Outer Banks (JJ Maybank x Reader) Book 1

The Arrest

"Dont let it get in your head bro, there's three of them and two of us," JJ says. "That's some typical kook shit right there," He says. "Hell, yeah," Kie nods. "What was your thought process, using your head?" JJ asks as he rings up the next costumer. "I don't know, man, I just kinda of acted off instinct," Pope answers, tossing me an orange to add to the crate. We've been helping Pope's dad at the store all morning. "Alright, I was a cornered animal," He says. "Yes," Kie grins with a laugh.

"Hey, Pope!" Heyward calls, coming into the front of the store. "Someone here to see you," He says, pointing over his shoulder. "Shit," I whisper to JJ as a sheriff walks in. "Evening officer," Pope says nervously. "I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property," He says. "What?" Heyward asks as JJ's eyes jump to mine. "Keep your hands on the counter where I can see them," The officer says as Pope looks back at us. "Young lady get out of my way," He nods to Kiara. "Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, wait, wait, Shoupe, what'd he do?" Heyward asks.

"Look at the warrant," Shoupe says boredly. "You- sorry you're arresting him?" Kie asks. "You're just arresting my boy?" Heyward asks as Shoupe pulls handcuffs around Pope. "What's the problem?" "Hey, hey, be careful!" Kie yells at him. "Hey, Shouupe are you listening?" Heyward asks. "Everything you say can and will be used against you," He says, holding Pope by his arms. "...by the court of law. You have a right to an attorney," He continues. "JJ, do something," I whisper nervously.

"Hey, how much did they pay you man?" JJ calls. "How much did they pay you?" He calls again as we chase after the two of them. Pope is sweating, not listening to us at all, he's in shock. We continue to follow them, yelling and shouting at the officer. JJ tries to pull him off but Heyward holds him back. Heyward and Kie try reasoning with the officer while JJ and I just shout at him. We stand there helplessly as the officer starts putting Pope into the car. "It wasn't him!" JJ shouts. "It was me," He says when they turn to look at us. "JJ, what are you doing?" I whisper under my breath. His hand finds mine and he squeezes tightly.

"He tried to talk me out of it," JJ nods at Pope, walking towards them. "But I was mad because he'd just been beaten up," JJ sighs. "I was so sick of those assholes from Figure Eight that I lost my shit," JJ nods, continuing his only half-lie. "I can't let you take the blame for somethin' I did," He nods at Pope, biting his now cut lip. "You've got too much to lose," He tells Pope, and I know Pope understands the double meaning.

"JJ what're you doing?" Pope asks. "I'm tellin' the truth," He says, hanging his head. "For once in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth," He says, turning to the officer. "I took his old man's boat, too," JJ says. "What the hell?" Heyward asks, turning to JJ. "JJ, come on," Pope says. "Just, shut up, Pope!" JJ shouts. "Just shut up," He says, eyes red. "JJ...," I whisper, tears in my eyes.

"He's a good kid," JJ says to the officer. "You know where I'm from," He nods. "Yeah," The officer says. "This was all me," He says, turning to me with tears in my eyes. He shakes his head slightly. "Don't do this," I mouth. "That's the whole truth?" The officer asks. "Whole truth, I swear to God," JJ says. "I know what you think, dammit, I'm asking Pope," The officer shouts.

Pope swallows and JJ nods, reassuring him. "Yeah, that about covers it," He sighs. JJ squeezes my hand one more time before the officer cuffs him. "It's okay," He whispers against my ear. "I'll find a way," He says before the officer shoves him into the car and pulls away. "Pope...," Heyward asks. "Shit!" Pope yells, slamming his hat on the ground. A tear rolls down my cheek as I watch the retreating cop car and Kie grabs my hand. "We'll get him back," She whispers as Pope starts running. "Pope!" Heyward calls again. "Pope!" He shouts, but he's gone.

~~~~~~

"What do we do Kie?" I ask, running my hands through my hair as I pace her front porch. We couldn't risk returning to the Château in case the DCS was there. "His dad can't get him out of it and he doesn't have any other family, or money to pay for a lawyer," I say, feeling defeated. The rain pours around us, only held back by the screens around the porch. "Y/n," She says, grabbing my arm. "We'll figure it out in the morning, his dad will get him out of jail and we can figure out what to do about the money, okay?" She asks. I chew my lip. We don't have another choice.

~~~~~

"JJ?" I call, walking towards his front porch. "J?" I yell again. I scream echoes through the house and JJ storms out of the front door. He doesn't see me and runs straight into me. He jumps, stepping back. "Oh, my God," I say, running to him and wrapping him in a hug. He cries into my hair and I hold him still as he shakes. "What happened to your face?" I mutter, noting the big red circles and bruises all over him. He shakes his head, letting go of me.

"My dad," He mutters, looking at the ground. "Son of a bitch, I'm going to kill him," I say, starting to run for the house. "Already tried," JJ mutters, not turning around. "He's knocked out drunk," He continues when I stop running. "Held a gun to his head, couldn't do it," He says. "J...," I whisper. "Of course you couldn't, he's your dad," I whisper, lifting his head. He looks away from me. "You don't get it y/n," He says, trying to keep the tears from coming. "When he found out the money I cost him, what I'd done to him, he beat me up and drank himself bloody," JJ says. "Don't you see?" He asks, his voice quivering.

"I'm not good for you y/n. I'm just like him. I'm gonna hurt you. Or worse. You shouldn't be around me," He says, turning to go. "Stop it, JJ," I say, grabbing his wrist. "Let go of me!" He shouts, tugging out of my grasp. "No!" I yell at him, forcing him to look at me. Tears are falling down his cheeks. "I know you, and you're not him, JJ, you're not. You're kind and gentle, and you love me," I whisper. "You love me," I tell him again, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Shhh, just cry," I tell him as he shakes again. "It's gonna be okay, I'm gonna hold you for as long as you need me too," I whisper against his ear.

"Yeah, just cry," I tell him, biting my shaking lip as JJ holds tightly onto me, his face buried in my neck and his hands clutching my shirt. "I love you," He repeats.