The Bad Boy's Reward

Chapter 3: The Pickup

June's POV

Unknown: Hey, June. So happy you texted. I figured you'd want to know when JJ’s released from the hospital, so I slipped you my number.

I still wasn't sure who I was talking to, but I believed it was Tiffany. Surely Rodney wouldn't say he was happy I texted, right?

June: oh, okay. Thanks, I guess.

Unknown: Rodney and I are driving around for now. We're too wired. Can we come over?

Okay, so definitely Tiffany. I quickly saved her under Tiff before replying. It seemed odd that she would want to come hang out after just meeting and interacting with me for the first time. Perhaps it was because of tonight's events? Seeing your friend almost die could be rather traumatic. I was shaken up, and I barely knew him. I just knew of him. I’d learned that the things you heard about others were pretty unreliable. Most of the things said about me were untrue, but everyone listened to them.

June: My dad doesn't let boys come over.

Tiff: Np, Rodney is hella stealthy.

June: Stealthy enough to avoid strategically placed cameras that ping directly to the Sheriff's phone?

I knew a way to do so, but it had taken years of skilled attempts. Something tells me Rodney could not tumble.

Tiff: Christ, that sounds more like a prison. I think your dad is getting his jobs confused.

I laughed, feeling she wasn't wrong. Dad seemed to confuse what he saw out there for things he thought I could do or would do, keeping me on a tight leash because of it.

June: You're not wrong.

Tiff: Can you meet us tomorrow? We'll come get you.

June: I'll probably be grounded, but I'll let ya know.

I sent the shrugging emoji and turned my phone face down on the nightstand, thinking the conversation was over, but a second later it vibrated again.

Tiff: You were freaking amazing today. Thanks for saving JJ’s life. We all owe you one, and I’ll make sure he pays you back like crazy. Seriously, risking your life for someone you barely know? You're a legit saint, just like they say.

I rolled my eyes, hating that my saving JJ only cemented the idea that I was a saint.

June: Please don’t call me that. I’m far from it. It’s not like I could just watch him die, knowing I could save him.

Tiff: Everyone else bailed. Fine, not a saint, a hero.

June: I don't feel like it, but I'll take it over saint.

Tiff: As you should. We'll come get you tomorrow. GNight.

June: I told you I might be grounded.

I waited for her reply, but it never came. Something told me she purposefully did that, and that tomorrow she would show at my door whether or not I was grounded. Here's hoping the fact that I saved someone's life kept me from being punished. That coupled with the fact that I hadn't been drinking either. I mean, seriously, what could he ground me for? Changing my mind? Frankly, he probably would. I'd have to butter him up tomorrow morning.

Deciding sleep was still a foreign concept as my nerves were still shot from saving JJ, I grabbed my guitar. I spent most of the night putting my trauma into words until I felt better. The warm water from the shower helped further relax me before I slipped into bed and finally passed out around three in the morning. At six o'clock my alarm rang, and I went for my daily jog around town. I loved going early in the morning, as it allowed me to see the whole town come to life.

Stores opened earlier, sliding their metal doors up and unlocking their shops. I always received a wave and a smile from each shop owner. The thing about small towns was that everyone knew everyone. There was no gossip not heard, no secret not shared. Nothing was kept hidden for long here. Nothing.

So the fact that JJ slipped and fell off the cliff, needing to be saved by none other than me, seemed to be the talk of the town already. Deciding not to be stopped and talked to about it, I popped my earbuds in, pointing to them anytime someone tried to get my attention. I kept my pace, jogging away from anyone trying to have a conversation with me.

When I returned home, I quickly showered and began making Dad's favorite omelet. He'd know what I was doing, but he'd eat it anyway, and it always put him in a good mood. He arrived around seven, looking haggard and worn. Night shifts were always the worst for him, and that was all he had during the summers. With a big smile, I shoved the omelet in his face as he walked in. He only raised his brow at me, knowing I wanted something.

"Alright, let's eat and talk then," he caved, taking the plate from my hands and heading towards the small round table we had in the kitchen. It was only him and me, so the small table was all we needed, even if it wobbled and was always sticky.

"You know I did nothing wrong last night except forget to tell you I was going, and that's only because I left my phone at home," I quickly started, knowing I had to plead my case before his fatigue set in.

"Come on, Bug. I've taught you better than to forget your phone or even go anywhere without making sure someone knows where you'll be. The world is a dangerous place."

"I know, Dad. Spare me the lecture. Please. Just tell me how much trouble I am in." I sighed, seeing he would not cave on the matter.

"Considering everything that happened and the fact you weren't drinking. I won't ground you, but I am setting an earlier curfew for the time being. You need to be sure to be home at nine. Got it? Nine on the dot, Bug. In the house, not just walking in." He made sure I understood he would not take excuses for any tardiness.

"Got it. Thank you, Dad." I smiled, kissing his cheek before picking up our now empty plates.

"Are you okay? I know we didn't have time to talk much about what you saw last night. It's scary to witness someone not breathing." Dad looked at me from the table as I rinsed our dishes off.

"I'm okay, promise." I stared at the water flowing from the faucet, remembering the way JJ coughed up the salty liquid he had inhaled. Shoving the thought aside, I turned with a smile. Anything more and he'd read me like an open book.

"Alright. I am heading to bed. You know the rules. Let me know where you're going. No boys, drugs, or alcohol. And keep clear of the Jacobson's residence." I could never quite figure out why that last one was a rule, but I followed it to the T all my life. What would I want from the Jacobson's place, anyway?

"I know, I know." I rolled my eyes, having heard these rules all my life. "And no driving the car," we said in unison, as he always left that one for last.

"Don't be smart. You know I'm only like this cause I love you and want you to be safe, June Bug."

"I know, Dad. Love you too. I'll see you at dinner." I watched him slowly climb up the stairs, hearing him lock away his gun before the distinctive sound of the squeaking springs in his mattress could be heard, showing he had finally laid down.

I took my guitar and my notebook and headed for my spot in the woods behind my house. There was this large boulder that was flat and smooth on top. It was always cool, providing relief from the hot summer sun when I laid on it. I placed my notebook down along with my guitar before I climbed up.

I normally sat out here and wrote while I enjoyed nature in the morning, before it got unbearably hot. After this, I would go swimming, and then I’d end the day with another jog on the shore, with my bare feet hitting the waves as they crashed in. It was a tame and quiet life I lived, but something told me that, after last night, things would be changing. As if on cue, my phone vibrated beside me.

Tiff: We're on our way to come get you. Should we honk the horn when we arrive?

June: No! My dad's asleep. I'll wait for you at the corner.

I started packing my things up, racing back to the house and placing them in my closet, hidden from Dad's view. He thought I had stopped writing to take criminal law more seriously. He'd even bought me some law books for my birthday last year. Dad was definitely lacking in gift giving skills, but I knew he meant well.

I wore a loose tank top and some jean shorts with my sandals, running outside and down the block. The heat was excruciating here during the day and I wasn't sure if Rodney had air conditioning in his car or not. Many people drove around in lemons here, so it wouldn't surprise me if he did too. I clipped my hair up as I continued jogging down the road, where I spotted the blue Ford Fusion rounding the corner. Perfect timing.

"Hey, hot stuff! Get in," Tiff called out from the passenger window as she hung her head out. I'd never been called hot stuff before, especially not by a girl. I figured she didn't mean it sexually; however, it was still odd to hear.

"Where are we going?" I asked, as I took my spot in the backseat, cautiously getting inside the vehicle, smelling the oddly delightful scent of Hawaiian Breeze as I closed the door beside me.

"To a cave to sacrifice the virgin," Rodney answered with a serious face. Tiff hit his arm, scoldingly.

"Don't mind him. He's grumpy when he doesn't get much sleep." She turned to face me, flashing me a friendly smile again.

I couldn't reciprocate it, only nodding my head wearily at her. She was foreign to me. This whole thing was. I didn't have friends. I had acquaintances, and people who used me for crap. That was about it. Although, I was jumping ahead of myself, because who said they were friends?

"I get that way, too," I responded, unsure of what else to say.

"We're picking up JJ from the hospital. I figured you should be there."

"I doubt he wants me there." I let it slip, realizing that probably wasn't the right thing to say. Tiff frowned for a moment before plastering a playful smile on her face.

"He better want you there. He owes you his damn life."