Storm Chaser // JJ Maybank

35

The bonfire, an Outer Banks tradition. It was the same weekend every year. Everyone went. And I mean everyone. After finding a fortune and losing it and thinking that John B and Sarah were dead, it feels good to return to some normalcy.

Within a minute of getting to the bonfire I've got a beer in hand. Kie and Pope have wandered off leaving me with JJ and John B. John B is talking about his break up with Sarah.

"She's like, 'That's it.'" John B says.

"I know. But, dude, her father blew up right in front of her. Just give her a minute, all right?" JJ tells him. "In the meantime, shotgun right now." JJ grabs a can of beer. "Like old days..."

"Hey, derelicts!" Yvonne shouts as she tosses a beer can at us.

"Hey, there she is. That's you." JJ wraps his arm around me. "We're out of here. Goodnight."

JJ and I head off. I laugh as he shotguns the beer. He slowly backs us into the wall around the bonfire spot.

"Did I tell you how good you look tonight?" JJ asks.

I laugh lightly. "Yeah?"

JJ nods. "Yeah."

JJ leans forward and kisses me. He puts his hands on my hips and pulls us closer together. JJ sucks in a breath as I start to kiss along his jaw down his neck.

JJ pulls away slightly out of breath. "Let's dip."

"No. I wanna stay. Bonfire only happens once a year," I tell him.

JJ puts his hand on my check.  "Come on. We can have way more fun away from all these people," JJ teases.

I push him away from me slightly. "I need another drink."

JJ grabs me by the waist. "Come on, Storm."

I shake my head. "Nope. You gotta be patient."

JJ groans as I walk off and find Kie.

"Where have you been?" Kie asks.

"Teasing JJ," I tell her.

Kie points behind me. "Is that why he's looking at you like wants to yell at you but also make out with you all at the same time?"

I smile as I wave at JJ. "That would be why."

The next thing I know John B, Sarah, Topper, and Yvonne are fighting.

"Good idea. You should go, Sarah," Yvonne tells her.

"Did I ask you?" Sarah questions.

"You don't own everything, princess. You guys aren't even together," Yvonne tells her.

"Why are you still talking?" Sarah asks.

"Relax!" Topper tells Yvonne.

"Have a little respect! Her dad just died!" Topper shouts.

"Shut up, Kook! Back off!" Yvonne shoves Topper.

"What's your problem?" Topper asks.

"Respect?" Yvonne questions.

Topper and Yvonne continue to argue.

"Did... did I mean anything to you? Did you... did you tell her?" Sarah asks John B.

"You wanna start shit right now?" Topper asks John B.

"Do I wanna start some shit?" John B asks.

Everyone circles around them knowing shit is going to pop off.

"Come on, John B. Kick his ass!"

"They all know what happened last time," Topper taunts.

Sarah shoves John B. "Just get out! Just go!"