𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 80: El Tesoro

"Where are John B and Sarah?" Grace asked quickly after they had climbed out from behind the fruit stands.

"We were looking for a river guide named Jose... but we kind of split up," Pope answered.

"Where are the docks?"

"Right at the end of this road, left at the next one," Cleo rattled off the directions.

Grace furrowed her brows, weighing her options. She could stick with the group, probably the safer option, or go after John B and Sarah and possibly not even find them before they leave. 

JJ squeezed her hand in his making her look up at him.

While the rest of the Pogues assessed their circumstances, JJ pulled Grace aside.

With their hands still clasped, JJ looked down at her. "I know what you want to do, Gracie."

Grace bit her lip roughly. "It's stupid. I mean, they might be long gone... I'd be putting myself-"

JJ reached up and cradled both sides of her face in his hands. "You need to find Sarah, I get it... I trust you."

Just like that, Grace's worry melted away. "I've gotta try."

JJ nodded. He understood, of course he did. They were sisters after all. "We'll find another way down the river. If you don't get to them in time, come back to me, okay?"

Grace reached up, fingers twisting the hair at the nape of his neck. "Thank you."

JJ didn't reply, instead he pulled her into him and placed his lips on hers lightly.

Grace returned the gesture, lips dancing delicately against his. It was soft and patient, exactly how they liked their kisses to be. It felt like a lazy day on the beach when they'd bask in the warmth of each other and the sunset after exhausting themselves surfing. It felt like the Bob Marley songs that would hum in the background as they drove around the island looking for trouble. It felt like when John B would fall asleep at their movie marathons leaving Grace and JJ to cuddle without his teasing to bother them. Most of all, it felt like home.

They pulled away after what felt like hours but the moment their lips detached it felt like mere seconds. Both wished it had gone on forever but the realities of their situation had to catch up to them.

"Okay, go before they're half way down the river," JJ said while untangling himself from her.

Grace smiled at him, pecking him on the cheek quickly before turning on her heel and making a run for it.

"I love you," JJ shouted after her retreating figure.

Grace's smile broadened. Without slowing down she yelled, "I love you too," over her shoulder.

JJ laughed under his breath as she turned the corner out of sight. He trusted her with his entire being and even though he worried for her he knew she'd come back to him. She always had and always would.

"Where the hell is she going?" Kie broke him out of his love struck daze.

JJ shrugged simply. "After her sister."

He ignored his friends' protests and exclamations of concern. All he needed to know was that this was what Grace needed. She needed to go after her sister and to do that she needed him to trust her. If that was what she needed he'd be damned if he didn't give it to her.

___________

"Holy shit," Grace mouthed as she crouched behind a barrel near the docks. She had to be sneaky. She stuck out like a sore thumb and getting caught by Singh while she was on her own didn't seem all that appealing.