Remember When {JJ Maybank}

15

“No-effing-way!” Kie yelled out as she walked in front of the couch with Sarah Cameron sitting on it. Maggie sat on JJ’s lap, arm splayed around his shoulder, fingers playing with the tips of his hair.

“You brought her here? So what? She’s in on this now?” Kie asked as she shook with anger. 

“Look, all I care about is her cut comes out of your share.” Maggie gave JB an apologetic look, placing her hand over JJ’s mouth.

“You know, I don’t remember taking a vote. This is our thing. A Pogue thing.” Out of all the years Maggie knew Kie, she had never seen this girl so angry in her life.

“I gotta say, I’m just a tad uncomfortable with all of this.” Pope spoke up from his spot, earning praise from Kie.

“When are you not uncomfortable?”

“I dunno. I rode here on the back of JJ’s bike pretty comfortably.” Pope defended himself, “It’s true. Most relaxed I’ve ever seen him.” The boy next to him admitted. 

“You know we were all extremely comfortable until you brought her.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here!” Sarah argued from the couch, “then leave.” 

“I feel like we’re on the show Jerry Springer or some shit.” Maggie thought out loud, earning a soft chuckle from Pope who covered it with a cough before Kie could yell at him.

Sarah scoffed as she faced John B, “I told you.”

“Told him what, exactly? That you’re a liar?”

“No that you’re a shit talking bitch.” Sarah snapped. 

“Oh shit.” The group to the side mumbled to each other. “Don’t tell me you guys are making a bet.” Maggie whispered as the boys pulled out money. “Okay fine then we won’t tell you.” JJ grinned, sending her a wink.

“Everybody shut up!” JB yelled, an uncomfortable silence fell upon the group. 

“Kie, you’re my best friend, right?” Earning a nod from the girl, “and Sarah, you’re… you’re my…” “Say it.” “You’re my girlfriend.”

“Oh… that’s new.” Pope muttered under his breath. 

“She’s your girlfriend now? What was all that talk about you just using her for information? Get a map, cut her loose.” Kie brought up, JB scratching his forehead at her words. 

“You said you were using me?” Sarah asked him. “No.” “Yeah, you did.” Everyone spoke up, correcting him. “Okay look, love just walked in, okay? I didn’t expect it, it just- it kind of happened. And I’m not gonna deny it. Right?”

“Oh! That’s corny.“ Pope retched, JJ fist bumping him.

“Look, cut the bullshit, John B. If she’s in, I’m out.” “Kie I’m not doing this. I can’t.” JB spoke softly as he watched Kie’s eyes fill with tears. 

“You are gonna decide. I’m very interested, actually. Me or her?” 

“Both.” 

“Oh boy.” 

Kie stomped away from the group, slamming the patio door open before walking off to the docks. JJ rubbed his hand up and down Maggie’s arm as everyone didn’t speak.

“It’ll be cool, right? I’m gonna leave. Let y'all chat. Just, let me know.” Sarah stood up from her spot, walking away from the. Maggie waited a few seconds before standing up. “One of you go talk to Kie,” she pointed between JJ and Pope, “and you,” she faced John B, “Figure out away to make this work.”

“Sarah!” Maggie called out as the blonde was about to get in her car. “Look if you’re just gonna yell at me-” She sighed, getting interrupted by the brunette, “I’m not here to do that at all. Can I just talk to you really quick?”

She bit the bottom of her lip before sitting on the hood of her car, patting the side next to her. “I don’t know what happened between you and Kie. And I’m not gonna ask about it because I know that’s none of my business. I’m not saying how Kie reacted is right, but I’m also not gonna say it’s wrong. There’s just a lot of shit all of us are dealing with and adding this just stressed everyone out more. It’s not your fault, I know that. I see the way JB looks at you, I saw his facial expressions whenever you got brought up. He’s not using you, he caught feelings and we all see that. I know I’m just rambling now but I hope you get my point.” Maggie finished, exhaling a breath.

Sarah softly grinned at the girl. “That did make me feel a little better, but thank you for coming to talk to me.” Maggie nodded her head as she jumped off the hood of her car.

“Wait! Maggie…” She turned around to face Sarah, “John B told me about what Rafe and Topper did to you and Pope… and I'm so sorry.” She trailed off.

“Oh. Yeah uh, thanks.” She mumbled, kicking the dirt around her shoes. “I know you probably hate me, which I understand-” Maggie furrowed her eyebrows together, “I don’t hate you for that. You’re not your brother, I get that.” Sarah jumped down from the car and held her arms out waiting for a hug. Maggie gave the girl a tight hug before watching the Kook drive away from the chateau. 

______________♡_____________

“I’m sorry so your plan is to leave Kiara and Sarah in a boat overnight and just hope that one of them doesn't drown the other? Or themselves?” Maggie asked John B as she sat down on the boat's floor, watching the boys dismantle the motor.

“Yes ma’am.” JB beamed proudly, “and Sarah is trapped in the compartment down there?” Maggie asked. “Yup yup.” 

“If this doesn’t work, both of them are cutting your dick off, I’m just saying that now.” Standing up in her spot, she adjusted her bathing suit top. JJ’s eyes scanned over her body, but his eyes were immediately drawn to her face as he watched the sunlight illuminate it. Everytime he looked at her, he felt like they were the only two people. A feeling that he was happily getting used to.

“What happened?” Kie asked the trio as she stepped onto the boat. “Uh, the alternator’s not uh, altering anymore.” 

“It’s not charged.” JB lied. “Did you check the plugs?”  “No, you should check them.” Maggie said as she moved out of the girls way. As Kie bent down to check it, the trio ran off the dock and jumped into the water, swimming to Pope's boat. 

“Shit my strings untied.” Maggie said as JJ pulled himself into the boat, holding one hand out for her to grab. She held the fabric over her chest as he easily pulled her in, covering her in the corner as she tied the strings together again.

“I’m good, thanks J.” She beamed at the boy who bowed for her, “anything for you my lady.” 

“Get your asses back here!” Kie screamed at the group on the other boat. “Maggie? Come on!” Sarah yelled aside of Kie, who gave her a questioning look. “Sorry guys! It was a 3-1 vote.” She lied. 
 
“There’s food in the cabin, and JJ rolled a blunt.” 

The crew drove away, “Love you guys! Bye!” JJ yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth. “Speaking of blunts, when we get back wanna light up?” The blond whispered into Maggie’s ear, wrapping his arms around her waist. 

“Is that even a question?”