Last First Kiss | JJ Maybank OBX

7. Birthday (part 3)

This chapter contains mature sexual content.

The first thing I notice when we pull up to the Wreck is the giant banner that says "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" in rainbow letters. I can't keep the smile off my face as JJ and I make our way into the restaurant, seeing colored streamers everywhere and the workers wearing party hats. JJ holds my hand as we make our way outside, where I am greeted with my best friends.

Pope and Kie are standing by the table that's decorated half-rainbow and half-blue for John B and I. I could never pick just one favorite color growing up, so I chose rainbow. John B is boring and chose blue. I figure Kie and Sarah came up with the idea to do half and half, knowing Pope and JJ wouldn't have done anything. The boys would have ordered a cake and called it a day. As JJ and I approach the table, Pope and Kie spread their arms out and shout "Ta-da!" and "Surprise!".

JJ smiles and lets go of my hand, walking ahead of me to hug the couple. I look to the other side of the table to see John B and Sarah share a quick kiss before returning back to reality. I can't not smile at them, they're so in love. I hug Sarah, whispering in her ear a quick "thank you", knowing she played a role in the planning of all this. She hugs me tighter as a 'you're welcome', before letting go and kissing my cheek. I turn to John B and hold my arms out for him to come and hug me. He rolls his eyes but hugs me nonetheless.

"Happy birthday, sis. I'm so happy you're home. I love you," John B says, pulling away from our hug but keeping me in his arms to look at me. I feel my eyes start to water as he continues, "the past few years on our birthday have felt... off. But everything feels whole again with you here."

I wipe the tears away and nod in agreement, "thank you for saying that, JB. I never want to experience our birthday without you ever again. I love you too." He pulls me into another hug, where we stay for a few minutes until Pope yells at us to come and sit down. We let go of each other and take a seat at the table, where John B sits next to Sarah and I sit next to JJ. We're all smiling and laughing in our own conversations until Kie stands up to make a toast.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say how much we love you guys. The past 4 years haven't been the same without you two together. Now that you're reunited, everything is right in the world," Kie says, and all of us smile and agree. "John B, you're the rock that holds this group together. You make us crazy but you also keep us going. We don't tell you enough how much we love you, but we do. Even when you're sticking your tongue down Sarah's throat 24/7," she laughs as John B flips her off. "Olivia, you bring comfort, support, and love to all of us in ways that we have never felt before. You're the most genuine and good person and you inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. We never want to experience life without you ever again, we love you too much," Kie lets a tear slip when saying this, and I stand up to give her a quick hug and wipe the tear away before sitting back down. JJ grabs my hand, and I smile at him before looking back at Kie. "Basically we fucking love you guys. Happy birthday, you legal idiots!" She finishes, and we all applaud her speech, then start our own conversations amongst the table.

I turn to JJ and notice we're still holding hands, but neither of us pulls apart. "You know what Kie said is true, right?" he asks, earning a confused look from me, so he continues. "I never want to experience life without you," he says, and I use my other hand to mess with his hair.

"I'm never leaving you. I pinky promise," I hold out my pinky, latching it with his and sealing it with a kiss. He looks nervous all of a sudden, and he begins to say something when John B stands up, gaining everyone's attention.

"What is he doing here? Did you invite him?" John B asks, looking directly at me.

I look at him confused, "what are you talking about? I didn't invite anyone here."