In Between // OBX (K.C)

06

"Holy shit," Brenna sighed, she had been here so many times, but every time it took her breath away.

It was huge, triple the size of their own home and right on the water with a big boat floating beside the dock. Which Brenna took note of, knowing John B would be pulling up any minute to grab the tanks.

"Best behavior!" Jessie announced standing beside Freddie, hand in hand, while Brenna stood a few steps behind them, "Both of you," he looked at the other members of his family.

Brenna nodded at him with a smile before following behind her Uncles towards the large glass doors, which almost on cue opened to reveal the one and only Ward Cameron.

Ever since Brenna was young something about Ward gave her a chill down her spine. One time she came over with Sarah after collecting seashells on the beach and something about him just made her timid.

His wife Rose came into view with a glass of wine in hand, greeting the Carlson family with a simple hello.

"Come on in," Ward cheered opening the door wider as Freddie and Jessie walked up the stairs to the door, Brenna keeping quiet right behind them.

"Thank you for having us!" Freddie smiled as he shook Wards hand.

"Of course, give me one second," Ward said walking over to the large twisted stairs.

"Sarah! Rafe! Wheezie! Get down here we have guest," Ward hollered up the stairs.

"I'm right here," a short brunette, Wheezie, sassed coming around the corner, her phone in hand.

"Hi," Sarah smiled after jogging down the stairs, the oldest Cameron, Rafe, right behind her. But he didn't say a word, just shot Brenna a wink, he always kept this cold shoulder arrogance about him, but Brenna knew it was an act.

"Brenna!" Sarah cheered as the adults went to talk, "How are you?"

"I'm doing good, how are you?" Brenna smiled.

The girls hadn't seen each other in a few years, the last few summers Brenna had come to visit the Cameron's were always at a vacation house. But the two girls had a great bond that never broke, every time Brenna came back it  was like no time had passed.

"I've been good, just life in the good old Outer Banks as always," Sarah shrugged as they followed the adults to the back patio, giving Brenna a perfect view of where John B would be pulling up any second.

"I'm sorry by the way," Sarah gave Brenna a sad smile as they exited the house.

"It's okay, it's life, I guess," Brenna shrugged knowing she was talking about her mother.

The two family's all sat down on the table outside, Rose, Ward and Freddie on one side, Sarah, Rafe and Brenna across from
them and Jessie and Wheezie filling the end seats.

Most of lunch was over run by Ward and Freddie talking business, Wheezie on her phone and Sarah and Brenna quietly making fun of the men talking while they ate.

Brenna was quietly laughing when she saw John B's tiny boat pull up to the Cameron's large white one. Almost on cue the lunch was ending and the adults were going inside to get drinks and sign deals.

"Renna, honey! Can you run to the car for me? I need my wallet, it should be in the door," Uncle Freddie smiled handing the girl his keys.

Brenna nodded taking the keys from him, hoping and praying John B would get what he needed from the boat in time without getting caught.

This was her only chance to make the pogues trust her.

Brenna quickly did what her uncle asked and brought him his wallet and keys, before going to find a bathroom in the large house.

"Oh my gosh, sorry," Brenna squealed as she opened a door to a gaming room where Rafe sat, eyes focused on the screen.

"I was looking for the bathroom?" Brenna added.

"Down the hall to the left," Rafe said with zero emotion. It was shit like this about Rafe that pissed Brenna off. One moment he was obsessed with her the next she was trash on the side of the road.

"Thanks," Brenna said dryly, leaving the room and following his directions.

After doing her business Brenna looked at herself in the mirror, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear that had fallen in front of her face then flattening down her dress, checking the back side making sure it still was all clean. 

"Hey," Rafe said standing outside of the door.

"Hi, again," Brenna replied, walking down the hall, half ignoring him.

"That dress is cute," Rafe said following her.

"Thanks," Brenna smiled knowing he was staring at her, he was defiantly thinking about the things they had done just days before.

"What are you doing this weekend?" he asked. Brenna came to a stop, crossing her arms over her chest, turning to face the boy.

"Nothing, why?" Brenna replied.

"Come to a party?" Rafe said, less so asked, "Its at Topper's, Sarah will be there"

"I'll think about it," Brenna smiled turning to walk down the hallway again.

In public the two acted like they didn't like each other but behind closed doors they'd do anything for each other.

"I'll see you there," Rafe whispered, his hand sliding across the small of Brenna's back as she came to a stop in the kitchen and he passed by her.

The rest of the afternoon was boring and mainly just the adults locked away in a room talking about business things and making deals while Brenna sat and caught up with Sarah in the living room.

Brenna learned about all the trips her family had been on, all about her new relationship with Topper, even the recent volunteering she had done. While all Brenna had to share was stories about trying to move to the island.

"Bye, let's hang out soon!" Sarah smiled giving the brunette a hug.

"Yes! You know where I live," Brenna smiled as she stepped back from the girl.

The Carlson clan headed to the Twisted Mango to do some paper work and check on things at the shop for the rest of the day.