Sink or Swim || Outer Banks || JJ Maybank

Chapter 4

"Hey, Maddie," Heyward stopped her before she could leave the store. "You see that boy of mine you remind him that he needs a better work ethic. He could learn a thing or two from you."

Madison smiled at the compliment, "Sure thing, Pops, but honestly he's usually the one that keeps us out of trouble. I'll be back Friday morning to help with deliveries."

"Why don't you take a carton of eggs with you. Cook up a nice brunch," Heyward offered, knowing full well of the Routledge's situation.

She waved him off, as much as they could use it she didn't want to feel like a charity case. "We're good. I promise. But thank you!"

Madison got into her car and rolled the windows down, annoyed that her air conditioner stopped working a few weeks ago. It was a total junker but it was the only thing that was one hundred percent hers, having saved every penny she had to buy it a year before her dad vanished. All she needed was her car to get her from one point to the other, air conditioning was just a perk, and she was thankful the tinny radio still worked. Today the ride was silent though as her head pounded from the night before. When they had gotten back from the boneyard she tried to ice John B's face but he was in a mood and she left him in Sarah's care. She got about three hours of sleep before she was up, showered, dressed, and out the door to get to Heyward's for deliveries.

If she was being honest she was jealous that everyone was still passed out when she left but a final notice for the electric bill came in the mail two days ago and if it wasn't paid soon it was going to get shut off. Her mind went to the wad of cash JJ had taken from the motel room and the possibility of more being aboard the Grady-White. Kiara was right and it would probably be bad karma but what else was she supposed to do? She had to keep a roof over her and John B's head but it was more than that, she felt responsible for keeping the Chateau with running water, electricity, and food. It wasn't just about her and her brother. It was JJ's safe place away from his father. It was Sarah, Pope, and Kiara's escape from reality.

She pulled up at the Chateau to see that everyone was now awake and seemingly in some deep discussion. She sat in her car an extra second preparing herself for whatever it was. The tension was palpable as she walked up to the group, tossing her keys and phone on the small table. John B and JJ stared each other down as if they were about to physically fight and it instantly put her on edge. She pushed her sunglasses up on her head and looked between the two. "What's going on?"

"Peterkin came by this morning," John B answered her and he could see the color drain from her face. "Said if we stay out of the marsh she'd help us with DCS."

The rest of the Pogues watched her carefully for her reaction, knowing all she thought about recently was being separated from John B, and were genuinely shocked when she simply answered, "No."

"What do you mean no?" John B questioned, the angry stare down he had been having with JJ was now focused on her.

She didn't move as she kept her voice calm but straightforward, "I mean, no."

"You want to get separated, is that it?" He shot back at her, not understanding where she was coming from. "I don't think you get it, Mads. She threatened foster care on the mainland and if we have another night like last night with the gun and the fighting, juvie. If we do this and get caught you're never going to sleep in your own bed again. You're going to have to leave all this behind. You're going to have to leave me and JJ behind. Sarah, Pope, and Kiara behind. Is that really what you want?"

"John B!" Sarah exclaimed, warning him that he had gone too far.

Madison sat down in an empty chair and massaged her temples, her headache only getting worse with the aggravation. All she wanted to do was go back to bed but her brother was being insufferable. "You know I don't," she answered quietly, avoiding the pity stares. "But we need to know what's down there."