P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Diver Down

The next day, Cory woke on Kiara's bedroom floor, in a makeshift array of blankets and pillows.

Not long after, they made their way to John B's. The whole way there Kiara explained what had happened the night before.

When she passed out, JJ had begun provoking not only Rafe, but Topper as well, and Topper ended up almost drowning John B. JJ pulled out the gun and scared everyone off. Now they were in big trouble.

Cory had groaned. They were never not in big trouble.

Now, everyone sat in silence together at the Chateau.

John B stood, stepping forward. "Look, I'm calling it off, okay? Peterkin said if I stay out of the marsh, she'll help me with DCS."

"And you believed her?" JJ asked.

"Yes I believe her, JJ," John B retorted.

Cory rolled her eyes, throwing her head in her hands. Here they go again.

"An actual cop, John B, you believed a cop," JJ threw a rock.

"All I gotta do is stay out of the marsh for a few days and she'll help me." John B glared at JJ. "And it doesn't help that your ass was the one shooting a gun."

"Y'know what I should've done?" JJ snapped back. "I should've let Topper drown your ass."

"Yeah, Topper was gonna drown me?"

"Sure looked like it."

JJ stood, taunting towards John B.

"I mean have you looked in the mirror?"
JJ was right. Cory may have passed out, but she could see the aftermath of the fight from the day before. John B did have a massive bruise on his eye. Not unlike some that Cory had adorned over the years.

"Tell me some more," John B taunted. "Come on."

"They always win, don't they man," JJ commented. "Kooks versus Pogues. They always win."

Kiara finally butted in. "Its okay!"

"No, its not okay!" JJ snapped. "It is not. They dont want us to go down in the marsh. That means theres something valuable down there and you know it. I know you do." He turned to Pope. "I understand why you don't wanna go. You're the golden boy. You got way too much to risk. And you–" he turned to Kie. "You're rich as fuck anyway. Why would you bother?" He finally turned to Cory. "You've got a family." Cory lowered her head, tears threatening. "But you and me, man? We got nothing to lose."

"JJ..."

"And I know it didn't used to be that way for you."

"I don't wanna talk about this," John B muttered. "I don't wanna talk about it."

"So thats it?"

"Just get out of my way, bro," John B pushed past JJ.

Kiara and Pope exchanged a glance. From where Cory was sitting, she still had her head lowered, trying to block out the noise of fighting.

"John B, listen to me," JJ continued. "I have a plan. You got the key to Cameron's big boat, right?"

"No..."

"There's scuba gear," JJ continued. "We just borrow that and we go down to the wreck this afternoon, and that is whats gonna save you man."

Cory's head snapped up. "JJ."

The boys' heads turned toward her in surprise.

"He is not risking his job. Do you ever stop, Jay?" she snapped.