Catching the Waves~ JJ Maybank ᣵ¹&ᣵ²

Chapter Fifty Five. [S2]

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My feet are aching
And your back is pretty tired
And we've drunk a couple bottles, babe
And set our grief aside

-

And here it is, our final night alive
As the earth burns to the ground

Oh boy, it's you that I lie with
As the atom bomb locks in
Oh boy, it's you I watch TV with
As the world, as the world caves in

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Third Person Perspective~

THE Twinkie rolled to a stop in front of the Chateau, its headlights dimming in the stillness of the early morning. The engine hummed for a moment longer before John B cut it off with a heavy sigh. He glanced at the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Rory, her tear-streaked face buried in JJ's chest, fast asleep after the sobs had wracked her body for what felt like hours. JJ's arms were wrapped protectively around her, his chin resting on top of her head, his eyes dark with a mix of exhaustion and heartache.

The events of the night weighed heavily on all of them, a storm none of the others could see, but one that had left its mark on their hearts. John B rubbed a hand over his face, his own mind spinning with too many thoughts. He had seen Rory hurt before, but never like this. This was different. Rafe's shadow loomed over them all, but it clung to Rory in a way that felt too deep, too personal.

"Let's get inside," John B muttered, voice thick with unspoken emotion.

He climbed out, boots crunching softly against the gravel, and waited as JJ gently shifted Rory in his arms. She stirred slightly but didn't wake as JJ maneuvered her with the care of someone cradling their entire world. He slid out of the van, standing there for a moment with her nestled against him, her small form looking fragile in the moonlight.

John B was already heading up the porch steps, but JJ lingered, eyes flicking down to the girl he held so close. His heart twisted painfully. He knew exactly what she was feeling. The hurt. The guilt. The sense of betrayal at her own kindness. 

He had watched the entire scene unfold— he had heard Rafe's desperate, love-drunk confession, the venom in his voice as he spat out insults, attacking JJ like he wasn't worthy of Rory's love.

And maybe Rafe was right about some of those things—JJ had his demons—but he wasn't about to lose Rory because of them. He'd fight them all if he had to. He'd change, become a better man if it meant Rory would always be by his side.

He couldn't let those thoughts--the insults Rafe spat out--take root in his mind. Not when Rory was looking at him with those tear-filled eyes, begging for reassurance he would never leave her.

Because he wouldn't. JJ could never walk away. Not from her.

JJ's cheek rested against the top of her head, his lips brushing her hair in a tender, wordless promise. He wasn't going anywhere. He would never leave her—no matter what Rafe had said, no matter the doubts that tried to creep into his mind. 

Rory was his. She had chosen him, loved him, despite everything that had happened. He couldn't let himself question it, not now, not when she needed him the most.

As he crossed the yard, Carter emerged from the front door, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His gaze fell on Rory first, the tear-streaks still visible under the soft porch light, and then moved to JJ, whose face was a storm of emotion. Carter didn't say anything, didn't ask what had happened—he knew now wasn't the time. He just gave JJ a small nod and shifted his attention to John B, who sat heavily on the porch steps, staring out into the marsh.