BOOK 1 [with seasons 1 & 2]
Aurora "Rory" Routledge is not just your average Outer Banks teen-she's John B's twin sister and the perfect partner-in-crime for summer adventures. Alongside their tight-knit group of best friends-JJ, Pope, and Kie-the R...
The good Mr. Square He doesn't have any hang-ups He spends his time Looking through other people's eyes
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And as she weaves her way through city streets The dawn arrives In concrete glades of metal grass Steel cords are woven tight But she is free F-R-E-E
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Rory~
THE flicker of the lighter in my hand cast a brief glow, illuminating the darkness of the early evening before I snapped it shut again, snuffing out the flame as quickly as it appeared. Over and over, the rhythm became a constant—flick, light, snuff. The small flame danced for a moment before I killed it, while my mind swirled with too many thoughts to untangle. The warmth of the fire lingered for those few seconds, but it did nothing to melt the ice growing in my chest.
"He deserved it, right?" JJ's voice cut through the quiet, yanking me back from the spiraling thoughts that had trapped me on the edge of the bow.
His words hung in the air. The flickering flame in my hand mesmerized me, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from it. The twisted relief it brought me was unsettling, and I knew JJ was worried. He kept glancing at me, waiting for me to say something. The weight of his stare was heavy, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. If I opened my mouth, I knew I would break, and I couldn't afford to do that. Not here, not now.
My heart was breaking, not just for me but for Sarah too.
We'd returned to the Chateau after what felt like an eternity since we watched Ward's boat explode with him inside it. The flames had seared themselves into my memory, and every time I blinked, I could still see them dancing in front of my eyes, so vivid, so...satisfying. But the relief that twisted inside me felt wrong, monstrous even, and the last thing I wanted was to inflict that on Sarah by staying at Tannyhill, even though I wanted to be there for her.
So I left with the Pogues. Sarah didn't need me—Topper was there, glued to her side, while John B...well, he was too wrapped up in his own world. Just like always.
The boat rocked gently beneath us, the soft lapping of the water against the hull the only sound in the stillness along with the flicking lighter in my hand. Everyone was scattered across the boat, lost in their own thoughts--minus for Carter who had to pay a visit to the hospital for his regular check up for his injured shoulder.
John B was sprawled out on his stomach beside me, Pope lounged on the seats, and Kie leaned against the railing near JJ, who was fishing—dressed in those ridiculous overalls that somehow made him look both adorable and infuriatingly handsome.
I wanted to admire how adorable he looked, his red cap barely containing his messy golden locks, his muscles taut as he leaned on the railing. But I couldn't.
