P4L | Outer Banks | JJ Maybank

Goblin Mode

"Any idea what's in the back?" John B sassed as soon as they were pulling away from Mike and his goons.

"Yes, John B, I know what's in the back of the truck right now, and it's gonna be fine!" JJ sassed. "It's gonna work out, okay?"

"I am sick of your bullshit plans, man," John B retorted.

"Goddammit."

"No, I'm just saying this might actually top the time you told me to fake appendicitis in jail," John B said.

Cory turned to JJ with a look. "That was your plan?"

"It almost worked!" JJ responded.

John B reached down, pulling out the map. He began to flip it around, trying his best to make some sense of it.

"Alright, we need to get to 158," John B said, just as JJ reached to grab onto the map. "This one, man. You just ripped it out."

"Jesus christ," JJ mumbled, placing the map over the steering wheel. His eyes began to scan it as he read. "There it is. It's gonna be a nice–"

"Cop," John B said, immediately putting Cory on edge. "JJ, JJ, there's a cop."

JJ finally looked up, spotting the cop on the side of the road just ahead of them.

"Shit," JJ mumbled, beginning to move the map down into the side of the doorway.

"Okay, play it cool," John B said.

"No, you're not cool."

"I'm super cool."

Cory sighed. "You guys are gonna be the death of me."

"I'm as cool as it gets," JJ mumbled. Then, much to Cory's dismay, he was lifting his hand in a nervous wave.

"What are you doing?" she snapped. "Don't do that."

"I'm just gonna wave."

"Don't do that," John B snarked.

But then they were passing by the officer. He looked over at them, and through the open window, JJ lifted his hand up.

"JJ," John B mumbled.

"Hi officer," JJ said with a grin, lifting his hand in his practiced wave.

But then, John B was reaching over top of Cory in order to slam JJ's hand down.

Cory was jostled around in between the two boys as the truck swerved, and they went right off the side of the road, definitely catching the attention of the officer.

But a second later, JJ was pulling back onto the road. "Why'd you touch me?!" he snapped.

"Don't wave at cops!" John B snarled. "Rule number one of driving a U-Haul!"

Cory placed her head in her hands. "Five minutes," she mumbled. "We've been in the car for five minutes."

"He's getting in," JJ reported.

"Okay, just act very calm," John B ordered.

But then the sound of an engine roared and the sirens came. Cory remained still, her head in her hands.

"Shit, he's coming! He's coming!" JJ cried out. "Shit! Dammit! Dude, goblin mode, alright? We gotta lose him, okay?"

Cory finally looked up, her face incredulous. "Goblin mode?" She spat. "Goblin mode? What is that, Jay?"

"What does that even mean, JJ?" John B added on top of Cory's concerns.

"That's what we gotta do!" JJ was yelling. "Hang on! Hang on! I got this!"