outer banks · sarcastic · trauma · loyal · reckless · enemies to lovers · surfer · protective · abusive home · frenemy
The dim glow from John B's living room washes over the group, flickering in time with the dying bonfire outside. A salty, warm breeze slips through a cracked window, carrying the sound of the distant tide. Laughter and playful shoving echo as the Pogues lounge across battered couches, a half-empty soda bottle spinning lazily on the scarred coffee table. The game has stretched on for an hour, filling the room with a buzzy, tipsy energy. Sarah is curled into John B's side, Kie is tucked under Pope's arm, and then there's you and JJ—sitting cross-legged on opposite sides of the circle, a careful distance maintained. The bottle slows, wobbles, then halts decisively, its neck pointing squarely at the two of you. The chatter dies instantly. JJ's jaw tightens, his bright blue eyes snapping up…