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  ANNA AND MIKE'S PARTY is filled with people as we pull up. I know my mom and the boys were invited but I can't spot them. I tie the boat up for John B. It's the least I can do.

  "Here's the game plan, get the girls, go find Pope and Cleo, get down to South America as soon as possible. Cool?" John B explains the plan. "Seems a bit vague, I gotta say, John B. Also, I don't got a passport, dawg," JJ says. "Hey, look, don't bore me with the details, alright? Gonna get Sarah. Gonna get Kie and Bailey, little rendezvous mission. Back on the boat, get out of here," John B says. I spot Mike Carrera and blow a raspberry, "Think he knows your crime yet, babe?"

  "Crime? What crime?" John B frantically questions. "Uh, the other day when I went over to Kie's with Bailey, Mike, Bailey and I kind of got into a little bit of a tiff, alright? He was saying unkind things about our girl, Bailey. And if I go over there right now, and he sees me, he's not gonna let Kiara out of his sight, boom. Mission blown, we can't go down to South America," JJ says but skips over the most important part. For the sake of the mission I don't say anything about it.

   John B points at me, "Were you there?"

  "Uh, no. I was not but they still really don't like me. I don't even know if Bailey is here—"

  "Bailey is here. Where Kie is, Bailey is. Just tell Bailey and tell Kie, alright. JJ, stay by Sam," John B holds JJ's face, squeezing his cheeks in the process. "Uh, no. I'll stay here. Chop-chop though, okay?" JJ says. "Really, J?" I plant my hands on my hips. "I don't wanna get arrested. Again. You said no getting arrested," He points at me with raised eyebrows.

  I just scoff. He makes a good point but whatever. I pull myself up and onto the dock. There's so many people here. I spot Sarah though. Let me go talk to—nevermind. Nope. Topper is over there.

  "Fuck," I curse, moving through the crowd. My eyes bounce all around until I'm pulled back by someone. "Hey!" I yell but I'm spun around, suddenly face to face with Blake and Vanessa. It's not until now that I remember the text. Ward Cameron is on the island.

   Blake's face is now bruised, the cuts somewhat healed. It makes me bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from yelling at him again. "Stop disappearing!" Blake smacks me upside the head, "Why do you smell like shit?"

  "Jesus. Hi to you too," I say, rubbing the back of my head, "I saw the text."

  "Great. Why didn't you respond?" Vanessa asks, sipping on a Bloody Mary. "There was other shit going on. Big John is kidnapped," I whisper and steal a sip of the alcohol. Woah—it tastes far too much like vodka to be enjoyed. She's not even 21, how'd she get this?

  "Wha—kidnapped?" Vanessa says through gritted teeth. "Man can't catch a break," Blake sighs, "Anyway, Ward is back. He's not in Tannyhill though. There was movement in his bank account—"

   "How the fuck did you see that?!" I panic. "Don't worry about it. If he's back, Weston might be as well," Vanessa says. My blood runs cold. I completely forgot I never told my own siblings our dad is dead. Murdered by me. A sharp exhale leaves my mouth.

   "What was that for?" Blake asks. "I—I don't wanna see that man, okay? Have you seen Bailey?" I quickly change the subject, feeling my head start to spin.

  "Yeah, she's by Kie over by that table—"

   "Okay, bye!" I depart from my confused siblings, spotting the table that now Kie, Bailey and Sarah are at. I rush through the crowd but suddenly the music cuts and Mike is at the mic. Goddamnit.

  "I just want to say a few words, and I'm not much into giving speeches, but I do want to say thank you for coming out and thank you for your support after a rough few months...."

  It's gonna be so awkward when I'm the only one moving throughout the crowd. As Mike thanks Kie, I duck down behind people, borderline crawling over to the girls. Oh, this is embarrassing. The crowd cheers for Kie and then Anna is pulled up on stage, thanking her for shit, I guess. Finally, the speech is done and I run over to where Bailey and Sarah stand.

   "Hi!" I shout. "Sam?" Bailey and Sarah shout. "Yes. Hi. I smell bad. I'm aware. Y'all look cute though," I compliment them. Sarah looks completely distracted though. I spot John B behind her and point to him, "Your boyfriend needs you."

  He's all smiles as he rushes over for a hug but Sarah looks paranoid. That's odd. Maybe Sarah knows Ward is back as well. I would assume he'd at least contact the only child he gives a shit about. Barely. The two distance themselves from the table.

   "You alright?" Bailey asks. "Hm? I'm fine. Are you? I haven't seen you and last time I did it seemed Kie and you...." I trail off. Bailey bites her lip, "We're, uh, fine right now. She snuck me into the party, so. Her parents don't like me very much though."

  "I'm sorry, Bail. They're garbage anyway," I pat her back. Bailey shrugs, sipping her drink that reeks of tequila, "Oh, look, woman of the hour!" Bailey instantly smiles at the sight of Kie. "Sam?" She chuckles, running over to give me a rare Kiara hug. My movements stutter but I hug back.

   "Okay, um, hi. So, in summary, Big John was kidnapped by Singh and taken to South America so we found this guy named Neville and he was on this houseboat and then we got shot at. So, we need to go and get to South America, like, ASAP," I ramble. Their eyes are wide, processing it all.

   "South America? Kidnapped?" Bailey places her drink down, hands running through her hair. "South America? Right now?" Kie looks at me in disbelief, "Where's JJ?" Her face twists into anger. Oh, she knows. She knows he took the money clip.

  "Not—here," I lie. Kie scoffs, tongue poking at her cheek, "He stole from my dad." Bailey and I share a concerned look. "You knew, didn't you, Sam?" Kie huffs, turning towards Bailey, "Did you?"

  "No. I didn't. When did he—oh," Bailey realizes, "It's because of all the shit your dad said. But I didn't know—"

   "So you knew, Sam and you weren't gonna say anything? You expect me to just go and come to South America with you guys?" Kie angrily says. "We don't have time for an argument right now, Kie. We gotta go. Big John is in trouble and you're worried about a fucking money clip?" I retort. I'm trying to bite my tongue from getting too pissed. It's getting darker now as the argument plays out.

  "I'm not worried about the clip. It's the premise of it all!" Kie says, "Are you going with them?" She asks Bailey. The Perez girl's lips part, looking between me and her girlfriend, "Are you mad at me? Because I didn't even know he did this!"

  "Are you mad at him for doing it or in agreement? Bailey, I like you. A lot. You can't have my parents' words affect you," Kie says. Now Bailey scoffs at this and I'm suddenly in the middle of a couple's argument. Do I leave? Where's John B?

  Bailey's jaw clenches, "And if I agree with JJ?"

  Kie blinks, stepping back and then looking at me, "I'm not going. You can go, Bailey. Go ahead. I'm not going," Kie walks away and Bailey gives me a glance before following after her. Either to plead her case or argue more, I don't know but I walk away either way. I make my way through the crowd. My breath hitches at the sight of Adrien by the bar. His back is turned to me but I would know his stupid leather jacket anywhere.

  "Shit," I curse, moving faster.

  The sun had set pretty quickly as I catch up with John B and JJ but no Sarah.

   "JB, where's Sarah?" I ask as we walk down the dock. His jaw is clenched as well as his fists. "She cheated. That's where she is," John B says. My mind clouds. Sarah cheated? Maybe I'm not surprised about the cheating but I can only assume it was with Topper. That's what surprises me.

  "After everything I've been going through, she's off hooking up with Topper?" John B scoffs. I want to defend her, tell him that they're both going through a lot but I just keep my mouth shut as we get to the HMS Pogue. I'm left in the middle of John B and Sarah. I almost want to excuse her cheating but I know that if it was JJ doing the same, I'd lose my shit.

   "Where's Kie and Bailey?" JJ asks. "Uh, Kie knows you took the money clip so, she's not the happiest with you. Caused an argument with the girls," I briefly explain. "Let's just go," JJ says.

   There's loud thudding, like running coming at us. I turn to see Bailey running, panting as she stops at the HMS. "She mad?" JJ asks. "Pissed. I'm pissed at you as well but John B needs our help so," Bailey pats him on the back, "Right, John B?" She asks but he's distracted by something, eyes stuck on Sarah and Topper.

  My heart sinks as I watch her hug Topper. It's an awkward hug but it's a hug. I want to scream because all the times I defended her, she does this? There's gotta be something else behind this. Topper is a manipulative bitch as well as having a major victim complex for someone that's never been a victim.

   "John B, what are you doing? Don't even think about it, dude," JJ says as John B stares down Topper. This is gonna end in a fight and as much as I want Topper to get his shit rocked, we have more important matters. "JB, come on. We don't have time for this," I say but it's no use. He has tunnel vision. "This is bad," Bailey sighs. As John B walks over, I walk behind him. Topper spots us. "Okay, John B, seriously, turn around," I grab him by the back of his shirt but he pulls away from my grip.

   Adrien spots me as he walks over to Topper. This is getting worse and worse. We have shit to do. John B pushes into a man, knocking the drinks out of his hands. "No, not right here, bro," Topper pleads. Sarah steps between them but John B pushes past. Even Adrien steps in the middle but John B also pushes past him.

   John B shoves Topper, "Feel good about yourself?"

  Sarah looks at me for help with tearful eyes but I look away from her, my heart hurting because somehow I feel betrayed as well. I see JJ and Bailey running over the more John B shoves Topper around.

  "I'm not ruining their party!" Topper says. "That's what you're worried about?" John B pushes him yet again. All eyes are on us now, including Kie's parents and Kie. Somehow in the crowd, I spot my mom and the boys as well as my siblings, all just watching as this goes down.

   Adrien shoves John B away this time, "Walk away!" He yells. John B shoves Adrien right into the table behind him and gets back in Topper's face, "Feel good about yourself?" He asks again. When Adrien gets up, I can see the anger in his eyes. A familiar anger.

   "I told you this is bad," Bailey says as her and JJ come up behind me. Sarah grabs John B by the shoulders, spinning him around, "For once in your life, would you please just turn around and walk away?" Sarah pleads with him, "Please. Please don't."

  I step in front of Adrien, not caring if he gets mad at me and starts some shit. I'm not letting him touch John B.

  "Hey, no hard feelings, bro," Topper says with a smug laugh that lights anger in me so I can only imagine the anger within John B.

  "Topper," Sarah whispers. "We good?" Topper asks.

   JJ and I glance over at each other, the same knowing look across our faces. John B turns, fist clenched. His arm winds up and he punches Topper, knuckles colliding with his nose. Topper grunts, rolling onto the ground.

  "You should've walked away, bro," Adrien pushes me out of the way. No. Absolutely not. I can see JJ jump at Adrien but before I'm fully thinking, I shove Adrien away and my own fist collides with Adrien's face. Everyone gasps at both violent acts.

  "You like that shit, Top?" John B seethes, "Huh?"

  I don't know who to keep my eyes on. I don't want John B to get into any more trouble but Adrien will come back at me. Topper is on the ground, blood already rolling down his face. I shake my fist, trying to hide my smirk as Adrien holds his face. JJ quickly gets between Adrien and I. "What? You wanna go too?" Adrien pushes JJ. "Yeah, come on, hit me, bro," JJ dares him.

    Adrien laughs, putting himself in a fight stance. I'm so beyond tired of him. That trip away did nothing.

   "Fucking asshole!" I jump at Adrien but I'm picked up by my waist by JJ, "Put me down! JJ!" I slap his hands but he moves me away. "No can do, sunshine," JJ says as he walks away.

  I look crazy, fully aware. All these Kooks and my mom are staring at me.

   He places me down and away from Adrien.

  "John B. Stop! What are you doing? No!" Sarah yells and as I turn around, John B lands another blow on Topper's face and then another and another. It's all bone crushing sounds. "John B!" I shout when I realize he isn't gonna stop. I hear Sarah call for help as I try to pull John B off but it's no use. Mike gets to John B before JJ can, pulling him off of Topper.

   "Get out of here!" Mike yells, shoving John B. JJ rushes over stepping between Mike and John B now, "Get off of him!" JJ yells in his face. "That's what I'm talking about!" Mike lunges at JJ. "Back the fuck up!" Bailey yells at him, her hand gripping my wrist as she pulls me away.

  "Sam?" My mom calls out for me. "Everyone, get out of here!" Mike shouts. I see my mom's confused face as well as Brandon's and Justin's but I don't know what to say to them.

  JJ shoves John B away while Bailey gives Kie one last glance before pulling me away. "You happy, Sarah?" John B shouts, trying to fight around JJ. I look over my shoulder one more time. Topper is on the ground, Adrien shouting insults at us and Sarah is panicking, shouting for a doctor.

   We get to the boat and I try to start it but I wince as my fist stings. I haven't punched someone like that in a long time. "It's fine. I got it," Bailey says, starting up the boat. It revs and Kie and Sarah's eyes are on us.

   "Bailey—"

  "It's fine," Bailey sniffles as she pulls away from the dock, "Where to?"

   "The Chateau," I answer, "John B, what the hell?" I don't know whether to be mad or concerned. Both probably. JJ grabs my fist and I hiss, "What the hell him? What about what you did? He could've jumped you!"

  "Well, he didn't! He was gonna hit JB! I stopped him!" I shout. JJ's jaw clenches, still examining my fist, "How bad does it hurt?"

  "Uh, seven. It'll hurt worse once the adrenaline wears off. I know how this shit works," I pull my fist away abruptly from JJ. "Yeah. I know you do," JJ just scoffs and turns his attention back to John B whose fist is surely worse.

   Sitting in the boat so bitterly makes the trip to the Chat much longer than I would've liked.

    "Alright, let's patch them up," Bailey says and JJ ties up the boat. I hold my fist in my hand. There's slight blood on my knuckles and I have no idea if I made Adrien bleed or if I'm bleeding. The adrenaline wears off as I enter the home right behind Bailey. She's stomping around the house, grabbing clothes to change into. The bathroom door slams, making the remaining three of us flinch and share a look.

   "Fight with Kie must've been intense," John B whispers. I glare at JJ. It's mostly his fault the two girls are even fighting in the first place. He catches my glare, "What's that for?"

   "It's your fault they're fighting, J," I whisper. I wince as my knuckles brush over my shirt. Water runs over them as the blood washes off into the sink. "How's it my fault?" JJ asks, throwing the first aid onto the counter for John B and I.

  The brunette boy takes my spot at the sink, awkwardly looking at us fighting.

  I have to look at JJ like he's dumb but then I remember that he wasn't even there for their argument. "Kie is mad at you for taking the money clip and Bailey didn't know, then Kie got mad at Bailey because she agreed with your actions and I presume left Kie at the party for us. So, apologize!" I huff, wrapping a gauze around my knuckles. It fucking hurts. Is it bad to say I miss the pain? The cut knuckles and blood that will coat my hand for a day or so.

  The door to the bathroom swings back open to reveal Bailey in her pajamas. "Are you two okay?" She points to John B and I. "I punched Adrien. So, pretty good," I hold my fist up proudly. JJ's jaw clenches. He usually hypes up my fights, maybe not with Adrien. He just wants to protect me and I get that but I protected myself long before JJ came into my life. That's all I did for a while.

   "I just—I can't fucking believe Topper," John B throws a wet rag. Clearly still mad. My God.

  "I can. His audacity is almost as big as his flip flop collection," JJ says, flopping onto the couch. Funny. So funny I hide my snort.

  "I can't believe Sarah," John B whispers and the air in the house suddenly changes. The betrayal I felt from defending Sarah is back. "Oh. Yeah. That," Bailey takes a deep breath, "She was actin' weird when she got to the party but I brushed it off as her having like, no home."

  "Kie knew. She had to," I say, biting at the nails on my non bruised hand. "She's so pissed at me. Probably more pissed after I fucking shoved her dad away," Bailey runs her hands over her face, "I need sleep. Or a breakdown," Bailey freezes, eyes setting on me, "I mean—"

   "Bail, it's fine. Please," I chuckle. Do not treat me like I'm fragile. Do not. Please.

   "Right," Bailey shoots me some finger guns and walks into the guest room. "Need help, John B?" JJ asks. We both turn to face him and he's still seething with anger. He flexes his bruised fist, eyes glossy. "No," John B says before stomping out of the house.

   I step forward to follow him but the slam of the back door lets me know that maybe right now isn't the best. I still have to tell John B and Bailey about Weston. God knows where Cleo and Pope are. Problem is, now I'm left with a stubborn and annoyed JJ in the living room.

   "How long you gonna be mad at me now?" I ask, glancing over at him. "Not mad," JJ sucks on his teeth, walking in front of me, "Concerned."

   "Concerned?" I jerk my head back, "Why?"

   "You keep putting yourself at risk, babe. The motorcycle—"

  "You fell off an overpass and I'm the one putting myself at risk?"

   JJ gapes, "Okay, fair. I just wish you didn't punch Adrien, okay? He was gonna come at you."

   "I handled it," I say, shaking my head as I walk past him to grab water, "Thought you liked crazy Sam?" I clench my jaw. JJ takes a deep inhale through his nose, "I do. But I also like non bruised, alive and no bloody fucking fists Sam."

   He's serious. JJ Maybank is serious. Known tussler and the ultimate man of having cut knuckles is serious.

I guess my annoyance with his statement is obvious because he struts over to me. "You gonna call me a hypocrite? Act like you don't get mad when I fight people?" JJ asks.

Fair. Fair points all made. But I still shrug, "I'm going to bed, hypocrite. With Bailey. She needs it." JJ presses his lips together but doesn't fight it. He lets me walk past him without a hug or kiss goodnight.

   My hand grabs hold of the door handle. "Babe," JJ calls out and I turn, "I love you."

   My eyes widen. We don't say those words enough. I'm sure it's because the words are scary, even if we've been together for a year. They're scary words when everyone who has said them has fucked you over at some point. My heart melts though, "I love you," I say with a smile and enter the dark room.

   When I flick the light on, Bailey is curled up in a ball in the middle of the bed. Shit. This might be worse than I thought. "Bailey," I sit on the bed, "Bailey Perez," I say her full name with a chuckle. She looks up at me with red lined eyes. She's been crying. It's obvious.

   Bailey opens her arms up, indicating she needs a hug. Poor girl. We know each other too well. Being so comfortable with someone I consider an ex is such a rarity, I'm happy it's Bailey though.

   I hug her, holding her on the bed. "It's alright. I've got you," I soothe her just like the many times she's done with me.

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