Rogue | outer banks

046 - Goodbye

The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the pier where we stood, waiting. Waiting for him. My heart pounded in my chest with a mixture of frustration and dread as I paced back and forth, my eyes scanning the empty dirt road leading to the pier.

"Give him a second," Pope's voice broke through my thoughts, his frown deepening as his eyes meet mine but I quickly glanced away. "He'll be here."

"If he was caught, we would know about it," I tried to reason, my voice strained. "He's just late, as per usual."

A gentle hand on my back made me flinch slightly, and I forced myself to turn and face JJ. His worried expression softened something inside me, but I couldn't let it show. "Hey, you alright?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I'm fine," I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

But JJ wasn't fooled, his gaze piercing through my facade, his eyes pleading with mine.

"He attacked us first," JJ muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. I swallowed hard, knowing the weight of his words. "What happened was not on you, it was on him."

"Pope nearly killed him," I whispered back, feeling the weight of the truth settle heavily between us. "And we can't be like them. We can't stoop to such low levels."

"I know," JJ sighed, running a hand over his tired face.

My heart ached at the sight of his exhaustion, his determination to protect us all evident in every line of his weary expression.

"Messed up that pretty face of yours good, huh?" I tried to lighten the mood, a small smile tugging at my lips as I reached out to touch the cut on his lip. His sharp intake of breath made me pull back slightly, his eyes locking with mine in an unspoken exchange of emotions.

"It could have been worse," JJ shrugged, trying to brush off the seriousness of the situation. "What?" he retorted sarcastically. "Don't find me good enough to look at anymore?"

"Don't be stupid," I shook my head, my smile faltering slightly. "But yes, it could have been worse; you could have gotten shot," I said, my tone sober as my eyes met his.

"Better me than you," JJ stated simply, his words hanging heavy in the air.

My breath caught in my throat at the sincerity behind his words, the depth of his loyalty to me.

"You don't mean that," I protested weakly.

"I think we both know I do, Lia," JJ's smile was easy, but his eyes held a seriousness that I couldn't ignore.

How can he be so willing to sacrifice himself for me?

He would take a bullet for me, and the thought both warmed my heart and filled me with a sense of dread. If anything ever happened to JJ because of me, I could never forgive myself. As we stand there, locked in our silent exchange, I realize just how much JJ means to me.

And I vow to do whatever it takes to keep him safe.

"Shit, shit—"

Pope's panicked voice yanks my attention away from JJ, and my heart sinks as I see the flashing lights of a cop car approaching. Dread washes over me, threatening to suffocate any semblance of hope I had left.

"Get back on the boat," JJ's urgent grip on my hips startles me, his eyes wide with fear as he directs me towards safety. "Quick, get back on the boat—"

But before I can protest or move, something catches my eye. The car door opens, and relief floods through me as John B emerges from the vehicle. A heavy weight lifts from my chest, and I can't help but release a shaky breath.