Faded Heart

XXXVII. This Isn't Goodbye, This Is See You Later

A mischievous smile crossed JJ's face as his eyes landed on the boat. His hands reaching up to touch the metal siding.

"There she be." He laughs, patting the side of the boat. His blues lit up like a kid in a candy shop. The most excitement I'd seen in the boy over the last few days. "A 1983 Formula 402 SR1. The Phantom. The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours, Em. Forty years old! Forty! And still the fastest thing that Kildare's ever seen.

"It's kind of a junker." I shrug, trying to downplay my amusement with him. As soon as JJ turns away though, a small smile crosses my face. I liked seeing him excited about things. Like real genuine excitement that didn't come from weed, alcohol, and fighting.

"She looks like she'd sink under the first wave..." Ashtyn notes, crossing her arms as her and Kiara enter the garage behind us. 

JJ snaps his head back, "Really? She's right there... She can hear you two." The blonde shoots the two of us a confused look and turns to touch the boat once more. "Let's put it this way. We would not be smokin' weed right now if she never existed, okay?"

Kiara shrugs, "I just hope it runs."

"Oh no, she'll run all right. She's faster than any cutters the boys in blue got." JJ adds, giving the boat one last pat.

I could hear a motorcycle growing closer. The faint sound of the wheels on the gravel were almost outside denoting the fact that Pope was finally here to meet us at the garage.

"Pope, finally." Kiara groans. The dark haired girl shifts her weight onto her other leg as she crosses her arm. I could tell that she wasn't too amused with the other member of the Pogues right now. Pope had been in a mood today which led to him and Kiara fighting.

Ashtyn's attention perks and her eyebrows move together in confusion, "Kie, there's two bikes..."

And in comes the one and only Rafe Cameron who jumps on the Phantom, "Hey, there. What's goin' on? JJ? How you guys doin'?" The light haired, older boy was doing his best to try and intimidate us.

The tall light haired boy laughs, but behind him there is a whistle. Soon, the same dark haired male who jumped us a few days before makes his way into the garage as well. The same guy JJ stole 25k from. 

"Shit." I mutter and my attention is now focused on Barry. I knew he was here for one thing and one thing only... Revenge. My arms shake as I back into JJ, who lightly pushes me behind him. I could still make out the dark eyes of the drug dealer who was ready to do whatever he could for the money and for revenge...

"Rafe, what the hell are you doing here?" Ashtyn asks, the brunette's voice cracking. There were still a lot of emotions between the two. The way she looked at him was a mix of hurt and anger.

"Deja vu." Rafe laughs. A laugh that can only be attributed to a sociopath. There were no emotions behind his words and his eyes were darker than usual. "I could ask you the same thing, Hughes."

"Well, well..." Barry chuckles as his gun is pointed at JJ and I. He cocks it, causing me to jump back. "See, don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road. I'm here because I want my motherfuckin' money."

Barry moves towards JJ. Before either of us could react, he swings the gun forward and hits JJ in the head. JJ falls backwards towards me, but is pulled back by Barry. The only thing I can do is lunge for him. However, Barry is too quick. He easily knocks me on to the ground and stalks his way back towards the blonde. I could tell he wasn't going to put much effort into me. He was only focused on JJ. 

"JJ!" I shout, standing up and making my way back towards the two of them. Barry is now on top of JJ and is hitting him with the gun and with his fist. "What the fuck?"