nothing is temporary

five | surprises aren't always fun

"What are you doing here?" I asked my ex-boyfriend. "Why would you drive here all the way from Boston?"

"Your mom told me you performed a little escape route to here. Very rebellious of you, Cass. It's time to come home now though." He said with a smug grin on his face.

I shook my head. "I'm here to stay for the whole summer."

He shook his head back, but not in a defiant way, like I was. Like he was mocking me. "Fun's over, Cass. You had your dramatic effect. We've had the split. Come with me. You're my girl. My girl wouldn't do this, now would she? Leave me?" He turned on his pouty eyes.

"You're not even supposed to be within 100 yards of me, Ryan. This is breaking the protection order."

"The protection order is bullshit." He glared.

"What's going on here?" Jack said, appearing dominant but wrapping an arm around my waist. "Cassidy, who's this?"

"Hey boyfriend, dude." Ryan grinned and outstretched his hand. Jack glared down at it before meeting his eyes briefly and then looking at me.

"Boyfriend?"

"Ex boyfriend. Ryan, you wasted gas money. I'm staying."

"You're coming home."

"Should I call the police?" Mia piped up, closer than before.

"Not for him." Jack muttered. "Maybe an ambulance."

"What was that?" Ryan perched his ear. "Was that a threat?"

"That was a promise." Chase said, standing beside Jack.

Ryan looked between the two of them repeatedly.

"Cass, get your ass in the car and come home."

"What we're not gonna do is talk to a woman like that." Jack stepped a couple feet closer to Ryan.

"Jacky..." Mia said, reaching for his shoulder.

"I'll talk to my girlfriend however I please, Jacky."

"And that's the issue." Jack mumbled. Before I knew it, he was swinging. Chase joined in and they both, collectively,

beat Ryan's ass.

"Stop!" I yelled.

"Chase!" Mia screamed. Neither of us wanted to get in the middle.

"Enough!" I screamed. Chase and Jack took a step back.

"You're in our stomping grounds, Ryan. This isn't  Boston. Cassidy belongs here. Get in your car, drive away, and don't come back." Jack said, holding onto Ryan's collar. He leaned over, spit on his car, and then opened the door for him to get in.

Leave it to Jack to still be gentlemanly.

Ryan looked at me deeply. "How could you let them do that, Cass?"

I felt my heart break. That small part of my heart that was always going to belong to him. No matter how much I want to see him suffer for what he put me through, that small part of me will always hate to see him in pain.

He revved the engine on his way out, flipping us the bird before he left our view.

Jack cupped my face with his hands. "Are you alright? Cassidy?"

I brushed his arms off of me. "Just take me home, Jack. Please."

Mia was inspecting Chase's hands. We didn't bother to wave goodbye. I threw my hat in the back of Jack's Bronco, crossed my arms, and sat in the passenger seat while Jack told Chase and Sunny we were leaving.