𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 [𝐣𝐣 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲

Everyone managed to make it to the ferry in time, even Kiara. "No way your parents were okay with you coming." I said as she sat in the chair next to me.

"My dad's still angry but my mom gave me a phone and a bank card, so I think she's starting to understand it a bit." She responded as everyone shifted to fit around the table. I ended up close enough to JJ that our elbows brushed, making us both look at each other for a brief moment. I really wanted to talk to him about everything from yesterday but he brushed me off earlier when I asked to. Maybe it wasn't the best time to ask to talk but there will never be a good time to talk. There's always something major going on.

"So," JJ leaned forward to move himself away from me as he spoke, "The hardest part is going to be security. Most of the guys are going to be at the rail yard..." He started talking about the time his dad got caught up in some railroad drug running scheme. I remembered exactly when it happened because Luke ended up in jail for a while and JJ bounced back and forth between my house and John B's.

"We need to find some place and guard it. Like a whistle stop or something."

"That could work."

Cleo let out a small, disbelieving laugh. "You guys are getting ahead of yourselves, as usual. We don't have a way to move the cross." No one had managed to get a truck to transport the cross. "What do you think? On JJ's motorcycle?" I giggled at her.

Pope looked around the boat, eyes landing behind me over by the stairs down to the main level. "Is that Topper?"

"Why is he everywhere?" Kiara asked as she whipped around so he didn't see her. I knew with Sarah, we could convince Topper to let us borrow his truck.

"Perfect." Pope said and I looked at him.

"Please tell me you're thinking what I'm thinking." I hoped he had read my mind and he thought it was a good plan.

"Hey Jayj, I bet you Topper has a way to transport the cross." Pope began, earning a giggle from me.

"Pope's right. He does have a rig."

Sarah was completely against it, "No."

"Yes." I shot back, nodding my head.

"No, absolutely not."

"Yes, come on." This was the one thing we needed.

"C'mon Sarah. You know he'd drop everything to help you out." She tried to argue back, but after a little more convincing she was up and making her way over to Topper. Trying to swoon her way into using his truck.

We watched her from afar. I stopped watching when Liam walked up to them, quickly turning myself around so he wouldn't see me. We hadn't talked since our fight at the chateau the day John B came home, but it was clear he still wasn't over it.

"Is that Liam McDermott?" Kiara asked. I had diverted my attention to my fingers so I couldn't tell where she was looking or if she was specifically talking to me.

Pope nudged my arm, making me look at him. He didn't say a word but I could tell by the look on his face he wanted to know what was wrong. I shrugged and went back to playing with my fingers.

"Why is he coming over here?" Kiara asked again, now I looked up. He was walking to us, toward me specifically. I looked at JJ as he stood up.

"Hey guys." Liam spoke to them, "Hey Laney." He spoke, addressing me directly.

"What's up man?" JJ answered, causing me to roll my eyes. A little bit of toxic masculinity if you ask me. Especially when we hadn't spoke since we left Kiara's nearly an hour ago. I watched as JJ's breathing began to rise and fall quickly as his irritation grew. Before there was a scene, I stood up and pushed the chair from behind me.