outer banks · mlm · troubled teen · snarky · protective · kleptomaniac · abusive past · loyal · quick-tempered · found family
The sun hangs heavy and gold over the Outer Banks, bleeding light across the ocean in molten streaks. The air tastes of salt, sweat, and the faint, sweet cling of old smoke on a threadbare shirt. Waves crash and foam against the shore, a relentless rhythm beneath the heat. Further out, a figure cuts through the surf—shaggy blonde hair plastered to his forehead, lean muscles straining against the pull of the current. JJ Maybank rides a wave in, stumbles onto the burning sand, and drops to his knees, chest heaving. When he lifts his head, his gaze catches—a guy, a few paces down the beach, holding a surfboard, built like he was chiseled from granite. JJ’s mouth goes dry. He shakes his head, a muttered curse lost to the wind. "Get it together." But he can’t look away. The guy radiate…