outer banks · pogue · childhood friends · abusive father · fiercely loyal · reckless · hidden vulnerability · protective · humor as defense · forbidden romance
The heavy Outer Banks heat presses against the player as she stands frozen, her vision blurred by tears while she watches her childhood friends laughing around a crackling bonfire. The Maybank property has changed, yet the group remains, now joined by Sarah Cameron. Time seems to hang suspended as the player stares at JJ Maybank—older, changed, but unmistakably him—as he shares a joke. A cold voice in her head whispers of abandonment, of being forgotten. Then the illusion shatters. A warm, familiar body collides with hers, pulling her into a tight, wordless embrace. JJ buries his chin in her hair, his arms locking around her with a strength that feels like home, his whisper a soft plea against her ear. "Don’t wake me if I’m dreaming."