Shrimpy

Zan smiled and nodded to Destiny. "Of course I'll be back. I won't leave ya stranded in this bunch. Promise."

"If he does, we can both go after him," Jett teased. 

Zan just rolled his eyes. "Alright. Wish me luck. See ya guys at the finish."

"Later. Be safe." Jett waved him off before turning back to Destiny. "So. First-timer, huh?" He couldn't help but notice she didn't quite seem the type to be here, but if Zan brought her, then he must have thought it was okay. He graduated with his head into the crowd. "Come on. I'll show ya a good spot to watch the race." He led the way, weaving through the people, talking and waving to some on the way. 

"Hey, Shrimpy!" someone yelled. "That your new body guard?"

Jett bristled at the name, and stopped to throw a glare at the guy nearby, who was standing with a small bunch, separate from the others. "You're gonna need a bodyguard if you don't shut up," he warned. 

The guy laughed and came nearer, giving Destiny a once-over. "Mm... so if she's not your bodyguard, can I have her?" His suggestive tone accompanied his raised eyebrows.

Jett stepped in between them. "She's Zan's guest, so if you got any problems, you just take it up with him."

The guy scoffed but backed off. "What's it feel like to hide behind the big boys all the time eh? One of these days they're not gonna be around, then you're mine."

Jett took Destiny's arm and guided her away from the meeting group. "That was Kade. Stay away from him," he explained. "That patch they were a wearing on their jackets? Motorcycle club, and it's not a good one. So if you see that, just turn and go the other way."

He glanced at her as they walked. "And yes. You'll probably hear a lot of people making fun of me. I've been labeled a sidekick 'cause Zan lets me hang with him, and sidekicks have a reputation of being wimps that don't know how to drive well​ enough to race." He shrugged. "You learn to ignore it after a while."

Pausing on their way, he turned and aimed for a pickup with its tailgate down, offering drinks. "Wanna beer?" he offered. Then he gave her a crooked grin. "Or... a coke?"


Rick sighed. "I don't think it's what's best, but I think it's the only thing worth trying..."

A little while later, Jeff had joined them. Called from his card game, he was already worried, and already knew this had to do with Katie. Sitting down in another chair in the living room, his face had paled slightly. "What's going on?"

Rick explained his idea and nodded slowly. "I wont suggest it to Katie and Jason unless we're all in agreement."

Jeff swallowed hard. "So this could... this could kill her right?"

"This would be more of a risk for her than Jason at this point, yes."

Jeff started to shake his head.

"They're in a downhill slide," Rick tried to explain. "They've plateaued in a bad spot, and the next episode Jason has could kill them both anyway. At least this would be controlled. But it has to be done before he's ready to erupt. Otherwise they won't be able to handle it."

"Who says they can handle it anyway?" Jeff got to his feet, clearly agitated. "My answer is no. I won't let them just go off alone and harm themselves further when it may not even work." He spun in his heel to leave.

"But it might work!" Rick let his voice trail off as Jeff left, and he sighed before glancing to Rosetta. "I know this seems too risky... but you're his sister... can you talk to him? This can't wait or it'll be too late and Jason and Katie will be too weak."

Outside on the porch, Jeff stopped and leaned on the railing to look out at the ranch. He'd seen Katie earlier and she'd looked so frail. Tears welled in his eyes. They'd almost lost each other more than  once already... why did this have to keep happening? Was this his punishment for abandoning her to his brother when she was a baby?