Chapter 16: Payback

“We could’ve waited at Fielding’s and had lunch. They might have shown up there eventually,” Abigail semi-complained. “It is past lunchtime.”

“I don’t think she’s in the mood for a lazy lunch,” Kari Quick replied as they walked across the city parking lot. With the sun directly overhead at its highest point, the asphalt seemed to give off extra waves of heat, causing the two coeds to share a look.

“We should’ve brought bikinis,” Abby whined, already assuming this search would take time.

“I should’ve worn a bikini,” Kari responded, using her hand to fan her face. The energetic twenty-year-old with neck-length caramel brown hair hopped onto the curb while attempting to keep up with one of her oldest and earliest friends.

Ahead, Liberty ignored the kiosks and Abby’s suggestion to grab a popcorn snack to tide them over until they finally got lunch. Instead, the two young women watched as their friend barked at skateboarders and rollerbladers to get out of her way. On a mission, Libby didn’t suffer any type of fools.

A street musician, strumming a guitar for tips, abruptly stopped playing a classic beach tune melody to the disappointment of several junior high school students. With a gruff apology, the hippie turned sideways to avoid catching the irate blonde’s attention. Despite his effort, he felt Libby’s blue eyes briefly glare at him before moving on.

“Do you fucking mind?” Libby hissed, staring down a vendor who grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for the kids on school break and their mothers. Waving her hand through the smoke that wafted over the pathway, she shook her fist menacingly at the inconvenience.

“Oh, that smells good,” Abby said, eyeing the grilled chicken. Then, realizing she’d probably get scolded for stopping to grab a sandwich, she whispered to Kari. “Tell me again why I’m here, and Brigid’s not. This is usually her territory.”

“Hell, do you really want Bee and me helping out on this task? Abs, you’re here to help keep things from getting out of control,” Kari revealed, chuckling.

“I thought that’s what Syd’s job is?”

“Shit, girl, Syd’s the one who called in with the tip. She’s on lifeguard duty.”

Reaching the crest, the women took a moment to scan Belle Beach. Families sat out on their picnic blankets while they watched their younger family members squeal as they chased each other through the surf or constructed simple yet elaborate sandcastles in their minds. Kari skipped the wide variety of colored umbrellas as her gaze settled on the rolled-out towels of sunbathers. In particular, the hyper coed set her sights on the scenery: the young, shirtless men playing volleyball.

“Mmmh, yummy,” the brunette moaned, spotting several guys that she’d like to know better.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Libby snapped, finally locating a familiar face.

“But me likey,” Kari whined before giggling.

“I think that’s Aaron Meyer,” Abby said, noticing a guy two years older than her who attended law school.

Shrugging her shoulders, Kari motioned that they needed to follow Libby. Walking down the descending pathway, they passed several sand dunes until they saw two familiar guys around Libby and Kari’s age on their left. The darker-skinned of the pair gestured toward the girls’ right, causing Libby to peel off in that direction immediately.

“Here we go,” Kari announced, half-excited, half-resigned to what came next.

The timing proved perfect for Libby’s intentions. Todd Haldorn had just started to rise off his towel when the swinging purse clocked him directly in the face, flinging the short bully backward. Shifting around in alarm, Shane Grogan never had a chance as Kari’s foot connected with his groin. As a former soccer player, the energetic coed delivered a brutal blow.

“That’s for my favorite dog!” Kari declared.

“Oh, my gawd!” a nearby woman screeched. Looking at her husband, she ordered him to do something as Libby whacked the pleading Todd with her purse again. The husband, taking stock of the situation, said he’d go find a lifeguard instead.

About twenty-five feet from the attack, Heath Thune’s mouth dropped open while Rick Valance continued to flirt with three students from Hilltop Academy. Having witnessed the wrath of Jake’s sister in the past, the big offensive lineman began to panic. Slapping Rick’s arm, he turned to race off to his right and north on the beach.

However, he found himself blocked within seconds by Jesse Fosse and Terrell Knight, Libby’s backup, who had been the two guys who found the wanted teens after Sydney Capshaw spotted them heading down the beach. Faced with the former football players, Heath’s whole body sagged in defeat before he swore that he had nothing to do with it.

“Nothing to do with what?” Jesse inquired.

“You already look guilty, Thune. Why else run?” Terrell questioned, gesturing for the stocky teen to turn around and march.

Ten feet into the forced march, Rick stepped away from his potential conquests to meet them. Unlike Heath, the high school lothario didn’t seem the least bit concerned.

“Whoa, what’s the issue, Fosse, Knight?”

“You’re coming with us, too,” Terrell directed, pointing to where the two guys had left their stuff with their friends.

Those same friends cried out in pain as Libby had Todd on his stomach with his arm held firmly across his back. Muscular Shane bawled like a baby as he clutched his manhood after a third kick from Kari. Watching the payback be delivered, Abby appeared uncertain about how to stop her two friends.

“Libby? Kari? What are you doing?” Mason Spurgeon exclaimed, returning with the outraged woman’s husband.

“Help!” Todd begged, twisting his head so that he could see the lifeguard on duty for this section of the beach.

“Do something!” the outraged woman screamed.

“Karen, please. Let the young man do his job,” her husband suggested.

Abby and Kari shared a look before the latter laughed at the woman’s name.

“Uh, come on, Libby, can’t you let him up?” Mason asked. “Please?”

“Please? You’re in charge here. Do something or call the police!” the woman named Karen screeched.

“The police? Oh, no. Not again,” Mason moaned, running his hand through his hair in consternation. “Would this be my second offense? Do we have a three-strikes law? I don’t know what happened while I was away at school.”

“Dammit, Mason, you weren’t arrested last time, and I’ll handle this. Go back to your station,” a female lifeguard ordered, coming over in her one-piece teal swimsuit. A slim, athletic young woman with dark chocolate brown hair, she sighed before addressing her friends. “Kari, freeze. Libby, let go of his arm.”

“Well, thank you—finally, someone with a strong sense of responsibility. Now, my husband and I are prepared to provide full statements to the authorities. We saw the assault in its entirety,” Karen declared, sounding rather proud of herself.

“Are you going to call the police?” Mason gulped.

“I said to go,” Sydney ordered her coworker before turning toward the busybody. “Thank you, but we’ll handle this on our own. The police don’t need to be bothered.”

“Don’t need to be bothered? Why that’s absurd!”

“Beat it, lady. Or you’re next,” Libby warned, staring daggers at the Karen.

“I’ll handle husband,” Kari teased, flexing her leg.

“That’s it. We’re out of here,” the husband stated, grabbing his wife.

Sydney waited for the couple to gather their belongings and leave, and for Jesse and Terrell to arrive with the other two potential pranksters. Placing her hands on her hips, the lone rule-follower of her clique of twenty-year-olds, she sighed before turning to face a friend a year older.

“I thought you were supposed to be along to keep things under control,” Sydney said, challenging Abby.

“I tried! You know how they get. One second it’s nothing, and then it’s blam!” Abigail recounted. “You try to do a better job.”

“I do, and with Brigid added to the mix,” the lifeguard reminded before addressing Liberty. “Alright, hurry this up before somebody calls the police or worse, my supervisor.”

The dirty blonde daughter of an attorney barely started her interrogation before Todd caved. He admitted to planning and playing the prank on Phineas. Shane glared at his friend for giving up so quickly, but he eventually relented and confirmed his role. Both denied it was anything more than a prank intended as payback for Phinn getting them ticketed for underage drinking at the fireworks.

“Bullshit! What about my dog? Was trying to hurt him part of the plan, too?” Libby demanded.

“No! I swear!” Todd exclaimed, cowering as the furious woman raised a cocked fist in front of his face.

“It’s not our fault that Toby scared him,” Shane insisted.

“Scared Bandit? Ha!” Libby scoffed at the suggestion.

“Yeah, my sister found the dogs afterward at the park, and your dog was the one cowering on top of the merry-go-round. Bandit had the upper hand,” Abby recounted.

“That’s a lie!” Todd snarled. “That leotard bitch lied!”

“What did you call Allie?” Abby challenged, kicking Todd’s shin.

“I meant Piper!” Todd insisted before the older LeClaire sister kicked him again for the sake of Allie’s best friend.

“Do you mind? I’m dealing with this,” Libby told her friend. “Gawd, control yourself.”

Kari giggled at Abby's stunned expression.

“What about your other friend? The third guy who attacked my brother. Was it one of you?” Libby questioned, her eyes scanning Rick and Heath.

“Whoa, I wasn’t anywhere near your house last night, honey,” Rick denied. The honey line caused Terrell to jab him in the back.

“Jake got attacked last night? How is he?” Heath inquired.

“Like you care,” Kari shot back.

“We’re friends…well, not as close lately, but…” Heath trailed off under Libby’s withering gaze.

“I swear, we didn’t even know somebody attacked Jake. We didn’t!” Todd insisted.

Shane backed up his friend and fellow conspirator. They both insisted they never even saw Jake while following Phineas.

“I was out on a date. Ask around; we went to Tommaso’s and Admiral Custard’s before parking down by the historical society,” Rick disclosed, winking at Kari and Abby.

“I was with Rick!” Heath revealed.

“Oh, you were on a date together?” Jesse asked, needling the jittery teen.

“Yes…No! I mean, we were on a double date with my mom’s coworker’s two nieces,” Heath rattled off, seeking to be believed.

“Don’t worry. We’ll ask around to confirm your alibis,” Libby warned, glancing at Kari, who had already started typing away on her phone.

Yet, when Liberty asked about the other man in the different mask, Todd gulped in fear. Shane glanced around warily before again insisting he didn’t know that man. However, after learning to spot lies from both her mother and her father, Libby pressed on, which eventually prompted Todd to admit he had seen the Masked Creep two nights ago.

“I don’t know him. I swear! But I was at Biff Fuller’s house the other night. He lives on Madison, about three blocks down from your house,” Todd began his tale. “That night, uh, I think just after 12:30, we went out into his garage, as I don’t have a car, and Biff said he’d drop me off. The garage door had been left open, so we walked through it in the dark until we reached the end as he parked his car in the driveway. That’s when we saw him.”

“Him? Be precise, Haldorn,” Liberty prodded.

“The guy in the Sonny Snyder mask. Biff recognized it first, “ Todd admitted. “We froze upon seeing him. Who wouldn’t? The guy’s fucking huge, and with that mask on, he looked creepy as fuck.”

“What was the guy doing?” the interrogator asked.

“Walking. Actually, Biff called it lumbering. But we watched as he went down two more houses until he reached that empty lot. You know, the one next to the Longleys that’s filled with trees.” Liberty and Abigail nodded about the location. “Then, we about shit ourselves because he turned slowly to look back at us. I don’t know how he knew, as we were still just inside the garage, but he did. After a long fifteen seconds, he turned again and got inside a dark blue van that had been parked in front of the empty lot.”

“The guy in the mask got inside the van and drove off?” Sydney asked, unable to help herself.

“Uh, no. He must have gotten inside the passenger side, and it drove off,” Todd relayed, shrugging.

“Wait, did the van drive off immediately, or did it take a minute or two?” Libby queried.

“Immediately.”

“That meant he wasn’t alone. Somebody drove him,” Libby muttered, sharing a look with Kari and Sydney. Then, she returned her attention to Todd. “That’s if you’re telling the truth.”

“I am! Look, Biff took a short video of the guy. Let me ask him for it,” Todd revealed, pulling out his phone.

While he waited for a reply, Todd admitted that the creepy man’s mask had inspired his plan to wear a mask for the prank on Phineas. Shane had bought the masks years ago for Halloween, so he dug them up. Both pranksters expressed semi-believable shock that the Masked Creep had been the man who attacked Jake.

“See? Here it is,” Todd announced, holding out his phone to show the video.

Libby demanded that he forward the video to her. Then, she warned them that if they ever endangered Bandit again, she’d break their limbs and cut off their dicks. Gulping in fear, Todd and Shane agreed to grab their things and leave the beach.

“Whoa, slow down there. I’m not leaving the beautiful sights because you showed up and attacked my friends,” Rick argued, gesturing to all the bikini-wearing women.

Shane and Todd paused in their item gathering while Heath looked ready to flee once given permission. Shaking her head, Kari hopped over in front of the arrogant womanizer.

“I got this,” Sydney told her friend. “I got one word for you: scram.”

“Or we’ll make you,” Jesse vowed from behind Rick.

“Now, I could file a complaint, but I’ll let it slide. I see a couple of women that I wouldn’t mind filling a sister sandwich,” Rick noted suggestively.

“Ewww!” Abigail squealed as Kari told him it would never happen.

“We’ll see. Maybe Allison and Kelly have different opinions,” Jake’s so-called rival yelled over his shoulder as they left.

“He’s just…ick,” Sydney appraised.

“Can we finally get lunch now?” Abby asked.

“Fine,” Libby relented, sending the new video to Phinn. “Pick a good place.”

“Hey, where’s your running buddy?” Terrell asked Abby.

“Cheyanne’s working a day shift at Magnum’s.”

“Is she? Hmm, I think I know where we’re going to get our lunch,” Jesse responded, nodding with Terrell.

“Not us. I don’t need my dad asking any questions about my brother,” Liberty replied, thanking her former classmates for their help.

After Jesse and Terrell left, the group of friends discussed where to eat. Sydney bowed out of the conversation, as she had several more hours of work left. Plus, she needed to check on Mason.

“I hope he’s still not freaking out. He finally settled down last week after that whole skeleton stuff that your brother found.”

“Hey, don’t forget we’re going out clubbing tonight,” Kari called after Sydney. “Me, you, Lib, and Brigid!”

“You’re not coming with, Abs?” the lifeguard called back over.

“I’ll check with Cheyanne, but she wanted to hold off until the weekend. Some big plans in her mind,” Abigail said, shrugging. Then, she felt her phone vibrate. “Uh, Lib, you might need to skip lunch. The police are at your house again.”

“What did those little shits do now?!”

---

“Pizzas are here!” Jake yelled, rushing to open the front door. Starving, he watched as Phinn’s friend exited his car, which he’d parked on the street. “You need help?”

“Um, yeah,“ Ethan Eldred replied, walking around to his trunk. “It would’ve been nice to have had some at the restaurant.”

“Danny's parents wouldn’t let him come over. Somebody must have filled them in already, and Wally and Kody are dead broke,” Jake explained, hurrying over to grab four of the six pizzas that Phinn agreed to order. “And we couldn't ask the girls to get them. That would be ungentlemanly.”

“I guess,” Ethan acknowledged. Unsure about tonight, the bookworm had been thankful for Allison’s presence. With Galen busy, he’d been worried that it would be him and most of the football team.

With Piper as the other guest for the evening, Phinn had been reluctant to order so much food with the money his parents left. However, Jake kept insisting that two more guests would arrive soon. Figuring that Luke and Andre’s dates had fallen through, the host had given in. Still, it sounded like only Ethan, Wally, and Kody planned to stay over.

“Are you sure Libby’s not returning?” Phinn asked.

“Nah, she’s out with the girls tonight. I got confirmation from Cheyanne. I tell you, she’s got a fake ID, I know it,” Jake insisted. “I’m going to catch her soon, and, boy, she’ll be in trouble with Dad.”

“Why would you want to stir up that hornet’s nest?” Phinn asked, wondering about his best friend. “Libby knows a lot of stuff going on right now that we don’t want our parents to find out about.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll wait to spring my trap later in the summer,” Jake promised, smirking.

Entering the kitchen, Jake and Ethan placed the pizza boxes onto the kitchen table. With the sun setting soon, Jake inquired about shutting the blinds and curtains around the house.

“Nope. We want people seen inside for now,” his partner replied.

“About time. I’m starving,” Wally declared, pushing his way past Jake to grab four slices.

“Hang on. I’m getting paid back, right?” Ethan asked, looking worried.

“Yeah, yeah, but don’t expect anything from Weaver and O’Keefe,” Phinn noted, paying Ethan the full amount.

“Hey, we’re the ones risking our lives to be your babysitters, Farris,” Wally shot back, with Kody agreeing.

“Wait, where’s Bandit?” Allison asked, realizing the bulldog hadn’t appeared for his share.

“At home,” Jake replied.

“Poor little guy is wiped out after last night,” Phinn explained, causing the blonde to “Aww” in response.

“Not to mention, he missed my mom. She’s his favorite, so Bandit gets separation anxiety after a day or two if she hasn’t spoiled him,” Jake added.

“But Phinn spoils him,’ Allie pointed out, lightly punching the other teen.

A knock at the front door sent Jake scurrying off. Phinn shared a look with Kody after Jake abandoned his food to get the door. That wasn’t like him at all. The answer appeared when Allie bounced back into the kitchen.

“You didn’t tell me that my sister was coming over.”

“You gotta be…Dammit, why does Jake like to start trouble with Lib?” Phinn questioned, groaning. “Who’s with her?”

“Cheyanne.”

“Makes sense,” Phinn said, nodding. Now, he understood why Cheyanne had been the person to confirm Libby’s plans for the night. A few minutes later, the potential for trouble increased.

“I put their things in the guest bedroom,” Jake revealed.

“Wait, you’re spending the night?” Allie asked her sister, who entered the kitchen along with Cheyanne, to grab a few slices and drinks.

“Somebody needs to keep Jake from getting attacked again,” Cheyanne replied first with a smirk.

Fuck. I’m just going to ignore all of this. Jake can deal with Libby when she snaps. I got a case to handle, Phinn decided.

“Uh, Phinn, what’s with that painting in Pug’s bedroom? It looks Satanic,” Jake remarked after everyone else left the kitchen.

“Ah! With today’s excitement, I forgot to mention the reason why your future mother-in-law stopped by.”

“Don’t even joke about that. I’m serious,” Jake insisted. His sister’s crack about Zoe using alternative birth control herbs had him slightly on edge.

“You’d better find out her cycle,” Phinn teased, barely ducking away from Jake’s half-hearted slap attempt. “Mrs. Foster thinks Pug might be interested in an art hobby.”

“Really? This won’t end well.”

“And we’re going to ensure it doesn’t. You’ll need to help convince my dad that Pug is secretly yearning to be an artist.”

“That won’t be hard,” Jake said, shrugging.

“What the hell, Little Magnum? You have a nude picture on the dining room table?” Cheyanne yelled from the other room.

“It’s not my house. Talk to Phinn.”

“Thanks,” his partner muttered as they entered the dining room. “It’s for our case.”

“I…I think I know this woman,” Abby stated hesitantly.

“You do?” her younger sister asked from the living room. Jumping off the couch, she walked over. “From where?”

“I don't know. But she looks familiar…somehow.”

“Interesting. Let us know if any details come to you,” Phinn told Jake’s longest crush. “Hey, watch the grease, Weaver!”

“Huh? Oh, sorry,” Wally apologized, spotting the cheesy grease that landed near the photograph on the table.

“You wouldn’t have greasy pizza if you ordered from Tommaso’s,” Kody yelled over. “Poppa’s Pies is known for being too greasy.”

“We had that on Sunday night, and I don’t see you paying for the more expensive option, Kody,” Phinn shot back, hurrying into the kitchen to grab extra paper towels.

“So what happened exactly today?” Allie inquired.

Jake and Phinn repeated the story about Angelo Manfredi’s apparent appearance. Ever the jokester, Wally made a crack about wearing a mask, too, if he ever shopped at a friend’s rummage sale. But he also admitted that he didn’t know whether to feel relieved or jealous that the action went down the day after he’d helped out.

“Honestly, Corky stepped up. At first, I thought he’d picked up some racist views from Greene across the street. I know Johanna thought the same, but not for the same reason. Yet, the kid noticed that mask, and acted before Manfredi could do anything,” Phinn said, offering rare praise for their fan club president.

“Good. Corky’s always been a sweet kid,” Allie commented, earning a nod from her sister.

“What’s with Johanna Zay hanging around you two all of a sudden? Does she have a crush on somebody?” Piper asked, teasing Phinn by looking at him.

“It’s definitely on Jake.”

“It might not be if you stopped making deals with her in exchange for dates with me,” Jake complained.

“If that’s the case. What’s on the table for a deal, Phineas?” Cheyanne teased, causing Jake to sputter.

“Johanna’s interest in Jake might have been the initial factor, but she’s now pushed it aside to a secondary reason. She’s more interested in using our cases and inside knowledge of them to increase her fame,” Phinn divulged, causing Jake to reverse his argument.

“Whoa. I’m not getting pushed to the side. She still wants me.”

“Of course, she does. Every girl lusts after you,” Cheyanne purred, dropping onto her friend’s younger brother’s lap.

“Chey, don’t get him started,” Abby warned.

“Please do. Keep him away from us,” Pipper called over from where she’d taken charge of the TV.

Dinner passed quickly with occasional questions about the three photographs: Veronica Strecker, Mimi von Essen, and the Masked Creep. Abigail and Cheyanne had a particular interest in Johanna’s work on the Miss Paddle pageant as they both planned to enter as contestants later this month. Cheyanne and Jake also wanted every detail possible from Abby about Libby’s showdown at the beach from earlier in the day.

After putting the leftovers away, Phinn settled in at the dining room table to go over all the evidence. Allie joined him out of curiosity while Piper set up a Mario Kart tournament with Ethan, Wally, and Kody. Jake opted to flirt with his sister’s two friends while chatting about college life.

“I’m surprised that you have this game, Farris. It doesn’t seem like your thing,” Piper commented, asking if it belonged to his brother.

“Putnam? That kid only likes games where he can kill people with guns and knives,” Ethan replied.

“Mario Kart is my mom’s. She loved one of the earlier versions while growing up,” Phinn disclosed.

Piper scanned the video game titles that Putnam owned. Spotting one, the gymnast mentioned playing that later, as she wanted to kick the guys’ asses while breaking out of prison in the game. That led to bickering back and forth between Piper, Wally, and occasionally Ethan. The conversation sparked an idea in Phinn’s head. So he pulled his phone out to call one of the Sassy Girls.

“Pearl, hey, this is Phinn. Say, can you do me a favor? What do you mean, I’m all out of favors? No, I do not call you up every time I need information. Jake, back me up on this,” Phinn called over, but his friend ignored him. “No, I don’t call you because I have nobody else to call. Well, I don’t care what Cassidy said. I call you because you’re smart and reliable. Buttering you up? Fine. Do you want to make a deal? You get us the info, and you can have a date with Jake.”

“Whoa, what?!” Jake exclaimed, finally paying attention to his partner.

“So, you don’t want a date with Jake. Wow, okay,” Phinn replied before turning to his stunned friend. “Sorry, buddy, Pearl’s not interested.”

“What the hell does that mean, Pearl?” Jake yelled over.

"Yep, he's freaking out. Yeah, I agree Cassidy is a bad influence," Phinn said, chuckling. "Look, I just want anything you can dig up on Angelo Manfredi's prison escape. Yeah, Monster showed up at my rummage sale today in disguise. Oh, now you're intrigued. Okay, any details from his last days in jail and the escape that you can find. Thanks."

“Why did Cass put her up to that?” Jake challenged, feeling slighted.

“Relax. I couldn’t ask Dusty. Going through our old files will take time, and Pearl is better at getting things she shouldn’t have,” Phinn explained.

“Is Pearl a hacker?” Allie asked.

“No, she doesn’t do that. Well, she probably has a few hackers who do her favors, but Pearl’s more of an information specialist. She can find almost anything,” Phinn explained.

“Kinda like Oracle,” Ethan said, playing his turn against Kody.

“Who?” Piper questioned.

“It’s what Batgirl did after getting shot and paralyzed by the Joker,” Ethan explained.

“What? Batgirl got shot and paralyzed? When did this happen?” Cheyanne questioned, noticing Jake’s surprised expression. “Hey, I thought her purple costume for the TV show looked cute.”

“It happened like four decades ago, and has been retconned differently since,” Ethan continued.

“I didn’t understand any of that,” Piper replied.

“She can walk again.”

“Ah, okay. Good!” Cheyanne cheered.

Most guests' focus shifted toward the races. Yet, Allie continued to read Phinn’s notes and occasionally check the pictures.

“This is so creepy. I can’t believe that guy stood outside in your backyard the other night just to stare at your window.”

“It’s an intimidation tactic. You get used to it,” Phinn said, barely acknowledging her while in deep thought.

“Did you see the one that Libby got from Todd? That Biff kid you went to school with took it outside his house. Talk about a giant,” Abby informed her sister.

“I gotta take a leak. I’ll be right back,” Kody told the other players after his race ended.

“Bro, are you crazy?” Wally challenged.

“Huh?”

“We’re living in a horror film tonight. There could be a giant in a Sonny Snyder mask lurking outside in the shadows, just waiting to pick us off one by one. You never, ever say I’ll be right back,” Wally said, channeling Scream. “And don’t even think of going down into the basement or upstairs by yourself. If you do, we’ll find you hours later with your throat slit.”

“Dammit, Wally, that’s not funny!” Allie insisted, glancing over at the dining room window. “Slap him, Pipe.”

“Oww!” Wally screamed. “She said to slap me. That was a punch.”

“I decided to upgrade it. Now, race, bitch.”

While a concerned Kody rushed into the first-floor bathroom, Jake told Phinn that he’d go upstairs to check outside. Hardly paying attention, the focused sleuth waved a whatever. Cheyanne offered to go with him, just to be on the safe side.

---

Jake attempted to ignore the dancing shadows that filled Putnam's bedroom, cast by the streetlight and moonlight streaming through the windows. Even worse, that macabre painting that Mrs. Foster dropped off seemed to watch Jake and Cheyanne as they made out on the bed. Superstitious, the eighteen-year-old could've sworn that he caught movement in the painting at one point. Yet, every time he opened his mouth to try to move their fun to the guest bedroom, Cheyanne's tongue left him unable to speak.

Fuck it! It’s probably nothing.

Giving in to his desire, Jake took the lead this time with his hand cradling her jaw as his lips met hers. Her gasp melted into a sigh as she kissed him back, fingers tangling in his hair as Jake’s fear dissolved into an electric, warm feeling. The kiss deepened, slow and searching, as Jake’s hand slid from Cheyanne’s jaw to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him. In response, the busty brunette’s tongue traced his lower lip, while soft, needy sounds met his ears. Her fingers fisted in the fabric of his tee, dragging him down as her knee nudged between his legs. Their combined ragged breathing filled the room before Cheyanne flipped them around, causing the bedsprings to creak, and her to be on top.

In the dark, Jake took multiple liberties with his older sister’s friend. First, he slid his palm higher, skimming the curve of her waist before skirting near the swell of her breast. Second, his other hand dropped down and around, gliding over her hips until it connected with the beginnings of her curvy bottom. Sensing that Jake needed permission to continue this forbidden moment, Cheyanne deliberately arched her back, pressing herself into his touch. Jake responded by cupping each globe's soft yet firm weight in his hands.

Libby is going to murder me, Jake told himself while Cheyanne’s fingers moved to trace the taut line of his abdomen through his shirt. Then, she slid lower, pressing her palms until they lay flat against the straining fabric of his shorts. Freezing, Jake held in a groan as Cheyanne rubbed a slow, deliberate circle over the hardness beneath his shorts. Next, her fingers curled, testing the length and thickness she could feel.

“It looks like Zoe didn’t exaggerate for once,” Cheyanne breathed huskily.

Seeking to experience the same, Jake’s hands found the hem of Cheyanne’s shirt. With nervous fingers, the young man finally began to unwrap one of his forbidden crushes. Of course, Cheyanne wasn’t a wallflower, countering to pull his shirt up too. Horny and in a hurry, they both pulled and yanked, sending the shirts over their heads before tossing them carelessly in random directions.

Immediately, Jake lunged forward with his mouth, leaving a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of her throat. He tasted her salty skin, the sweetness of her perfume, and the strawberry mix of her body lotion. Then, his travels took him to one of the numerous wonders of Jake’s world: Cheyanne’s magnificent breasts.

The delicate black lace bra strained against his crush’s generous curves. The soft fabric seemed impossibly thin, revealing a pair of dark peaks that called for Jake to conquer. Their siren call led Jake to reach out to trace his fingertips across the intricate pattern of lace while feeling the heat sizzling from Cheyanne’s lust-filled body. Brushing a thumb across the taut peak through the lace, the busty brunette shuddered as a low whimper escaped her lips, causing her head to fall backward.

Past wasting time and concerned about a possible interruption, Jake's fingers reached behind his sister's friend's back, feeling along her spine until he found the small, cool metal clasp. Aware of the implications of this moment, Cheyanne held her breath. Her eyes locked on his in the dim light, a challenge and an invitation swirling in their green depths. With a flick of his thumb and forefinger, the clasp gave way, the tension releasing like a sigh. The lace straps slid down her shoulders, and the bra fell forward, pooling loosely around her waist. Jake’s breath hitched as her breasts spilled free, full and heavy D-cups that seemed to glow fantasy-like in the moonlight. Tanned from the summer, a smattering of faint freckles dotted the upper portion of her chest and shoulders. Below those markings, Cheyanne’s dark areolas and diamond-tipped nipples begged for attention.

“Fuck,” Jake rasped, his voice barely audible.

The eighteen-year-old stared, transfixed at the breathtaking reality of his fantasy finally coming true. His hands hovered in the air, almost afraid to reach out in the chance that he’d wake up, since those breasts looked so much softer, larger, and more perfect than in his dreams.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Cheyanne asked saucily.

Any shred of restraint in Jake’s worried brain got short-circuited the moment his brain comprehended those words. A low, almost animal growl escaped him as he surged forward, burying his face between them, his mouth hot and greedy against the soft, yielding flesh. He inhaled the intoxicating scent of her skin as his tongue lashed out, tracing the plump curve before swirling hungrily around a stiffened nipple.

“Fuck, Jake,” Cheyanne gasped, her fingers tangling violently in his hair, not pushing away but pulling him closer, grinding his face deeper into her softness.

Arching off the bed, Cheyanne pushed her tits harder into Jake’s face. As he suckled, his teeth grazed the sensitive peaks, sending sharp jolts of pleasure-pain radiating through her core. The heat of his mouth, the wet suction, the overwhelming need for him to devour her—it felt dizzying, primal.

Jake’s hands, rough from years of gripping footballs and weights, claimed her breasts with firm possessiveness. He palmed their heavy weight, his thumb finding the neglected nipple and pinching it sharply, rolling the stiffened bud between calloused fingertips. Cheyanne cried out, a ragged sound that echoed in the small bedroom. Jake continually switched his mouth every couple of minutes to each rock-hard nipple. Sucking fiercely, his tongue flicked and probed while his hand continued to knead the soft flesh, squeezing until faint pink marks appeared on her skin.

“Don’t stop. Harder,” Cheyanne commanded, despite the low level of pain she felt.

Driven by her breathless command, Jake intensified his worship. He suckled one nipple with deep, rhythmic pulls that drew gasps and shudders from the coed. His tongue swirled passionately around each hardened peak before grazing it with his teeth, eliciting a sharp, keening cry. His free hand never stopped with firm yet caring kneading of those stunning D-cups. Ever so often, his kneading stopped to find a neglected nipple. A pinch, a twist, and a roll of the sensitive bud sent Cheyanne’s body twisting in ways that Jake imagined only Allison and Piper could match with their gymnastic skills.

“My turn to play,” Cheyanne hissed breathlessly.

Jake understood her intention at once. He felt her fingers on a mission as they scraped across the fabric of his shorts until they found his belt buckle. With a practiced flick born of countless flirtatious encounters, she undid the buckle with swift ease. The metallic sound of the zipper descending followed. Then, her fingers slipped inside, pushing into the opening of his boxers, to seek and find the thick, rigid rod beneath.

“Jesus, Chey,” Jake moaned, feeling the tip of her tongue trace his cock’s crown.

Retreating, Cheyanne yanked his shorts entirely off before stuffing his stuffer back inside the underwear so that she could yank that final piece of clothes off. Leaning back on her heels, Cheyanne admired Libby’s little brother’s big dick after it sprang out in its full glory. Long, thick, and glistening with pre-cum, the brunette told herself that being a bad girl in this moment felt right. Libby can be pissed all she wants, but I’m taking this out for an extended joyride.

Reaching out, Cheyanne gripped the hot, throbbing tool. Her thumb swiped over the sensitive slit, gathering the moisture before she began a slow, deliberate stroke from root to tip. Her palm glided along his length with a slick, pleasurable friction that made his legs shudder.

“Oh, damn," Jake moaned, his head falling back against the pillow. His hips rocked in time with each stroke from her controlling hand.

Without warning, Cheyanne sank to her knees on the bedspread, the action fluid and decisive, her wavy brown hair brushing against Jake’s thighs as she looked up at him. Jake marveled at the mixed expression of hunger and admiration. She never hesitated, as her free hand slid up his leg, nails digging lightly into his skin while she leaned forward. Jake felt a shiver run down his spine as her warm breath blew over his manhood. Then, Cheyanne’s mouth enveloped his sensitive tip like a velvet vise. The feeling caused Jake to gasp as the second part of his fantasy got checked off.

Cheyanne immediately showed Jake that she had the skills of an exceptional cocksucker as her tongue swirled around the crown. The coed tasted him, exploring the ridge and the slit with lazy, confident flicks that sent electric jolts through his body. She sucked gently at first, hollowing her cheeks as she drew him deeper, her lips forming a tight seal around his girth, her other hand still working the base in a firm, rhythmic stroke that synchronized perfectly with the suction of her mouth. Jake felt himself descending into a surreal dream after he looked down and became transfixed by the beautiful sight of his cock disappearing between her full, glossy lips. He braced one hand against the headboard while the other instinctively tangled in her hair, not guiding, just holding as he experienced an epic blowjob.

Jake’s fingers tightened in Cheyanne’s hair as she began to move, her head bobbing with a slow, deliberate rhythm that quickly escalated into something urgent and greedy. She took him deep, her throat working around the thick rod. A low hum vibrated against his shaft every time he hit the back of her mouth, sending shockwaves through him. Saliva glistened on her chin and along his length as she pulled back, her lips dragging wetly over his sensitive skin before plunging down again, her nose nearly brushing his base.

Her eyes, half-lidded and glazed with lust, locked onto his in the dimly lit bedroom. The sound of her effort filled the room. Wet, rhythmic sucking, the slick slide of hand slapping against his flesh, her muffled gasps for breath between deep swallows, and Jake’s own ragged groans that grew increasingly louder. He felt the scrape of her teeth, not hard, but a thrilling edge of danger as she moved faster, her hand cupping his balls, rolling them gently, adding another layer of exquisite torment to the relentless suction.

"So good, so fucking good," Jake moaned, his hips jerking involuntarily, meeting her downward thrusts, driving himself deeper into her magic mouth.

Cheyanne moaned around him in response, the vibration sending a fresh jolt of pleasure so intense his body convulsed, and he sagged against the bed, seemingly held up only by her mouth and the hand fisted in her hair. The room spun, the scent of sex and sweat thick in the air, when Cheyanne pulled off him with a wet pop. She didn’t pause or look up at him before she started to bob up and down far more rapidly than previously.

“Oh, gawd…I don’t know…how much…longer,” Jake half-warned, half-moaned.

Any of Cheyanne’s slow explorations vanished with the warning. Now, she went to work with a purpose. Her mouth plunged up and down repeatedly. Her free hands cupped his balls, lightly squeezing as if seeking to know the precise moment she caused him to break.

Jake could only gasp, his body tensing as if every nerve ending screamed in warning about the inevitable climax. As the pressure mounted, Jake’s hips began to piston involuntarily to meet Cheyanne’s downward thrusts. Then, as he felt the kettle about to start ringing, a different sound drowned out their grunts and groans.

A bloodcurdling scream from downstairs filled the whole house.