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As Lacy's sadness and confusion deepened, she couldn't shake the feeling of awkwardness that settled between her and JJ like an invisible barrier.
She found herself instinctively wanting to pull away from JJ, a reflex born out of the pain and betrayal she felt. It was as if her heart sought to shield itself from further hurt by putting distance between them, even though every fiber of her being longed for his comfort and reassurance.
He reached out to her the following morning after his birthday. Calls, texts, anything he could do to gain his best friend's attention. Yet, all he got in return was radio silence. But JJ, oblivious to the turmoil raging within the kind girl, couldn't understand the sudden shift in their dynamic.
The sun hung low in the sky, waking the world and casting a warm golden glow over the Outer Banks. JJ had awoken with John B checking out the backyard, damage from the storm that had hit the night before.
"Yo, JJ, you been outside?" John B's voice called out to his friend, watching the blonde touron escape from the guest room with an awkward smile. John B gave her a nod and half smile to ease the tension as she ran out of the Chateau.
"I have polio, bro. I can't walk," the blonde boy responded with a hand running through his hair and out of his face. He could smell the the lingering alcohol and weed waft around him as he made his way to the backyard to join his friend. "Agatha did some work huh?"
"Seems like she was sending you a birthday present, bud," he pat JJ's back. Thunder rumbled loud in the distance.
"Whatcha thinkin'?" JJ glanced at the brunette who had began to walk towards his boat, the HMS Pogue.
"I'm thinkin' that storm surge pushed all the crabs out on the marsh maze. All those drum are gonna chase the crab. Let's get a move on we'll grab the gang on the way."
"What about the DCS? Wasn't that today?" JJ responded, not used to being the voice of reason between the two.
"Nah, they're not gettin' on a ferry. Come on, think about it. It's God tellin' us to fish," John B looked back at him, "Plus I gotta see the fallout from whatever you did with Lacy last night, man."
A groan slips past JJ's lips as he pulls his hat onto his head more. "Bring anything up and your dead meat. I'll call DCS myself," he joked pushing his friend to the side as he jumps onto the HMS and unties it.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go."
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As the boat pulled up at the Caldwell dock, John B and JJ were greeted with the sight of Sam Caldwell walking through the lawn grabbing loose branches and piling them up on the side of the yard. "Hey boys how we doing? House get hit bad, John B?" Sam wipes his forehead and walks towards the boat.
