~'No bond is stronger than the one formed during an adventure'-Unknown
"Get outta my house, JJ! You ungrateful little shit, stealing from your old man... I should kill you, boy!"
His ragged black work boots scraped across the uneven dirt road, each step jarring against the ground as loose rocks skittered away, scattering into the thick grass that bordered the path. The crisp night air, sharp with the scent of damp earth and salt, bit at his bare arms, sending a shiver down JJ's spine.
Overhead, the moon cast a silvery glow through the canopy, illuminating his solitary walk. He tightened his grip on the half-empty bottle of beer in his hand, lifting it to his chapped lips for a swig, letting the bitter taste momentarily numb the sharp edges of his thoughts.
His dad was on yet another one of his benders, a whirlwind of anger and addiction that had culminated into a fierce yelling match. The echo of their argument rang in his ears, each harsh word replaying like a cruel soundtrack.
The 'stealing' had been another of his father's twisted accusations, born from a half-finished bottle of prescription pills JJ had tried to hide. When caught, a beer bottle had been smashed against the wall above JJ's head. It wasn't a secret the Luke Maybank had a penchant for violence, often directing his anger and frustration at his son. The many bruises, split lips, and scars were a testament to the countless time he had been on the receiving end of his father's wrath.
The door had slammed behind him as he stormed out, a harsh punctuation to the chaos he'd left behind. Each step away from the house felt like peeling away layers of something suffocating, heavy with years of resentment and frustration. The night air seemed to ease his chest just slightly, though the tension still coiled tight in his stomach.
JJ tugged the faded, beat-up cap off his head, running cold fingers through his messy, tousled blonde hair, before slipping it back on, twisting it backwards with a careless flick. He let out a frustrated sigh, the weariness of the evening settling on him as he lifted the bottle to his lips again, draining the last few sips. He tossed the empty bottle aside, the glass clinking against a nearby rock.
But as the final echo of the bottle's impact faded, another sound suddenly pierced the quiet.A loud, high-pitched yelp instantly followed by a soft giggle. JJ froze mid-step, his head snapping toward the darkened tree line, his brows knitting together in surprise.
Who else would be out here, so far from town...at this time of night.
The sound had an eerie quality to it, something unsettling about it. It felt like something ripped right out of a horror movie—wandering alone in the dark, and hearing a woman's laughter echo through the woods.
Curiosity peaked, he turned on his heel and made his way through the trees and across the marsh, the soft ground squelching beneath his boots with every step. The quiet of the night pressed in, broken only by the distant crash of waves against the shoreline.
Then something caught his eye.
A flash of white—just beyond the rickety railing of an old, weather-beaten dock.
It was a girl.
The light from the moon cast a soft, silver glow that illuminated her figure against the dark water beyond. Her back was to him, her bare arms extended behind her, fingers clenching the weathered wooden railing with a grip that seemed desperate. She leaned forward slightly, swaying with the ebb of the wind, her body teetering dangerously close to the edge. The sight stirred a strange mix of curiosity and concern in his gut, like an instinctual warning that he couldn't ignore.
She didn't seem to hear him as he wandered down the dock, her attention completely absorbed in the vast expanse of the night sky.
JJ stopped a couple of feet away, worried he might spook her.
He took a second to take in her appearance.
She had long, platinum blonde hair that cascaded in soft waves of silver across her shoulders and down her back. Her skin, tanned and warm-looking in contrast to the cold night air, caught the light with a soft glow. The thin-strapped, white dress she wore hugged her form delicately, accentuating her small waist. The fabric flowed out from her hips before tapering off at the middle of her thigh, giving her an almost whimsical appearance, like something not entirely of this world.
Although his gaze seemed stuck wandering across her silhouette, it was her laughter that caught him off guard. She let out another giggle, much like the one that had drawn him here, a sound that should be filled with joy, yet hers resonated with an undercurrent of sadness and heart ache.
She sounded as broken as he felt right now.
Then the sudden thought that she might jump pierced his mind, a sharp pang of fear taking hold. What else could this girl be doing out here in the middle of the night, standing on the edge like that? The gravity of the situation hit him and before he could stop himself, he spoke.
"The water's quite cold this time of night."
Her body jerked in surprise at the sound of his voice, her form stiffening before she slowly turned toward him, her movements deliberate, as though unsure of what she would find.
The first thing he noticed was the vibrant, light green of her eyes as they met his, glowing eerily in the moonlight. They held a glazed-over, distant look that spoke volumes, and he couldn't quite place it. But there was something there—something raw, almost fragile beneath the perfection of her appearance. JJ felt a strange, fleeting recognition, like he should know her from somewhere. But the memory was just out of reach, slipping through his fingers before he could grasp it.
"W-what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice laced with suspicion, but it was tinged with a slight slur and she seemed to sway unsteadily, showcasing an obvious intoxication.
So, not only was she hanging off the edge of the pier, but she was drunk, JJ thought with amusement. What had he just stumbled on to...
The white light of the moon shone across her features, casting soft shadows that deepened the freckles across the bridge of her nose, lending her a child like innocence. Her tousled bangs fell down, framing a rounded face with petite features.
She was undeniably beautiful, possibly the most beautiful girl JJ had ever seen.
He took in a deep breath, shaking his head in a desperate attempt the rid himself of his intrusive thoughts. He adjusted his hat, needing something to busy his hands as he spoke with more confidence then he felt. "This is my side of the Island sweetheart, I could ask you the same thing."
She blinked, her expression slow to change, as if his words needed time to sink in. Then, a lazy smile stretched across her lips, a slow, almost teasing curve that softened her otherwise sharp demeanor. "The stars are much prettier over here," she replied, her voice laced with a melodic tone that hinted at playfulness—an effortless charm that felt a world away.
With a raised eyebrow, he lifted his hands in mock surrender, slightly surprised by her answer "You're totally right. Should've known."
Slowly, he closed the remaining distance between them, the wooden railing creaking softly under his arms as he leaned on it.
He couldn't help but notice a very obvious fact—she was the epitome of a Kook.
She radiated luxury and wealth; from the way her expensive earrings glimmered in the light, tangled gracefully into her perfectly wavy hair. To the soft essence of make up on her cheeks and lashes, and the sweet smell of perfume that was a far cry from his own rough-and-tumble appearance. Even the dress she wore was effortlessly more luxurious than anything he had owned, clinging to her figure in all the right places.
Standing next to her, the contrast between their worlds was glaringly obvious. A fact that made him grimace as he wondered what had even drawn him over here. She was most likely just another spoiled rich Kook, getting lost along the cut, after a night of partying. Yet, despite his assumption, he couldn't deny the spark of intrigue over the vulnerability he sensed beneath her polished exterior.
"Let me guess," he ventured, attempting at a nonchalant tone, though a hint of distaste crept into his voice. "Daddy wouldn't let you go out? So, you figured you'd punish him by sneaking off to get drunk?"
As the words left his mouth, her face shifted—her eyes narrowing, the fleeting expression of amusement gone as quickly as it had come. A flicker of pain darted across her face, so brief, so fragile, it almost seemed like a trick of the light.
"Real funny," she muttered, her voice growing colder, more defensive. "But don't try to pretend you know anything about me, Maybank."
The use of his last name caught him off guard, igniting a swirl of confusion and suspicion deep within. He studied her again, this time with a more scrutinizing glare, trying to place her in his memory. Her full, pouty lips, stained a soft glittery pink, were pulled down into a frown and he could tell she was currently biting the inside of her cheek. His gaze moved down her neck, her soft, sun-kissed skin catching the light, before it lingered on the top of her dress—the tight, delicate fabric that framed her chest in a way that made his breath hitch. He shifted awkwardly, pushing down the uncomfortable heat rising to his cheeks.
There was no way in hell he had met this girl before and had simply forgotten.
"How do you know my name?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual, though the curiosity was undeniable. The look of embarrassment that flashed across her face was a clear giveaway that she hadn't meant to let on that she knew him.
Kassi could have thrown herself right off the pier in that moment, the slip up making her cringe inwardly, and now, with the large smirk plastered on his face, there was no way to backtrack. Her cheeks flushed, a deep pink creeping across her skin, and she stammered, her words stumbling over each other in her haste to explain. "Uh, I didn't mean—I just... it's a small island, you just hear things."
JJ leaned back slightly, taking in her flustered state with obvious amusement. "Guess my reputation precedes me," he joked, letting out a soft chuckle. He watched her, captivated—the way she bit at her lower lip, and the slight tremble in her voice. There was a surge of unfiltered confidence that bubbled up inside of him; the idea that he could make a girl, who looked like that, squirm even just a little.
The others we're never going to believe this.
"So, what's your story princess?" he asked when her silence lingered. "Bit of a dangerous place to be in the middle of the night, especially for a Kook".
Kassi's eyes narrowed in response to the nicknames—Princess, Kook. The names were laced with the kind of judgement she despised, labels that made her feel small and predictable, like she fit neatly into some polished box he had already set aside for her.
"Thought you Pogues lived for danger" she retorted, sidestepping his question.
The sharp edge of sarcasm mixed with a challenge in her words, was hard to ignore, as if she was daring him to take the bait.
JJ's expression hardened at her jab, though the hint of a grin tugged at the corner of his leaned in just a fraction, as if closing the distance might give him an upper hand. "We sure do, just not use to seeing a Kook take a step out of their cushy life in figure eight."
For a moment, Kassi's smirk faltered.
It was so brief, so fleeting, that if JJ hadn't been watching her so closely, he would've missed it. She glanced away briefly, her voice quieter when she finally spoke again. "Maybe I want something more."
Her words were unexpected, fragile, like a confession she hadn't meant to share. Underneath the playful banter, there was an underlying truth to what she spoke.
A moment of silence passed before her lips curled into a reckless, teasing smile, wildness flashing in her eyes.
"Catch me?" she asked, her tone light, almost too playful, as if the world was just one big game to her.
JJ's brow furrowed in confusion, the shift in her demeanor leaving him momentarily stunned. Before he could process what was happening, she released her grip on the railing with one hand, her body teetering closer to falling off the edge.
JJ's instincts kicked in before his mind could catch up. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward. A sinister, unsettling laughter escaped her lips, sending a chill down his spine. Once the fear in his chest subsided, irritation flared in its place. His jaw clenched as he glared at her, his expression a wild mix of irritation and concern.
"Are you insane?"
But then, as his gaze dropped to her wrist—where his fingers were wrapped around her—his anger wavered. Beneath his touch, her skin was delicate, soft, and there, just beneath the surface, was something darker.
A bruise.
And it wasn't just any bruise. It was the clear imprint of a hand print, each finger distinctly shadowed in the flesh of her wrist, the discoloration telling its own silent story. His grip softened instantly as It struck him that there was much more going on beneath the surface of this girl's sad expression than he had first realized.
"Maybe a little crazy" she muttered dismissively and with a quick, sharp motion, she ripped her hand from his grasp, pulling away as if his touch burned. She kept her eyes down, avoiding his gaze, shielding herself from whatever sympathy or judgement she thought she might find in it.
For a moment, JJ just stood there. The urge to push for more answers battling with his instinct to let it go. She didn't owe him anything, and he knew first-hand the defensiveness that came with having those kinds of wounds brought up.
"Okay, thrill-seeker," he muttered, his voice low, tinged with a mix of amusement and reluctant concern. "How about we climb back over?"
Her lips quirked in a small, fleeting smile—so faint it barely touched her eyes.
But for just a moment, it was real.
"Going to help me?"
JJ nodded, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he grabbed her hand again, keeping his touch gentle as he guided her back over the railing. But as soon as she was back on the pier, she stumbled, her balance wavering. Without thinking, JJ slid his hand from her wrist to her waist, steadying her with a practiced grip.
For a brief, breathless moment, they stood there, close enough that they could feel each other's warmth. Their faces were mere inches apart; to close for comfort. The silence between them was fragile, almost intimate, broken only by the steady lapping of water below.
"So," JJ began, trying to sound casual even though his heart was pounding so hard he was sure she could hear it. "What's next?" The words came out teasing, but his voice betrayed him by coming out quiet and unsure.
She cleared her throat suddenly as she took a small step back, breaking whatever spell had befallen them. His grip slipped away, returning to his side before he shoved his hands casually back into his pockets.
Kassi groaned softly, the weight of her situation settling heavily on her shoulders. She reached her hands up and rubbed at her temples. She had nowhere to go. Home was out of the question; waking her mother at this hour would be suicidal. Her brother would definitely kill her if she stumbled in, reeking of alcohol, and the thought of going back to face Rafe after their earlier encounter made her feel sick.
"Uhm, I'm not quite sure" she said after a moment, a sad chuckle mixing into her words.
JJ's brows furrowed as he recognized the lost look on her face. It was a look he knew all too well—one that mirrored his own reflection more often than he cared to admit. A silent plea, a sign that she had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. It tugged on something deep within him.
He let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut tightly as he tried to gather his thoughts. He knew the others were going to kill him for this, but he couldn't in good conscience leave this girl alone out on the cut, drunk and unprotected, even if she was a Kook.
"You can come with me," he offered after a long, hesitant pause. "I was headed to my friend's place before saving you interrupted my walk." He flashed a small, awkward smile, hoping to ease her obvious distress.
She met his gaze, uncertainty swimming in her eyes. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times, not knowing quite what to say to his sudden and unexpected invitation. Although she had every reason to refuse, and despite the little voice in the back of her head that that told her she should be anywhere but here, Kassi found herself nodding her head softly, accepting the offer. Not really having any other option.
If Rafe ever found out about this, she thought dryly, he would absolutely kill her.
The weight of that possibility sat heavily in her stomach, sending a wave of nausea through her.
"Only if you promise to not murder me" she quipped, attempting to quell her uncomfortable thoughts behind humour.
JJ rolled his eyes, but he couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips. "I'll try my best," he teased, his tone soft but genuine as they began walking together.
The uneven dirt road stretched out ahead of them, the trees on either side standing tall. The air had gotten colder as the night went on, leaving goosebumps on their skin. The light from the moon peering through the branches, offered just enough to let them see their pathway.
As they walked, it quickly became painfully obvious just how out of her element she was. Her bare feet, tender and unprepared, stumbled over every root and jagged rock in the dark, her unsteady steps betraying her attempts at grace. JJ's eyes darted to her every time she cursed under her breath, glaring at the unforgiving ground. The pier was one thing, but walking through the woods in the dead of night, barefoot and drunk, was another story entirely.
"Careful, princess," JJ warned, amusement clear in his voice as he watched her nearly trip again. "You're going to break an ankle."
She flashed him a cold, sharp glare, her voice coming out through clenched teeth. "I'm not wearing shoes!" she grumbled, wincing as another sharp rock bit into her heel.
JJ sighed, but couldn't stop the soft laugh that left his lips. "Fine, come here."
Kassi's gaze flicked to him, her eyes narrowing in confusion. He was a couple of steps ahead, his stance poised in a way that signalled only one thing. Realizing that he meant for her to climb onto his back, she let out an incredulous scoff at the offer. "Absolutely not."
JJ just shrugged, unfazed by her refusal. "It's either I carry you now, or I carry you after you fall," he countered, his voice steady and calm, though the challenge in his words hung thickly in the air between them.
For a moment, Kassi hesitated, the weight of her pride pushing against the logic in her mind. But she soon surrendered, dropping her shoulders in defeat. Slowly, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. With surprising ease, JJ hoisted her onto his back, his arms cradling her knees and securing her against him.
"Fucking Kooks" he muttered, his voice low and dripping with sarcasm as he continued their walk in a much faster pace without having her slowing them down.
Rolling her eyes, Kassi let out an exasperated sigh, turning her gaze to the side and watching the tree's go by in silence. The remnants of her earlier intoxication had mostly faded, leaving behind only a dull throb at her temples, a headache gnawing at the edges of her focus. The chaotic events of the night replayed in her mind, each moment feeling as if it had lasted for an eternity.
She clenched her jaw at that thought of facing the inevitable backlash of the night's decisions, but she pushed them away, focusing instead on the warmth of JJ's back beneath was a strange, unexpected comfort, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath and the strength of his stride. She allowed herself to rest her head lightly against his, her grip around his neck loosening just a little as the tension in her body began to fade. She couldn't believe, of all the people that could have found her in what was undeniably a moment of insanity, it had to be JJ Maybank.
Although she hadn't intended to let it slip that she knew him, the truth remained: she definitely knew him—or, more accurately, she knew of him.
Kassi had watched JJ from a distance countless times, intrigued by his effortless charisma and carefree lifestyle, the way he moved through life like a breeze, leaving chaos and laughter in his wake. If she was being honest with herself, she always felt a pang of jealousy whenever she saw him. He embodied the freedom and adventure she craved, the kind of life that seemed forever out of reach for her. She was trapped in a world of expectations and appearances, while JJ seemed to dance through his days without a care in the world.
"Here we are" JJ said, his voice breaking through her thoughts, as Kassi looked around. They had just climbed the uneven steps of a weathered wooden porch that wrapped around a small, battered home, nestled alongside the water. Furniture was scattered haphazardly around the deck—wicker chairs, a sagging love-seat, tabletops cluttered with empty drink cans and ashtrays.
The screen door creaked loudly as JJ pushed it open with his foot, the main door already left ajar, letting the cool night breeze sweep through the house. Inside, the place was small and cluttered, the space reflecting the same kind of disregard that the porch did. Clothing hung from the backs of chairs, empty bottles lined the counter tops, and the faint smell of pizza lingered in the air. It didn't feel dirty, just neglected, a place that seemed to belong to people who didn't worry about the little things.
Slowly, she slid down until her feet met the warm wooden floorboards before JJ made his way to the pale-yellow sofa, casually tossing aside a pizza box that had been carelessly abandoned on the cushion. He glanced back at her, studying the way she moved through the room, her delicate white dress stark against the rugged backdrop. She looked so out of place here, it was almost comical.
"You can take the couch," he mumbled, hands fidgeting, nodding toward the sagging sofa. "I usually crash in the back room anyway."
Her gaze snapped back to him, surprised. "Thanks," she replied, her voice soft. "I appreciate it. Thanks for... everything, actually." The words came out awkwardly, and she cringed internally at how lame she sounded. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, hoping he wouldn't notice the nervous energy buzzing beneath her skin, the anxiety settling over her like a heavy blanket.
"Uhh ya, don't mention it, got a reputation to uphold—can't have it getting out I'm helping stray Kooks" he joked, but if she wasn't mistaken, there was a hint of his own nervousness woven into his words, though cleverly disguised with playful insults. Rolling her eyes she strolled past him and flopped down on the couch, sinking into it's embrace. "Good night," she said quietly as JJ turned to head down the hallway.
He paused at the doorway, glancing back at her one more time. His gaze lingered, but he only nodded in acknowledgement before disappearing behind the door to his room.
The silence that followed brought with it a wave of exhaustion that crashed down on her. She leaned down, her fingers grazing the soft fabric of a white throw blanket abandoned on the floor. She gathered it up and wrapped it around herself, seeking warmth and comfort.
Sleep took her faster than she expected, pulling her into a deep slumber.
Preview for Chapter 3:"That's not just any Kook, she's like their queen or something" Kiara barked, her tone rising an octave in disbelief. "Do you realize who that is? That's Kassandra Grey, Rafe Cameron's girlfriend! Are you trying to get yourself killed!"
(づ v )づ Author Rambles:
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