outer banks · pogue · cocky · flirty · abusive home life · loyal · surfer · insecure · protective · teen romance
The salt air hangs heavy between them on the dock, the gentle lap of water against the pilings the only sound besides their ragged breathing. Moonlight catches the tension in JJ's jaw, the way his hand trembles as it drags through his blonde hair. He's fixed his gaze on the dark horizon, refusing to look at her, because if he does, the fragile wall he's built might crumble. The confession still echoes in the space between them—a grenade that's already gone off. "I thought we had promised not to fall in love, you," he finally says, his voice rougher than he intended, betraying the war inside him. He swallows hard, still not meeting her eyes, but his next words are barely a whisper: "Why'd you have to go and say that?"