Keep Me Safe Y/n Routledge x JJ Maybank

part 18- Life on the Line

JJ and I were asleep in the spare bedroom—well, technically his bedroom, but we were sharing it- so I guess it was our bedroom now. Anyways, the next morning, John B woke us up super early, ready to head out to God knows where.

JJ and John B were up front in the twinkie, while I was in the back, completely zoned out. John B was laying out the plan to JJ, but honestly, I had no clue where we were headed. I didn't even bother asking or paying attention. My thoughts were occupying me.

————————FLASHBACK————————

Kyra: Mom
David: Dad

It was the spring before my dad died. I was in my room when I overheard my parents arguing about something that sounded important. My curiosity ass got out of bed and crept to the top of the stairs where I was out of sight.

"We have to go, David! You know how much y/n loves seeing John B and her friends," my mom insisted, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Kyra, I know. But you know how my brother is," my dad shot back, his frustration was palpable, and that just made me even more curious.

"Shhh. The kids are sleeping," my mom replied, trying to keep her voice down.

"Sorry, it's just that I don't want to see him. He treats me like shit," my dad said, lowering his tone. I remembered my unserious little ass trying so hard not to laugh at the fact I heard my dad cuss.

"Do it for y/n. She was just asking me when are we leaving. You can't do this to her," my mom urged.

In that moment, I missed my mom. The mom who cared about me—the mom I had before she turned to alcohol.

"I can't take him, love. He's always pulling me into his treasure hunting schemes and asking for money. Last year, he made me give him 200 bucks to pay off some debt to Ward," my dad said, frustration creeping into his voice "And the year before he needed money to be able to send John B back to school. He can't rely on us forever. Kyra he barely takes care of his own kid!" My dad said, in a worried tone. It was evident that he was scared for John B, not Big John

And in that moment remember silently gasping. It finally made sense as to why my dad would always give John B money secretly. He knew that Big John wasn't using that money on his child, instead on his stupid treasure hunts.

"Look, how about we go one last time as a family? Next year y/n turns 15; she can look after herself so, if you hate seeing your brother that much, we can send her alone," my mom suggested, trying to reason with him.

They ended up agreeing on my mom's idea. That night barely slept. But once I did, I had forgotten all about it the next morning. Until now.

—

"Y/nnn?" I heard a faint voice cut through my thoughts, and I finally snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something," I replied, trying to mask the urge to start bawling my eyes out.

"You okay?" JJ asked, concern etched on his face. I looked up at him and managed a half-hearted, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

It was probably best not to share what was really on my mind. I didn't want to worry John B any more than he already was or give him a negative impression of his dad.

Then JJ turned to me, a puzzled look in his eyes. "What were you thinking about?"

I flashed him a reassuring smile and said, "Don't worry about it, love."