TROUBLE | JJ Maybank

018. An Eye For An Eye

JJ LAUGHED AS he ran down the dock towards the boat "Pope! Dude, you will not believe what just happened to me, man! Whoo, that was the best 100 bucks I've ever made when I say count me in on all these grocery deliveries, Pope, I mean it!" 

JJ sat beside Pope, noticing Pope's lack of reaction.

"What's up with you? Bro, you good?" JJ asked, concerned 

JJ leaned forward, trying to analyse Pope's facial expression. "Yo, what happened to your face, dude?" JJ asked, standing up to get a closer look.

JJ lifted Pope's hat, eyes scanning Pope's bruised face and cut lip "Jesus!" JJ shouted before glancing at Amelia in the corner, her hat covering her face.

"What happened?" JJ asked, looking between Pope and Amelia.

"Rafe and Topper jumped us. They said no Pogues on their of the island," Pope said

"They didn't hurt you, did they?"  JJ gritted his teeth, his face darkening with rage. 'I swear to God, Amelia, if they hurt you—' His voice caught in his throat as if he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

JJ reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin as he attempted to lift her face gently. She flinched, her face hardening, making JJ pause, a mixture of confusion and concern. He froze for a second, his eyes locked on her face like it was the only thing that mattered. He reached for her again, determined to see her face. His hand was less gentle this time, the urgency in his touch evident, his hand betraying his concern. With his other hand, he quickly pulled off her hat, his fingers brushing through her hair as he moved aside. 

JJ's eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth and shook his hand, a surge of fury flowing through him.

"I'm fine, J," Amelia said, her voice low but trembling. She gently took JJ's hand off her face and held it as if trying to comfort him, which was the only way she knew how.

"You're not fine, Millie," JJ muttered through gritted teeth. His hand held hers tightly, conveying his concern while her touch anchored him in that moment.

"What are we gonna do?" JJ asked as he looked between Pope and Amelia, his tone laced with frustration.

Silence hung for a moment, Pope and Amelia exchanging a look. JJ's question still echoed in the air.

"2020, Malibu, 24-MXC," Pope said

"The world's finest wakesetter. Number one in quality, luxury and performance," Amelia said, her voice cold, bitterness curling her words.

"This is war, Pope. They hit us, we hit them," JJ said as he pulled his bandana over his face. "Do it" 

Amelia stood beside JJ, her face cold and unrecognisable as she stared at the boat, anger swarming in her eyes.

JJ put on a pair of sunglasses as Pope dived off the boat. Within seconds, Pope removed the plug from Topper's boat and began swimming back.

"Wow, you did it," JJ said as Pope held up the plug, hanging onto the ladder. "I'm so proud of you right now. Holy crap," JJ said, grinning.

Pope climbed onto the boat, the smile leaving his face as he stared between Amelia and JJ.

"JJ? Mils?" Pope asked

"Yeah?" They said in unison 

"You can't tell anybody," Pope said, looking between the two.

"Oh, no, yeah. Dude," JJ said, nodding.

"Of course not," Amelia said in agreement.

"No, I'm serious, guys. Not Kie, not John B, nobody," Pope clarified