✯ North Star ✯

6 - Borrowed Loyalties

"Okay I swear he was here. He was here" John B insists, pacing like his shoes are on fire.

"John B, I- " I start, but he cuts me off.

"No I swear he was here all right?" He says, eyes begging me to say yes.

I nod slowly.
"Okay" I said

"I'm not crazy. Look that's the boat right there. Okay? And he was sleeping inside right there.
Look uh you believe me?" He says.

I exhale, feeling the weight of it.
"I... I mean..." I start

"Right?" John B asks

And then-

"Hell, I wouldn't believe him either."

I spin around.
Big John is walking toward us like he didn't just rise from the dead.

"Hello, Stella" he says

"Big John?" My voice barely comes out.
"What- Oh my God." I mumble

He opens his arms.
"Come on, Stella" he says.

I step forward and hug him hard, because what else do you do when someone you thought was dead is suddenly standing right in front of you.

"Where did you go?" John B asks, lost between angry and relieved.

Big John ignored that.

"Or should I say Mrs. Routledge? Welcome to the family Stella." Big John grins.

"Where the hell did you go?" John B asks

"I can't-" I'm still in stuck somewhere between shock and static.

"Come on son. It's a day of celebration. Bring it on in boy." Big John says

John b sighs, defeated but smiling just a little.
"Surprise." He says, and he pulls me into his arms too.

For a second, everything feels okay.
A second.

Later, i pull John b aside.
"Okay while you're out looking for your city of gold I'm gonna go home and steal some clothes and maybe a phone if I can find it" I said

"See you later. Road to the mother lode." He says

"I'll be back" I said

"Six o'clock back here. Don't be late." He said, giving me a kiss before I was gone.

The house is silent when I got there.

I shower fast and start packing. Then I hear footsteps.
Shit.

"Yeah they said um two days on the transfer. It's in the works though so no worries."

Rafe.

My heart drops into my stomach. I inch toward the voice.