Together

123. Ask her to join us

Took the confidence I had
You can watch me take it back
I'm the future and the past
That's a perfect hourglass
Tried to make me lose my cool
Hold my karma in my hands
Every time I get a chance
Baby, I'm a better man
-Ellie Goulding

Shoupe and JJ decided to go to dinner at a restaurant that was located farther into the Cut. Not like, completely back woods level, but definitely nowhere near the upscale neighborhoods and establishments that were closer to home.

JJ was surprised when Shoupe picked the spot, all the same. Not like he really gave off the vibe that he thought he was better than everyone. That was a judgement JJ had long put away, but he was still a sheriff's deputy. This place didn't seem like the kind of place he would become a regular at.

Shoupe didn't bat an eye at JJ's obvious curiosity at the location however, just encouraged him to follow him in. It was a bit nicer on the inside. Old, but not run down. More well worn in its aging.

They settled in a deep booth, a hanging lamp dimly lighting the table. The waitress takes their drink orders, and once she departs JJ pulls out the letter that's been burning a whole in his pocket since he got back home.

Shoupe looks seriously at JJ, smile tugging at his lips as he asks, "What's that?"

JJ knowingly blushes, trying to suppress his grin as he holds the acceptance letter in his hands. He shrugs nonchalantly, trying to come off that way but failing when he can't control his face.

Shoupe indicates he pass it over and he does. JJ watches Shoupe's expression shift from suspicious to confirming, smiling widely as the first lines hit him the same way they did JJ. He looks up immediately.

"You did it, son," Shoupe praises. "You did it." He fights the urge to ruffle his hair like a child that just learned to tie his shoes by himself.

He was proud, though, and settled on a reach over the table to clasp a hand on his shoulder, gentle yet firm squeez of approval and pride being communicated. JJ tried to shrug it off, shaking his head like it wasn't a big deal.

"It's a big deal, Jay," Shoupe refutes the silent dismissal.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know," JJ says, forcing himself to feel how big the accomplishment really was. It's a rare moment of allowing himself to be happy over something he achieved himself. "Thanks."

"I knew you'd get in," Shoupe boasts.

JJ playfully scoffs. "Well, yeah, you're friends with Ben," he reminds.

"Even without the surf scholarship, JJ," Shoupe amends. "You need to acknowledge you're a smart kid."

JJ doesn't know how to take that as well as getting in based on his surfing skills. Honestly, he felt like it was a football player type of situation. Meet the bare minimum and get in on that and skills alone. Kinda doubts he would ever get there just for his grades. His GPA was nowhere near Pope's.

"Hey," Shoupe says, drawing him back, like he can read the skepticism. "I mean it, kid. You had a hard set up, a lot to get through to earn this. But you did."

"You're embarrassing me, stop it," he deflects, choosing to put up his menu while his cheeks cool down.

Shoupe just chuckles, raising his hands. JJ wasn't a kid you could just pile on compliments. Shoupe learned he needed them, like any kid, but in small doses over time. Anything beyond that would feel disingenuous to him, make him uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Even make him sabotage his efforts.

But, God, if he hasn't come a long way with that. Was a day Shoupe would have sooner arrested him than eat a meal with him. Now he's a few weeks from eighteen and not a single thing holding him back. That day was no longer t-ing him up for jail. He actually has a future.