Outer Banks ~ JJ Maybank

<26>

"I'm worried about John B." "Me too." JJ said, as we were swinging in the hammock the next day. "I mean, anyone on this whole island could tell you that John B isn't a killer." "They would say the same thing about Rafe Cameron." "Yeah. And they also wouldn't say he is an ass who is always high on coke." "Coke? Really?" "Oh yeah." "And how to you know?" "When he was running away both times we threatened to shoot him, as he ran away, a bag of coke fell out of his pocket. I have them stored in my closet." "What!" "Yeah." "Okay, that's crazy. By my standards." "I never did a line or anything. I just took them because I could." "You are crazy." "I know." We heard a car pulling onto the gravel driveway and we turned to see who it was. "Oh my god.The cops. For real." "I got this." I said getting up and walking over to the cop car. "Can I help you?" "Yes. I'm officer Redfeild. Are you Gabriela Routledge?" "Yes ma'am. That's me." "I'm form the SBI, we have reason to believe that your brother, John, is hiding here." "Well, he sin't. Have a nice day." I said walking away. "Who is that over there?" "My boyfriend." "And his name is..." "JJ Maybank." "Okay, well, I'm gonna have to bring you both down to headquarters and ask you a few questions about your brother."

"Thank you both so much." "Sorry we couldn't be more help." "It's fine." "Oh my god! JJ. Gabbie. Hey." Sarah said running over to us and hugging me. "Sarah. Hi." I said, hugging her back. "What are you guys doing here?" "We had to come for questioning. We weren't much help. You know, after all the stuff went down about me and JJ and the baby." "Oh yeah. I'm so sorry about how he reacted." "It's fine." I said, relieved that she went along with it. "How's Vlad?" JJ asked abruptly. I looked at him, very confused. "Vlad is good. He is staying in a new house on Figure 8. Fresh of the market." "Who's Vlad?" Officer Redfeild asked. "Just one of our friends from the island." JJ said. "Do you think he knows anything about this Routledge kid. "No." JJ and Sarah both said quickly. "But I do have some information on it. Who should I talk to about that?" "I guess you can come with me." "Sarah! There you are!" Ward said, walking over to us with a few officers with him. "Dad. What are you doing here?" "Looking for you. Oh, Gabbie, JJ. Nice to see you both." "You too." We said with a nod. Sarah's dad started to try to get her to come with him. "Hold on Dad. Let me say goodbye to mt friends first." She hugged me and whispered, "138 Pearlcrest Drive. Key is in the green pot," to JJ and followed her Dad. "Well, I don't know about you but I think we should pay Vlad a little visit."

"Okay, who the fuck is Vlad? And why does it say this house is for sale?" "You'll know him when you see him." JJ said grabbing the key and unlocking the door. We stepped inside a mostly empty house with no lights on. "Vlad? Hey man. It's JJ and Gabbie." He looked at me and nudged me. "Vlad? It's Gabbie." We saw a head pop out from the landing on the stairs. "Holy shit!" I exclaimed, running up the stairs and hugging John B. "Did you not know it was me?" "I forgot about the Vlad shit. It was a lot less important to me than you would think. But we aren't gonna talk about that right now. It's so goo to see you. And alive at that." I said hugging him again. "Thanks." "Dude, they have the island under martial law. Why did you run?" "Who are the cops gonna believe, rich white guy or poor teenage kid." "True. But I could go and expose myself as a witness and clear your name. But then that would also undo every lie I told to that cop and that SBI officer." "Whoa, what?" "Oh yeah. I lied to several law officials." "What did you tell them."

"All I'm worried about is if all this bullshit goes on for a few more months she isn't gonna be able to use that lie anymore." "Well I might be able to keep it up if you start fucking up big time. You dd everything you were supposed to do on your end right?" "As much as I could do. Yes." "I'm sorry. What are we talking about." "Nothing." JJ said brushing it off. "We did it." "Gabbie!" "Congrats!" "What?" "I knew it was a matter of time. But JJ, if you get her pregnant, I'll kill you. But not until I punch you in the throat." "Don't mock me." "He had a rough day that day." "I spent 25k on a bunch of shit I didn't need." "At least we have a generator and a cool ass hot tub." "It's nice to see your priorities JJ." "I was not in the right mind set dude." "Okay." John B said with a laugh.

"Okay, so you are clear on the plan?" "Yes. Meet you guys with the boat at 6:30 tomorrow and you'll have the gas for it and everything?" "Yeah." "Okay." John B said with a nod. "See you then dude." JJ said shaking John B's hand and walking away. "Try not to get killed or caught. And if you do get caught, call me please." "Will do." "It was so god to see your face." I said hugging him. "It was good to see your face too." He said messing with my hair. "See you tomorrow at 6:30." "See ya." I said running to catch up with JJ. "So, how are we gonna get the keys to your old man's boat?" "Wow. No, 'Thanks JJ for letting me see my brother. You are the best boyfriend ever.'" "Thank you. Now, how the fuck are you gonna get those keys." "I have no idea. But I;m still gonna try."