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"Do we really have to go to this thing?" Kiara whined as she shuffled through her walk in closet looking for something to wear. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a lot of options, it was simply the fact that most if not all of her formal wear didn’t coincide with who she was.
And it was true, she had initially agreed to attend Midsummer's this year but only because her parents agreed to allow JJ to attend as her guest. Granted he wasn't too thrilled about it either but things had gotten a little better with the Carrera's. It wasn't just that though. He wanted to spend time with her. Every chance he was offered, his answer would never be anything but a resounding, yes. It honestly surprised them both that Mike and Anna would even want them there after last year's events. JJ being escorted off the premises after causing a scene. Kiara wasn't completely given rave reviews either having followed the blonde out of the place with a laugh and smile so bright it made his heart squeeze in his chest.
Anna moved about her daughter's room, "Yes, Kiara. Do we have to do this song and dance every time? I thought this year would be different, given you've been allotted a guest and all."
Kiara couldn't exactly argue. She had been relieved that she wouldn't have to go alone. She pulled out her satin black mini dress and sandals and set them on the bed. Sadly, she knew it was coming before Anna even opened her mouth, "Black? Really? Can't you pick something a little more vibrant? What about that yellow dress your grandmother got you for Christmas last year?”
"You mean the one that makes me look like the sun? Hard pass."
Anna simply huffed and left the room so her daughter could change. The matriarch had slowly started to cut her losses instead of forcing her hand. Her daughter after all was never one to back down and making the decision to let her be who she is was helping their relationship.
Kiara’s fierce stubbornness however was one of the many things her boyfriend loved about her. She lived her life the way she wanted. She didn't care what other people thought of her or the decisions that she made, including her desire to love and date a Maybank. And as of late, the only person she truly cared about was that blonde boy who, most likely, was minutes away from arriving at her front door.
After slipping into her dress the brunette fixed her hair quickly. The last thing she wanted was her boyfriend and her father to be in the same room together, alone. Anna was the driving factor in their acceptance of the pair dating. Mike simply went along with it for his wife and daughter's sake. When the doorbell rang, Kiara grabbed her sandals off the bed and rushed out of her room, almost tripping on her way down the staircase as she raced to greet him.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she made it to the door unscathed and parentless. When she opened the white stained glass door the sight of him brought a much needed smile to her face. Black button down shirt with a clean pair of denim hugging his hips perfectly. And of course without fail his signature black boots. His blonde locks were washed and styled. She pointed to his head and smirked, "Sarah?"
He chuckled as he entered the residence he was now welcomed into regularly. "Yeah, apparently the 'running my hands through my hair' look would be frowned upon at the country club." When he watched her eyes roll he continued, lifting his hands in defense, "Her words, not mine."
It brought the smile back to her face as she sat down on the couch to slip on her sandals, "Well, be that as it may. You look great."
"You don't look so bad yourself, baby." His mischievous smile flashed across his face as he took in the sight of her. Then asked, "So when we leavin?" He had sat down beside her trying not to let his hand run through his hair like he did when he was uncomfortable. The hair gel he and Sarah argued about for twenty minutes would be a real bitch to get off his hands. Instead he pulled his zippo from his pocket and started playing with it. He was just as skeptical about attending Midsummer's as she was and even though they were going together he could think of a million places he'd rather be.
Before she could answer his question however, her parents walked into the living room. Anna was the first to speak, her eyes going wide, "JJ... you look very handsome. Are you two ready to go?"
The brunette stood up, brushing her hands down her dress like she was taught at a young age, "As ready as we're gonna be." Her voice was clearly laced with regret over agreeing to go but her mother chose to ignore it, nodding as she took her husband's arm and they moved towards the garage. JJ cleared his throat, stood, pocketed his zippo and the couple followed with reservations over what the night might hold.
*****
The country club was already alive with music and invited guests mingling about when they arrived. Mike and Anna walked in like they had always belonged which wasn’t even close to the truth. And JJ and Kiara simply hoped they would be able to blend in and fly under the radar. Holding their breath on that idea however was optional.
After finding their table, the younger couple made their way over to Heyward who was working solo this year due to his son being preoccupied studying for a physics final on Monday. When the old man saw the couple approaching he smiled wide, “Well look who we have here. Kiara, good to see you sweetheart.”
The two shared a hug before Heyward acknowledged JJ, “And you’ll have to introduce me to your date. I don’t recognize this young man.”
JJ would’ve flipped the old geiser off but the last time he did that he got slapped upside the head so he just nodded with his signature smirk before throwing a smart ass comment at the old man. “Just don’t burn my steak or I’ll have to find you and show you how it’s done.”
Heyward chuckled as he pointed at the young man with his silver spatula, “For you JJ, I’ll make sure yours is well done.”
Anybody close to the Maybank boy knew he liked his steak medium rare. And for whatever reason, Heyward and her boyfriend seemed to have a running inside joke about his cooking. Probably due to the number of meals he received at their table. In all honesty, Heyward was more of a father figure to him than Luke ever was. The two never openly acknowledged it but it was there, unspoken.
“Nah, you wouldn’t do me like that. I’m like the rebellious son you never had.”
That made Heyward belly laugh, “You certainly are that my boy. Now go away and let me get back to work. You see all these people I got to feed.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’re leaving.” The blonde replied, reaching for Kiara’s hand, intertwining their fingers and moving them back towards Table #16. They only made it a couple steps before JJ was tossing one last comment over his shoulder, “But seriously, don’t burn my steak.”
That earned him a slap to his bicep as his girlfriend giggled, looking at him with raised brows, “Stop it.”
“What? He started it, Kie. I’m completely innocent.”
*****
After what felt like the longest, most boring dinner of their lives the pair excused themselves to head towards the bar. He was nothing but a gentleman, escorting her with a hand at the small of her back as they made their way across the dance floor. They were almost to their destination when suddenly a voice rang out from behind them.
"Maybank. What the hell are you doing here?" Derek Tatum, a Kook who suckled off the wealth of his grandfather on his mother's side asked as he strolled up to the couple, eyes raking over Kiara. JJ noticed but chose to ignore it for the sake of Kie's parents. They still had at least another hour before the idea of leaving was even an option and he couldn't exactly punch a guy in the face right in the middle of the event. Don't get it wrong, he wanted to... badly.
Derek had given Kiara a hard time when she attended the Kook academy. Wouldn't take no for an answer and constantly hounded her to go out with him. Even harshly grabbed her by the arm once when he was drinking at a party they both were attending. JJ hadn't forgotten the stories she told. He also hadn't forgotten the way she begged him not to jump on his bike and ride over to his place to beat the shit out of him the night she told him. He paced the Chateau for an hour, stewing over it. He eventually gave in to her pleading eyes and did nothing. He had made no promises tonight though. If the opportunity presented itself, at the right time, it would be lights out for the real estate heir.
"Oh you know. Just felt like slumming it with the Kooks for a change." He muttered, obvious sarcasm in his voice as he pulled his girlfriend a little closer.
Derek ignored him like he hadn't even asked him a question, instead moving his focus to the girl that clearly was showing no interest in him. "Kiara, you're looking extra hot tonight. That little black number is hugging you in all the right places."
The salacious tone of the boy made JJ's blood boil as he stepped forward, "Seriously? You’re gonna talk to her like that when I’m literally standing right here?"
"What? I can't give her a compliment? I know this might be foreign to you but over here, on this side of the island, it isn't a crime to tell someone they look good."
Before JJ could spit anything back Kiara grabbed his hand, pulling him in the direction of the bar. He resisted her at first, eyes locked on the Kook who clearly was amused by the whole interaction. When he wouldn’t budge she pleaded, “J, please. Come have a drink with me.” And that is how he found himself where he is now, sitting on a stool at the end of the bar. His jaw still clenched as the bartender places two club sodas in front of them.
He wastes no time, unclenching his jaw and downing the entire glass in one shot before dropping it back onto the bar and motioning to the bartender for another. He wishes it was a whiskey but he knows they won’t serve him so he’ll have to pretend it’ll take the edge off even though he knows it won’t.
“Are you okay?” She finally asks him, concern over his current mood clear as day on her face.
“I just… God I hate these fucking Kooks. And Tatum, did you know he was going to be here?”
When all she can do is look down at her glass he realizes he has his answer without her saying a word. “Little heads up would’ve been nice.”
“It’s fine, JJ. It’s all in the past. I hardly remember it.” She tries to reassure but he doesn’t accept it, shaking his head before downing his second glass. Still, he decides to drop it. He doesn’t want to fight with her. It isn’t her fault Tatum is a piece of shit.
****
The breeze had filtered in off the water, stars making their appearance in the night sky. JJ had to admit, aside from their current location, the weather was decent. It made being there at least a little easier to digest. Or tolerable, take your pick.
The band had started up again, less dinner music and more upbeat tempos. Without thinking he reached for her hand, pulling her toward the beach. The wind seemed harsher the closer they got to the water though, causing them to retreat fairly quickly when he noticed Kiara shiver. She had argued, “I’m fine, JJ.”
“Come on baby, you're not fine. I can literally see the goosebumps forming on your skin.” He really did notice all the little things and even though she didn’t want to go back it warmed her heart.
She smiled at him, tight-lipped as she teased, “Well if someone would have worn a suit jacket you’d have had something to offer me.”
“Oh I see, now it’s my fault. But seriously, me? In a suit jacket? Do you even know who you’re dating?” He retaliated with a chuckle. He then wrapped her up in his arms from behind and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before moving them both back toward the party.
His arms around her was far better than any suit jacket and she felt the need to tell him, turning her head to get him to lean in, “This is way better than a jacket.” She instantly felt the brush of his cheekbone against her face and knew the comment made him smile.
As they rounded the exterior wall after passing through the gate they almost collided with Krissy, a girl Kiara knew from her time at the academy. “Oh shit, I’m… Kie? Oh my God, Kie! I haven’t seen you in like forever. How are you?”
“Hi, Krissy. I’m good.” She replied before the girl practically pulled her out of JJ’s arms to hug her with enthusiasm. Screeching over the reunion just a little too loudly. The brunette wasn’t exactly best friends with the girl but Krissy wasn’t like most Kooks. She had the mansion, the nice clothes, the porsche, the credit card with no limit but she was actually a decent person compared to some of the girls from the academy with the same status. She was at least nice to Kiara while she attended.
When she finally released Kiara from her grip she looked over Kiara’s shoulder, “JJ… It’s nice to see you. I heard you two were a thing now.”
JJ did his best to nod his head but didn’t say anything. Thankfully his girlfriend didn’t seem to care that he was being unsocial. She knew how much her boyfriend hated this side of the island and everyone in it; aside from her. And she couldn’t blame him for it.
And then, “I was just about to go over by the fire.” The couple looked in the direction she was pointing, “We were all getting super bored. We stole some beers and I think we’re going to just hang. You should totally join us!”
Across the freshly mowed lawn they could see about twenty five or so kids their age, laughing and talking, sitting around the fire. It actually didn’t look half bad and Kiara knew most of them from the academy and after mewling over it for less than 10 seconds she answered, “Sure. Why not?”
“Great!” Krissy cheered before turning on her heel, walking towards the pit.
When Kiara turned around and saw the unsure look on her boyfriend’s face she pushed, “What? You don’t want to?”
JJ rubbed the back of his neck, eyes averting from hers to the pit and back. “I just… I don’t know. Just not sure it’s the best idea. I mean… why would you even want to hang out with them, Kie?”
“It’s not about that. We have to stop acting like they’re better than us, JJ. They aren’t better than us.” There it was. That fiery attitude of hers on full display.
JJ huffed, “You don’t think I know that?” Then a sigh, “Okay. If you want to but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Us and them… it never ends well.”
“Noted.” And with that she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the fire pit with a plastered smile on her face. As much as he hoped for her sake it would be all rainbows and butterflies he knew deep down it was going to all go to shit, someway, somehow. But he’d be damned if he’d let her go into the lion’s den by herself.
After taking a seat, Krissy grabbed two beers and offered them to the couple with a smile. The fire was warm on Kiara’s skin, the chill from the beach leaving her body. She felt happy in this place, around these people, for the first time. And she knew the blonde boy sitting next to her was the reason. No matter where she was, his presence just made it better somehow. Surprisingly, nobody seemed to mind that the pair had joined the party until the sound of a voice from behind made JJ’s jaw immediately clench, “Hey hey hey… who’s ready for a drinking game?”
Kiara placed her hand on her boyfriend’s thigh when his leg started bouncing as Derek walked into the circle. To someone who didn’t know JJ, it would look like nervous energy but she knew him far better than anyone else. It was energy alright but nowhere near the nervous kind.
As Derek took the open seat on the opposite side of Kiara, JJ’s whole body stiffened. It didn’t take long for the boy's eyes to meet and Derek with a shake of his head and a shit eating grin on his face said, “Surprised to see you sitting here with us Kooks, Maybank.”
JJ remained silent but didn’t take his eyes off the Kook born. He was trying really hard to keep himself planted in his seat. His attention was averted however when Michael, Krissy’s boyfriend or so Kiara assumed given their close proximity to each other asked, “We playing a game or what?”
Derek cracked open a beer as he made the announcement, “Never Have I Ever. Yeah, I think that would be perfect given our current company. Might be fun to learn a few things about each other.” It was more than clear to JJ that Derek was trying to get under his skin and be that as it may he was going to try really hard, for Kiara, to keep his cool.
Never have I ever smoked a joint.
Never have I ever slept with a stranger.
Never have I ever gotten wasted and blacked out.
The questions were flowing as everyone took turns and unfortunately for JJ he was having to raise his beer and drink quite often but it was all in good fun until it was Derek’s turn.
“Never have I ever slept with JJ Maybank.”
Shit.
It was no secret that he had been with other girls, Kiara knew that but to watch as 6 of the 12 females sitting around the fire raised their drinks. Some he remembered, some not so much. It made him feel awful… for his girlfriend.
But as awful as he felt, there was that little part of him that realized this guy had finally given him what he wanted. A reason to fight but as he lifted off his seat his girlfriend did the same, placing a hand on his chest stopping his movement forward. She turned to look at Derek, offered an annoyed tight lip smile before turning back to JJ, winking and raising her beer. She downed the rest of it, crushing the can in her hand before throwing it at Tatum, square in the chest. Then she pushed JJ backwards out of the circle of the fire pit.
He was in a daze over what had just happened. Kind of turned on by the way she handled herself, handling the embarrassing situation he didn’t necessarily provoke but his fault nonetheless.
But before they could turn and head back towards the club Tatum couldn’t resist, “Kiara Carrera everyone.” Then offering a slow clap before adding, “Such a little tease.”
JJ turned and pulled out of Kiara’s grasp so fast he left her with no time to stop him. Racing back into the circle, he grabbed the collar of Tatum’s shirt before he could register what was happening. And then, JJ’s fist connected with the boy's nose. Blood immediately pooling from his nostrils but before the Maybank boy could do any further damage Mike Carrera’s voice could be heard in the distance, “JJ!”
Fuck!
JJ’s head turned toward the club. Mike was standing there, arms raised and resting on his hips. He looked displeased and unfortunately for the Maybank boy his assault on Tatum was going to be short lived. But before releasing the asshole JJ leaned in, with gritted teeth, “You’re lucky. You talk about her like that again and I will end you. You hear me?”
All Tatum could do was shake his head in surrender. The blood, still flowing heavily from his nose. Some of it had dripped onto JJ’s hands until he finally released his collar, shoving him back into his seat.
He walked back over to Kiara before the couple made their way back up the hill to the club where Mike and now Anna were waiting. “Let’s go.” Mike demanded, pointing toward the exit.
*****
The car ride home was eerily quiet. On the way to the club JJ and Kiara sat in the back, close but not too close. Now they sat as far away from each other as possible. It wasn’t Kiara as much as it was JJ.
When they pulled into the driveway of the Carrera home, Mike and Anna exited the vehicle silently. They made their way up the steps towards the front door leaving the younger couple to say their goodnights. JJ didn’t even know how to feel. Wasn’t sure if Kie was upset with him for how he reacted. He had no remorse though. The guy asked for it and not just tonight.
The couple got out of the car, Kiara making her way around the front to approach him on the driver’s side. He didn’t look at her, eyes down cast, bloody hands shoved in his pockets. She could read him like a book. Knew all of his tells. He was ashamed but for what she wasn’t exactly sure. But then it became clear when he sighed and said, “I’m sorry for embarrassing you tonight. I know you know about my past with girls and all but to have it thrown in your face like that I just… I’m sorry.”
“Did I not handle it well?” She asks with a teasing look on her face as she takes a step forward. It makes him chuckle because she handled it like a damn pro.
“I didn’t say that. But still… you shouldn’t have had to handle it at all, Kie.”
“Well that’s your opinion, I guess. But me… I’m good. We’re good. Okay?”
She grabs his face, forcing him to look at her when he only nods, “We’re good.” She repeats. “I love you.”
”I love you too. So much.” He whispers softly, before tugging at her waist, pulling her in close and connecting their lips.
God, he loves how amazing she is. She should be castrating him for all his sins but instead she’s reassuring him of her love for him. He should be on his knees, begging her for forgiveness.
He doesn’t want the night to end. Doesn’t want to say good night but the clearing of Mike’s throat has them pulling apart and doing just that.
She gives his hand one last squeeze before turning and making her way up the steps. He watches until she gets to the door, flashing a smile in his direction before crossing the threshold. He nods at Mike and turns to walk towards his truck.
“JJ.”
Fuck. He should’ve known her father wasn’t going to let him off that easy. He broke a Kook’s nose tonight, most likely, but he won’t apologize for it. No, he won’t do that.
The blonde closes his eyes and takes a breath before turning around to face the music. Mike’s made his way down the steps, standing with his arms crossed. “You can’t throw fists every time one of em get under your skin. You realize that, right?”
“He deserved it. Do you have any idea what he did to your daughter? He put his hands on her when she declined his advances. He’s lucky he’s still standing.”
When Mike’s eyes go wide he quickly elaborates, “Not tonight. When she went to the Kook Academy. And tonight he called her a tease for no reason and I just… snapped.”
Mike nods his head, “Well, sounds like maybe he had it coming then but still… you’ve got to work on controlling your temper, JJ. I don’t want to have to worry about you going off every time we’re out in public.”
“Yeah, yeah I get that.”
Mike then turns to head back up the steps and JJ takes that as his cue to leave the Carrera residence. Just as he gets to his truck he hears Mike again, “Hey JJ?”
“Yeah, Mr. C?”
“You’ll be here for Sunday brunch tomorrow?”
JJ smirks as he pulls the door handle of his truck, the dome light inside turning on. He looks towards the patriarch, “I’m sure I can pencil it in.”