Me and the Devil

11.

Now that we decided we are going to “borrow” the drone (don’t ask Pope, he calls it stealing), a plan needs to be made.

Our biggest problem is that the salvage yard is still operating, with workers and security on duty. To avoid that, or at least minimize it-we settle on going after hours. Kiara’s job will be to distract the security guard with a “flat tire” on her parents’ boat trailer, giving the rest of us enough time to sneak in undetected and follow JJ’s lead.

With the plan figured out and some time to kill, I head over to the Camerons’ to pick up my paycheck. I had forgotten it this morning during the beach cleanup, which strangely enough, feel like it happened a lifetime ago. So much had changed since then.

As I walk, my thoughts drift back to JJ, his hand brushing the small of my back, the warmth of his breath against my neck, the taste of his lips. For a moment, I let myself get lost in it. But the sound of raised voices snaps me out of my daydream. I edge closer to the Camerons’ porch, where the yelling is coming from, and see Sarah doing the same. She presses a finger to her lips when she spots me.

“I gave you money for the generators.  You said you would take care of it. Did you take care of it? Where are they?” Ward’s voice booms.

“They're on back order.” Rafe mutters, trying to defend himself.

“Yeah, of course they are.” Ward spits back, his voice dripping with doubt. You know that Pogue I just fired? Way more reliable than you.”

A faint smile tugs at my lips. Rafe deserves a little backlash for getting John B fired, and it’s nice to see someone besides me calling him out on it. The argument between Ward and Rafe carries on, Ward berating him for being irresponsible and demanding he step up.

Sarah and I exchange a look. To make it seem like we hadn’t been eavesdropping the whole time, she starts up a conversation with me. “Hey y/n! Did you stop by for your paycheck? I’ll take you to my dad.”

As we step onto the poch, Rafe storms in from outside and glares at both of us. Sarah doesn’t miss a beat.

“Shouldn't have bought that motorcycle with the generator money.” she teases.

Rafe’s jaw tightens, and he stalks off, not bothering with a reply.

Sarah turns back to me with a grin. “Oh, and by the way there’s a party tonight. You should really stop by. I know it’s not exactly your scene, but I’d love to have a chance to get to know you better outside of whatever you want to call this.”She motions to herself and me and then out the door to Ward.  “I had a blast at the beach with you this morning.”

I blink in surprise, realizing I’d actually had fun with her too. A party with Sarah? In her world? Part of me knew I didn’t belong but another part felt an itch to see Rafe Cameron in his natural habitat. The invite feels oddly…nice. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll do what I can!”

Back at the Chateau, I prepare for this evening's heist. I throw on a pair of oversized cargo shorts and a white baby tank and my trusty slip on Vans. Cute, yet practical. As I stand in front of the mirror, I hesitate for a second before adding a touch of mascara. Not just for the heist, but because I’m planning to check out that kook party afterward. Might as well look good, right?

I walk out of the bathroom to find JJ lounging on the couch, his eyes lokcing onto mine as soon as I step into the room.

“Ready to go?” I reach my hand out as an offer of help getting up.

Instead of taking it, he grabs me and pulls me onto the couch with him. “You look hot tonight,” he murmurs, his blue eyes dark with intensity. He leans in and kisses me, and I find myself wanting to lose myself in the moment - to convince myself this was where I belonged, but I could feel that my heart wasn't in this as much as it should be.

“You know we can’t do this.” I whisper, even though my heart skips a beat.

His face falls slightly. “And why not? We can keep a secret. In fact we’ve been keeping one, what, like four hours already?” He winks. “Besides, right now, I’m just having fun. I’m not looking for anything serious.”

Nothing serious. His words echo in my mind, and for a moment I consider them. We’ve been friends for so long. Whats the harm in adding “With benefits’? I glance down at his lips, then back into his eyes. Before I can stop myself, I lean in and kiss him softly, my way of agreeing. He grens, understanding without needing words.

We head out together and join the others in the Twinkie.

When we arrive at the salvage yard, Kiara is already in positon with her care. Pope, JJ, John B, and I huddle behind an old trailer out front. After giving Kiara the signal , we watch as she walks up to the security booth, faking trouble with her flat tie. The guard steps out to help, leaving the gate wide open. Perfect.

JJ sprints ahead to the back shed, where he starts working on the lock combination. John B and Pope keep a lookout, but the bark of a dog stops us in our tracks.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. A massive, wolf-like dog rounds the corner, heading straight for us. John B, naturally terrified of dogs, bolts in the opposite direction. Pope picks up a rusty pipe, as if he’s going to fight the beast, but JJ and I take off, scrambling up a nearby ladder onto the deck of a stored boat. We huddle down, trying to stay out of sight.

JJ grabs my hand, squeezing it three times, a silent reassurance.

“What's that, huh? What's that, Tebow? What you got, huh? What you got?” The dog continues to bark. “Whoever's up there better come on out! I mean it! Don't make me go up there and get your ass!” I hear a gun cock. JJ and I exchange a look. JJ’s eyes glistening with a plan.

“Wait Bobby.” JJ calls out. He raises his hands above the side of the boat. “Don’t shoot. It’s me JJ. Luke’s kid?” He’s standing now.

“What you doing?” I hear Bobby call back.

“ I swear I didn’t want to. My dad made me.” JJ says, his voice breaking. I see the emotion flicker across his face as he lies. “He told me Captain Leo kept his cutting torch. You know, after he got fired. He said if I didn't get it for him, he was gonna... he was gonna hit me again.”

Hearing him say it out loud, about his dad, makes my chest tighten. We all know JJ’s situation, but we never talk about it. Not like this. The rawness in his voice is hard to ignore.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, tears slipping down his face. He turns to climb down the ladder and motions for me to climb down the other side of the boat.

“I almost killed you!” I can hear Bobby saying to JJ. The dog, apparently Tebow, growls. “Come here boy.” Bobby grabs Tebow.

“I’ll just come up with something. Tell him I couldn’t find it.” JJ sniffles and I hear him start to walk away. I scramble down the ladder on the other side of the boat, still keeping an eye out for Tebow or Bobby. JJ grabs my hand and we run out of the yard together.

We find Pope and John B already back at the Twinkie with…the drone.

Closet