this now?" Kie looked to JJ, Pope and Liz who were all on the chair watching the scene that was about to unfold in front of them.

"I dunno." Pope shrugged and Liz raised her eyebrows— to say 'don't bring me into this'

"Look, all I care about is her cut comes out of your share." JJ pointed to John B

"You know, I don't remember taking a vote. This is our thing. A Pogue thing."

"I gotta say, I'm just a tad uncomfortable with all of this." Pope added

"Thank you!"

"When are you not?" John B asked

"I dunno. I rode here on the back of JJ's bike pretty comfortably." Pope said

"It's true. Most relaxed I've ever seen him."

"That's cute, guys." John B said

"You know we were all extremely comfortable until you brought her."

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Sarah spoke

"Then leave."

"Kie" Liz tried to intervene

"I told you."

"Told him what, exactly? That you're a liar?"

"No, that you're a shit-talking bitch." Sarah spat towards Kie

"Oh, shit!" Pope whispered and both JJ and Pope pulled their money

"My money's on Kie." JJ said, and Liz slapped his arm lightly

"Everybody shut up!" John B yelled, getting everyone to look at him "Kie, you are my best friend, right?" He asked looking to her, than turning to Sarah

"And Sarah, you're... you're my..."

"Say it." Sarah said

"You're my girlfriend." Liz eyes widened and she looked between Pope and JJ who had the same expression

"Ohh... that's new." Pope said

"She's your girlfriend now? What was all that talk about you were just using her for information? Get a map, cut her loose." Sarah looked to John B— he clearly hadn't told her that part.

"You said you were using me?" Sarah asked

"No."

"Yeah, you did. You said those things." Pope said with everyone else agreeing

"Look, love just walked in, okay?"

"Oh, vomit."

"I didn't expect it. It just-- it kind of happened. And I'm not gonna deny it. Right?"

"Oh! That's corny."

"Look, cut the bullshit, John B If she's in, I'm out." Kie said

"I'm not doing this. I can't!"

"You are gonna decide. I'm very interested, actually. Me or her?" Kie asked

"Both." John B

"Ooh."

"Went for the Hail Mary." JJ said. Kie nodded before leaving the sunroom, slamming the door behind her and walking towards the dock.

"It'll be cool, right?" Sarah asked "I'm gonna leave."