The sun was setting over Figure Eight as bonfires began dotting the beach.
Although the Boneyard party was technically on the border between Kook and Pogue territory, everyone knew the invisible lines they shouldn't cross.
Everyone except JJ Genrette seemed determined to break every unwritten rule tonight.
JJ's point of view
"Your mother would kill you if she knew you were here," Rafe said, passing me a red cup filled with expensive whiskey—the kind Ward Cameron kept locked in his study.
"Hey, Ken!" Topper's voice carried across the beach, deliberately loud. "Didn't expect to see you without your matching Barbie outfit."
'who gives him the fucking right to call me that?' I thought to myself
I turned to see Sarah's new boyfriend approaching, his perfectly pressed polo somehow spotless despite the beach setting. Sarah trailed behind him, shooting me an apologetic look.
I mouthed that' it was fine 'back to her with a half smile
"Topper," I replied smoothly, "still trying to figure out how to replicate that plastic Ken doll hair I see."
Rafe shifted closer to me, a subtle show of support that didn't go unnoticed by Topper.
"You know," Topper said, wrapping his arm around Sarah's waist possessively, "it's cute how you two still use those nicknames. What was it, six months of playing the perfect couple before you realized you preferred a different Cameron?"
Sarah stiffened. "Top, don't."
"What? Everyone knows Ken here traded up from Barbie to—"
"Careful," Rafe cut in, his voice low. "That's my sister you're talking about."
"dude, what the fuck is your problem?" I snapped.
" I don't have one, Golden boy," he replied with a shoulder shrug
'JJ, mama will kill you if you kill someone,' I thought to myself, annoyed.
Behind Topper, he caught sight of Kiara slipping through the crowd, her eyes fixed on their confrontation.
"I mean honestly," Topper sneered. "The perfect Figure Eight golden boy, Dr. Genrette's pride and joy, slumming it at a Boneyard party. What would your mother say?"
"You're fucking insecure, you know. You didn't have a problem with me before you became my 'replacement'," I shot back.
"Probably the same thing Dad would say about what you're doing for his shipping company," Rafe replied at the same time.
The color drained from Topper's face. Sarah's eyes widened as she looked at them.
'Coward'
"JJ, Rafe," she whispered as a warning.
"I'm innocent. He started it," I complained, pouting.
Before Topper could respond, a commotion erupted near the water. John B had arrived, his presence sending ripples through the carefully maintained social order of the beach.
"Your guard dog's here," I nodded toward John B, watching Topper's jaw clench. "Better go earn your keep."
"Sarah, let's go," Topper commanded, but Sarah hesitated.
"Actually," she said, "I need to talk to Ken about something. Old Barbie business, you wouldn't understand."
The moment Topper stormed off toward John B, Sarah grabbed my arm. "He knows about the break-in. About the compass. He threatened to tell Dad if I didn't start dating him."
"Barbie," I started, in genuine concern.
"Don't," she cut him off. "Just... be careful. Both of you." Her eyes flickered between me and Rafe meaningfully.
As she walked away, Kiara appeared on my shoulder. "Trouble in paradise?" she asked sarcastically.
"Honestly, I don't know, " I replied, a little confused by that interaction
."What do you want?" Rafe demanded...Rude
"To help," she replied, slipping something into my pocket. "Low tide. Follow the compass. And watch out for Ken's replacement—he's involved in more than just Sarah's love life."
She melted back into the crowd just as shouting erupted near the water. Topper and John B. were squaring up. The old Kook-Pogue divide became violent.
"We need to go," Rafe said, his hand finding the small of my back. "Now." why is he so touchy lately?
My phone lit up with a text from my mom: *I know what you're planning. Please don't go to the marsh tonight. Some treasures aren't worth the price.*
"Your mom knows something," Rafe said, reading over my shoulder.
"Everyone knows something," replied, watching as Sarah tried to pull Topper away from the fight. "Even my replacement."