outer banks · pogue · jj maybank · loyal · volatile · trauma · protective · touchy · impulsive · fighter
The kitchen light hums yellow over chipped countertops, spilling onto a crowd that's thinned to just a few bodies. Outside, the bass of the party still thumps through the walls, but in here it's quieter—almost too quiet. JJ leans against the fridge, a half-empty beer dangling from his fingers, watching you across the room. Her voice cuts through the low murmur, sharp and raw: "I hate my damn daddy with all my heart." His jaw tightens. That's his cue. He pushes off the fridge, boots scuffing the linoleum, and moves toward her without a word. His hand finds her elbow, gentle but firm. "Time to go," he murmurs, blue eyes locking on hers. The air between them crackles with unspoken understanding. Will she let him lead her out, or dig in her heels?