𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑺𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 /𝑗𝑗 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑘

𝟎𝟐𝟑.

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𝑴𝒀 𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹𝒀𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑮
𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑤𝑜，𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝟐𝟒:𝟒𝟏 — 𝟑𝟖:𝟎𝟗
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I'VE NEVER HATED being in a car more than I do right now, especially during this agonizing drive to the Pelican Yacht Club.

It feels like I'm trapped in an iron cage, wedged between the rising frustration of JJ's father, Luke, who occupies the backseat, and the nagging worry for our friends stuck with the Twinkie in that water infested with alligators. How did we even get into these situations? Just a few months ago, my biggest dilemma revolved around which party to attend next, and now the stakes feel impossibly high.

All I want is one normal day with my friends and boyfriend—just one! Is that too much to ask?

As I stew in my turbulent thoughts, they're abruptly pushed aside when Kiara parks the car in front of the main area to the yacht club. JJ jumps out immediately, striding towards the back of the truck to grab the bag filled with supplies intended for his father. My heart sinks as I stick my head out of the window, asking him, "Do you want me to go with you?"

He glances between me and Luke, the conflict clear on his face as he purses his lips in contemplation. When JJ shakes his head, his voice is firm, "No, I got this. Thank you, though, princess."

The hint of a smile lingers in his eyes, momentarily lightening my mood, but the heaviness of the situation quickly drags me back down.

I lean back into my seat, running a hand through my hair in frustration. That's when Luke leans in, his greasy demeanor somehow amplified as he brushes Kiara's shoulder to catch her attention. "Hey, why don't you tell your mom hi?" His smirk is insufferable. Then, he turns his gaze to me and that godawful grin returns. "I'd ask you, but, well, you know."

The anger in me flares hot, my fists clenching involuntarily. I want to leap over the seat and strangle him.

But just as I feel the rage building up, my attention shifts to JJ again, who casts me a soft smile from outside. It softens my heart; even in these tumultuous moments, he still finds a way to communicate love. I've struggled with anger my entire life, often blaming it on my dad or my mom, but somewhere deep down, I know it's my own raging fire out of control. Was that what Rafe meant when he said we were alike?

"See you miss daddy issues." Luke sneers, the words slicing through the air with a sickly sweetness.

"Shut up." JJ calls from outside the car, the command dripping with frustration, nudging him.

My teeth grind together as I mutter under my breath, "Didn't I hit you hard enough? You want another one?" I turn in my seat to face Luke directly, fury boiling over.

The amusement drains from his features, and JJ grabs Luke by the sleeve, Luke stepping out of the car with an irritated grunt. JJ tugs on his shirt, urging him to move along. Kiara turns towards JJ, her eyes sharp, and she says, "Make it quick."