I roll over with a groan, waking up to the sound of my alarm at 3AM. I want nothing more than to go back to bed, but I know that my brother would either drag me out or pour freezing cold water on me. I rub my tired eyes, sitting up and reaching over to turn off my alarm.
Since I am already in suitable attire for a fishing trip, JJ's sweatshirt with a bikini underneath, I just roll out of bed. I walk over to my brother's room that is connected to mine, realizing that he is not there. I roll my eyes, coming to the assumption that he is with Sarah in her room. He's so stupid, he's bound to get caught one of these nights.
I walk downstairs, plastering a smile on my face as I notice Ward packing a cooler with food and drinks from the kitchen.
"Good morning." He greets once he notices my presence.
"Morning." I take a seat on one of the stools at the counter.
"How'd you sleep?" He makes conversation.
"Didn't get much." I answer honestly.
"Well that's because you just got home three hours ago." He laughs and my eyes widen. "I see everything, Jules." He jokes.
"Won't happen again?" I say with a nervous smile, but it comes out as more of a question.
"What won't happen again?" John B comes down the spiral staircase, finally joining us.
"Your sister's boyfriend dropping her off at midnight." Ward answers for me.
"You were with JJ last night?" John B questions curiously.
"Yeah, he was at the Chateau." I nod, leaving out the hot tub details.
"All right, let's get going." Ward grabs the cooler off the counter, having finished packing. "Oh, you know what? I have to grab something quick, you two head out to The Druthers and I'll be there in a minute." He mentions before walking off in another direction.
John B and I just shrug and head out to the boat.
"So, how's Sarah?" I ask, raising my eyebrows at the boy.
"She's, uh, she's good." He smiles at the thought of the girl.
"What about JJ? He okay after going off the rails?" He turns the question on me.
"He will be." I respond quietly, looking out towards the water as we finally reach the dock. "He got into it with his dad. Almost killed him."
"Jeez." John B speaks, not knowing what else to say.
"Yeah." I nod. The two of us board the large boat that belonged to the Cameron family, known as The Druthers.
John B begins to string some fishing line while I look around the fancy boat. It was like a house, there was a couch and a kitchen area. There were different levels to it too. I walk back out onto the deck to join my brother and wait for Ward.
"Look at you already hard at work!" Ward observes, setting his stuff down on the dock. "I love it!" He smiles at John B.
"Yes sir!" My brother calls back.
"Are you ready?" He begins to load the stuff onto the boat with my brother's help.
"Yeah." John B answers, moving to help Ward. The two grunt, lifting the heavy cases onto the boat.
"You got it?" Ward checks. "All right, big man." He nods at my brother.
"Guffy said he got into it pretty good just north of Big Rock." John B informs the man.
YOU ARE READING
Devotion | Outer Banks
Hayran Kurgude·vo·tion (noun) love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause. ~ They've weathered good times and bad. But for five tight-knit teens, a hunt for millions in lost gold means rough seas ahead. ~ JJ x O.C.
