Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

72

I'd been thinking about the conversation with the pawnbroker about the gold and then with the teacup. Her mood had significantly shifted. I wasn't entirely sure it was just because of JJ or not. But she was less stand-offish with me.

But I also know how to handle myself respectfully so that might have been in my favor.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" John B asked as we turned onto a main road.

"I'm just analyzing. Say, what was the address again?"

"It's the old warehouse off Derview. Just passed a road called Resurrection Drive. The place is pretty much an open lot. At least from what I remember it as. Guess it's actually a storage place."

"Derview? As in Derview Lane?"

"Yup, that's the one. You alright there, Xena?" JJ asked as he leaned up between John B and I.

"Just peachy." My knuckles started to itch as I wiggled my fingers. Forcing myself to look at the surroundings and not think about the warehouse. About the ring. The bets. The money. The blood. The adrenaline.

"Oh fuck~." I sang to the window, it was too late. And I was too injured to do anything to get rid of the antsy energy building in my chest.

I was going to explode if I couldn't reel myself back in. I'd done so good. I've stayed away. Done productive and good things for money. I've found new ways to spend my energy and occupy my time.

I don't need the warehouse.

I don't need the ring.

I don't need the blood or the adrenaline.

I definitely don't need an arrest charge for illegal fighting. Not with my 18th birthday days away.

"So they keep money, out here?" I focused back in on Pope as he struck up a conversation.

"That's what she said." JJ laughed. "That's what she said."

"You're a child." I scolded turning carefully in the seat.

"I've never even heard of Resurrection Drive." Sarah piped in.

"It's cause you're rich." JJ sassed.

"You've never heard of it either." Kie snapped back defending Sarah.

"Thank you."

"I'm not sure about a Resurrection Drive. But Derview Lane is definitely not back here unless you're taking a different way." I pointed out as I rolled my window down, sticking my head out. My eyes turning to see a car steadily approaching us.

"There's nothing but weeds back here." Kie observed as I pulled my head back in.

"Alright, just 'cause it's just weeds, doesn't mean it's, like..." JJ trailed off, nearly perfectly too as the echoes of a siren looped our way.

"Cops? Out here?" Kie voiced my confusion as we all looked out the back window. John B continuing to drive.

"God! Are you kidding me?" JJ started to get angry.

"What did we do?" Sarah snapped as if that was going to stop this.

"Why are we getting pulled over?" Pope chimed in with his own confusion as John B pulled off to the side of the road. The cop car following.

"Stash that." John B instructed as I rolled my window back up. My heart rate increased as I turned my head.

"Calm down, guys." I soothed, trying to remain levelheaded as JJ flittered about with hiding the gold.

"I hate cops." I eyed the car behind us. Curious as to which officer had that make and model.

"Did you bring the gun?" John B spat.

"No, okay. Everyone told me to leave it back at the place. But Xena's strapped." I slammed my forehead into my palm.

"That didn't have to be announced, JJ."

"Thank God. Xena, just keep it hidden." Kie instructed. I pat the ends of the shirt to make sure it was covering the holster. Safe to say it was since the fabric basically was a short dress. "Please, everything else in your bag."

"I am, I am! Alright." JJ huffed as he stuffed the stuff in his bag.

"How much weed do you have on you, bro?"

"I forgot about that. Shit JJ." I groaned as I stared at the officer car at the sound of a door slamming.

I tried to get a look at the person but there was so much movement in the back I kept getting blocked.

"He's walking up right now." Pope hissed. JJ ducked and I had a clear shot of the male as he passed the rear tire. My eyes wide as I tried to speak.

"B. It's not a-" My heart flew into my throat as I realized it's too late.

"Sir..."

The cocking of a shotgun stopped John B in his tracks.

"Why don't I go ahead and see them hands in the air?" The voice was muffled by the skull bandana covering his face. But his eyes, I had them marked since the pawnbroker called out his name. "All y'all's hands up in the air now!"

We were quick to obey, my hands only coming to my chest as the male ordered John B out of the Twinkie. My right hand twitching as I watched them carefully.

"Out of the car. Let's go, hurry! Let them out. What you waitin' on? What are you waiting on? Let them out!" John B slowly walked around the car as the masked male yelled out his orders.

John B opened the sliding door first as the masked male started ordering the four of them out of the Twinkie. My eyes calculating as I took in the scene.

"Her too!"

"I'm opening my door." I spoke calmly, my eyes never leaving his, I reached to the lever. His shotgun pointed at me as he shifted every so often.

"Hurry up!" He stepped backwards as I slowly opened the door. I kept my hands in sight as I carefully stood on the step holding the hand rail and slid my backpack under the seat with my foot. I got out of the car with my back to the male as I made eye contact with JJ who was the last one out.

"Look, we're bro-"

"Shut the hell up!" He cut JJ off nearly touching the gun to his chest.

If I had known I'd be faced with the barrel of a shotgun two times in two days, I would have invested in a bulletproof vest.