Danny hasn't said a word after telling Sarah last night. He regretted it, but at the same time, he didn't.
Danny made her swear to never tell a soul. He didn't need his friends worrying about him. They already had so many other things to worry about, and Danny added to the list wouldn't do anyone any good.
He didn't like someone else knowing he was a victim, but he liked that someone believed him. It put it into perspective for him. He was worried his mom wouldn't believe him and take his father's side, but Sarah was proof that it may not happen. It gave him some hope.
Danny glanced at his watch. The boys should be pulling up any minute now. Kie and Sarah sat on the edge of the boat as Danny cleaned everything up and packed it all away.
He walked into the cabin and placed the plugs back in the engine. He sat and stared at his lap afterward. He was emotionally drained, tired, and had his special little weed hangover.
"Danny!" Sarah yelled. "They're here."
He closed his eyes and took a breath. He closed the hatch, stood, slapped his cheeks, and then forced a smile on his face.
"Aren't you boys a sight for sore eyes!" he praised as he walked closer. He propped his foot on the edge of the boat and leaned his forearms on his knee.
Sarah turned and stared at him. Danny's composure almost cracked. She was looking at him differently. Pityingly. Now he did regret telling her.
He turned away from her.
"That was some patriarchal bullshit," Kie said.
"Yeah, that sucked," Sarah added.
JJ tossed the rope to Danny and said, "You still love us though, right?"
Danny tied it off. He whistled and sent JJ an appraising look. "JJ, man, black is your color. Hold on, let me get my phone."
He pulled it out and opened the camera app. He held it out.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Dude, you look hot. Stay still." Danny nodded in approval at the photo. He was basked in the warm orange sunrise, his blond hair molten golden at the ends. "Oh, God, the glasses. Holy—I need to update my list."
He selected the photo as his wallpaper.
"You're so annoying it's insane, actually," JJ said.
"Dude, you're hot. I'm sorry."
"Have you been smoking again?" Pope asked, amused.
Danny rose his fingers and separated them an inch.
"Dude," JJ complained. "That wasn't for you—"
"No! Shut up! You try getting stranded twenty-four-thousand hours on a boat with these two!"
"Hey!" Kie yelled and smacked his shoulder.
"That reminds me," Sarah said and crossed her arms. "We're both gonna get you back when you least expect it."
Kie nodded and added, "Watch your back boys."
Pope said, "I welcome that challenge."
"Me too," JJ added.
Pope asked, "So, did you guys, you know. . ." He brought his hands together to convey his meaning.
YOU ARE READING
Exception // JJ Maybank
Fanfiction"Don't give me that look. You love me." "Wish I didn't." Daniel Sarver is probably the only Kook on the island who doesn't attend the private school for rich kids and participate in their even more pretentious lifestyle. He's probab...
