[1] Good Trouble - JJ Maybank - Rafe Cameron - (An Outer Banks AU)

Chapter 34

MEANWHILE VIOLET WAS AT THE HOSPITAL

JJ was somewhere he never thought he'd be. Home sweet home.

"I've been staying at John B's." JJ says, seeing his dad. He was sleeping over at Violet's but did everything else at the Chateau. He grabbed some fresh clothes and things for the next couple of days.

"I didn't ask you where you were staying. I don't care. I knew you'd get hungry." His dad says, fixing up a bike.

"That's not why I came back, dad. I got you some money." JJ says.

"I'll believe it when I see it." His dad says going back to fixing the bike. JJ threw the duffel bag of money at him.

"You can finally pay back the loans. We can get back on our feet again." JJ says, full of hope as his father opened the bag to see the money.

"I don't know how you got this. I don't even wanna know- you did it." His dad says, smiling. JJ felt a warmth he hadn't felt in years, his dad was finally proud of him. He was hopeful they would be able to mend their relationship.

"I'll grant you that- you did it. There's beer in the cooler." His dad says, smiling. JJ went over to grab a beer.

"I think that sale's still on at Guffy's of Makos. They're practically giving em away." His dad says, looking for the Ad in the newspaper. The smile on JJ's face was completely wiped off. His dad wasn't going to change. He felt like a fool for thinking that he could ever change.

"Dad's that's for paying off the rest of the loans." JJ says.

"We're gonna tap that, then put a little more in.." His dad was getting caught up in buying things.

"Dad, can you please just do the right thing for once. Okay?" JJ begs.

"You know how much you cost me? You little shit?" His dad asks.

"This ain't going to the bank. I'm gonna take it south- I'm gonna triple it." His dad says.

"Dad!" JJ yells.

"You got something to say?! After everything you've done?!" His dad yells, approaching him. JJ flinches out of reflex.