SAUDADE | JJ Maybank | Book 2

7 • sleepless

That night was difficult for the teens. None of them were able to sleep, too terrified that Rafe and Barry would show back up. They waited all night outside hoping for Pope and Kiara to come back with the boat so they could leave but they apparently weren't planning on returning until the morning. None of the others even wanted to go inside the house, in fear that they would hear a door shut announcing the reappearance of the killer and his bitch.

So when they eventually heard the boat motor coming closer to the dock, the teens quickly grabbed their items and made their way down the dock. "Finally!" JJ exclaimed. But as he saw Pope and Kie starting to tie up the boat, he yelled to stop them.

"What?" Kie asked confused, looking at the worried faces that her friends had.

"We're dipping." JJ told her.

"Wait, why?" Pope asked, instantly worried.

Kie asked, "What? What are you talking about?"

The other teens immediately set to work on loading everything up on the boat. John B helping Sarah every step up the way since she is still injured with her gunshot wound. Melody let the banter JJ was saying go on one ear and out the other because her mind was on one thing- surviving.

"We gotta go. Like now." Melody informed the other two friends. "Rafe knows we're here."

Immediately Kie understood and started to help untie the boat. Melody hopped on and turned to help John B get Sarah in.

Once everyone was in and settled, they immediately took off down the waters. After while of searching JB parked the boat at some random area that had nothing there and seemed like the safest idea.

Now the teens were sitting in a circle on some benches, with the exception of JJ who was pacing back and forth and John B who didn't feel comfortable enough to let his guard down enough to sit. Melody's eyes followed JJ as he walked back and forth, she hates when he gets antsy.

"Look, if Rafe and Barry know, it's only a matter of time." Kie stated.

"Before everyone knows." Pope added for her.

JJ instantly scoffed. "I told you!" He snapped. "We should've gone south, man."

"Just stop it." John B said, trying to calm him down.

It didn't work because JJ yelled in exasperation, "Why does no one ever listen?"

"J." Melody called out to him, his eyes instantly snapped to her and they held their gaze for a couple of seconds. His blue eyes softened when he looked at her and he breathed out softly. Melody patted the spot next to her, and he moved to sit next to her. She slipped her hand underneath the back of his shirt and rubbed his back to try and calm him down.

"I have an idea." Sarah stated softly. All eyes turned to her as she spoke. "With me back, my dad's going to have to choose between me and Rafe."

Melody almost felt bad for her because she knows that it's not just between his two children. It's also between gold and the teens know exactly how Ward is when it comes to money. "Sarah, Sarah..." John B started, but was interrupted by the other blond girl.

"He's gonna choose me." She exclaimed, a frown on her face.

"Just please listen. Ward keeps lying to you, Sarah." John B tried to reason.

"Sarah he's not gonna agree after everything that's happened." Said Kiara.

"Babe..." Melody looked at the girl. "It's not just between you and Rafe. Gold is involved and um... your dad loves that stuff."