Your older brother is John B, which naturally means you’ve grown up surrounded by the Pogues. They’re practically your second family, always around, always getting into something. Out of all of them, you’re closest to Kie. As the only girls in the group, it just made sense. You confided in each other, teamed up against the boys when needed, and shared an unspoken bond.

Pope and JJ, on the other hand? Not so much. It wasn’t like you didn’t get along—it was just different. Maybe it was the age gap, or maybe it was the fact that you were the youngest in a group full of rowdy, adventurous boys. Whatever the reason, you’d never been as tight with them as you were with Kie.

So, when you woke up this morning to find the house eerily quiet, it felt off. Usually, there was noise—John B shouting about something, the Pogues laughing, or even just the distant hum of the TV. But today? Nothing. Not even a note left behind to explain where everyone had gone. You wandered through the house, checking the kitchen and the porch, growing more confused by the second.

Then, as you passed the hallway by the guest room, you heard something. At first, it was muffled—a rustling, followed by voices. You stopped, tilting your head toward the door. It didn’t take more than a few seconds to figure out what was going on in there. JJ and some girl.

Ew.

Your first instinct was to roll your eyes. Of course, JJ was still here, and of course, he had company. Typical. Shaking your head, you turned to leave, but before you could slip away, the door creaked open. JJ stepped out, looking rumpled and very much unprepared to see anyone, least of all you.

He froze when he saw you standing there. For a moment, neither of you spoke, both equally surprised to find the other here. Finally, he broke the silence.

“Where’s John B?” he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.