──────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲

──────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────

Ward Cameron sat on a chair in his living room rather anxiously after what had just occurred at the courthouse. First, Kiara Carrera calling him and Savannah murderers. And second, Cassandra Blake basically outing the affair he was having with Savannah without naming any names.

If those cops believed what they had said and continued to look into him and Savannah...they were screwed.

Rose poured alcohol into two glasses for her and Ward. He couldn't invite Savannah back to the house, not after what Cassie said. Rose already knew about what happened to Kevin, but Ward had told her an entirely different story to how it happened:

How he came over to the Blakes to discuss the gold with Kevin and then he tried to cut Ward out, causing him to attack him and for Ward to accidentally kill him. Rose seemed to have believed it.

And then with Gavin, Ward didn't really need to lie about that. But still, Rose had been a bit suspicious as to why Ward and Savannah were still around each other even when Kevin was dead for a while now.

"That little jerk called you and Savannah murderers in front of the entire island," Rose said angrily before she handed Ward the glass of alcohol. "Here, baby."

Ward sighed, "I know, Rose."

"It's just gonna get worse. With John B and Sarah testifying against us and Gavin missing..." Rose trailed off, glancing away.

"There was nothing I could do about Gavin, all right? I told you. He came at me and Savannah saved me," Ward explained gun.

"Hey, I know. Baby, I know. Ward, I'm...I'm talking about how it looks. It seems like there's a pattern," Rose said and Ward hummed, rubbing his face. "If Shoupe believes John B's story—"

"No, he won't. He won't."

"What if he does?"

"He won't."

"If he does, look around. All of this, everything...goes away," she told him worriedly, not sure she would be able to handle losing everything that she was able to marry into.

"I know that, Rose."

"It's gone."

"You think I don't know that? You think I don't know that—"

"Okay, so we have to do something!" Rose raised her voiced.

"What?" Ward demanded before he got up exasperatedly, looking out the window.

"Ward, you weren't the one who killed Gavin, okay?" Rose began and Ward slowly turned to look at her, his eyes narrowed.

"What are you trying to say, Rose?"

"I'm trying to say that you don't need to go down for something you didn't do. Okay, if Shoupe believes John B's story about Big John, you don't have to also go down for Gavin," Rose slowly explained.

"Are you saying that you want me to tell the cops what Savannah did?" Ward questioned her.

Rose stared up at him. "Yes."

Ward scoffed at her, rubbing his face. "No. Hell no."

Rose's lip curled. "Is it because of what her daughter said at the courthouse? About her not respecting a certain marriage?" Rose confronted and Ward's body froze. "Look, Ward, I've had my suspicions, okay? But I don't give a fuck."

Ward brought his hands down from his face, giving her a puzzled look. "You...don't?"

"I just want what's best for me and Wheezie, and if that means staying with a cheater who can provide for us then so fucking be it," Rose admitted and Ward blinked at her, not expecting that at all.

"Look, even if Savannah and I weren't..." He trailed off and Rose clicked her tongue bitterly. "Look, I couldn't expose her. If I do that, then she exposes me for killing Kevin and it's game over for both of us."

Rose sighed, looking down at her hands. "So try to talk to Shoupe. Work something out," she tried.

"I talked to him, all right?"

Rose looked back up at him. "Ward, talk to him again."

"He's not gonna do anything else for us."

"There has to be somebody—"

"There's not."

"—that could — There has to be somebody that can help us, Ward," Rose continued as she got up, standing in front of the man and grabbing the sides of his torso. "Think."

"There might be someone, but it's a long shot," Ward breathed out.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Cassie and JJ drove up to the Kildare County Detention Center on JJ's motorbike. They hadn't spoken the whole ride apart from when JJ explained his "brilliant" plan to her, which had been:

Step One: Piss off the cops so badly they don't see what's coming.

Step Two: At exactly 11 PM this evening, John B will have an "attack" of acute appendicitis.

Apparently it worked for JJ in eighth grade.

Step Three: They'll eject John B to the hospital and Cassie and JJ will engage in the extraction of him by posing as EMTs.

Honestly, it wasn't his most terrible idea ever. It was still pretty bad, but not as bad as the kidnapping Shoupe idea. But Cassie didn't want to complain and she also wanted to do anything she could to get John B out. So, she went along with it although now it had been extra awkward between the two of them.

When JJ explained the plan to her, it was clear he was still upset about before. Cassie had felt bad, but she just couldn't talk about it with him. Not yet. Maybe when they got John B out.

Probably not then either.

Cassie had been wearing his hoodie and shorts which had been pretty baggy on her, but at least she was out of her wet clothes. And unfortunately, they smelled like him. It was some type of cologne mixed with the salts of the ocean and it somehow...worked. God, why does he have to smell so good?

JJ had been wearing the white T-shirt and jeans he had picked out before with some shades and a backwards cap. She didn't want to admit it, but he looked really good. God, why does he have to be so hot?

They both got off the motorbike and JJ placed a toothpick in his mouth, looking around coolly. Cassie gave him a look and started walking ahead, not even waiting for him. JJ quickly realized and sped up to her, meeting her side.

Two officers had walked outside and JJ mockingly saluted them before flipping them off behind their backs as they walked past. Cassie wasn't sure if JJ was trying to piss her off as well as the cops on purpose and if so, it was definitely working.

"I'm here to see John B Routledge," JJ drawled loudly since he had put headphones on and was listening to the music turned all the way up. Cassie crossed her arms, shutting her eyes at the boy. Even though this was part of the plan, he still looked like an idiot.

A cute idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.

"No music, and get rid of the toothpick," the officer behind the desk told him.

"I can't hear what you're saying, man, all right?" JJ laughed before he tapped on the headphones. "These things are on full blast! That's what I said. I'm here to see John B Routledge."

The officer gave Cassie a glance and she shrugged in response. He sighed and began to mimic taking the headphones off and then the toothpick out. "Wait. Music?" JJ asked and the officer nodded. "Ohhh." JJ slowly took the headphones off as they fell around his neck. "I mean, I thought it was a free country and all, but, uh, I guess you," JJ gestured around the station, "don't like freedom very much, now do you, cupcake?"

The officer grabbed JJ and shoved him against the wall. "Hey!" Cassie barked, but the officer kept JJ up against the wall.

"Uh, not worth it," Plumb spoke up as she sauntered into the room. They all looked over at her and Cassie's lip curled at the woman.

The officer let go of JJ and he smirked, taking the toothpick out of his mouth as he looked at Plumb. "Good to see ya, Plumb," he greeted before he lifted the toothpick up. "Just nice to have something in your mouth, you know?" He said as he tossed the toothpick on the floor.

"Yeah. I'm sure your girlfriend over here would agree," Plumb shot back and JJ's face twinged red.

Cassie scoffed at her, her face also burning but she shoved away the embarrassment. "Excuse me?" She questioned as she stepped toward her, but the other officer held her back. "No, she can't get to say that! First of all, I'm not his girlfriend. And second of all, what the fuck?"

Plumb narrowed her eyes. "Are you drinking again, Cassie? You know, your mother's been worried sick."

Cassie snarled as she pushed off the officer. "Oh, I'm sure she has," Cassie retorted and Plumb shrugged with a smug look. "Bitch," the blonde muttered.

Plumb looked back at JJ. "Take off your hat and empty your pockets."

"Yes, ma'am," he obeyed as he took his cap off. The two teenagers then emptied their pockets, which basically consisted of nothing other than their phones and wallets, before they followed Plumb.

She led them into a hallway with a bunch of cells that held inmates. As they walked past one of the interrogation rooms, they saw John B sitting inside with his orange jumpsuit on and his hands handcuffed to the metallic table.

Suddenly, an inmate banged on the door on the other wall and they whipped their heads toward him, frightened. "Hey!" The inmate called out before he laughed. "Why don't you come in here, little lady?"

Cassie's lip curled before JJ stepped in front of her rather protectively. She took a step back, blinking at his protective actions despite him clearly being pissed at her. Plumb rolled her eyes. "Come on, Maybank. You first. Five minutes," she said to him.

JJ turned around, sharing a glance with Cassie before he walked into the room that held John B. As Plumb walked away, Cassie waited outside with an officer, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

JJ sat down across from John B and sighed before the two of them bursted out laughing. "I thought it was gonna be me," JJ admitted with a chuckle.

"I did too. Yeah," John B agreed.

"It was you," JJ laughed.

"Welcome to my humble abode," John B jested, gesturing around the plain, gray room.

"Yeah, when you said you had a new apartment, I had no idea," JJ played along.

"Yeah, it's, uh..." John B trailed off.

"It's cozy!"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"A little aluminum theme."

"Yeah. I like to go for the cold, dark..."

"Alone kinda theme."

"...depressing..."

"Yeah, yeah."

John B glanced over his shoulder, seeing Cassie leaning against the wall in boredom. "What's up with that?" John B slowly inquired, looking back over at JJ.

"What's, uh, what's up with what?" JJ replied, playing dumb.

"Cassie. Why is she here with you?" John B asked. He knew that Cassie would have been the last person to want to go here with JJ of all people, so he was a bit confused to see her and not one of the other Pogues. "Wait, and why is she in your hoodie?" He added after glancing back at her.

"The others, uh, they didn't want me storming this place. Thought it was a bad idea. Cass was the only one who agreed with me and I had to get her a change of clothes since it was raining out before," he explained casually with a shrug.

"Cass?" John B tilted his head.

JJ blinked at him. "Look, I would love to sit and chitchat, but I'm on the clock," he quickly changed the subject, not wanting to talk about this with the boy when they had more important matters at hand.

He then explained the plan he came up with to John B as Cassie continued to wait outside. She picked at her nails which were in serious need of a pedicure, but she definitely wasn't getting one any time soon.

She then looked up when Plumb came back after it had been five minutes, opening the door to the room JJ and John B were in. "Hey! Time's up," Plumb told JJ.

"Yes, ma'am," Cassie heard JJ reply.

Once JJ had walked out of the room, Plumb looked at Cassie. "Your turn," she said to her and Cassie pushed off the wall, sharing a look with JJ before she walked inside.

She had no plan to tell John B. She just wanted to talk to him.

"Hey," she greeted as she sat down in front of the Routledge boy.

He smiled at her. "Hey, Cassie."

She gave him a lopsided frown. "Did JJ tell you the plan?"

"Yeah. It's stupid, but...Hey, it could work," he admitted, nodding his head.

"Exactly what I was thinking," she agreed. "Look, John B, I have nothing to add onto that plan but I just wanted to say...I am so sorry about this. I mean, part of the reason you're in here is because of my mom and—"

"Don't do that," John B interrupted her.

She knitted her brows together. "Don't do what?"

"Don't apologize for your mom. You're not her," he told her and Cassie felt her heart swell a bit. "It's not your fault I'm in here, okay? It's Rafe, Ward and Savannah's. It's got nothin' to do with you."

She gave him a soft smile. "Still, though. I'm sorry. Must be tough living in here," she said, glancing around the room. "It's like, aluminum themed. Aluminum and alone themed."

John B laughed a bit. "That's exactly what JJ said."

Cassie darted her eyes back to him. "He did?"

"Yeah," John B confirmed, a slight smirk making its way up to his lips. "And I see you're wearing his clothes."

Cassie felt her cheeks burn and she prayed the boy in front of her couldn't notice. "It was raining before and I got soaked. I'm not able to go home so...JJ gave me his clothes. That's it."

"That's it?" John B prodded with a light smirk.

She scoffed at him. "Seriously, JB? You seriously think JJ and I got something goin' on? That's gotta be the craziest thing you've ever thought of. We hate each other."

She was going to go to hell with the amount of lying she was doing.

John B shrugged. "Okay, okay. It's just, I haven't been back here for a while so wasn't sure what went down, that's all."

"Well, JJ and I haven't 'went down,' that's for sure," she lied again with an eye roll.

"Yup. Got it," John B nodded even though there was still a light smirk on his lips before it faltered. "Seriously, though, thanks for coming. I missed you a lot when Sarah and I were gone."

She smiled warmly at him as she felt heart swell some more. "You did?"

"Yeah. I mean, every time some dumb shit went down, I always thought, 'Cassie would be yelling and swinging by now,'" he told her and the two of them started to laugh.

"Yup. Probably...probably," she nodded with a few chuckles.

Once they stopped laughing, John B expressed, "Stay safe out there, okay? Don't let your mom do anything to you."

"Trust me, I won't," she assured the boy. "I should be telling you to stay safe in here. There are some...interesting characters."

John B sucked in a breath. "Yeah. For sure."

Plumb opened the door and called out, "Time's up!"

"Bye, Cassie," John B said, trying to wave before he realized his hands were still cuffed. "Ow."

Cassie chuckled a bit. "Bye, John B." She sent him one last smile before she walked out of the room, Plumb shutting the door behind her.

"Have a nice conversation?" JJ inquired flatly.

"Mhm," she hummed, giving him a forced tight-lipped grin.

"Come on, you two," Plumb urged and the two began to follow her.

Plumb led Cassie and JJ back out as JJ swung his visitor's card arrogantly. However, he did a double-take once he looked through the window of one of the doors. "JJ?" Cassie spoke in confusion, watching as he made his way closer to the door to peer through it.

JJ suddenly started to bang on the door. "Dad! Dad!"

Dad? His father's here? Why didn't he say anything?

Plumb went over and tried pulling away from the door. "Let's go!"

"Hey!" Cassie tried to step in, but Plumb shoved her away.

"Dad!"

Plumb ripped him away from the door and turned him away, pushing him ahead. Cassie gave Plumb a nasty look before she walked next to JJ. He sucked in a breath as he walked ahead of Plumb. "I see what you did there, Plumb."

Plumb put her hands around JJ's arm to contain him once they grabbed their items back, forcing the two of them outside. "I just have one question before we leave. How much are you splitting with Shoupe?" JJ challenged and Plumb shoved him down, making him groan. Cassie gave Plumb another angered look, but Plumb just peered past to her.

"You'll be back here one day. It's in your blood," Plumb told him and JJ didn't answer as he placed his cap, that was given back to him, back on. He then walked down the steps, taking a pause to look down.

Cassie watched him, knowing that what Plumb said must have cut deep if he wasn't going to give her attitude back. She seethed and looked back at Plumb, who looked proud of herself.

"You know what's in your blood? Being a fucking bitch," Cassie insulted, causing JJ to look back at her since she had defended him. Why was she defending him when she was so hellbent on not talking about the other night?

Plumb took a menacing step forward. "You wanna get arrested like your friend in there?" She threatened.

Cassie tutted. "I'm allowed to say what I want. First Amendment right, remember?" She mocked and Plumb glared at her. "Especially because what I'm saying is true," she added before she turned to JJ. "Let's go, Jay."

Jay? That's new, he noted as she watched her walk toward him.

The two walked off with one another, back to his motorbike. However, before the both of them got on, Cassie asked, "Why didn't you tell me your dad got arrested?"

JJ paused, his jaw tightening. "Didn't think it was important," he answered, not looking her in the eyes.

"Not important? JJ, of course it's important," she responded and JJ kept his eyes away from her, looking down at his bike as he ran his finger song the handlebar to distract himself. "JJ, what Plumb said back there...don't listen to her. She's wrong."

"What if she's not though?" JJ voiced, his voice cracking a bit.

"She's wrong," Cassie reiterated and she saw the way JJ's lip curled, not seeming to believe her. "Look at me. Hey, look at me," she said, grabbing the sides of his face to make him look at her.

JJ looked down at her, his lip trembling ever so slightly and his eyes downcast. The way she held his face and gazed up at him only made him feel worse because her words before made it seem like she wanted nothing to do with him. And then here she was, defending him and trying to comfort him.

Once again, she was such an enigma to him. And it only drew him closer to her.

"We're not our parents okay? We don't have to be like them," she told him sternly and saying that out loud, made her feel better too. The both of them needed to hear that.

He blinked back his tears before he took her hands away from his face and shook his head, making her furrow her brows. "JJ, wha—"

"Why are you doing this?" He whispered. "Why are you saying you don't want to talk about the other night and now you're...here in front of me, doing this?"

Cassie pursed her lips, feeling absolutely horrible. Because it had nothing to do with him. It had everything to do with her. Her and stupid way of handling her emotions.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. We can...we can talk about it later, alright? Just...not now. After we get John B out, okay?" She said only to stall the inevitable. She was trying so hard to avoid the conversation, avoid her feelings. But it was getting harder and harder when JJ just kept trying.

Why was he trying so hard?

Cassie was never used to this. To a guy who seemed to genuinely...like her. Did he genuinely like her? She was still having a hard time accepting the fact that JJ may have genuinely liked her and she wasn't just "one of his girls."

Because why would he try so hard if he didn't like her?

Now with John B cooped up in jail, JJ needed someone to lean on. Someone he thought he could lean on after the other night, but was giving him mixed signals. And that someone was Cassie. Which he never would have believed at the beginning of the summer if you told him.

He would have said you were crazy, delusional even. Because why would he want to lean on the girl he hated and would try to piss off at every chance he could get?

But here he was, wanting nothing more than to be around the girl even though she seemed to not want to be around him. Since when did he become such a softie?

He sniffled a bit. "You promise?"

She felt her heart ache. "I promise."

She wasn't sure if that was a lie.

authors note!
john b and cassie are so important to
me like their friendship is how i wish
i had a platonic friendship with a man
</3 also that gif at the top is making
me feel some type of way 🥵🥵🥵 oh
and merry christmas eve to those
who celebrate!!! im hoping to see
drew starkey and rudy pankow
under my tree tmrw, how about
you all? 😁