Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

5

As soon as I got a text from John B this afternoon, I took off like a bat outta hell. My jacket barely covering my workout bra as I slammed my helmet on and drove away from the gym.

Since it was Sunday I didn't have any shifts so I had gone for a quick workout- I knew tomorrow Murphy would poke fun at my workout due to it literally being short.

I had barely made it to the group when John B started talking.

"Look, I'm calling it off. Alright?" I rose an eyebrow as I jogged the rest of the way, my hands pulling my leather jacket off as I went. "Peterkin said, if I stay out of the marsh, she'll help me with DCS."

"And you believed her?"

"Yes, I believe her, JJ."

"An actual cop, John B. You believed a cop."

"All I got to do is stay out of the marsh for a couple days, and she'll help me out. It doesn't help that your ass was the one shooting a gun." I yanked my shirt over my head, covering my exposed torso as the two continued to act like children.

"You know what I should have done? Just let Topper drown your ass."

"Yeah, because Topper was gonna drown me."

"Sure looked like it."

"Enough!" I cut in physically standing between the two. "Honestly, you two are worse than the kid I tutor and her older sister. Look. What happened last night, shouldn't have happened at all." I set my jacked on a chair and pointed at the two.

"B, you shouldn't have let Topper provoke you into starting a fight. JJ, you shouldn't have kept me from stopping the fight either." I turned to just face the brunet, "John B, you weren't breathing when I pulled you from the water. And after two minutes, two fucking minutes of chest compressions, I finally got you to spit out everything in your lungs." The fight seemed to fade from him as he heard the worry in my voice.

"I didn't just start boxing for fun. I did it so I could learn to defend myself and protect those around me if the occasion ever arose." Kie stood and gently rubbed my shoulder as I looked at the two.

"They always win don't they." JJ started, walking towards me. "Kooks vs Pogues. They always win man." This time his gaze was directed at John B.

"It's okay." Kie said trying to pacify the situation.

"No, it's not okay! They don't want us to go down into the marsh then that means there's something valuable down there and you know it."

"How the fuck is this relevant to what I just said." I spoke up, done with JJ being so blind. "JJ, for fucks sake." I groaned stepping around Kie to sit down.

"I understand why you don't want to go, you're the golden boy, you've got way too much to lose." JJ motioned to Pope before turning to Kie, "and you, you're already rich as fuck so why would you bother. And you," he pointed towards me as I sat staring into the void, "you've got a title on the line, an actual career you can go into." I shook my head covering my eyes with my hands.

"But you and me, man, we've got nothing to lose! We really don't. And I know it didn't use to be that way for you."

"I don't want to talk about this. I don't want to talk about it." John B moved to go past him.

"So that's it?"

"Just get out of my way, bro."

"John B, listen to me, I have a plan."

"And that's how you found yourself pulling a gun out on the beach." I grumbled annoyed he wasn't listening for shit.

"You got the key to Cameron's big boat, right?"

I stood up, making my way to the two.

"There's scuba gear. We borrow that, and then we go down to the wreck this afternoon, and that is what's gonna save you man."

"And what if it doesn't, JJ." I stepped in front of the two. Their eyes on me. "What happens if you steal the scuba gear from Ward, you get to the wreck, and not only do you not find anything, but the police catch your asses. And besides, there are other logistics that come into play."

And like the devil on his other shoulder, JJ kept talking.

"But what if there is something. You don't see rich kids going into foster care."

And at that moment, I saw where I'd lost him. John B's head turning to look at me. His brown eyes glowing curiously. I stared at him, my nose scrunched before I breathed out.

"Fuck. You know what. Fine- but I've got a kid I have to go tutor. Because she found herself in summer school, how she's there and the two of you knuckleheads aren't beats me. But as soon as y'all are getting ready to go to the marsh, you text me." I point a finger at the two. "I don't care whose phone you use, but you message me and I'll find a dock to meet you at."

"We promise." I narrowed my eyes at JJ.

"We won't go out until you're with us." He corrected throwing his hands in the air.

"Good. I'll see you in a few hours." I started walking away, grabbing my jacket and pulling my keys free.

"And for Merlin's sake, clean up the HMS Pogue!" I shouted passing the boat that held cans of beer and snack packages.

"Yes, mom!" I flipped them off, Kie's giggle reaching my ears as I got to my bike. A sigh leaving my lips as I realized I had to go back to my house for the tutoring stuff.