The Cool Kids - JJ Maybank

The Girls vs a Clueless Man

I've had to force myself to act normal, as if I don't now know about John B's dad, Tasha, and my brother all working on finding the same boat I'm now working to find with John B and the Pogues. And then there's Jake's note to Tasha and her response. Oh, yeah, and I have to pretend that I'm not falling for someone I can't have.

Dean offers me the water bottle filled with alcohol that's being passed around during the clean up. "Just pretend to drink it if you don't want to," he whispers to me. I can smell it on his breath and I can see the way he's letting his gaze linger on the boys instead of forcing himself to stare at the women in swimsuits.

I put a bit in my mouth but don't swallow it, acting as if I have while it burns my cheeks. I hand it back to Kelce who hands it off to Sarah and Topper as I spit it out in the grass.

"Since when did you start drinking?" Sarah is asking Wheezy when I come back.

"Since today!" The youngest Cameron kid answers.

Sarah gives the drink back. "Great going, Kelce."

"You guys got it under control?" A man asks.

So many excuses come out of our mouths as Kelce hides the alcohol in the cooler and we get back to work even though all I can think of is what the storm caused for myself and John B the most.

And soon, we're in the circle of cleaners as it comes to a close. "Just a moment, friends, to acknowledge our blessings." I grab Dean's hand and Sarah's. "To the big Kahuna," Sarah giggles, "thank you for the opportunity for us to come out here and restore Masonborough to its virgin glory." Sarah is barely holding it in with Topper at her side but I'm looking at the notification on my phone, excited and scared to really get started with the Pogues.

. the cool kids .

I allow Taylor and Kiara in through the front of the hotel while the boys go through the back using JJ's busboy privileges. The two girls are flirting with one another without realizing it and I'm letting them do their thing, playing my own part as Gwen Turner and waving with a smile at anyone with a name that means something.

We got into the computer room without any problems and before the boys. So, I start to log into one for them to use. Taylor and Kiara are still talking about doing something after everything's done. I've logged into the computer and sit back.

"So, Turner," Taylor says, coming up to me and putting her elbow on my shoulder. "You seem to be following in your brother's footsteps... like, a lot."

I shrug. "He was a good role model if you ask me."

"I meant in more ways than finding the Merchant with a group of Pogues," she says with a grin.

I shake my head, ignoring what she's implying. "I have been told I have his attitude problem too."

Even Kiara is smiling while Taylor continues to tease me, "I was more thinking about that fact that Jake and Tasha... and you and-"

"Sweet, sweet internet," Pope mumbles, opening the door. Taylor scowls at him. "I've missed you." I get out of the chair so he can have the one I logged into. He thanks me and sits down quickly.

"I've gotta check out my insta models," JJ jokes. At least, I think it's a joke because when I look at him, he puts his hands out in defense and quickly says, "I was kidding." Taylor gives me a smile and raises her eyebrows. I roll my eyes at her.

"I've got the map," John B says.

"Coordinates, please?" Pope asks.

"34 57' 30" North. 75 55' 42" West." Pope enters it into the map. "Boom. Continental shelf right there."