My Druthers: Yoked

"Let's go." An Officer unlocks my cell and places handcuffs on me, leading me down the corridor. 

She walks me into an office where an older man sits at a cluttered desk, he smiles and moves his glasses down his nose, gesturing for me to sit after the handcuffs are removed from my wrists. 

"Ms. Routledge." He hands me a yellow envelope, "Sheriff Department's gonna needa statement from you. You can have a lawyer present if you want to." I slide the paperwork out of the envelope, eyeing the arrest report, "I don't... I don't--"

"Charges have been dropped." He cuts me off, "You're free to go. When you give your statement, be prepared to tell everything you know about Rafe and Ward Cameron.""Rafe and Ward?" I smile. "Well, what you waiting on? Get on home." He gestures to the door."Yes, sir." 

I get to my feet and take the bag of my belongings from the Officer, she leads me out of the office and tells me to change in the bathroom, I quickly comply and practically run back out, too excited to waste time here when I can go home and see everyone. See my sweet Jay, I feel guilty for pushing him away while I was here. 

I need to apologize. 

"One more thing." The Officer hands me the Twinkie keys when we step outside, "She isn't exactly street legal, so make sure you get her home safely." 

I smile and walk down to the van. I'm really going home. I roll the window down, turning the radio up and hanging my arm out while I drive through the island. 

"WHOO!" I scream into the wind, "Headed home baby!" I wave to all my school friends and the locals that recognize me as I cruise, smiling ear to ear, "I'M FREE!"

My heart feels full when I see 'Free Willow' spray painted on random objects around town, I guess people believed I was innocent, people cared about me. I take in how amazing the sun feels on my skin and the salty breeze through my hair. I missed this. I missed my freedom. 

I sputter the van into the driveway, honking the horn after I screech to a stop, "I'm home bitches!"

"No freaking way!" Pope calls out. 

"How'd you do it?" JJ excitedly asks while pulling me out of the van and into a hug, "Bust out, Princess?"

I shake my head, "They dropped all the charges."

"You're telling me I did all that work for nothing?"

Pope and Kie start dogging on JJs elaborate escape plan for me but I got distracted watching John B shuffle around, looking around like he was lost in thought.

"Where's Sarah?" 

Kie looks around at us, "Um, she went to go meet Wheezie last night and she didn't come back."

John B sighs and runs a hand through his hair, "Yeah, she should have been back sooner."

"She will show soon, I'm sure of it." Kie reassures him, "But for now," She turns to me, "Maybe you should go shower." 

They all laugh when I sniff my armpit and scrunch my face, "Look, I was in jail with cold showers and 50 other girls rushing me for their turn." I rest my hand on my rather large baby bump, flinching when JJ moves too fast when he puts his hand on my belly too.

"Sorry," He mutters, I watch his eyes flicker between my black eye and then my neck, "Why the fuck do you look like you got beat up, Princess?" He runs his fingers over the bruising, apologizing when I wince. 

"Ward tried to have me yoked." I shrug, "Had to fight for my damn life last night." 

"You--" JJ stops himself from whatever he was going to say, instead he leans his forehead on mine and sighs, "You're safe now, Princess, I won't ever let anyone hurt you again, okay?"

"You know you can't promise that." I press a kiss to his lips, "I'm fine."

"You're not fine, you're covered in bruises." John B grabs my hand and pulls my arm towards him, rubbing his fingers along my forearms, "How did this happen?"

"I was stressed out, it's a bad habit." I pull my arm back, "Can we not talk about this right now? I was happy to come home. I can tell you all about my fun times in jail another day." 

"Of course." Kie hugs me, "Go shower, though, for real."

I laugh and head inside, JJ trailing behind me, I smile when he clicks the bedroom door behind him as I dig through my dresser for clean clothes, "Miss me?"

"You know I did." He crosses the room in two long strides, hugging me from behind and kisses my neck, "I'm so happy you're out."

"I am too." I turn in his arms, "I'm sorry I pushed you away. I was going through shit and thought you deserved better or whatever." 

"Well you and me both." He mumbles, "I felt the same way. I was sad you didn't want me to visit though." 

"I was sad too." I look down at my belly when he puts his hands on either side.

"You've grown so much," He gets down on one of his knees and kisses right above my belly button before looking up at me, "You're beautiful like this."

"Like what," I ask, "fat?"

He shakes his head, "You're not fat. You're beautiful while carrying our daughter."

I run my fingers through his soft hair, "Thank you, Jay." 

"Can I shower with you?" He eagerly asks while standing up. 

I laugh, "Yeah, come on."

We very quickly get into the shower and wash our bodies, then JJ presses me against the shower wall, his mouth sucking on my neck. "Fuck Princess. It's been so long since I've had you."

"I know." I breathe out, "I need you inside of me, Jay. Please."

He chuckles and turns me around, I place my hands on the tile wall before he pushes himself up inside of me, causing me to gasp from his size, "You're always so tight, Princess."

"JJ!" I moan when he slowly but forcefully snaps his hips into me, "You feel so good inside of me."

One of his arms snake around me, his fingers rub circles into my clit, drawing out the fire building inside of me. My knuckles go white while I try to hold myself up, my mind turning to mush while I give in to his touch. 

He leans over my back, kissing my shoulder while every nerve explodes in my body, euphoria flooding my system. My pussy gripping his dick, driving him crazy as I reach my peak.

"Oh fuck Willow!" JJ frantically drives himself into me, hitting me deeper and deeper as he holds onto my hips, my body still tense as my orgasm hits me long and hard.

"Wow." I breathe out after my orgasm dissipates, my breath fogging up the tiled wall I'm leaning into. 

"I'm close." He whimpers, I moan when his dick twitches inside of me, releasing his cum deep within me. After a moment he slowly turns me around and leans his forehead on mine, "Did I hurt you?"

"No, babe," I smile at him while resting my hands on either side of his neck, "I feel fine."

"Yeah, but the baby." He looks down at my big belly between us, "Can sex hurt her?"

"No." I chuckle, "She's well protected in there. Sex is actually good in the third trimester, gets my body ready for labor or whatever." 

"Huh," He steps into the water to rinse off, "Guess we need to have a lot more sex then."

"I think we do." I stare into his beautiful eyes, "I love you so much."

He presses a kiss to my lips, "I love you so so much." 

It doesn't take us long to wash up and get out, after putting on my bikini, that barely fits me now, I follow JJ out to the boat where everyone is waiting for us. I lay down next to Kie on the bow, soaking up the sun that I definitely need now, while the boys talk about fishing. 

I pop my eyes open when something pokes my belly. 

John B laughs when I glare at him, "Damn Willow, you're huge now. I could see your belly from a mile away."

I scoff, "Thanks man, such a nice compliment."

He rolls his eyes, "You know what I mean." 

I hum in response and close my eyes, JJs hand makes its way to my belly while the boys start up their conversation again, "So Sarah just dips and doesn't call?" I ask, my curiosity taking over when I start to worry about her, "Has anyone texted her?"

"Yeah, she left her bag too." Pope tells me, "She hasn't responded back on the group chat." 

"I really think Ward got to her." John B stresses, "The dude tried to have Willow killed in jail. So I wouldn't be surprised if he tries something on Sarah too, they're the only witnesses to Rafe killing Peterkin."

"You think so?" I was struggling to sit up so JJ chuckles and put his hand on my back to push me up.

"Thanks." I mutter, "Johnny, you could be right."

He nods and points at me, "Right?"

"Its okay." Kie smiles at John B.

He frowns, "No, Kie it's not okay, we've gotta find Sarah."

She points at a boat coming towards us, "No literally it's okay. She's right there."

We all glance up to see Topper driving up to us and Sarah calling out to me in excitement, "Oh my god she's out." She jumps from the boat as soon as he was close enough and hugs me, "Hi."

"Hi." I chuckle. 

"I'm so glad you're okay, I was worried. I didn't know if I'd get to see you again." Sarah rapidly talks, "What happened?"

"They dropped all the charges, I'm a free woman." I step away, letting John B pull Sarah into a hug next. Topper awkwardly watches them with a sad face. Oh god this is hard to watch. I feel awkward now too. "Listen Sarah, they're going after Rafe." 

"Good, he's completely unhinged, well we already knew that but he jumped me last night." 

"What?" 

Sarah looks at John B, "That's why I didn't come back last night."

"Yeah, Rafe has lot his mind, he literally tried drowning her last night." Topper chimes in, "Thankfully I got there just in time."

Sarah looks down, "Yeah he did."

John B looks over at him with an annoyed look, "Well.. I guess I owe you one, Topper."

He scoffs, "It's all good man, I mean, somebody had to rescue your girlfriend, right?" 

Oh good lord, really? We're choosing petty today?

"Uh, that's funny because she's not actually my girlfriend, right?" John B smiles at Sarah. 

Are they not together anymore? What the hell happened while I was gone?

"Um, what is she then?" Topper laughs.

Sarah awkwardly looks between them, "Uh, I'm... I'm with him."

He laughs again, "Gotcha. You're with him. Just needed a little clarity there." He glances at the rest of us, "You guys clear on that?"

JJ glares at him, "I think you've gotta go."

"Yeah, time to skedaddle, Kook Top." I sarcastically smile. 

"Yeah, think I'll head out. It's about that time."

Sarah walks over and hugs him, "Thank you." 

Topper locks eyes with John B and smiles while he continues hugging her for far too long. This is so awkward. I cringe and give a look to JJ and Kie, they stifle their laughs, while Pope watches the whole ordeal with amusement in his eyes. 

I stand up and waddle my way over to the side of the boat, "I'm going inside, I've had enough sun." More like I've had enough of this tension going on the between Sarah's boyfriends. JJ jumps up and helps me onto the dock, "You don't have to go with me."

"Yes I do." He kisses my cheek, "Everyone's following us anyways." 

~~~~~

After the horrible conversation on the boat this morning, we all dispersed around the house. I went back to my room to clean, JJ opted to shot guns beers while hanging out with Kie and Pope. Sarah and John B stayed outside to argue over her not telling Topper they were fake married, which was a surprising to me, but then again not. Kie told me they went out on the pogue for a date night under the stars and they had some kind of movie scene romance moment while they acted out a fake marriage ceremony. 

Either way, I wasn't going to sit outside and listen to them fight, that'll stress out, and the last thing I need right now is my heartrate getting too high and causing issues for my baby. 

"Willow!" JJ runs into the room, "Heyward was hurt, we have to go."

I drop the clothes in my hands, "Is he okay?"

"I don't know. Guffy called and said he was roughed up by someone earlier." 

I quickly waddle my way out of the house and to the Twinkie, "Shit sorry." I mutter to Pope while I try climbing over him to get into the van, "Bro, why are you laying on the floor, move." He laughs and rolls away so I can get passed him to the back seats.

"You look like you're about to pop." Kie jokes, moving her own legs so I have space. 

"I am. My doctor said she's still measuring small, but my bellies huge." I sigh and settle into my seat, "I think she's going to come early."

"You're tiny, so your belly just looks huge on you." Sarah looks back at me from the front passenger seat, "And you're what, 34 weeks now?"

"I'm like 36 weeks I think."

"At least you're close now." She smiles at me before turning back around.

My body leans against JJ before I close my eyes, everyone's conversations bubble in the air while I silently deal with the light cramping across my belly. It isn't super painful so I'm not quite ready to go into panic mode over this, part of me is wondering if the sex earlier was too rough and caused some braxton hicks contractions, but I'm not too far from my due date so it's not like I couldn't go into labor at any moment.

"Princess, we're here." JJ kisses my forehead before sitting me up, "Come on." He helps me out of the van, hanging back to walk at my slow pace while everyone else runs down the docks to check on Heyward. 

"Jay."

"Yeah?" He reaches across his body to caress my face, "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing." My eyes land on Sarah bandaging Heyward's head for him. 

"Are you sure?" JJ walks me over to the dock where everyone is standing.

"Yeah." I lean against the railing and pant, fuck I have no stamina left.

"Pop, what happened?" Pope seems tense while he watches his dad in pain.

"Oh, I should've known better. He came in just as I was about to lock up. Caught me by surprise. Once he had me down, he put his knee in my chest, and he asked me about that... that... that key from that... that drawing you showed me. And in case you're wondering, I ain't tell him nothing. Now did you track it down?"

"I found it in Mee-maw's old apartment above the pharmacy just like you said." Pope pulls the key out and shows it to his dad. 

How come no one told me about a key? I am confused.

"Shit, boy, you should've gave this to me. I wouldn't have had to take a beating. What's the big deal? It ain't worth anything. Why they want it so bad?"

"I don't know. First, I get this letter telling me that I need to go to Charleston. And then I meet a rich lady who wants me to give her a key that I didn't even know was in our family. None of it makes any sense." 

"Well, don't y'all just sit here whining about it." Heyward exclaims, "Figure it out!"

"No. I'm just gonna give the key to that lady. It's not worth--"

"No, no, no. Did I raise you to back down from a fight, boy?" He raises his eyebrows, waiting for Pope response.

"No, sir."

"Well, alright. Now, I... I didn't think about it before. I admit that. But now, I'm interested. Well, did they say why they wanted it?" 

"Something about an old cross. I think it might be some kind of lost treasure."

"You know who you should talk to? Your great-grandmother, Mee-maw." Heyward smiles when he sees me, "It is good to see your face, Willow."

I chuckle and hug him when he reaches his arms out, "I just got out today, I'll have to stop by to see Momma soon." 

"Yes you will," He pats my cheek, "she has been torn up over everything but she will be delighted to see you're doing well. How's the baby?"

"She's healthy and likes to kick my ribs." My hands circle my belly, "Not much longer and she will be here."

"We can't wait to meet her. Don't be shy, you hear?" 

"I know." I smile at him before he walks off, finally noticing everyone but JJ and Sarah went to the Twinkie, "They left us?"

"Yeah."

I grumble the entire walk back to the van, making JJ and Sarah laugh at me, "Stop laughing at me," I whine, "this is exhausting."

"I'm sorry, Princess. You can take a nap on the way." JJ tries to hide his smile but fails miserably after he looks over at Sarah giggling at me. I lightly push him away and climb into the back of the van, "Baby, don't be mad at me, you're just so cute." He follows after me and pulls me into his side, "I'm sorry." 

I cross my arms, "Y'all are making fun of me."

Sarah chuckles, "No we aren't, Brookie, stop being dramatic."

"Whatever." I shut my eyes after I lean into JJ, letting myself doze off.

I finally feel safe enough to get real sleep.

~~~~~

"Get Willow something." JJs voice sounds over me, I crack my eyes open right when he looks down at me, "Hi, baby." He leans down and kisses my lips, "How do you feel?"

"Fine. How did I lay down? I was sitting up earlier." I ask while he helps me sit up.

"You were falling over so I laid you down."

I look around at the nearly empty van, "Where'd the girls go? And Pope?"

"Inside the convenient store for snacks." John B glances back at me, "And Pope is at the nursing home talking to his mee-maw."

JJ sighs and kisses my cheek, then he squeezes himself into the front passenger seat, "Remember when life was simple?" 

Is he talking about before me and the baby?

John B eyes him, "Yeah, like a few months ago? I mean, dude, think about it. Ward's still out there, and he's got the gold." JJ nods, "I know. I know." "He killed my Dad, and everything he's done to Willow..." My brother sighs and looks out the window.

"John B, I know, and we won't let that go." JJ softens his tone, "But I'm worried about you, man. It feels like it's either you or him. You've been hung up on this for months. You're more mad at Ward than Willow is." He glances over at the girls when they talk outside the store, "And you know who else I'm worried about? Sarah. I mean, bro, like, it's her dad. You see what I'm saying?"

I'm angry at Ward, but I don't show it. John B stares at Sarah for a moment, "She knows what he did." He shifts his gaze to JJ when he didn't say anything back, "So what's the deal with this Limbrey chick? Pope said she has evidence on tape that could put Ward away, right?""Mm-hmm. On the other hand, though, she did just try to kidnap Pope, and--"John B fully turns to look at him, "But think about it, alright? If we can get that evidence, it's done. We could put Ward away for good and finally get justice for my dad. This can all be over in one shot, Jay. And I get it. It's dangerous."JJ nods and smirks, "Good thing your best friend is JJ Maybank. 'Cause I got a plan."

John B blows out air and looks stressed, "Hopefully it's better than springing my sister out of jail.""Nah, this is my best yet. Listen." He leans over and starts whispering into John Bs ear. 

This made me mad. Is he hiding shit from me? Knowing it'll go against his promises to not do anything stupid or dangerous. Whatever.

JJ pulls away from John B and leans back in his chair, catching my eye, I frown before leaning into the side of the van. Sarah and Kie file in a few minutes later, handing out everyone's snacks and drinks. 

"Thanks." I mutter to Kie when she hands me chips and a vanilla coke, "You're the best."

She chuckles, "I know." 

I keep my eyes trained to the scenery outside my window while we drive through the streets to go pick up Pope. Once we get there he stalks over to the van and gets in while looking off into the distance in a daze.

John B turns around, "So how'd it go?"

He loudly exhales, "Shit just got way more personal." 

Of course it did, we lost the gold so now there's going to be something else we have to obsess over.

I feel so alone. 

JJ and John B made some kind of secret plan that sounded dangerous, once again not caring about the consequences, I mean why does JJ keep going against what I ask? All I want is for him to care about making better choices so he doesn't end up in jail, it's like our conversations in the past mean nothing to him. I feel like he's purposely trying to end up like his dad. I know he feels like he's destine for a lifetime behind bars, but he isn't.

Fuck.

Like he didn't want me behind bars and our daughter seeing me through a glass window during visitation hours, why does he think it's okay to put himself in that position? Does he think our baby deserves better than him? Is he trying to find a way out?

No, that can't be it. 

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