CHAPTER THREE
❛ 𝚂𝙲𝙾𝚄𝚃'𝚂 𝙷𝙾𝙽𝙾𝚁 ❜

         TODAY, JOHN B HAS A PLAN. He does. In fact, it's a simple, straightforward one. All it entails is convincing Kiara that finding Scooter Grubb's sunken Grady White is worth the slightest, tinniest, really insignificant possibility of trouble. After that, Pope will be the only one against their little undertaking. It'll be three against one— which means they'll all be out in no time to collect whatever's left in the wreck. But —as it often happens— there is a tiny, minuscule snag with his plan.

        That snag goes by the name of JJ Maybank.

        "Kie's totally hot for you," the blond in question drawls out, slamming the door of the Twinkie behind him. "You're just too much of a pussy to make a move."

        "We went over this at the motel," John B says. The two of them head towards The Wreck, before JJ halts a few steps behind him. "JJ, seriously, what—"

        "Fine, if you don't believe me..." he starts, and before John B can even fully turn, he knows JJ is about to screw him over. "Hey— hey, Cassidy!"

        John B's neck nearly snaps when he hears the name JJ calls out. Wasn't he the one who'd been reprimanding him for doing the exact same thing just a few days ago?

        "What are you doing?" he hisses.

        By the back entrance of The Wreck, John B finally spots Cassidy Liberato unloading a crate of tropical fruit off a truck. She looks up, confused, before spotting the two of them. Her eyes narrow.

        "Getting a second opinion," JJ says nonchalantly, dismissing John B's protests as he approaches her. She inhales sharply as she reluctantly looks up, watching as JJ heads in her direction with an unwilling John B in tow. "Cassidy, Cass, Cassie— can I call you Cassie?"

        She scowls. "Absolutely not."

        JJ swings his arm around John B's neck, gesturing at him. "Look at my friend here," he starts, "would you say he's hot?"

        Cassidy blinks. "What?"

        "What?" hisses John B.

        JJ merely shrugs as John B breaks out of his hold. "I mean, like, objectively. Would you say he's hot? Like, if he asked you out—"

        She accidentally slams one of the fruit crates against the ground. "I'm gonna stop you there." Her brown eyes flit over to the brunet, nose scrunched. "Not my type. Sorry."

        JJ shoots John B a look, the corner of his lip curving into a smug smirk. "Okay... but what about Kie's type?"

        Her brows knit together. "Kiara?" Cassidy repeats, and realization flickers in her gaze. She shakes her head. "Oh, I see what's going on here. I'm not getting stuck in the middle of this."

        JJ leans against the back of the truck. "C'mon Cassie."

        She freezes, shooting him a glare. "Do not call me that."

        The blond boy doesn't falter. "C-Money. Big C."

        Cassidy pinches the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath. She turns towards John B. "Does he ever stop talking?"

        "He did once. Became a national holiday."

        JJ, as per usual, ignores their responses. He throws his friend a pointed look. "Come on. If a girl hugs you, and kisses your cheek, and tells you to be careful, so, so sooo careful," he leans against John B, making kissing sounds before getting a hand on his face and being shoved to the side.

        "She probably doesn't want you splitting your skull open doing something stupid," Cassidy snaps, pulling down another crate. She inhales, then exhales. "Not to answer your dumbass question, but have either of you stopped to think maybe the reason why Kiara hugs and kisses people is 'cause her love language is physical touch?"

        John B furrows his brows. "Her what?"

        JJ smacks John B's shoulder with a wide smug grin. "Yeah! Physical touch— that's what I'm sayin'!"

        "I'm pretty sure it's not."

        Cassidy's eyes flit to something over John B's shoulder, to which he turns. Behind him, John B spots the one and only Pope Heyward, making him exhale loudly. Breaking free from JJ's hold, he says, "Pope, buddy, I don't think I've ever been as happy to see you as I am right now."

        Pope shoots them both a wary look. "What did I just walk into?"

        "Nothin'," JJ responds easily, raising his palms innocently.

        Pope's suspicious gaze remains on the blond for a moment too long. 'Nothing' my ass. "...Right." Pope shakes his head, dark eyes reluctantly focusing back on the girl whose back is already turned towards them. "Hey, um— Cassidy?"

        "What?" she asks, voice cutting.

        Pope stifles a wince. "Can I— Can I talk to you for a sec?"

        Cassidy unloads the last crate off of the truck. She doesn't even make eye contact with him when she answers, "I'm on the clock."

        The urge to turn around and simply leave is strong— and Pope comes close to backing out of his promise to Kiara. Instead, he forces himself to say, "It'll just take a second. I promise." The dark skinned boy glances at his friends. "Do you two mind?"

        JJ snorts. "Not at all." He salutes, and proceeds to head inside The Wreck in search for Kiara.

        When Pope turns his head back to her, he finds Cassidy staring at him with an expectant look. "What?"

        Pope sucks his teeth as he reaches for one of the dozen wooden crates he supposes Cassidy will have to carry back. He waits for her to reach for one as well and lead him to where they're supposed to leave them.

        Pope doesn't miss Cassidy's wary glances. He clears his throat. "Kiara mentioned you were, uh," he coughs, "...looking for a job."

        She straightens, and Pope watches as her somewhat annoyed expression melts away. "Did she?"

        She opens the back door with her shoulder, passing through first— and nearly letting the door smack Pope square in the face.

        "Yeah. So, uh," he follows Cassidy towards the storage room, "if you're like, not busy, you could work deliveries for my dad." He clears his throat again, his mouth feeling awfully dry. "But the hours are awful and the pay is too, so it's really not—"

        She sets down the create loudly. Brown meet brown. "I'll take it."

        "You wanna take it?" he asks, perplexed. He blinks. "I mean, of course you wanna take it—" he freezes at his wording, watching as Cassidy's eyes narrow ever so slightly. "I mean, not of course, just— I meant that— I wasn't referring to—"

         Her jaw ticks. "When do I start?"

       "Tomorrow, if you want. Just swing around— around nine." Pope sets down the fruit crate next to Cassidy's, albeit in a more careful manner.

        "Be there at nine. Got it." Brown meets brown again, and Pope gets the all-too familiar feeling of being under the scrutiny of a Kook. Raised chins, upturned noses, dismissive gazes. Cassidy quirks a brow. "That all?"

        "Just, uh—" he kisses his teeth. He backtracks towards the door, eager to leave this conversation. He's already halfway out when he says, "Just be there on time."

        Cassidy's eyes remain on the spot Pope last was as the door closes behind him. She snorts. It's one thing to have the disdain of the Kooks, but she's not too bothered about having the fear of certain Pogues. Perhaps fear is too strong of a word— though she won't lie and say she doesn't find it amusing how Pope Heyward looks at her as if she's about to bite his hand off. Or, perhaps, it has nothing to do with her, and all to do with him. At least, JJ and John B don't seem to be too wary of her— though that probably has more to do with the working theory she has of them both being dropped as children... several times.

        "Hey," Kiara's voice comes from the swinging doors of the kitchen. She comes inside with a box filled to the brim with plantains, "was that Pope I just heard?"

        "Yeah, he was just swinging by," Cassidy considers it for a moment. "...All of your friends were, actually."

        A strange glint crosses Kiara's eyes. "Any good news to share?"

        Cassidy's gaze lingers a moment too long on Kiara. Something about her expression feels... strangely knowing. She shrugs it off. "I guess we'll see."

        "Speaking of good news..." Kiara hums as she sets down her box, a smile growing on her lips."There's gonna be a kegger today at the Boneyard."

        Cassidy scoffs. "Hard pass."

        "Dude," Kiara rolls her eyes, placing her hands on Cassidy's shoulders. "You're so tense. You've been tense for weeks." Cassidy meets Kiara's relaxed demeanor with an unimpressed look. "It's about time I introduced you to a few upsides to Pogue life. Y'know, there's more to this lifestyle than trying to pay the bills."

        Pogue life. She doesn't like the idea of using that term to describe her current situation. It makes it feel all the more permanent, as opposed to what it actually is— a temporary setback. Because that's what this all is. Temporary.

        Still, it's been a long while since the last time she actually went out and had fun for herself. Is there a proper waiting period to going out after your dad's arrested?

        Cassidy rolls her eyes, biting the inside of her cheek. "If I say yes, does that mean you stop talking?"

        Kiara grins, her hands tightening around her shoulders with excitement. "Absolutely."

        "Fine," she relents with a poorly dissimulated smile. Kiara's relaxed and sunny disposition happens to be contagious— sue her. "But you're picking me up," she's quick to clarify, following Kiara as they both head out towards the front counter of the restaurant. "And I better find a cute girl-slash-guy Touron— otherwise I'm giving you the boot."

        Kiara raises a brow, lips curled teasingly. "I'm always available when you are."

        Cassidy's lips part with a click, smile growing as she leans closer to her. "Oh, is that an invitation?"

        "Are you guys gonna make out? Please tell me you're gonna make out."

        Cassidy's face drops, and the moment is dead on the floor. "Kiara, your weird friend's still here."

        Kiara doesn't turn to face JJ. "I know. Ignore him— he'll go away eventually."

        She gets the feeling that's not how it really works with him. She narrows her eyes. "Maybank," she deadpans.

        "C-Money," he salutes, making her eye twitch. He whistles as points at Kiara. "We got important business to discuss with Kie."

        Important business my ass. She spots John B lingering by the front door, probably working as a lookout in case Mike Carrera decides to comes back. She rolls her eyes. Cassidy hasn't had the fortune of forgetting JJ's little line of questioning from earlier. "Good luck with that."

        Cassidy heads towards the entrance, ignoring the small awkward wave John B offers her. And as the doors close behind her, Cassidy could swear she hears the word Gold and Treasure being whispered inside.

        Maybe she's just been under the sun for too long.

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        THE SUN IS STILL UP HIGH by the time the Twinkie starts making rounds through the Cut. Give it Up by Pepper blasts through the decades old speakers inside the car's doors as the two Pogues smoking by the back bob their heads to the beat. Pope half hums a few of the lyrics, resting his head against the back of John B's seat.

        JJ's head lolls to one of the windows. His brows furrow, and he lets out a sharp whistle. "You took a wrong turn," he shouts from the back, making Pope raise his head slightly.

        John B drums his thumbs against the wheel. "Nope— we're just making a quick detour."

        "Detour?" Pope scrunches his nose. "What for?"

        John B hums distractedly, brown eyes focused on the trees by the road. "Kie asked to pick up someone on the way," he says, feigning a dismissive tone.

        Pope and JJ share a knowing look.

        "That someone wouldn't happen to be a chick whose name starts with C and rhymes with spoiled brat, does it?" JJ asks lightly.

        Pope arches a brow. "I can't tell if you're joking or being serious."

        "Dead serious, my friend."

        "It's just a quick stop," John B tries.

        JJ shakes his head disapprovingly. "Kie's getting way too comfortable asking for favors in Cassidy's name." His blue eyes flick up. "Do you think Liberato's blackmailing her or something?"

        Pope scoffs. "What are you complaining about?" he asks. "She hasn't asked you anything."

        "It's the principle of the thing, Pope." JJ waves him off. "Plus, she hasn't asked me 'cause I'm smart about it."

        Pope narrows his eyes, muttering something under his breath. "Of course. That must be it."

        JJ clicks his tongue. "Speaking of which— how'd your job offer for her go?"

        Pope's shoulder sag. "...She took it."

        "Damn."

        The Twinkie grinds to a halt. "We're here."

        All three boys turn to look out the windows of the car. They all simultaneously realize they hadn't exactly pictured what Cassidy's new home would look like... but it definitely wasn't this.

        JJ lets out a low whistle. "Talk about a fall from grace." He turns to John B. "Do you think they keep money stashed under the floorboards?"

        John B's eyes flick back to his friend. "Go knock."

        "What?" JJ asks, features twisting. "Why me?"

        "Because I'm driving."

        Pope scoffs a laugh from the back. "Already planning on ditching them, JB?"

        "Just hurry up," John B says, pushing JJ off of his shoulder. "Kie's still waiting for us to pick her up on the way there."

        "Kie's still waiting for us," JJ mocks as he pulls the creaky old door of the Twinkie open. "Whatever." He hops off, catching one long glimpse of the Liberato's home before turning back towards the car. "You're coming with me, Pope."

        His brows furrow. "Wh—"

        "It's either both of us or neither— take your pick."

        He scowls. "Fine." Pope stands up, but not before gesturing at John B. "Keep the engine running."

        "Roger that."

        The car door closes loudly behind them. The two boys walk towards the house, but not before treading through the knee-length grass leading up to the entrance.

        "This place looks rough," JJ comments, eyeing the amount of debris littered across the yard. And he thought his place was in bad shape.

        "Must be 'cause of Agatha." There's no denying that the hurricane left a mark. Pope squints his eyes. "The roof looks like its about to cave in."

        "Hope it does."

        "JJ."

        "What?" JJ rolls his eyes. "Oh, come on— I know you're thinking it too." JJ starts walking backwards, giving his friend a look. "Plus, now you have to work with her— I mean, if I were you, I'd shoot myself." He brings his fingers up to his temple, making an obnoxious 'pow' sound.

        "Hilarious," Pope says dryly. JJ's back smacks against the wall as they finally reach the entrance. The two of them stand expectantly. Pope furrows his brows. "What are you looking at me for?"

        "It's a door, Pope. You're supposed to knock," JJ says slowly.

        "Why do I have to be the one that knocks?"

        "'Cause— 'cause you got good knocking hands." JJ makes a point to grab Pope's hand, raising it and shaking it. "Look at these bad boys. Made for knocking doors all around the—"

        Pope shoves JJ away shaking his head. "Just— Just stop talking." He unwillingly braces as he knocks on the door, cringing as the sound echoes loudly.

        The two of them wait in silence. Until...

        "D'you think they still keep fancy stuff in the fridge like caviar and shit?"

        "No."

        JJ kisses his teeth, blue eyes trying to take a peek through the thin curtains hanging by the window. He lets out another whistle. "They're definitely on some FBI watchlist."

        Pope's jaw locks. "Can you stop?"

        "C'mon, you can't tell me you don't have any theories of your—" the door creaks open slowly, making Pope seethe at him to shut up. But, as per usual, JJ Maybank does not listen. Instead, he turns towards the door and loudly declares, "Finally! Took you long en—"

        His words die in his throat as the door opens fully. On the other side —to their surprises— is not Cassidy and her semi-permanent scowl. In fact, behind the door stands a shorter boy with brown skin, tousled hair and a suspicious look in his dark eyes.

        The boy doesn't let go of the door, as if preparing to slam it in their faces. "Who are you?"

        Pope shares a look with JJ, whispering, "Do we have the right house?"

        To his dismay, JJ seems to be as much at a loss at him. "Uh..." JJ glances down at the younger boy. "...We're here to pick up Cassidy?"

        The boy does a slow once over of Pope and JJ, scrunching his nose. He doesn't look away from them when he shouts out, "Cassie! Está aqui alguém para ti!"

        Cassidy's distant voice comes from somewhere inside the house when she calls back, "Deixa-a entrar e diz-lhe que já vou lá abaixo!"

        The two Pogues share another quick look before the younger boy huffs, reluctantly moving out of the way so they may come in. "She says she'll be down in a sec."

        'Tiny Kook,' JJ mouths as they step in, which Pope pointedly ignores. "Nice place you got."

        "JJ," Pope warns.

        The boy doesn't seem amused. If anything, he seems bored, if not somewhat suspicious. His gaze flicks over them again, and Pope realizes he's seizing them up. "Is either one of you her new boyfriend?"

        Pope nearly chokes. "No, no, neither of us—"

        JJ looks offended. "Fuck no."

        "JJ," Pope hisses yet again. He glances back at the kid. He doesn't have any siblings, but still— he's fairly certain it's generally frowned upon to be dropping F-bombs around someone who cannot be over thirteen.

        The blond scoffs a laugh, raising a brow at him. "Do either of us look like the type of guys your sister goes out with?"

        The kid purses his lips, stifling a grin. "Definitely not."

        "There ya go."

        An annoyed look crosses his face as he shouts again, louder this time. "Cassie!"

        "Stop yelling so much, Ezra!" Cassidy yells back, voice sounding less muffled than before. The ceiling creaks above them. "I'm going!"

        Pope rocks himself on the balls of his feet. Unconsciously, he starts looking around, taking in the state of the house. To be blunt, the place looks like a mess. And not the type of mess he sees at the Château— which often consists in misplaced objects and empty beers, but a whole different type of mess. There's buckets sprinkled around the floor for leaks, with a few cardboard boxes that the water has already gotten to. The sink is packed full with unwashed dishes, with a lonely table set next to it. He notices only two lone plates on the table.

        Pope frowns. "Hey, uh," he turns towards Ezra, interrupting his exchange with JJ, "who are you staying with after Cassidy goes out?"

        Ezra shrugs. "My sister."

        Pope tries to wrack his memory— he's fairly sure Cassidy's the oldest out of the Liberato children. "How old is she?"

        Ezra scoffs, seizing him up again. "Too young for you."

        Pope gapes at him. "That's not what I—"

        The stairs behind Ezra creak loudly under a new weight. "Sorry 'bout the delay, Kiara—" Pope and JJ raise their heads just in time to watch as Cassidy's mildly delighted expression changes into one of confusion with thinly veiled accusation. "What are you doing here?"

        Pope parts his lips, before closing them. He tries a smile that doesn't look too much like a grimace. "Kie mentioned you needed a ride."

        Cassidy eyes them both suspiciously. "...And you offered?"

        JJ sucks in his teeth. "Sure. Let's go with that."

        Cassidy hesitates for just a fraction of a second, poking her cheek with her tongue. "Ezra," she finally says. "There's food on the table for you and Isa— and there's a plate inside the fridge pra Mai." She picks up her bag. "Heat it up and take it to her room for me, yeah?"

        "Dinner in bed?" JJ asks. "Sounds fancy." While her back is turned to them, Pope jabs JJ on the ribs. "What?" he hisses.

        "Read the room," Pope hisses back, causing JJ to jab him in retaliation.

        "Keys are over there— do not open this door to anyone, okay?" Cassidy places her hand on Ezra's head, making him grumble as he tries to push her off. "Ezra," she says pointedly, "I mean it."

        Ezra's jaw clicks. He meets Cassidy's gaze. Something in his eyes dims for just a fraction of a moment. "What if Turner shows up again?"

        Cassidy's back tenses like wire. Her voice grows cold. "You tell him you're a minor, and that you'll only open once he brings a warrant with him." Pope watches as Cassidy's tone grows quieter. "You tell him he's bordering on misconduct if he tries to speak with you when I'm not home."

        Ezra, however, doesn't seem too surprised. He simply nods. "Got it."

        Cassidy exhales, her shoulders dropping. "Beleza." She turns towards the door, pushing against JJ's shoulder on her way out. She raises her hand as a goodbye gesture. "Night."

        "Divirta-se!" Ezra calls out. Once she's out, his attention flits back to the two Pogues. "Bring her back by midnight."

        Something about Ezra's stare makes the Heyward boy stand straighter. "Scout's honor," he vows, and as soon as Ezra turns, he cringes. Why did he just say that?

        "Scout's honor?" JJ repeats as they close the door behind them. He quirks a brow. "You were never a boy scout."

        "I panicked."

        "Because of some ten year old?"

        Cassidy clears her throat, looking somewhere between annoyed and uncomfortable. She shifts her weight. "Are we leaving or...?"

        "Right," Pope responds quickly, gesturing towards the Twinkie.

        "So, uh," JJ asks promptly, eyeing Cassidy. "Got cops sniffing around your place?" he asks, giving Pope an 'I told you so' look.

        Her cheek twitches. "What do you care?" she asks a little too defensively, making Pope perk up curiously. She sniffs, kicking up a few pebbles as they walk back down the unkempt grass and weeds. Her jaw clenches and unclenches. "Just a one. A really annoying, really invasive one." Cops coming in and out of her home. She glances back at JJ, and her voice suddenly feels like its dripping with honey. "Guess you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"

        JJ's jaw clicks. He glares at her back as she reluctantly gets inside the back of Twinkie.

        "She's Kie's friend," Pope reminds him in a hushed voice, his tone caught somewhere between a reminder and a warning.

        "Fuckin' Kooks, man," JJ mutters, and Pope shuts the door behind them.

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TRANSLATIONS

Está aqui alguém para ti! | : There's someone here for you!
|
Deixa-a entrar e diz-lhe que já vou lá abaixo! | : Let her in and tell her I'll be right down!
|
Pra Mai | : For mom

|
Beleza | : Great
|
Divirta-se! | : Have fun!

A/N.

you know that moment in the very first episode when john b mentions that they all kinda have a thing for kiara? i think it's pretty safe to say that cassidy lowkey does too (you didn't hear it from me though)

also!! this chapter was gonna include the whole scene at the boneyard but i don't want to rush the scene itself so i'm leaving it for next chapter :) not to spoil but we will be meeting a few new characters..... not all of which are pleasant

[ Started: Dec 1st, 2023 ]
[ Posted: Dec 19th, 2023 ]

( word count: 3.9k )