Sink or Swim || Outer Banks || JJ Maybank

Chapter 27

Madison walked up the long driveway of the Cameron residence trying to keep the scowl off her face as she saw the gardener working on a bush making sure there wasn't one leaf out of place. She hated Sarah's house with a passion because just like that one leaf that had just been cut off she felt out of place.

"Maddie?" Sarah thankfully noticed her before she had the chance to knock on the door. Madison walked around the side of the house where she had been laying out in the sun listening to music. "Is everything okay?"

Madison ran a hand through her hair, reminding herself she was doing this for John B. "Yeah, just with everything going on we haven't really gotten a chance to clear the air...and while we figure out how to melt the wheat symbol off the gold I figured now is a good time."

Sarah didn't bother to hide the shock on her face but tried to cover it up with a smile. "I've missed you. We had gotten so close and then it was like we were strangers again."

"I know," Madison took a seat on one of the loungers. "Rationally, I know you didn't do anything on purpose...but you have to see it from my point of view. JB and I have been doing this treasure hunt shit for longer than I can remember. We were supposed to do it as a family, all three of us, but then dad..." she paused to take a deep breath because she refused to cry over her father anymore. "It was supposed to be our thing, a Routledge thing, and I know the rest of you have been along for the ride and we couldn't have done it without any of you, but you pushed me out."

Sarah sat across from Madison and leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees. "I never meant to. I swear it wasn't even a thought in my mind. He was just so excited and I had never seen him like that before. I was just trying to help."

"Dad used to get excited like that too," she ran a hand through her hair. "And then we wouldn't know where he was for days at a time." She had told herself before she went to the Cameron's she was doing it for John B but now that she was there it felt good to actually get it all out in the open.

Sarah placed a hand on Madison's knee, "You know, you two are more alike than you want to admit. He's terrified of losing you too."

"Got a funny way of showing it," Madison couldn't help but roll her eyes. They had cleared the air and it was nice to feel like she had her brother back but it was hard to forget about the last couple of months.

Sarah didn't want to betray John B's trust but she also knew it might be the only way to heal the siblings' relationship and that was what was most important. "After JJ's cousin stitched you up and we were waiting for you to wake up, John B kind of lost it, I mean he even snapped at Pope."

"Not Pope," Madison put her hand to her chest in mock surprise, trying to lighten the mood.

Madison groaned as she woke up, her side throbbing in pain. She reached her arm out to the side wanting JJ but was only met with an empty bed and cold sheets. She tried to sit up and winced in pain.

"Here," John B was over to her in two steps, placing an arm around her shoulders and tucking one behind her knees to help her into a sitting position. He tucked an extra pillow behind her back and made sure she was comfortable before he sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Madison made a face, "Turns out getting shot actually fucking hurts." She couldn't help but glance over at the empty side of the bed, "Where's J?"

"In the shower," John B reassured her, feeling a twinge of jealousy, but he pushed it down. "He's been with you every second. Pope finally convinced him to eat something and shower. They are going to be happy to see you're awake. Kie, Pope, and Sarah have all been here waiting to make sure you are okay." She yawned and rubbed her eyes making her look years younger. "Mads, I'm so sorry."