saltwater | outer banks

15| a scapegoat

"WHAT WAS GOING ON in those big heads of y'all's? Like, just curious—no judgement."

Venus shrugged and leaned against the checkout counter of Heyward's Seafood, half occupied with a stack of empty grocery bags.

After the whole movie night mishap, she and the Pogues had regrouped and gotten some much needed rest, most of them lounging into the afternoon until Pope called them up to help at his family's shop.

The only warning she'd given for her whereabouts was a quick and short text to Jaxon, advising him not to wait up and not to worry (she'd spend the night at Kiara's, because for some reason, John B was MIA). Surprisingly, she'd only gotten a thumbs up in response. She expected Jax to try to talk to her, considering how their mom would be returning in a few days, and the celebration dinner plans needed to be finalized. But she didn't complain.

The girl wanted to put off that interaction for as long as she could, though. While she wasn't upset with him anymore, there was still a simmer of annoyance whenever he popped into her head. Every time she remembered the remark he made at the auto shop, a small pit formed in her stomach. Ask your little Kook boyfriend what he recommends.

She didn't want to.

After last night, Venus wasn't sure that the first thing she wanted to talk to Rafe about was restaurant recommendations. There were so many things that she didn't know how to navigate and handle when it came to him. The last thing she wanted to talk about was his opinion on Figure Eight's food.

"Even if you were judging, I don't think you'd have any room to, JJ," she shot back, breathing out a laugh. "You pointed a gun at him," she whispered over to him.

"It was like instinct, right?" Pope spoke up. "I felt like a cornered animal, dude."

"Yeah. Something just, like, snapped," she agreed, passing a few grocery bags to Kiara as she cashed out a customer.

"I admit, the movie night wasn't the best idea," Kie chimed in. "But you guys"—she pointed between Pope and JJ—"should've still told me what was up."

"Why just us? Blame Venus, too. She knew what happened," JJ retorted, attempting to juggle some oranges he found.

The blonde girl scoffed as Kie threw an arm around her shoulders. The latter opened her mouth to speak up and defend her statement, but Pope's dad interrupted them.

Heyward's face was pulled together as he walked inside, worried creased into his forehead and between his brows.

"Uh, Pope?" He looked to his son. "You got someone here to see you."

Deputy Shoupe of the Kildare Police Department followed behind him on cue, hands rested on his utility belt.

Pope's body went rigid. "Evening, officer."

Venus frowned. Although she'd never been much trouble to the cops compared to JJ or John B, she'd had her fair share of warnings and run-ins with Shoupe and a few others over the last couple years. Most of the deputies and the sheriff liked her mother, so they didn't mess with her too much.

"I have an arrest warrant for felony destruction of property," he announced, his face pulled into a flat line. He set a singular piece of paper on the counter and made a move towards Pope. "Keep your hands on the counter where I can see 'em."