everything about you •• jj maybank

eight

We meet Pope and Kiara back at the Chateau an hour later, and JJ is quick to tell the story from his perspective.

"We were right outside... and then Bam! Bam! Bam!" He stands against the brick and recalls the moment before we entered the house. "Knocking paint off the wall, G! From the inside!" he emphasizes, practically out of breath from telling the story.

He walks over to where we are sitting and tilts his head over, running his hands through it and Kie backs up, a disgusted look on her face.

"That's... dandruff," she cringes and I chuckle, pushing JJ's head back.

"That's paint," he snaps at Kiara.

"It was paint," I defend him and he smiles, pointing to me.

"Thank you, Jo."

I nod quickly and we turn our attention to Pope as he speaks.

"Okay, so you saw the guys that shot at us right?We nod and he continues. "Did you get a good description of them?"

JJ racks his brain for a moment before responding, with full confidence, "Burly."

I place my head in my hands at his response and hold back my laughter. "Come on, JJ."

"That's not very helpful," Kiara sasses from beside me and I lean against her.

"Well I don't see Josie or John B over there saying anything better!" he defends, and I widen my eyes.

"Sorry if I was a little preoccupied trying to get you and John B to turn your asses back around!" I defend myself and Kie rests her hand on my leg in attempt to calm me down.

"I told you to stay back, you didn't have to come inside!"

"Again, why would I listen to you? You two could have gotten hurt."

"So could you!"

"Will you two knock it off?" Pope interrupts our argument, and I slump into my seat, huffing slightly as JJ continues recapping the last hour.

He starts describing the men at his dads garage, going on about how he made cargo hides for drug smugglers.

"So what does that have to do with anything, JJ?" I wonder, rubbing my temples in frustration.

"I can tell you with full confidence... these boys... these killers... square groupers."

"Oh boy," I breathe, shaking my head slowly.

Pope puts his head in his hands as he tries to comprehend.

"They're square groupers. Like Narco... square groupers? Like Pablo Escobar square grouper?"

JJ nods matter-of-fairly as he takes a few hits of his nicotine.

"So what does a square grouper look like, specifically?"

Pope's questions are valid but taunting towards JJ. I watch as the blonde takes a deep breath and turns towards Pope, clearly agitated at his friend.

"You weren't there! I wasn't taking little... mental polaroids the entire time, I was under duress! Okay?"

He heaves slightly as his voice is now much louder and I cover my mouth with my hand at the boy. I couldn't help but find it amusing, although I was fully aware of the weight of the situation, and that this was indeed a serious matter.

"Don't laugh at me, Josie," he mutters and I put my hands up in defense.

"I'm sorry. You will not hear more laughter from me," I say sincerely and he nodded, thanking me silently.