Outer Banks (JJ Maybank x Reader) Book 4

The Shop

"Got water for the bait tank," Kie tells me as she hauls the big bucket. I look out over the marsh and sigh at how beautiful it is. The setting sun makes everything glitter and gold. "I don't know, that's JJ's department," I hear John B say from over my shoulder. I turn. "Is that it?" I ask, looking around at our almost complete bait shop. 

Cleo chuckles. "Look at that!" John B grins, high-fiving me. "It looks good!" Pope says. "I think we're about done," Cleo nods in agreement. Pope and John B do the pogue handshake as JJ calls up to us from the dock. "Hey guys!" He shouts. We all turn, smiling at him. "I think we did it," He nods. The win rushes through his hair as he bites his cheek. 

"We're in business baby!" He screams, pumping his fist in the air. "Wow!" "Oh my gosh this feels good!" He screams in excitement, dancing and jumping around on the dock. "Look at this! look at that, look at that!" He laughs, looking at everything we've built. "Like, oh my god!" He screams, jumping up onto the Snapper. "That boy's mad," Cleo laughs, shaking her head.

"Captain Maybank at your service!!" He yells, looking into the sun. "Now that has a ring to it!" He says as he turns back to us, the wind rushing through his shirt. "Nothing can stop a Pogue! Nothing!!" He shouts, jumping back down the dock with a scream as we all laugh at him. "That's what I'm talking about!" He continues. Sarah shakes her head at me.

"Is he okay?" She laughs sarcastically. "Yeah, yeah...," I say, still watching JJ. "He just never really had a home," I whisper, my smile bright. "He's happy," I nod. "Keep going!" John B laughs as JJ keeps dancing. "Slow down your killin' em!" Cleo laughs. I watch JJ spin and a circle and walk down the steps to the dock. "Having fun?" I grin when he sees me.

"A little bit," He nods. "Yeah?" I grin, biting my lip. "What?" He asks, still smiling. "I love you," I smile. He wraps his arms around me, pressing his lips to mine. We're instantly met with wolf whistles and cheers. I roll my eyes, laughing. 

I press my forehead against JJ's and close my eyes, breathing in his scent. "We did it," He murmurs. I look up, nodding. "We did," I grin. "Somehow," I chuckle. JJ laughs. "But we did it!" He smiles. "We did it!" He screams, pumping his fist in the air again as all our friends cheer. 

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Business started off slow, but we gained customers little by little. People loved it. A place where they could get bait, beer, ice, food, anything they wanted. It really worked. It was what we all wanted. It wasn't gold. It wasn't treasure. It wasn't even adventure. And some of us still had dreams...

Kiara still wanted to save the dolphins and the turtles, Pope was planning on going back to school, and JJ and I were still planning on having a real wedding. But in the meantime, for all of us, we were just working. Together. And when we weren't running charters, we were catching dinner. Or, growing it. And, maybe growing some other things.. 

It was all of us. Together. Well, most of the time. It was like what we had on the island, but even better. It was home. Treasure hunting was in the past. Dead and buried. We were gonna live the good life. The simple life. We had everything that we needed. But what we didn't know at the time, was that nothing ever stands still. And there were some dark secrets hidden in the marsh.

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John B wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tightly. "I missed you!" He laughs, spinning around. JJ and I are greeted with hugs and laughs from everyone as we come through the front door. "One long honeymoon huh?" Sarah laughs as she hugs me. "Had a little fun," I shrug with a wink. "How's the business doing?" JJ asks after the excitement dies down. No one answers, and Pope frowns a little bit.

"What is it?" I ask, trying to read all of their faces. "There was a storm," Pope nods. "Just last night. The fuse box is busted," Pope says. "And that means...?" JJ asks. "Without the live bait, the fisherman won't come and there goes half our business right there," John B sighs. "We have enough profit to cover it, but barely, just barely," Pope says, stressing his words. "And it's still not enough, the last of our gold is for property taxes," Pope says.

"He's saying that we're all gonna have to tighten up," John B explains. "Yes, no more $600 in gas chasing tarpon up the gulf," Pope says. "Woah, woah, that's my job!" JJ says, throwing his hands up. "We were chasing a bait board!" John B complains. "No more $200 in heirloom tomato seeds," Pope tells Kiara. Everyone starts to go into a frenzy. "What about my imported peppers?" Cleo asks. "Those peppers gotta go too baby," Pope tells her. 

"I need to run the charters!" JJ shouts. "It's not the tomatoes fault!" Sarah yells. "No, hey, guys!" Pope screams. "If the business starts failing, the sharks start circling, alright?" Pope yells. "And we don't even know if your dad is coming back," Pope tells JJ. "Yea well it's not his anymore," JJ rolls his eyes. "Doesn't matter," Pope says firmly. "What's he gonna think when he sees all this?" Pope asks. 

"Listen, if we wanna save this place, we skinny up until the business gets afloat again. Okay?" Pope says. We did it. We recreated Poguelandia on Kildare. We built it, and worked it, and lived together just like we had dreamed of. And I know we should've been more careful. We should've saved. But, come on, how long were we really gonna stay out of trouble?

We hear a knock on the door and we all turn. JJ quirks an eyebrow at me. "Hello?" A strong feminine voice echoes through the door. "I was told I could find John B and y/n Routledge here?" The voice asks kindly. John B and I look at each other, worried. "Do we open it?" I mouth, looking at Pope. John B shrugs. "Hello?" Another knock. "Come in," Kie says hesitantly. "Door's open, we're here!" She yells. 

The hinges squeak as the door is pushed open and a tall woman steps through. It takes me a second, but suddenly I recognize the features from a photo I have by my bed. I hesitate. 

"Mom?"