𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 || 𝐉𝐉 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎

        LIFE ON THE OUTER BANKS comes down to two things: the haves and the have-nots. Kooks versus Pogues. And if you're like us, you don't have much. But what we do have? Each other. Let me introduce you to the crew.

First up, JJ Maybank. The guy's been my ride-or-die since diapers. JJ's a certified troublemaker with a knack for making bad decisions—usually the fun kind. His home life's... complicated, to say the least, but you'd never hear him talk about it. What does he talk about? Avery. Yeah, you'll see what I mean. The guy's had a thing for her since we were like, ten. But don't tell him I said that.

Then there's Pope. The brains of the operation. The one with the most to lose, which makes it hilarious that he's hanging out with us. He's on the scholarship track to get out of here someday—assuming JJ doesn't drag him down first.

Kiara Carrera. Kie. Our activist, chef, and part-time moral compass. She's technically a Kook, but her heart's all Pogue. She'll jump in the water to save you, no questions asked, and then give you hell for needing saving in the first place.

And then there's Avery Street. Avery's been with us since the beginning—before we even called ourselves Pogues. She's smart, gorgeous, and sharper than a fishing hook. The kind of girl who can take down a Kook in an argument and have them thanking her for it. Everyone's got a thing for Avery. JJ tries to play it cool, but he's got it bad. Pope gets all awkward when she's around. Even Kie, who pretends not to care, totally does. And me? Let's just say, I'm not immune either. Avery's the one who makes the whole thing interesting—especially for JJ. But don't tell her that. She'd just smirk and call us idiots.

And then there's me. John B. The guy with the van, the plan, and a half-decent shot at finding something bigger than this little patch of paradise. Together, we're the Pogues, and this is our story.

authors note