Outer Banks (JJ Maybank x Reader) Book 1

The Keys

I groan, pressing my hand to my aching forehead. "Shit," I mutter. "What are we gonna do, J?" I ask, wiggling my way under his arm. He stands leaned against the back door of the wreck, looking out of the town. He flips his lighter off and on, off and on. Pope groans, rolling off the table as he wakes up. "Keep going," He says. The air is filled with sirens and shouts, just like it has been all night.

"He's pinched for sure, man," JJ says as Pope joins us. "No. They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him," Pope nods. "Let's hope," JJ says. "Oh, my God, I don't know what I'll do if they catch him," I groan. "You know, we were in that car," Kie says as she jumps down from her table. "They're probably looking for us, too," She sighs. "Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B," Pope nods, ignoring Kiara.

"So, find him before they do?" JJ asks as Pope grabs the keys to the motorcycle. "Pope?" JJ calls after him. "I'm gonna get gas for the boat," He says, walking out back. "Hey, you be careful," Kie says. "Okay?" She shrugs. He rolls his eyes slightly, looking past her. "Meet me at the dock at three, don't be late," Pope tells JJ and I. JJ's eyebrows knit together as the two of us exchange looks. "Okay, what is your problem?" Kie shouts, following him out the door.

We quickly follow. "No problem, Officer, I'm just doing my job," Pope says, climbing onto the bike. "Look, I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings!" She shouts. Pope revs the engine multiple times. "What was that?" He asks, lips pursed. "Look, I didn't mean to!" She yells over the revving. "Sorry, I can't hear you, what was that?" He asks, continuing to rev it. "Pope I'm being serious-," She tries.

"I'm trying to talk to you!" She shouts. He revs it one more time before speeding off and leaving her in the dust. She turns to us, helpless. I shoot her a questioning look. She sighs, dropping her shoulders. "Look, please don't tell him I said anything, but, he told me he loved me last night, while you two were doing who knows what in my car," She groans. "And you rejected him?" I guess. Before she can answer, the sound of a helicopter echoes above us. "Who the hell is that?" JJ asks as we watch it fly over.

~~~~~~

"You sure he wasn't just being weird Pope?" JJ asks as we help Kie make sandwiches. "It wasn't really the kind of thing that needed interpretation," Kie says, handing us the bread. "Is that gonna be enough food for them?" She sighs, putting her hands on her hips. "I mean, for a couple of weeks," I nod. "And that's all they need, so...," JJ nods, picking up his bag. "Look, I think I actually hurt his feelings," Kie says, looking up at us.

"Look, don't beat yourself up too much, he's completely changed his feels," JJ says as we walk out the back door. "The past 24 hours have been like Jekyll and the Hyde," He says, carrying the crates of food. "I hate to admit it, but I miss the old Pope," Kie sighs. "At least I knew what to expect from him," She sighs.

"Where you been?" Kie's mom asks, walking up to us and throwing her arms out. "Uh-I'm fine, I slept here," She nods as JJ and I load the trunk. "Well, we were up half the night, scared to death, lookin' for you," Her mom scoffs. I scratch my eyebrow, looking at the ground. "Were you even gonna tell us?" She shouts, eyeing JJ and I. "Well, I'm tellin' you right now," She sighs, nodding to the restaurant. "Alright, what the hell are you three up to?" She asks.

"I'm sorry, Miss Anna, we just gotta go," I plead. "No," She says. "I'm sorry," Kie says. "Sorry? Absolutely not!" She yells. "Look, mom," Kie groans. "Have you heard what's going on out there?" She asks. "Mom, I'll explain later," Kie says, opening the door. "Honey, have you seen the storm comin' in?" She asks. "This is not safe!" She shouts. "Look, I'm sorry Mom! I have to go!" She says.

"These cops are armed, Kiara, you're gonna get shot!" She shouts. "I am not letting you do this!" She screams as Kie starts the car. "Mom, John B needs me!" She pleads. "Kiara! You need to stay here!" She screams. JJ and I eye each other, waiting. "I understand, I'll be careful!" She shouts, closing the door. "Kiara! Kiara!" Her mom says, banging on the window. "Sorry! I'm sorry!" Kiara cries. "You open this door! Now!" She screams. "Stop it right now! Right now, Kiara! This is not safe! Stop!" She screams as Kie pleads with her. "Stop, Kiara!" She screams as we pull down the road.

~~~~~~

"Home sweet home," JJ mutters as we pull into the lot. "Do you want us to come?" Kie asks. "'Cause I'll come," She says as he runs his hands through his hair. "No," He mutters. "This will only take a second," He says, opening the door. "I won't let you go alone," I say, taking his hand. "Y/n, please...," He says. "No," I say firmly. "Let's go," I nod.

JJ takes a deep breath and walks into the house with me. "Dad?" He calls nervously. We walk into the living room to see Luke passed out on the couch. "Dad, I need the keys to the Phantom," JJ says, stepping up to his sleeping form. "Stay there," He mouths to me in the doorway. This time I obey, hiding my form with the door frame, keeping my eyes still on JJ and his dad.

"Dad?" JJ asks when Luke doesn't open his eyes. JJ looks at the table, picking up a bottle of pills and reading the label before setting them back down. He reaches a shaky hand towards his dad's neck, where the keys rest on a dog chain necklace. I watch as JJ exhales sharply, grabbing a pencil and tweezers. He reaches them towards his dad's neck just as Luke opens his eyes. "I didn't expect to see you," His dad mutters. "You're back," He groans, sitting up. "Yeah, no, I just-," JJ mutters. "Huh?" Luke groans as he leans forward to grab his beer and take a sip. "Just checkin' in," JJ nods. "School out already?" Luke asks.

"What?" JJ asks. "Did you ditch?" He asks. He laughs. "It's alright, you can tell me," He says. JJ just nods instead, his eyes red. "Yeah," He says. "I hit the break, you know," JJ nods. I bite my lip. Luke laughs slightly. "I hated school too. My boy," Luke laughs. JJ smiles slightly. "Hey, you know what, listen, hey," Luke says, standing up and putting his hand on JJ's shoulder. "Hey, look, I know I'm hard on you sometimes. But sometimes, I see-I see your mother in you, and it gets me a little tweaked, you know?" He grunts. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying not to let any noises out.

JJ gives him a pained chuckle. "You're a good boy," He nods, patting his shoulder. "Mm-hm," JJ nods. "And I love you, son," Luke says. JJ smiles slightly and I feel my lips part in surprise. "Come here, I love you," He says, patting his back. "I love you, son," He says again, hugging him tightly. "I love you," He sighs again as JJ hugs him back, sniffling into his shoulder. "Love you too, dad," JJ grunts painfully, trying not to cry. "I'm sorry," JJ says as Luke's arm flops down his side. "You got nothin' to be sorry for," He mumbles, falling onto the couch passed out again. "You're a good boy," He mumbles.

JJ takes a deep breath and rips the keys from his neck. "Let's go," He nods at me. "JJ, wait," I say. "What?" He snaps. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't-," I start, tears forming in my eyes. "I told you not to come," He snarls. "I'm sorry, I-I...," I trail off, a tear rolling down my cheek. He takes a deep breath, looking at my shaky form. His shoulders drop and he shakes his head, walking back to me. "I'm sorry," He says. "No, you don't have to be sorry," I say as he wraps his arms around me. I breathe in his scent for a second before squeezing his shoulder. "Let's go," I nod, taking his hand.

Kie starts the car as we walk outside. "How'd it go?" She asks nervously. He just holds up the keys with a smile. "It'll be fine," JJ convinces us all as we drive down the road. "It'll be fine with the Phantom," He nods. "She'll get out of here quick," He nods. Sirens blare in front of us. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," JJ says as we pass them. We keep our heads down and they speed right past.

"They're still looking. It's a good sign," She nods. "We have to hurry," I say, looking over the horizon. "The storm is coming," I say.