Rhenna

EIGHTY-SIX

                Johny aka Blondie

Johny's thoughts were in a state of constant reprimand when he reached his destination. He jogged up the porch steps and knocked softly. A minute later the door–to little blue house–creaked open, and Nick (the absent jerk) peaked out at him. "Johny?"

"Don't "johny?" Me". He snapped, shoving the taller guy aside.

"What are you–" Nick was trailing behind the blonde as he paced into the living room, but stopped when Johny spun around, nearly colliding. "Is there something wrong with me?!"

"Yeah. Your shouting".

Johny's face flushed red as he sulked into the living room. "I'm a dick". He clawed his fingers through his hair and sat down.

"Ah yeah, for real". Nick agreed. He came round the couch and crashed on his favourite recliner. "So what's this all about?"

"Have I ever been a 'nice guy'?"

For a moment Nick just stared. No emotion at all. Than his lips turned up and a chuckle escaped. "I mean...I've heard you say please. And your good with the triplets".

Even so, Johny couldn't remember a single moment he had been nice, really nice, to Elin. It was all just rude banter and shouting–even when he tried to be decent. He wiped his hands down his face, and groaned. "I think I suck at human decency".

The thing that annoyed him the most was the fact that he liked Elin, yet couldn't sympathize like Conn. He wanted Elin to see that he cared, but everything he did came off as brutal.

"It's your personality".

Caught off gaurd by the statement, Johny glanced at Nick. "Huh?"

"Your a complicated guy. But it's kinda just you". Nick shrugged, "Sure your brutal-more so lately-but your nice". He added, "In your own way".

"I'm an asshole". Johny persisted.

"Ah yeah. I agree. But even bad guys have their good days".

"Hmmm".

"So...what's this all about?" Nick asked, seemingly invested.

"Elin".

The older boy smirked. "You two get in a fight?"

"Yeah". Johny mumbled, looking away.

Nick was a pain, but also Johny's best friend. The guy had been there through a lot. So Johny found it almost relieving when he decided to tell Nick everything. Starting with the kiss and ending with the news of Elin's dad.

Nick was a level headed guy, always keeping his emotions in check, so it didn't come as a suprise when he processed the information with a casual front. It was actually kind of annoying.

And than. "Who knew Johny could fall in love". Nick teased. Earning a scowl and a head smack from Johny.

"Oh shut up".

"But a kiss–"

"It happened once". Which was really annoying, because Johny wanted it to happen again.

"So that bruise, on Christmas eve...?"

"Can we not talk about this?" Johny snapped. It was already a headache hearing it from Conn. And now Nick.

"Right. Sorry sorry". His expression twisted into something more serious. "This thing–between Elin and Jae...."

"We don't have proof". Johny confirmed with a sigh. He scuffed his shoe on the carpet and glared. "Elin's basically the only person who could speak up about it".

"Have you ta–"

"No". If Johny ever brought up the subject Elin would probably disapear. For who knows how long.

"And you said Jae's in the hospital?"

"Yeah".

Nick had this thoughtful look on his face as he rubbed his chin. "There's always the possibility of pulling the plug".

Johny blinked. So Nick was suggesting murder. "I hate the guy. But Murder? For real?" Jeez. Maybe I'm not that bad.

Nick cracked a smile. "Just some dark humor".

"Ha ha". It would solve most of their problems. But no. Johny wanted to help Elin, not wind up in prison.

"But," Nick spoke up, "To be fair. You and Conn have been going about this all wrong".

"What's that supposed to mean?" He snapped.

"The man's committing a hell of a crime. Right?"

"Yeah".

"After we loot what do we do with the shit?"

If felt to Johny as if Nick was giving him some sort of pop quiz. "Get rid of it. Sell it off".

"Right". Nick bobbed his head. "He's not going to leave any evidence in places people might look".

"Than–"

"You said he had a schofer?"

"Uhm. Yeah".

There was this calculating look to Nick's physique when he said, "The man must be around Jae alot."

"So he probably knows alot". Johny finished.

Of course! The guy had to of seen something at some point.

"I got to get a hold of that Uncle guy...Mitch." Johny quipped. "He should know how to get in contact with schofer man".

Nick stood up in a stretch. "I'll text Racheal".

"Wha–why?"

"She can get us one of her brother's cars. Unless you wanna walk?"

Johny nibbled on his lip. If Racheal got them a car than she'd demand to know what was going on. And if she told Daniela...things would get hell of a lot stressful. But the girl was still away at her family cabin for the holidays.

"Or we can call Conn". Nick suggested.

"No". Conn was with Elin right now. If they got him involved than he'd have to ditch the kid. Which was a horrible thought. "Racheal is fine".

"I got to get my phone".

Before Nick could leave the room Johny spoke up. "I thought you were leaving? For that job in your home town?" Nick had mentioned that he was doing a big loot with some old buddies to pay for his dad's surgery bill.

"I still got a week". He answered before disappearing round the corner.

Johny did a quick web search on Mitch Ventis for a public contact, since he didn't have his personal number. After finding one he clicked on it for the call.

"Hello?" A gruff voice answered.

"Mr. Ventis". Johny took a breath. "We need your help".