Temptations - Outerbanks (JJ)

Chapter 3 - What is she doing here

"And this guy who barely had enough money to get by had a Grady white? That doesn't make any sense?" I gasp. "I know"

JJ has just spent the fast few minutes explaining to me that earlier this morning they found a boat in the marsh that has some kind of connection to John B's dad, who I also learned was lost at sea 8 months ago, and we all are going to explore it right now. 

Yes, I meant to say we.

JJ decided that I'm going to tag along with them, despite the fact that I know they won't be very happy with me raiding on their parade.

"So what's the plan?" I ask. 

"Well, we're gonna go back out with scuba gear and check it out" he answers. "Even though you guys were told not to back out there?"

"Mhm"

"ooo sounds like fun" we joke around for a bit before arriving at what JJ called the HMS pogue. It was a simple fishing boat that belonged to John B.

The second JJ's friends had seen me they didn't look too happy. "JJ what are you doing?" Kiara says. "Guys this is Summer..." JJ starts to speak but is interrupted by Pope. "Yeah we know who she is, she was there last night with Topper and the rest of the kooks. She's one of them" 

"Before you judge her. I met her last night before our beautiful run-in with Topper and shes chill you guys. She just moved here from California and is in need of friends... and I mean look at her she's hot" I blush.

"She has friends... she was with them last night JJ" Kiara states. "they aren't my friends..." I speak up for the first time. 

"the only one of them I count as a friend is Sarah. The only time I hang out with them is because Topper drags me around." I say simply. I mean I'm not lying. Topper's friends are assholes who manipulate him into stupid shit.

"Why would Topper drag you with him?" John B asks. "He's her half brother" JJ answers. "Oh just perfect we got the girl version of topper coming with us now," Pope says.

"She's nothing like her brother" JJ argues. "Alright fine, whatever, let's just get out of here" 

JJ  and I climb into the run-down fishing boat and we head to the marsh.    

-

"So, Summer why'd you move all the way out here? Something happens with your old place" John B asks earning a slap on the back of the neck from Pope. "Dude you don't just ask someone that"

"My mom and I had been struggling with money for the past few months and when my father offered to have me more out here she had no other choice than to say yes. With what we had in our accounts we wouldn't make it through September. I didn't want to come at first, suggesting that I could just get another job, but she insisted" I reply.

"wait so you're Toppers half brother," Pope asks and I nod. "...and you guys are almost the same age" I nod again. "How" He finishes.

"Well a few months after Topper's mother, my stepmother, go pregnant, my father had been having occasional affairs with women whenever he'd go on business trips, he had no idea that his wife was pregnant when he slept with my mother. Karma hit him like a Bus. Shortly after he'd found out about Topper's mother's pregnancy, my mother showed up here in outer banks to tell him he was going to be having another child. He wasn't too happy. He told her he wanted nothing to do with me and that she should 'take care of it'. She refused and they decided that he'd send yearly checks but he wasn't going to be involved in my life..." I look up to see everyone looking at me with what looks like either sympathy or pity in their eyes.