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After everything with Barry and the gun, Belle asked JJ to take her home. Just before she stepped out of the car, she reminded him of his promise to be there tonight.
"Belle, that boy is nothing but trouble, I'm telling you!" her grandmother declared from the kitchen, shaking her head as she prepared dinner.
"Grams, you don't even know him," Belle replied, trying to keep her tone as respectful as possible while feeling the weight of her grandmother's disapproval.
"He's a Pogue—that's reason enough for me!" her grandmother shot back, taking a sip of her wine. Uncle Ray sighed from across the table, clearly tired of the same old argument.
"I mean what would jason say if he knew this" her grandma continued
"well I'd hope he'd be happy for me" belle replied with a scoff
"Look, sweetie, all I'm saying is that he should be here if he's someone you can really rely on. You deserve better than that," her grandfather added, his voice rising slightly. "Take Rafe, for example..."
"Just shut up!" Belle snapped, her voice unexpectedly loud. The room fell silent, and everyone stared at her, shocked by the outburst.
Her mother instinctively started rubbing her back in a soothing motion, while her father, Robert, shot a piercing look at his in-laws. He never had a good relationship with Esther's parents, but he tolerated them out of love for his wife.
Before anyone could speak, Belle's phone ringing broke the tension. It was Kie.
"Hey, Kie, now's not a good time," Belle said, running her fingers through her hair, still on edge.
"Belle, we haven't heard from JJ since he walked off earlier. Is he with you?" Kie's voice was filled with concern.
Belle's stomach dropped. "No, he's not," she said, sitting up straighter, her voice suddenly tense.
Alarm spread across her parents' faces as they noticed the shift in her demeanor.
"We're going to stop by John B's and see if he's there," Belle said quickly.
"I'll be there," Kie responded before hanging up.
Belle stood up, her sudden movement causing her parents to exchange wary glances. "Mom, Dad, can I please go see JJ? I think something's wrong."
Her parents hesitated, exchanging a look that said everything. They knew her grandparents would explode if they allowed her to go, but they also understood Belle's concern.
