Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

44

We hung out at the Château while John B ran to go get something, what it was I couldn't say. But we all had our suspicions.

Unfortunately, this is the one time I wish I had been wrong.

"No effing way. You brought her here?" Kie shouted as we all congregated on the porch. I sat on the railing with my legs extended watching the scene from behind JJ and Pope. "So what? She's in on this now?" John B glanced over to us expecting to have us help get him out of this.

"All you, B." I spoke drifting my gaze up to the roof.

"I dunno." Pope said struggling for words as he turned to JJ.

"Look, all I care about is her cut comes out of your share." I rolled my eyes. Typical JJ.

"You know, I don't remember taking a vote. This is our thing. A Pogue thing."

"Would it be wrong to lock the three of them in a room and place bets on who's coming out alive?" I whispered, JJ and Pope shrugging as they thought about the idea.

"I gotta say, I'm just a tad uncomfortable with all of this." Pope spoke up, trying to help.

"Thank you!" Kie shouted pointing at Pope.

"When are you not uncomfortable?"

"Well I don't know. I've ridden on the back of Xena's bike pretty comfortably."

"It's true, more relaxed than I'd have thought." I pipped up.

"That's cute, guys." John B grumbled.

"You know. We were all extremely comfortable until you brought her." Kie pointed.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Sarah spat finally fed up.

"Then leave." I groaned sitting up and swinging my legs over to jump down.

"I told you." Sarah commented looking at John B.

"Told him what, exactly? That you're a liar?"

"No, that you're a shit-talking bitch."

"Oh yeah?"

"When have I lied?"

"My money's on Kie." JJ said looking at Pope and I as I finally jumped down.

"Glad to know my idea wasn't so horrible. But my money is on me." I winked before moving forward.

"Oh no."

"I retract my statement. My money's on Xena."

"Enough!" I shouted, "everyone just be quiet." I commanded their attention as I stood in the middle of the porch. "This is fucking ridiculous." I started.

"You can say that again."

"Kiara." I ground out, turning to her, her eyes widening as I used her full name. "Just listen, please." She sighed nodding as I rolled my shoulders back.

"Look. B, you should have told us what your intentions were- in complete and full transparency. Especially knowing Kie and Sarah don't particularly get along well. Sarah," I turned to the blond giving her a small smile, "if you are even remotely interested in joining this mess," I gestured to the four of us, "then you can clearly see we've got to find a common ground with you and build up to a relationship."

Sarah nodded as I turned to face Kie.

"And Kie. I know, I understand." I spoke to something only her and I know about. "But what if you just try. What if both of you try. Talk it out, break a deal, form a truce, I don't care. Do something. Because obviously B isn't gonna let it up. Don't let this hate be the reason we fall apart." I took a step towards her, whispering, "what if she never realized what she did, what if she wants to change. You could help her by talking to her."

"Look, Kie, you're my best friend, right?" John B started as I said my piece and walked back to JJ and Pope. "And Sarah, you- you're my,"

"This ain't gonna be good." I groaned turning around to see John B smile.

"You're my girlfriend." The three of us look away, worried groans leaving our lips.

"Ohh, that's new." Pope mumbled.

"She's your girlfriend now. What was all that talk about you were just using for information?"

"Oh my gosh, guys I just- you know what, I don't even know why I speak." I huffed leaning back against the railing.

"Don't worry, Wifey. We listen to you." I rolled my eyes as Pope nods.

"Very inspiring." I chuckled at Pope's words of praise.

"Get a map, cut her loose."

"You said you were using me?"

"No."

"Yeah, you did." I put my head in my hands.

"Look, love just walked in, okay! I didn't expect it- it just kind of happened. And I'm not gonna deny it."

"Oh! that's corny." Pope mumbled.

"I'm getting a headache." I groaned.

"Look, cut the bullshit, Xena- I'm sorry. John B, if she's in, I'm out."

"Kie, I'm not doing this."

"You are gonna decide."

"I can't!"

"I'm very interested, actually. Me or her?"

"Both."

"Greedy bastard." I mocked as I sat on the other arm of the chair beside JJ.

"Went for the Hail Mary." JJ whistled.

"No." Pope groaned all of us watching as Kie turned and left. The screen door slamming shut behind her.

"It'll be cool, right?" Then Sarah was up, "I'm gonna leave. Let y'all chat. Thanks for trying Xena." I gave her a two finger salute as she left. "Let me know." She spoke to John B before she turned the corner and was out of there.

"Well, that was awful." I groaned leaning backwards to find the back rest of the chair. JJ stood up, a cheeky tone on his tongue.

"I'd just like to say, you handled that beautifully." I laughed falling into the open seat.

"B, you really are in over your head. I ain't playing matchmaker. Maybe next time you should throw them on a boat together in the middle of the ocean. I guarantee you'll only find one of them alive by the end of it."

I stood up grabbing my bag and taking off.

"Have fun." I called as I left the porch.

"Where you going?" John B asked.

"I'm taking a break. Call me if you need me."