Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

24

"I can't believe you skipped out on surfing to help your mom with tree branches." I rolled my eyes at Kie as she laughed.

"Hey, she had asked me to help a few nights ago and she finally hit her tipping point. Gray was still out trying to help with paperwork and she couldn't move them herself."

"Fine, fine. But next time, you're coming surfing with us, especially if it's your suggestion." I rose my hands in surrender, thankful that my story was believable.

"Alrighty, ladies and gentlemen, let's get this boat on the water." JJ hollered from the wheel.

"Aye, aye." I mocked jokingly moving to the bow of the ship and sending him a quick wink. JJ played along but sent me a look that told me he wanted to talk later. I grew serious for a second, pulling my sun glasses down and held up my pinkie, promising him I would.

I went and sat up front as John B and Pope pulled the lines to free us from the dock. Kie moving into the control room as we took off into the water.

The sun hit the water just right, a smile coming to my face as I felt the wind blowing my braided hair back. I had to turn my baseball cap backwards while we hightailed it out of there. I didn't need to lose another cap to the wind and waves.

We were all excited. Pope had to finish setting up the camera, JJ had to get us out to the spot that John B was helping him direct, and Kie and I were just along for the ride at the moment.

I slowly brought my knees to my chest, leaning against the bow of the boat as I rested my head backwards.

It's been nearly a year since I met the Pogues. Since we came out to Outer Banks. It's been a full year since my dad signed the divorce papers finally freeing my mom from him. And since I was over 16 and very determined, I came with her. And once I turn 18 in a few weeks, he can't do anything.

I found myself absentmindedly rubbing my knuckles. I wasn't asked about them, so I didn't say anything in reference to them. It just wasn't the time.

Hey guys, yeah so Pope got beat up when he was over on Figure Eight doing a delivery run. I went ape-shit crazy when I found out and nearly when to the guy's house and assaulted him, but I got him to meet me in the gym then I fucked him up. Yeah he got some good hits, but he's pretty black and blue.

But don't worry guys, it was Rafe so maybe a few more hits would have done him good.

Yeah, that sounded like the perfect thing to say right now.

I heard John B start yelling out to JJ and knew it was time to get started. I'd be with JJ in the control room while the other three were out with the drone as we've now decided to call it for simplicity's sake.

"Rover that! X marks the spot." I grinned stepping up beside JJ.

"What am I doing?" I teased making JJ roll his eyes.

"All right, ladies and gentlemen, to going full Kook." We all watched as John B slowly lowered the drone into the water. Once it had submerged; Pope was at the controls, Kie was gently running the wiring down, and John B was at the map calling out stuff for JJ.

What was I doing? Well, seeing that the necessities were taken care of, I was watching the sky from the control room. Keeping an eye on the weather in case it changed.

"All right, JJ, we're right over it. Ten seconds northwest." John B called.

"Got it! Ten seconds northwest." JJ repeated.

"One hundred feet!" Kie alerted.

I heard Pope gasp followed by John B going nuts.

"It's nothing. Sorry I thought-"

"Don't do that to me man." JJ voiced turning back to the wheel. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"My bad. I just thought I saw..." Pope trailed off. He definitely got jump-scared by a fish. I'm at not know much about seafaring, but I know that at 100ft there are some decent sized fish.

"Four hundred feet!" Kie called out as we continued to wait. The wind picking up making me groan.

I stepped outside of the control center and made my way to the side of the boat. A deep roar of thunder sounded far into the distance.

"Tide's turning! We've got some unfriendly weather in the distance!" I shouted making sure everyone heard me.

"Hey, JJ? Ten seconds easy. South-southeast."

"Copy that!"

I moved to the bow to see the storm better. That bitch had to have moved quick. The sky was practically clear when we started.

JJ kept the boat moving to counter balance the waves. As we continued to drop the drone. The wind picking up meaning only one thing.

"Oi!" I shouted coming around to the backside. "We're gonna need to speed things up. This storm is moving fast, and it isn't gonna wait for our asses to be finished!"

"Copy, we're going as fast as we can. The drone doesn't submerge quickly." Pope called back to me.

"Aye, I'll keep an eye on the storm." I went back to the bow. The storm clouds slowly taking up the sky. I had to grab ahold of the railing as the waves picked up.

I tracked the storm as the clouds grew darker and traces of light flashed within. We had minutes at this point.

We popped on a wave, JJ moving the boat to keep us upright, but I went down onto the deck. I yelped, as I landed right on my left hip. My side burning as I grunted in pain.

The boat's engine roared but the storm roared louder. I was not getting tossed off this damn boat. I stretched my hand up and grabbed ahold of the railing, getting my feet under me as I tried not to cry out. The shouts of the others filling the air as I moved.

"It's now or never B!" I roared out, as I slowly staggered towards the stern. "This storm is too fast. We need to go! We've got maybe seven minutes until the storm is on us!"

"980!" Kie cried out.

"I'm at the bottom! I'm at the bottom!"

"Okay, steady here, JJ! Steady here. Quarter speed, all right?"

I hobbled over to John B and set a hand on his shoulder to steady myself.

"You should be seeing something, man." He said as he helped me stay upright by steadying a hand on my back.

"I know, I know! Wait, wait." Kie joined us as Pope kept the drone moving, our eyes widening as we all four leaned in.

"Damn." I sighed amazed at what we were seeing on the screen. It was it, the legit thing.

"See anything?" I spared JJ a glance nodding as I let out a laugh.

"It's the Royal Merchant."