On Top//Topper Thornton

nine

I spend the morning with Topper. We're at the dock as he shows me his new ridiculously expensive wakesetter. It's a nice looking boat and it should be for how much it cost.

I smile. "Wow. Impressive."

Topper wraps his arms around my waist. "We can take it out for a ride."

I smile slightly as I shake my head. "I want too, Top, but I have plans."

"With who?" Topper asks.

"Kiara," I tell him. It's not a total lie Kie will be there with John B, JJ, and Pope.

"Aren't you supposed to go to the beach clean up with your sisters?" Topper questions.

"Yeah and I'll be there late," I tell him.

"Like always," Topper remarks.

I smile as I kiss him. "I'll see you later."

Toper nods. "Yeah later."

We pull up to the hotel JJ works at in John B's van. There still isn't power in the cut. We need the internet if we're going to find the gold.

"All right, keep a look out. We're behind enemy lines," JJ says as he pulls out his gun.

"Yo, come on, man. Just put it back," John B tells him.

"JJ," I say.

"What? You can never be too careful," JJ tells us.

Pope gets out of the car and leans against the passengers side door. "Hey, I predict that bringing a weapon to a four-star hotel will likely cause more problems than they solve."

"Thank you, Pope," John B says.

I lean forward between the two front seats. "I swear to God, I'm gonna throw that thing in the ocean, JJ. Put it back."

John B grabs the gun and puts it in the glove compartment.

"There you go," Pope says.

"You can't grab a gun like that," JJ warns. He picks up his work ID. "Can't forget my badge." He gets out and slams the door shut. "Professional busboy."

"So, where are we going now?" Pope questions.

"We're getting on the internet because only rich people have electricity right now," JJ tells him. "This way!" We walk through the kitchen. "Andrew!"

"All right?" Andrew shouts.

"What's up, bro?" JJ greets. JJ picks food up off a plate. "Mama L, good to see you!"

The woman smacks JJ's hand. "Hey, no! JJ!"

We walk out into the lobby. "Mm-hm. See, they got the backup generators going? Kooks don't miss a beat."

JJ leads us to a room where computers are.

Pope rushes towards one. "Sweet Lord, the internet!" He sits down in a chair. "I've missed you."

"Let me get in there. Gotta check out my Insta models," JJ states.

I give him a look. "We don't have time for that."

"Hey. Hey! Hey! My Dad's map," John says as he puts it down next to Pope.

"Coordinates, please?" Pope asks.

"34° 57' 30" north. 75° 55' 42" west," John B says. Pope plugs the numbers into the computer. "Okay. Boom, continental shelf right there."

"Well, if it's off the deep end, it's not gonna be much of a treasure hunt, is it?" Pope questions. John B sighs. "Come on, baby. Come on."