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Estrella stood in the kitchen with a water bottle as everyone moved around her to start their day.

"I barely slept last night." Charlotte groans

"Why?" Sarah asks

"The rain."

"You don't like the rain?" Pope asks

"Not a huge fan."

"I love the rain." Estrella says, "Probably the best sleep I've had in a while."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure there was drool on her pillow this morning." JJ jokes

"Shut up." Estrella says as Sarah giggles. The teens look over as John B walks in, "Morning John B."

"Morning." He says, "Uh, have you guys been out to the shop?"

"No, not yet." JJ says. He notices John B's worried expression, "Why?"

"I'm pretty sure it was struck last night during the storm." He says

"Shit." JJ says as the teens jump up

•••

"Anyone want fried fish?" John B says. Estrella sighs as he lifts up the damaged bait.

"What's the damage, Pope?" JJ asks

"Fuse box is busted. Without the live bait, the fishermen won't come, and there goes half of our business right there. We have enough profit to cover it, but barely, just barely. All right?" Pope says walking over and grabbing the jar with the last of their gold, "This is it. The last of our Au."

"Uh, what?" John B says

"What?" Sarah mutters

"Gold. It's the periodic symbol for gold." Pope clarifies

"Why not just say gold?" Kie says

"Because it doesn't matter. This is all our savings, and it's a no-go. This is for property taxes. So, we're gonna have to tighten up..." Pope says, "which means no more $600 in gas
chasing tarpon up the Gulf."

"Pope, that's my job." JJ says

"We were chasing a bait board." John B says

Pope turns to Kie, "No more $200 in heirloom tomato seeds."

Kie's head jerks back offended as Cleo sits up, "What about my imported peppers?"

"Peppers gotta go too, baby." Pope says before turning to Estrella, "And no more $300 on paint supplies."

Estrella straightens up, "Pope, wait."

"I need to run the charters..." JJ says

"It's not the tomatoes' fault." Sarah tries

"No, hey, guys, if the business starts failing, the sharks start circling, all right?" Pope exclaims, "We don't even know if your dad is coming back."

"Yeah, well, it's not his anymore." JJ says

"Doesn't matter. What's he gonna think when he sees all this?" Pope asks, "Listen, if we want to save this place, we skinny up until the business gets afloat again. Okay?"

Without another word, Pope slams the jar down and walks out of the shop leaving the teens in silence. While Estrella knew Pope was right, she was finally able to make a job out of something she enjoyed doing. She sighs as she leans down and places her head in her hands.

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"What's up, y'all Kooks and Pogues? Welcome, welcome to this year's Kildare Enduro. What a fantastic day we got for racing today. You guys ready to burn some gas?" The commentator says

"Yeah! Woo-hoo!" The crowd cheers

"The race is kicking off soon, so make sure you get your bets in, and then wave your flag, you know what I'm saying?"

JJ looks up from his hands and a small smile takes over his face as he watches Estrella look around. He looks down as he slides one of his gloves on, "You look nervous."

Estrella turns to him, "I am nervous."

"What? You don't think I can pull it off?"

"It's not about that." She sighs, "I don't trust Topper and Rafe. God knows what they're gonna try to do."

JJ slides his last glove on, "Look, I'll be fine. Alright? I'll go in, do what I do best, and win. Easy peasy."

Estrella raises her brows, "Easy peasy?"

"Easy peasy." JJ nods, "Though a good luck kiss wouldn't hurt."

Estrella rolls her eyes playfully before standing on her tippy toes and giving him a kiss, "Be careful."

"I got this, Star." He says, "Don't worry."

JJ winks before walking over to Cleo who agreed to help him with his bike. Estrella sighs as she turns to the others. Charlotte gives her a sympathetic smile, "You okay?"

"I'm nervous." She says standing beside her and keeping her eyes on JJ, "It doesn't help that he's been in a motorcycle crash or that he's racing against Topper and Rafe."

"I'm sure he'll be okay." Charlotte reassures, "They can't still be holding onto that, can they?"

Estrella turns to her, "Evidently, you don't know that much about those two assholes. They hang on to the smallest things and will never let it go until they feel like they've won."

Charlotte tilts her head in understanding, "Well, even then, it's JJ. I haven't even known him that long and he's survived things that I couldn't even imagine someone else making it out of. He'll be okay."

Estrella lets out a huge sigh as she turns back towards JJ. Her brows drawing inward as John B drags his bike out to the line-up. She turns as Sarah walks over to her with a scowl, "Hey, I thought John B wasn't racing."

Sarah sighs as she looks to the others. The teens engrossed in their own conversations. She reaches out and pulls Estrella to the side, "JJ, bet on himself."

Estrella's frown deepens, "What? What are you talking about? With what money?"

"The last of the gold."

Estrella's face falls, "No."

"Yes." She nods, "He just told John B. He's gonna cover him so Rafe and Topper can't get to him."

"Shit." Estrella sighs as they turn toward the starting line.

"Gonna be a wild one this year, Ash." The commentator says, "Who do you have in this race?"

"Man, I've got my eyes on my man Meatball Howell. He's coming in hot to this race. We've got Topper looking good. Rafe Cameron on that fire-breathing KTM, he could be your favorite today." The man responds

"God, Pope's gonna kill him." Estrella says

"I know. He needs to win it back or we're screwed."

"Check this out. Looks like we've got a late entrant. John B Routledge on a bucket of bolts. He's gonna need a miracle."

"Does your boyfriend ever think before he does anything?" Sarah asks

"Never." Estrella says, "Like, not even once."

The girls watch as two girls walk over to the boys racing, "All right, guys. Listen up. Race is to the old buoy and back. Other than that, no rules. We all good? This is for all the money and respect. Go get it, y'all! Whoo!"

"On your marks!" The blonde says, "Get set! Go!"

As the other racers take off, JJ stays behind. His panic quickly setting in as his bike fails to start. Estrella's heart drops, "No, no, no, no."

JJ stomps down on the starter pedal. Estrella brings her hands up to her mouth, "Come on, Jay. Come on, baby."

Seconds later, JJ takes off. Estrella letting out a breath as he tries to catch up to the others.

"Rafe Cameron gets the holeshot, beats the pack out front, and, boy, he is blazing down the straightaway."

It's not long before the racers are out of sight. Making Estrella's heart beat faster.

"It looks like Rafe Cameron is first into the trees. He is gonna be tough to catch in there."

Estrella groans as she listens in on the commentary. The crowd cheering doing very little to calm her nerves.

"We got some serious contact in the brush."

"Oh, and it sounds like Topper didn't like Maybank crowding him there. Taught him a little lesson."

"Oh, stuffed him like a turkey."

The teens turn toward Estrella who had panic written all over her face. Sarah places a hand on her shoulder. Estrella sighs, "I'm gonna throw up."

"He'll be fine." Kie says

Estrella and Sarah eye each other before turning back toward where the boys would be coming back.

"It looks like they're turning around the buoy. We've got Rafe Cameron still in front ahead of the group of riders. Cameron seems to have things well in hand."

"He's just gotta coast it home. No mistakes, and he should take home the Kildare Enduro."

"There's Maybank bringing up the rear."

"Yeah, tough race for him." The commentator says. Estrella stands up on her toes just as JJ falls off of his bike, "Oh, he's down again in the deep sand."

"Come on, Jay." Estrella mutters

"Cameron and the other riders are probably halfway back through the trees at this point."

"Not a chance he's catching up with them."

As JJ gets back on his bike and starts riding again, Estrella's hands run through her hair. Stress evident in her features as JJ speeds up. Then, instead of making the turn like the others, JJ continues going straight.

"Wait, hold on. What are we seeing, ladies and gentlemen?"

"What is he doing?" Estrella says as her arms come down, "No, no."

"Looks like he's gonna try to jump the inlet. That's a 50-foot gap!"

Estrella tenses up as JJ rides up the ramp. Him and his bike flying in the air. Estrella could've sworn her heart stop as he lands. A long sigh escaping as he keeps his balance. The crowd cheering around her.

"Oh my God, JJ Maybank! Absolutely full send."

"No regard for personal safety. He has gone worst to first and leapfrogged the entire pack."

Sarah cheers as Kie and Charlotte grab Estrella's shoulders jumping up and down. Cleo and Pope yelling out as the others racers come up behind JJ.

"And Rafe Cameron's closing fast. Looks like it's gonna be chippy here."

As JJ closes in on the finish line, Rafe swerves behind him and clips his tire. Sending himself and JJ flying. The bikes landing beside them as the other racers catch up.

"Oh my god." Estrella says

"Oh, mayhem, carnage! They're both down! They're both down. They collided just short of the finish."

Estrella breathes heavily as JJ lays in the sand.

"And here comes Routledge in the lead now. Topper tight on his tail."

"But oh no! Maybank is in the way!" The commentator yells out. Estrella gasps as John B stops completely in front of JJ. JJ jumps out of the way as Topper flies by, "He's opened the door for Topper. It's gonna be Topper! Topper takes the win! Ladies and gentlemen, Topper Thornton is your Enduro champion this year."

Estrella runs out with the others behind her, "Oh my God, Jay."

"This was insanity. It was carnage right there at the end, and it looked like..."

"JJ. Come on." John B asks helping him up, "Are you good? Are you good?"

"Just get off me, man." JJ says shoving him away

"Look, I tried, man."

"Oh, you tried, huh? Look where that got us." JJ says before walking off

"Unbelievable. What did we just witness? How did that happen?"

"I've never seen anything like it in all my years, Ash. Jumped the entire field..."

"John B! Hey. Are you okay?" Sarah asks. Estrella pushes through the crowd toward JJ. She jogs to catch up to him. She steps in front of him and places her hands on his arms to stop him.

"Jay. Hey, are you okay?" She asks

"I'm fine."

"JJ-"

"I needed to win-" He tries

Estrella interjects, "I know."

JJ breathes heavily as he looked down at her. Understanding swarming in her eyes and he knew then that she knew he bet on himself. JJ shakes his head, "I'm sorry."

"Are you okay, JJ?" She asks again. JJ's jaw clenches as he nods. Estrella immediately wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him in for a hug. JJ lets out a sigh before wrapping his arms around her.

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"I said it. I said it again and again." Pope yells, "I said don't touch the last of our nugget. That was it. That was the last of our savings. Do you not care?"

"Pope, you saw what happened, man." JJ yells, "He stole it. Okay? He cheated and he stole it. That's not my fault, Pope."

"Do you know how selfish you sound?"

"I sound selfish? I was trying to help us."

"You helped us. You just cost us everything. Thank you."

"JJ, why are you making it sound like you had nothing to do with it?" Estrella says

"Okay, Estrella." He starts. His voice softening tremendously, "You know me. Okay? I was gonna bet it all. That's who I am."

"You should've talked to us first." Estrella says, "It's too risky this time."

Pope turns to John B, "And what were you doing? You knew he had it and you just let him race?"

"He told me last minute, all right?"

"John B, look, man." JJ turns, "You were supposed to cover-"

"I did cover!"

"You were supposed to not take our savings-" Pope exclaims

"Hey, enough!" Cleo yells. The boys go quiet as she sighs, "How bad is it, Pope?"

"How bad is it?" Pope repeats incredulously, "We have a $13,000 property tax payment due in seven days. And we have zero working capital. There is nothing. And you took the last of our savings. So thank you."

Pope storms off leaving the teens alone. A tense silence settling over them as reality sets in. They truly had no other way of making it out of the hole this time.

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