The Sinner

94

I blink out of the flashback.

I'm reminded again of where I am as I look around. The boat that belonged to the Cameron's was easily sailing through the calm waters.

I couldn't believe how effortless it was for Kiara to push Rafe off the boat like that. She didn't seem to think twice about it either. Almost like it was her true motive all along.

Sure, I didn't want him coming along with us really either. And we did use him to get out.

But a small part of me wondered how he'd get back if we took the boat. It felt like, concern. And as much as I try to put up a front and say that I don't care, deep down, I know I always will.

He was someone who taught me what real love felt like for the first time in my life. And you never forget your first love. Ever.

"Hey," A voice says as echos of their footsteps sound from behind me.

It was JJ, and there was a look on his face that told me something had happened. He looks, uncomfortable. Surrounded by his thoughts of something that he didn't like. I could practically see it, neighboring his head like a grey cloud.

"Hi."

"Mind if I sit?" He asks, before he just does it anyway.

From what I've learned about JJ over the past month, I've noticed he doesn't talk about his emotions. Worse than anyone I've ever met before. With an absent mom, and a deadbeat dad I'm sure it was almost second nature to bottle everything he was feeling up. Without an outlet to confess everything to, it's easy to do that.

Him and I have that in common.

"You've been pretty quiet," He says from next to me. "I assume something happened when you guys were with Rafe."

"Just, a reminder of what my life used to be like."

He hums, "That's pretty vague. Even for you."

I crack a smile, "It's ... complicated."

"I like complicated," He tells me, "Complicated and I get along very well."

I fully smile this time.

"You wanna share what you're feeling?" I counter, knowing he wouldn't.

"No."

"I don't either."

He nods, leaning back on his hands. We both stare out at the clear sky, thousands of stars fill the dark atmosphere. The full moon being the only source of light out here.

"You girls are so confusing," He admits, "Makes my head feel like scrambled eggs."

That was the only hint JJ would give to what he was feeling. I know he wants to talk about it, but he physically couldn't.

I chuckle, "You think boys are any easier to read?"

"At least we say what we're thinking," He says, "Rather than saying we're fine when in reality we're not."

"You're telling me you wouldn't say you're fine when you're not?" I glance over at him with a teasing smile.

He looks down at his boots, knowing I was right but he wouldn't admit it.

I look out across the front of the boat again. The wind picking up, brushing through my hair like a comb. I could tell we weren't anywhere close to home. Which is where we were on our way to right now. The air was still warm, it felt, tropical. Not like the fall weather that I was used to during this time.

"If you tell me, I'll tell you," He suddenly says.

"You'd really do that?"

"You and I are a lot alike Cory," He explains, "I trust your judgment."