High Tide // JJ Maybank

Chapter 30

That night I didn't sleep much. I tossed and turned, replaying the events of last night in my head over and over again. JJ slept soundly next to me. I wanted to reach out to him, curl up next to him, but I didn't want to wake him. He needed sleep.

The next morning we were all hanging out around the dock. Sarah had gone home to grieve with her family. I told her to call if she needed anything.

"He deserved it, right?" JJ asks as he leans over the railing of the ramp down to the dock, casting his fishing pole into the water.

"Are you joking?" Kie questions incredulously. "Of course he deserved it."

"Did the girls deserve that though?" I pipe up. I stood next to Pope on the ramp. "To lose someone like that."

"Never seen anyone blow themselves up like that." Pope states.

"Cross that one off the bucket list." JJ announces.

"JJ!" Kie stops the blond boy before walking down to sit next to John B on the boat.

"Sucks for Sarah." JJ adds.

"She didn't deserve that." I say walking over to JJ. He grabs my arm, pulling me in front of him. He wraps both arms around me before continuing to fish.

"No, she didn't." He agrees. "Do you wanna go inside?"

"I wanna get out of here." I say, turning to face him. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling myself against him.

"Boneyard?" JJ questions

"Can we go surf?" I ask.

"Of course." JJ nods. He lets me out from between his arms before reeling in his fishing pole. He sets it down on the dock.

"Hey! Kat and I are gonna go out, clear our minds a bit." JJ announces to the rest of the group. "We'll be back later."

I notice Kie begin to get up from her place next to John B. He grabs her wrist, keeping her in place as he slightly shakes his head at her.

"Have fun." John B tells us.

"But not too much." Pope teases.

I shake my head at the boys before following JJ back up to the house. He grabs our boards, beginning to attach them to my roof rack. I head inside to change into a swimsuit.

I pop back outside when I'm changed. JJ had already gotten in the car and started it. I climb into the passenger seat beside him and he pulls into the street.

JJ places a hand on my thigh as he drives. "You doing okay, baby?"

"Yeah, I just needed a minute to breathe. To focus on something other than how shitty this year has been."

"Yeah, I understand. I'll always gladly take you away from all that shit."

"I know." I give the boy a small smile. "I'd do the same for you." I tell him.

"I know you would." JJ nods.

We arrive at the boneyard minutes later. We both hop out of the Jeep and grab our boards. I peel off the shorts I had thrown on as JJ pulls off his shirt.

"Race you!" JJ calls out, taking off down the beach.

"Woah! Not fair!" I yell, chasing after him. "Your legs are way longer than mine."

"All I'm hearing is excuses." JJ shouts as he splashes into the shallow water. He stands there waiting for me to catch up before walking further out into the water and climbing into his board. I do the same, paddling out next to him.

I pull myself into a sitting position, staring out into the water. There were hardly any waves, the water was fairly calm today. It was a good day to just be out on the water and chill.

The bright sun reflected off the ocean, making it look as if it was glowing. The water was cool around my calves as they dangled in the water. There was a slight breeze, causing the water to ripple and my hair to blow sideways.

I look over at JJ who's eyes were on me. I feel my cheeks flush pink when I catch him staring.

"Oh, gosh. Don't stare at me like that." I giggle.

"You're beautiful." JJ says simply. "It's nice seeing you so calm."

"Not this many people are supposed to die when we're so young." I tell him.

"Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but sometimes bad things happen to bad people too and it evens out." JJ shrugs.

"My heart breaks for her. I know he's a psychopathic asshole, but that was still her dad. The man who raised her."

"Oh, I know. Trust me."

"I know, J." I give him a sympathetic look. "My dad wasn't so great to me either, but it still hurt when we lost him."

"I know." JJ sighs.

We spend several more hours out on the water. Eventually we reached lighter subjects and reminisced on times in the past. We spent the evening laughing, joking, and just talking to each other.

"We should probably head back." JJ points out, looking up at the setting sun.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

***

When we get back home, we find Kie sitting in the Chateau alone. She was sitting on the couch with her phone in her hand.

"Hey, what's going on? Where are the boys?" I ask.

"Sarah broke up with your brother, so he and Pope are having a pity party out on the dock."

"Woah, woah, woah. Sarah dumped John B?" JJ asks in shock.

"Yeah, I guess so. Something about how 'some things aren't meant to be' and shit." Kie shrugs.

I sigh, walking back out of the house. Kie and JJ were right behind me as I made me way down to the dock. I could hear the two boys talking as we approached.

"I didn't even see it coming." Pope says with a sigh.

Before I can say anything, JJ and Kiara are behind me tossing beers to the boys.

"Hot potato, hot potato." JJ chants.

"Impressive catch!" Kie cheers as John B catches a can with ease.

"I need another one." John B immediately says.

"What are you guys doing down here? Having a good cry?" JJ teases.

"Cry?" Pope questions.

"Cry? Why are you talking about— we don't cry." John B agrees.

"You know it's not your fault, right?" Kie asks the brunet.

"You think she'll come around?" John B asks hopefully.

"Yeah dude." Kie answers. "She's one of us."

John B let's put a breathy chuckle. "Sarah's a Pogue. She'll come around. Yep. You know, she'll come back to me. Right. You know I was just thinking about it. I'm gonna do a backflip." John B points to the three of us on the dock from where he stood on the HMS.

"You're lying!" Kie says.

"You won't do it!" JJ agrees.

"No way." I add.

"Hold my beer that you already dropped." John B tells Pope. He steps to the end of the boat before jumping off backward, flipping in the air.

The rest of us cheer as he hits the water.

"Yeah!" Kie and JJ shout in unison as my brother resurfaces.

"That's my boy!"

"Woogity, woogity, baby!" John B shouts.