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Once we made it back to shore, JJ took the wheel of the Twinkie and headed toward Heyward's shop. John B figured he'd help Pope with some deliveries he promised his dad he would do, and with Ward firing him from the Druthers, he felt it was a good way to earn some extra cash and distract himself from the whole Merchant situation. We then dropped Kie off at The Wreck so she could start her shift, and finally, JJ turned back and drove to the Château to drop me off since he had to work at the Island Club later.
As we drove, I stared out the passenger window, lost in my thoughts about everything that had happened, while I could feel JJ's gaze on me occasionally. The car was filled with the soft sounds of 'Sweet Home Alabama' playing on the radio, creating a comfortable silence between us.
A little while later, JJ pulled up on the track just before the front yard of the Château and killed the engine.
"Thank you, JJ," I said, offering him a small smile as I unbuckled my seatbelt and prepared to get out of the Twinkie.
Just as I was about to open the door, JJ's hand wrapped gently around my wrist, halting me. The warmth of his touch ignited a whirlwind of emotions inside me, making my heart race even faster. "Hey, wait a second," he said, his voice tinged with hesitation, and I felt the weight of his gaze on me. I turned to face him, my heart pounding. "I know things have been... weird between us lately," he continued. "I just wanted to say, um, I'm here if you need to talk about it or... anything, really," He slowly released my wrist, his eyes searching mine, as if he was waiting for some kind of sign."
I nodded slowly, my heart still racing. "Thanks, JJ. It really does mean a lot." I took a deep breath and added, "I'll see you later?"
He smiled softly and replied, "You will."
As I stepped out of the Twinkie, I couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me, those blue eyes that always seemed to see right through me. I closed the door and turned back for a moment, catching one last glimpse of him before I headed toward the Château. The warmth of his presence faded as I walked away, and I felt a pang of longing in my chest.
It was strange how just a few words could stir such a whirlwind of emotions inside me. I missed the way we used to joke around, the easy banter that had always felt so natural. Now, everything felt charged with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. I sighed softly, wishing for the carefree days we used to share, and hoping that whatever was between us could find its way back.
The gravel crunched beneath my shoes as I walked up the driveway of the château, lost in my own thoughts, so much so that I didn't even notice the police car parked right outside the house. I climbed the steps and stepped onto the porch, heading straight for the front door. Once inside, I grabbed a box of Honey Cheerios sitting on the sideboard.
"Hey, Madison," a familiar voice called from behind me.
"Shi—" I cursed in surprise, spinning around to see our support worker sitting on the couch. "Cheryl! You scared me."
