Hearing the sounds of a rooster crowing Adilynne groaned at the thumping in her head, "What the fuck is that?" she muttered, pulling the pillow over her head. Nobody she knew owned a rooster yet she could hear it clear as day. "His name is JJ junior," came a voice directly next to her. Screaming Adilynne bolted upright onto her knees blinking rapidly as her vision cleared to JJ sitting on the bed next to her in a very unfamiliar room. Grabbing her pounding head Adilynne moaned, "Where the hell am I?" she questioned. "You're at John B's. Water and Tylenol on the end table next to you for what I can only assume is a bitch of a hangover," JJ answered as he continued to look at his phone. Slowly as to not jolt her already pounding head Adilynne crawled back to the top of the bed and reached for the Tylenol and bottle of water.
After taking the pills with the water she went to put the bottle back on the table when JJ interrupted her, "Nope drink the whole thing. You gotta flush an entire bottle of wine out," he instructed. Sighing Adilynne leaned back against the headboard as she drank the water. Looking over his shoulder she scoffed, "Is that my phone?" she questioned as he continued playing on what she now realized wasn't his phone. "Yeah, you have better games," he answered, "Your mom texted this morning. You'll be happy to know you had a great time sleeping at Kie's last night," he informed her.
Rubbing her head Adilynne let out another moan at the pounding in her head. "I've got a couple hours before work if you want to take a shower. May help your head," JJ suggested, finally looking up at her. Sighing Adilynne nodded before finally taking notice of what she was wearing. Her dress had been replaced with a Kildaire Island Pelican Marina t-shirt that was most definitely not hers. Glancing at the boy lounging next to her in just a pair of cargo shorts, Adilynne sucked in a breath, "Please tell me we didn't?" she started to ask before stopping and motioning between the two unable to put it into words. Laughing JJ shook his head, "No but not for lack of trying on your part. I did get a good show out of it though. Who knew little miss innocent had so much lace under her clothes," he told her, winking.
Smacking his shoulder Adilynne's face flushed, "Oh my god shut up," she told him as he continued laughing. Sliding off the bed Adilynne picked her dress up off the floor before glancing at the closed bedroom door, "I can't believe I have to do the walk of shame and I didn't even do anything," she muttered causing JJ to laugh harder as he stood up. "Well now that your sober if you're still wondering if sex works as a distraction I'd be more then willing to be your test subject," he told her smiling widely. Rolling her eyes Adilynne bit her lip to keep from smiling, "You're so self sacrificing." "Just letting you know my services are available," JJ told her, walking around the bed to open the door, "Come on, I'll show you where the bathroom is. And don't worry no one is here right now to witness your fall from grace," he laughed walking out of the room.
After her shower Adilynne slipped her dress back on neatly folding the borrowed t-shirt and placing it on the bed before slipping her shoes on. Walking down the hall she found JJ sitting on the couch in the living room. "Feel better?" he asked. "A little," she answered, "Ummm…..you work at the Island Hotel, right?" she asked. "You stalking me, Princess?" he asked, smirking at her. "No, of course not," she answered indignantly, "I just remember seeing you there at the restaurant," she told him, "Anyway since you have to go there would you be interested in getting breakfast?" she asked, chewing nervously on the inside of her cheek.
"You asking me on a date? What would your kook friends think?" JJ teased. Rolling her eyes Adilynne scoffed, "It's not a date. It's a thank you for making sure I didn't throw up on myself last night. You didn't have to help me," she reminded him. Studying the girl in front of him JJ finally nodded, "Alright," he agreed standing up, "I'm not one to pass up free food," he told her as he held the door open for her to walk out of the house. "Shouldn't you lock the door?" she questioned, following him to where his bike sat. "Nah, John B has an open door policy here at the Chateau," he answered, swinging his leg over to straddle the bike, "So which is it today, fast or slow?" JJ asked, as Adilynne settled on the bike behind him. "I like it fast," she answered, wrapping her arms around him.
Taking a seat at the table Adilynne thanked the hostess as she handed over a menu. Watching the flirtatious look she sent JJ Adilynne arched her eyebrows at him, "One of your conquests?" she asked once the girl walked away. Scoffing JJ shook his head, "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole. She's gone through most of the hotel staff and I hear she'll screw anything with a dick," he told her. Looking at him in disbelief Adilynne laughed, "Not to be rude but I've heard the rumors about you," she stated. Shrugging JJ looked over his menu, "Not all rumors are based on truth. Most are fabricated lies," he told her simply. Blinking, Adilyne glanced around the restaurant noticing several heads turned their way, "Doesn't it bother you?" she asked.
Looking up from the menu JJ was about to answer when the waiter appeared at their table, "Hi, guys my name is," "Andrew," JJ interrupted greeting the waiter. Startled Andrew actually looked at the couple at the table, "Hey man. Wasn't expecting to see you on this side," Andrew said as he and JJ did some weird handshake. Smiling JJ glanced at Adilynne, "Yeah, man, we're on a date," he laughed when Adilynne kicked him under the table. "It's not a date," she told him, rolling her eyes. "Don't mind her she's still drunk from last night," JJ told Andrew, "Adilynne this is Andrew, Andrew Adilynne," JJ introduced them with a wave of his hand.
Holding out her hand Adilynne shook the boys hand, "Nice to meet you," she said simply. Cocking his head Andrew looked down at the girl, "Your Sheriff Carver's daughter," he commented, "Hey, uh, sorry to hear about your dad," Andrew told her awkwardly. Smiling tightly Adilynne simply nodded. "Hey, so I only got like 40 minutes before my shift so let me get the Hungry Man Special with the pancakes, eggs over easy, bacon, home fries, and white toast, coffee, and if you can slide us a couple of mimosas that would be awesome," JJ cut in, "What about you, Addie? You want the french toast special?" he asked. Nodding Adilynne told Andrew to add bacon instead of the sausage links, "And I'll take an orange juice. Thank you," she said handing her menu back to him. "Alright I'll be back with your drinks," Andrew told them before walking away.
Biting her lip Adilynne looked at the boy across from her, "How did you know I like french toast?" she asked quietly. Fidgeting with his napkin JJ shrugged, "Your dad mentioned it one time." Smiling Adilynne studied the boy across from her, "Do I want to know why you and my dad were discussing my favorite breakfast item?" "It wasn't anything weird," JJ answered, "He was telling me how you like to cook and stuff and that you're going to culinary school to become some famous chef," he told her. Biting the inside of her cheek Adilynne sighed, "He always tried anything I made even if it was gross." Looking at her JJ smirked, "Well if you find yourself in need let me remind you I won't say no to sex or free food."
Before Adilynne could respond Andrew was back with their drinks. Setting two champagne glasses, filled with the Island Hotel's signature mimosas, down along with their orange juice and coffee Andrew looked at them both, "Keep that on the down low," he whispered before walking away. Glancing around the dining area at several heads still turned their way Adilynne scoffed, "I don't think that's possible with all the eyes we have on us," she said, rolling her eyes. Snorting JJ apologized, "They're probably wondering what the hell you're doing being seen with me," he told her. Shaking her head Adilynne picked up the champagne glass, "No I've been getting the looks all week. It's like everyone on this fucking island is waiting for me to either become a hysterical mess or slit my wrists and off myself like my dad," she told him bitterly before draining half the glass. Placing the glass down on the table Adilynne shook her head, "Sorry that was a little morbid," she apologized.
Quickly draining his champagne flute JJ shrugged, "No need to apologize. I've got no judgement for anything you've been feeling and dealing with this last week," he assured her. "You're like the only one then," she told him laughing sarcastically, "It's like everyone expects me to be the same person I was 8 days ago and I just can't be." "That why you decided taking down an entire bottle of wine would be a good idea? That's certainly something 8 day ago you wouldn't have done," he asked. Chewing on the inside of her cheek Adilynne debated on how to explain herself and wondering why she felt comfortable even discussing this with him when Andrew appeared once again this time with their food.
Eyeing the amount of food in front of JJ Adilynne gave him a smile raising her eyebrows at him, "Are you really going to eat all of that?" she questioned. Pouring syrup on his pancakes JJ nodded smiling widely, "I'm a growing boy," he told her before cutting a pancake and shoving a piece in his mouth. Laughing Adilynne shook her head before dumping syrup on her French toast and digging into her breakfast. For the first time in over a week she actually felt hungry.
The two were steadily eating while discussing school, surfing and her love for cooking amongst other things. True to his word JJ had put a solid dent in his hungry man special when they were interrupted. "Adilynne, hey where did you go yesterday?" asked the voice of Sarah Cameron, as she stopped beside their table. Looking up at the girl Adilynne plastered a smile on her face, "Hi Sarah I just went out for some air," she answered.
Looking between the two at the table Sarah furrowed her brow in confusion, "I called your cell after leaving your house but you didn't answer so then I tried your house. Your mom said you were staying with Kiara. I didn't know you were even friends with her," Sarah commented. Blinking Adilynne kept the smile on her face, "Well I met her through JJ," Adilynne answered, waving at the boy across from her, "we got to talking last night and since it was late she was super sweet and offered for me to stay. Did you need anything specific since you were calling?" Adilynne asked.
"Hey, Sarah why don't you take my seat," JJ interrupted before Sarah could answer. Turning her gaze from the girl standing next to the table to the boy pushing his chair back and standing Adilynne felt disappointed that he was leaving, "You didn't finish your breakfast," she reminded him. Smiling JJ grabbed his plate, "I'll eat the rest later my shift's gonna start soon. Overall a good first date," he told her winking. Rolling her eyes Adilynne repeated it wasn't a date. "Whatever you say," JJ responded kissing her cheek swiftly, "See ya Addie," he whispered before heading towards the side kitchen door.
Adilynne was so busy watching the cheeky blonde disappear she forgot about Sarah who had taken JJ's vacate seat until she heard her clear her throat. Turning back to her friend Adilynne stuffed a piece of French toast in her mouth as Sarah smiled at her, "What was that?" Sarah asked. Swallowing Adilynne took a sip of her orange juice before answering, "What was what?" she questioned innocently. Scoffing Sarah rolled her eyes, "Don't play dumb. Since when do you have breakfast dates with JJ Maybank? And while you're at it you can tell me where you really were last night because I'm not buying the Kiara story," the blonde told her, raising her eyebrows.
Sighing Adilynne relented, "Fine. JJ gave me a ride from the cemetery yesterday and invited me to hang out with him. I wasn't going to but I started feeling smothered in the house with everyone so I left and found myself at John B's where they all hang out. And I didn't completely lie. I did see Kiara last night," Adilynne answered stubbornly. Eyes wide Sarah sucked in a breath, "Did you sleep with him?" Choking on the orange juice she'd just drank Adilynne coughed, "No, I mean well yes but not in the way you think. I took a bottle of wine from the house and was completely drunk by the time I got there. I spent the night at John B's after I assume I passed out. JJ was the only one there this morning," she said with a shrug.
"Adilynne, that's not like you," Sarah commented looking at her concerned. Holding her hand up Adilynne sighed, "Please don't. I know you mean well just like everyone who showed up yesterday but this last week I've literally felt dead inside. Like I hear what people are saying and I know they're sad too but if one more person tells me how sorry they are I'm going to lose my mind. I can't explain it, Sarah, but being on the back of JJ's bike was the first time I felt like I could breathe. This morning was the first time I felt actually hungry," she explained motioning to the table full of dirty dishes, "I know it sounds crazy. I hardly know him and maybe that's why it was easier to be around him. He doesn't have any expectations of how I'm supposed to be so I feel like I don't have to put on an act." Studying the girl across from her Sarah noticed a tiny spark in her eyes that had all been extinguished a week ago, "Adilynne you know I'm here for you. You don't have to pretend with me. I know the circumstances are completely different but I remember how I felt when my mom died. I can't fully understand but I'm willing to listen to anything," Sarah assured her. Smiling Adilynne nodded, "I know. I just need to feel normal," she told her quietly.
"Well hello ladies. You just about finished here?" JJ asked, appearing at the table dressed in his busboy uniform pushing a bin of dirty dishes. Smiling up at the boy Adilynne laughed, "I think we're done here. Do you mind grabbing Andrew for the check?" she asked. "It's taken care of, Princess," JJ told her, clearing the plates into the bin. Furrowing her eyebrows Adilynne shook her head, "JJ, I said I'd pay to thank you," she reminded him. Shrugging JJ smirked at her, "Couldn't have you paying on the first date. What kind of gentlemen would I be," he told her winking, "You can pick up the tab on the next one," he called over his shoulder as he wheeled the cart away. "Oh my god you're totally smitten," Sarah laughed watching Adilynne smile as JJ walked away. Blinking Adilynne looked at Sarah rolling her eyes, "I am not. I barely know him."