Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

31

It was the next day and we were back at Heyward's. After last night I didn't want to leave Pope or JJ alone for more than I had to.

After waking up at Kie's I left to go back home and freshen up. My Ma and Gray out already as I had the house to myself. Normally I would have taken advantage of it, but I hadn't.

I was fast, changing out of yesterday's clothes and pulling on clean comfy clothes. I pulled my feet into my hiking boots before moving downstairs. I grabbed a protein bar and a water bottle tossing them both in my bag before locking the house up and driving over to Heyward's.

We still hadn't heard from John B since the boat yesterday morning. We all assumed he'd have cooled down by now, but we still gave him his space.

"Don't let it get in your head bro. It would have been three on two but we've got Xena, now." JJ piped up as Pope and I moved around the store helping Heyward.

"Wouldn't have surprised me if they did jump y'all without me. Typical Kook shit." I murmured as I moved a box to the back storage room.

"Hell, yeah." Kie added.

"What was your thought process, using your head?" I rolled my eyes before I was too far away to hear the response.

I set the box down on top of the several other boxes I had just moved. A satisfied sigh leaving my lips as I dusted my hands.

"Hey, Pope. There's someone here to see you." My ears perked at Heyward's voice. His words ominous as I stepped out of the staff room and saw Deputy Shoupe.

"Evening, Officer."

"I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property."

Time slowed.

I stood still in the doorway as I watched Pope's face crumble. His eyes on JJ's as the blond discreetly shook his head.

"Hands on the counter where I can see them. Young lady, out of my way." Shoupe said coming closer to Pope.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Shoupe, what'd he do?" Heyward spoke as Shoupe moved to handcuff Pope.

"Look at the warrant."

"You're arresting him?" Kie asked, I still hadn't moved. My mind running at top speed as I tried to figure out a way to help Pope. "Be careful!"

"You're just arresting my boy? Shoupe, are you listening?"

You're almost eighteen. You can't be fooling around anymore. Games are over, Xena. You could get in serious trouble. Your record stained. You've worked so hard, Kiddo. Your Ma is proud of you, We're proud of you, your friends are proud of you. I know down inside you're pretty damn proud of yourself.

But you can't go get caught up in legal troubles. You need to stay clean. One small scratch could make the difference. Whether you intend to go professional or not. Don't screw yourself over.

I wasn't sure how long I had, Shoupe had already started to move Pope. The rest following. I sprinted to the door not sure if I was doing the right thing.

"Stop!" I shouted, everyone silencing as I gained their attention. "It wasn't him. It was m-"

"Me. I did it." My eyes widen at JJ's confession my head shook.

"No, Shoupe I-" JJ cut me off again.

"Pope tried to talk me out of it. Xena wasn't even there. I was just so mad because he'd just been beaten up. I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit."

"JJ." I whispered, stepping beside Kie. Really unable to help now.

"I can't let you take the blame for somethin' I did. You've got too much to lose." Kie wrapped her hands around my right arm as we watched our boys.

"JJ, what are you doing?"

"I'm telling the truth. For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth. I took his old man's boat, too."

"What the hell?" Heyward glanced over to me but I shook my head. Pope would have to tell him.

"JJ, come on."

"Just, shut up, Pope! Just, shut up." I let Kie lean her head on my arm as I felt my heart sink further. "He's a good kid. You know where I'm from."

"Yeah." Shoupe looked at JJ, examining his face before focusing on Pope.

"This was all me."

"That's the whole truth?" The deputy asked.

"Whole truth, swear to God."

"I know what you think, damn it, I'm asking Pope." Shoupe said, done with JJ. Pope looked right past JJ and made eye contact with me.

I couldn't hide the defeat as he read it and subtly nodded.

"Yeah, that about covers it." My left fist clenched as JJ looked back at Kie and I.

"When this is over." I mouth raising my fist, JJ gave me a wink but I just shook my head.

We watched in silence as the cop truck drove away. JJ in the back of it.

Pope threw his hat to the ground and I gave Kie a gentle pat on her hands asking her to let go. I ran, following Pope when he took off. Kie right behind me.

"Pope!" I shouted, chasing him outside to the docks. "Pope, please!"

He broke down, my arms just barely catching him as he fell. He let me hold him as hot angry tears fell from his eyes.

"Listen to me Pope, it's gonna be okay. I- I'm gonna go talk to Sheriff Peterkin. I'm gonna see what I can do. We're gonna be fine." I promised, Kie joining us as she leaned into me. A hand on Pope's shoulder.

The three of us stayed like that until Pope settled down. His body so exhausted that he struggled to stand back up.

"Hey, I've got him. Xena, you go do your thing, okay?" I gave Kie a tight smile, nodding as I took off back up the dock. My eyes catching Heyward's. My backpack in his hand as he offered it to me.

"Pope will tell you when he's ready. That's all I can say."

"I appreciate you being there for my son, Xena." I slid on my jacket and gloves.

"I'd do it for any of them."