You woke up the next morning completely refreshed. After John B. left last night, you showered, walked back into your room, and flopped on the bed, sleeping before your head hit the pillow. You laid there for a few long minutes, thinking over the last few weeks, all the craziness that's occurred since you moved to The Outer Banks. You made friends, crazy friends who you sometimes thought needed a little more structure, but great friends, friends that you felt like you could keep for a lifetime. You have family now, too. Sure, you always had your mom, and you loved her with all your heart, but she wasn't what anyone would have called a traditional mother. She was more like a friend, a best friend, but a friend nonetheless. Now, you have sisters and your aunt and uncle that treated you like one of their own, and Rafe, whatever he was to you.

So, even though you'd been shot at, been chased, had to hide while people destroyed the house you were in seconds before, ran from cops, and watched a rooster die five feet away from you in order for you and your friends to stay safe, you weren't willing to say coming here was a mistake. You were happy, for the first time in a long time. Perhaps that was why you were so easily able to wash out all the shitty things that happened recently.

You sat up with a small smile and stretched before reaching for your phone to see what happened while you were asleep. There was a text from JJ telling you to come to the Chateau today they were going to hang out and he still wanted you and Kie to work out whatever 'lady problems' you had so there was peace in the Pogues. You rolled your eyes but smiled all the same as you replied positively, adding the caveat that you'd be late. You didn't mention you'd be late because of your plans with Rafe after keeping JB company while working.

Speaking of JB, you opened his messages in your phone and clicked on his number, deciding it was about time to save his contact in your phone. You typed JB in your phone before quickly deleting it. You looked at it for a few long seconds before quickly typing something in and pressing save. You checked your socials, but you never really posted anything or were on it often at all. When you were feeling homesick and missing your hometown, clicking on Instagram was an easy way to feel close to your friends back home. About ten minutes later your phone dinged a new text message:

Trouble Magnet: Hey, you awake yet, sleepy head? I just pulled up, and I'm about to head out to the boat to get to work.

You: Just getting up now, be down in a few minutes :)

You stood up, quickly going into your closet, which you've noticed has suspiciously been getting fuller and fuller even though you haven't bought anything. You couldn't deny that the clothes were cute and your style much better than you could afford, you knew this had your aunt written all over it. You sighed, yeah you were happy that they were your family and you were getting close, but it still didn't feel right using their money as if it were your own. You sighed, you were going to have to have a talk with her.

Not now, though, you grabbed a bathing suit and a new pair of shorts along with a fitted crop top. You brushed your hair and threw on some lip gloss and flip-flops before making your way through the long halls and down the stairs. The family was in the kitchen eating what looked like brunch. You held in a laugh, you had never been around people who brunched so often.

"Hey, sweetheart, nice of you to join us! Come, sit." Ward said, pulling out a chair for you.

You sat down and smiled "Morning everyone—oh afternoon. Wow, I didn't realize I slept so late. I don't remember the last time I slept till noon."

"You probably needed it," Rose said with a smile as the maid put a plate in front of you filled with eggs, cinnamon rolls, and fresh fruits, you smiled at her in thanks. "What are your plans for today?"

You opened your mouth to reply but Rafe spoke up first, he looked tired, like he stayed up all night partying, "She's coming with me to hang out with my friends at the beach today."

"That sounds nice," Ward said smiling at you, his face was noticeably more serious when he looked at Rafe, "Just make sure to take good care of her, make sure not to bring around those friends of yours that are always getting into trouble."

Rafe just grunted in response, not looking you in the eye anymore. It made you wonder what you were in for today and if you'd regret it. You shrugged, it wasn't as if you were going far, you could walk home if it got too rowdy or you felt uncomfortable, "What time are you planning on leaving, Rafe? I'm going to keep John B company for a while on the boat first."

You figured there was no need to keep your friendship secret from them anymore, they obviously already knew, considering that Ward cornered you the night before. Ward looked like he wanted to say something about your friendship but held his tongue; something flashed in Rafe's eyes, anger? Jealousy? You weren't sure but it was clear he wasn't happy.

"We're going to leave in like an hour," He said flatly.

You could have sworn he said it was going to be the evening/nighttime but didn't want to talk about it in front of everyone else, so you simply nodded. You quickly finished eating while the conversation continued around you, it turned out Sarah was going too, it wasn't that surprising considering that her boyfriend was Rafe's best friend. You wiped your mouth with a napkin before standing up and excusing yourself. You went right outside and down to the dock, looking for JB. You found him in the lower level of The Druthers, his back to you.

"Hey," You said, as you leaned against the railing, waiting for him to look at you.

"Hey, sunshine, long time no see." He said as he turned around. Your smile lessened considerably when you noticed he had way more bruises on him than he did the last time you saw him.

You rushed over to him, lifting your hand up to touch a bruise on his face but stopped your fingers an inch away, not wanting to hurt him worse, "What happened John B? I know your bruises were much more healed when you left last night."

He cringed, just imagining the pain of the touch of your fingers even though you kept your distance. "I might have had a run-in with the square groopers again on the way home last night."

You gasped, not stopping the urge to touch him this time, going for his arms, which looked bruised, you checked the rest of him over, looking for more damage, and found out he was pretty beaten up. "God, JB, what happened? Are you okay?"

You held onto his arm and pulled him to the nearest chairs, sitting him down, then running over to the fridge, grabbing some water, and then to the first aid kit. You sat on the table in front of him, handing him the water and then taking out the disinfectant and band-aids. He tried to push your hands away, fighting against the help but you smacked him and got to work, waiting patiently for him to talk.

"I'm fine. There's nothing really to say. I was on the way home, and they pulled up next to me in a car and pulled out a gun. I ran, obviously, and they chased me. Long story short, I might have been electrocuted a little bit and they had me but Sheriff Perkin pulled up and saved me, they ran."

When you were done cleaning his wounds you cupped his face, moving his hair out of his eyes. "You got a tiny bit electrocuted? What the fuck does that even mean? This is getting dangerous, JB. Maybe we should take a step back."

He sighed, unhappy with the thought, "We might not have much of a choice, I gave the compass to Perkin."

"What? It was your father's though. Even if you gave up on the treasure hunt you should still have something to remember him by."

His face softened, and he lifted his hand and gently rubbed his knuckles along your jawline. "I have other things to remember him by, plus you're right, it's safer this way. I don't want to put you or our friends in danger."

You felt the urge to lean in and kiss him again but managed to hold back the impulse. You really had to make your mind up if you were willing to take a chance with him because it was just mean to keep kissing him and then telling him you just wanted to be friends. There was only so much jerking around someone could take. So you kept your distance and promised yourself you'd think about it later when you were alone. Slowly, so it wasn't seen as a rejection, you pulled your hand away from him and placed it on your lap, he smiled at you a little forlornly but didn't question you.

You two were looking at each other, and it was silent for so long it almost became awkward, so you cleared your throat, "So what do you have to do today? Anything you can do to help you along?"

He smiled, "What? Are you so eager for me to get done? Do you have a special date planned for me or something, Sunshine?"

You laughed, "No, I just wanted to help. I actually have to get going soon, but don't be so upset, JJ invited me over to your place tonight, so you won't have to go so long without me."

"Oh, making new friends, are we?"

You laughed, "Not really, I'm going to the beach with Rafe and his friends."

His smile immediately dropped, "Why?"

"We were friends when we were younger; he used to be really nice, and he's been nice lately. I don't think he's too bad, at least when he's not shoving something up his nose."

John B leaned back as if wanting space from someone who even associated with Rafe. "Listen, Peaches, I'm not trying to tell you what to do… just… just be careful with him. He's not a good person, you don't know half of the stuff we've been through because of him."

"Like what?" You asked, needing more information than that if you were going to cancel plans and keep your distance from your family.

"Like… just, he's not a good guy." He eventually sighed out.

You stayed quiet for a long time, not sure how to respond to that. Eventually, you sighed and when you completely exhaled you smiled, deciding to change the subject, you didn't want to fight. "So, how about that help?"

He looked at you for one more long second before smiling, too, "Sure, come on, I'll show you what I still gotta do."

For the next hour, you helped him, or, more accurately, you tried to help him, but after a while, you figured out it was taking him longer to explain it to you than if he'd just do it himself. So you sat and kept him company. You were lying back, letting the sun shine on your face as he worked around you, every once in a while messing with you by splashing you with water or standing in front of you to block out the sun.

"… I swear, you should have seen his face, JJ was screaming over and over again 'I don't want to die like this, I don't want to die!'. I don't think I've ever seen Pope laugh so hard."

You were cracking up, "So no one helped him?"

"No, Kiara just kept telling him to stop being so dramatic, and his only response was 'If I have to die, don't let my memory follow, tell my story!'. I was laughing so hard I couldn't do anything. Pope eventually calmed down enough to tell him that quicksand wasn't a real thing and that the sand he was standing in was just wet, that was why he was sinking in."

You laughed even harder, "Oh my god,"

"Eventually, the lifeguard came and asked why it looked like we were digging graves, the whole time the metal detector was still going off nonstop and Pope was so excited he was on his hands and knees digging like crazy mumbling something about mineral deposits…" he shrugged as if saying 'oh well', "And that was the Pogue's first foray into treasure hunting."

You snorted, "Mineral deposits?"

"Yeah! He kept saying, 'If we're near the iron-rich layer of sediment, it could explain the interference!' Like, he was genuinely convinced we were seconds away from striking gold."

"I mean, did you find anything?"

"No. JJ's cousin was high when he told us about the treasure and he was just saying it to fuck with us." He sighed forlornly even though there was still an indulgent smile on his face.

"How old were you?" You asked while finally calming down your laughter.

You swore you saw him blush, "Oh, it was a long time ago, we were still kids…"

You quirked your eyebrow, he sounded fishy, "Really?"

"Okay, okay, maybe we weren't kids…" In the next part, he mumbled, "It was last year."

Your laugh picked right back up, and when you saw his blush deepen, you held your hand out in surrender, "Sorry, sorry! I'm not laughing at you… okay, well, I'm laughing at you a little, but it's funny!"

His sheepish expression turned into a smile, "Yeah, it was hilarious."

"Ahem," You hear from behind you. You don't have to turn around to know who it is because JB's smile dropped immediately, and his face turned into something hard and he stood up straighter, more alert, as if he was ready for an attack at any moment.

You turned to look at Rafe and smiled "Hey."

He was staring at JB just as hard as JB was staring at him but when he looked at you his face softened, "You ready to go?"

"Uh, yeah, sure. Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you by the car."

"Okay, don't make me wait too long, people are already there."

You nodded and turned back around to JB, hearing the receding sound of Rafe's footsteps. You didn't like the look on JB's face and wished in that moment either side would tell you the story about what made them hate each other. If there's a good guy and a bad guy, you wanted to know who was who. You were leaning on siding with John B because you saw how much Rafe changed since you were younger, he was mean, there was a darkness in him, and he even scared you sometimes. But he also wasn't terrible to everyone, it seemed like his friends and JB's friends just had a special hatred for each other and you had to believe it was more than just a classist asshole, something had to happen to make them dislike each other, right?

You mentally shook your head, focusing on the moment, you put a smile back on your face and asked, "So, I'll see you tonight?"

"Uhh, sure, if you're not out too late." His voice was different, even a little cold.

You took the steps that were separating you and hugged him, waiting a few long seconds before he lifted his arms up and returned the hug. You enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms for a while before pulling back just enough to look at him in the face. "Don't worry, I'm only planning on staying for an hour or two, so you won't have to miss me too much. Rafe isn't too bad, at least not the last few days, and he's been asking me to hang out for like a week now. We live together, if I keep turning him down things are going to get bad around the house."

John B's anger and jealousy turned into worry, "Do you think he'd do something to you if you said no? Is that why you agreed?"

"No, no," you waved his worries away, "I agreed because he's been acting like the friend I used to know. I think it's all the coke that makes him act like the crazy asshole. And he knows I'm not going to hang out with him while he's high." …. well, you think he knows, you never actually told him that.

His arms were still loosely around you so it was easy to pull you in for another hug, you smiled when he rested his chin on the top of your head. When he spoke it was softer, worried, "Just call me if you feel uncomfortable, okay? I'll come and pick you up."

You smiled into his chest and nodded. You stood there like that for a few more moments before reluctantly pulling away. You stood on your toes and leaned in to kiss his cheek, "I'll see you later."

He nodded and let go of you; you gave him one more smile before turning and walking away. You felt his eyes on you until you were out of sight. You quickly ran up to your room and grabbed a few things you'd need for the beach before waving at your aunt and uncle on the way out front. When you got in Rafe's truck you expected to see Sarah there since she was coming with you but it was just you and Rafe. As he was driving down the driveway he must have seen your confusion because he answered your unasked question.

"Topper picked her up a little while ago, she'll meet us there."

"Oh, okay." It was quiet for a while as you were driving before you opened your mouth, "So, what should I expect when I get there? I want the down low on your friends. Are they cool? Are they going to like me?"

He laughed, "Of course they're going to like you. And they're cool. They can get rowdy when they drink too much but they're good."

"You're not trying to set me up with anyone like Sarah did, right?"

He scoffed, "No, of course not!"

You faked indignance, "What, am I not good enough to be set up?"

He laughed, "More like the other way around. You're way too good for those assholes."

Your eyebrows raised, "I thought you said they were cool?"

"They're great… as friends to hang out with every once in a while, but to date? No. I've seen how those guys treat their girlfriends."

You laughed, "Well, thanks for the advice but it's unnecessary, I'm not trying to meet someone tonight anyway."

He scoffed, "Oh yeah, that's pretty clear."

"What's that supposed to mean?" You asked, feeling offended, but you're not sure why.

"It means it's clear you don't feel the need to meet anyone because you obviously already have a crush."

"What are you talking about?"

He scoffed, "Don't play dumb with me, everyone sees the eyes that Pogue makes at you."

You opened your mouth, then shut it again, not really sure what to say. He wasn't wrong, but it was also none of his business. Your initial reaction was anger, but you held your tongue, not wanting to fight, it was supposed to be a fun day, and you weren't going to let Rafe being judgemental ruin it. He didn't say anything else either, and so it was quiet for the rest of the ride.

When you pulled up to the beach it was already full with a bunch of teenagers, loud music, and people dancing, you immediately counted at least three kegs and a makeshift bar filled with hard liquor. You felt a little overwhelmed when you remembered that you knew exactly three people here, Rafe, Sarah, and Topper, who you probably talked to for a total of 15 minutes.

The sound of the driver's door clicking open made you turn your head to him, he was smiling again, "Come on!"

You smiled a little and opened your door, he walked around the car to you and waited for you to get out. He led you through the crowd with one hand on your lower back guiding you and the other filled with a big bad that was clinking every time he moved, leading you to believe it was more liquor. He was saying hi to almost everyone you passed. You stopped in front of Sarah, Topper, and you thought his name was Kelce. You'd seen him around often but weren't properly introduced. When Sarah saw you she smiled and ran over to hug you, you laughed and hugged her back. It was strange when a few moments later you realized Rafe's hand still hadn't left your back.

"It's about time you finally got here, what took you so long?"

"She was on the boat keeping the help company," Rafe answered and the amount of disgust you felt in those two words was surprising. You turned to him with a clear 'What the fuck?' Look on your face, he shrugged. Sarah quirked her eyebrow at you with a knowing smile, you'd told her all about what had happened between you and John B and how confused you were.

"Is that right?"

You laughed and shrugged nonchalantly, "The deck is a great place to get some sun."

"Hey, I'm Kelce," He said, holding his hand out to shake and smiling suavely at you.

"Peach," you replied shaking the offered hand.

Rafe grabbed your attention a few moments later when he handed you a drink, you quirked your eyebrow at him but took a small sip to taste it, smiling when it was your favorite mixed drink. "How'd I do? Never made one before but I remember you saying you liked them at the last party."

"It's yummy," You said with a smile, realizing the reason for all the different bottles in his bag was so he could have everything to make a Long Island Ice Tea. "Thanks, Rafe."

He smiled in reply. Soon, you were all chatting around a fire, people getting progressively more drunk. The more you talked to people, the more you liked them, they were fun, funny, nice. You were glad to see that Garret wasn't in attendance, you'd have left right away if he'd come. Rafe was never too far from your side, and he touched you as often as possible. Nothing inappropriate, but you were starting to get a strange feeling. You knew you had to be wrong; there was no way he liked you more than as a friend, but there were a few times you caught him staring at you, and the look in his eyes made you second-guess yourself.

A few hours later, after the sun had set, you were feeling tipsy after your third drink, Kelce was sitting on one side of you, Rafe on the other while Sarah and Topper were across the fire. The rest of the party was still in full force around you, people were dancing now, and everyone seemed much more intoxicated.

Sarah leaned forward, a mischievous smile lighting up her face as she poked the fire with a stick. "Alright, new game," she announced. "If you could trade lives with anyone in the world, who would it be? And don't just say 'Elon Musk' or someone boring like that."

Kelce didn't hesitate. "Easy. Dan Bilzerian. Have you seen his Instagram?"

Topper groaned, shaking his head. "Of course, you'd say that. Shocker."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Kelce, no. Pick someone who doesn't make you reek of desperation."

"Fine," Kelce relented, shrugging. "Uh...Harry Styles? Dude's cool, rich, and girls love him."

You laughed, nodding in approval. "I respect that."

"Lame," Topper chimed in, leaning back in his seat. "I'd trade places with Kelly Slater. Living the dream, surfing all day, winning competitions."

Sarah didn't miss a beat. "You're not even good at surfing."

"Doesn't matter," Topper shot back, smirking. "I'd have his skills too!"

"Whatever, Topper." Sarah rolled her eyes again and then turned to you. "What about you?"

You paused, tapping your finger against your chin in mock contemplation. "Hmm...probably someone who gets to travel all the time. Like Anthony Bourdain, but, you know, alive."

Topper kissed the top of his fingertips and raised it to the sky, "RIP"

"RIP." Everyone else followed.

Rafe, who'd been quiet up until now, smiled slightly. "Solid choice. You'd probably crush it hosting a travel show. You've got that whole…vibe."

You blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. Rafe looked away quickly, but not before you noticed the faintest hint of a blush on his face.

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but let it slide. "Okay, your turn, big guy," she said, addressing Rafe. "Who would you trade with?"

Rafe shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I don't know. Maybe...a race car driver or something. Or an astronaut. Something adrenaline-filled."

Kelce snorted. "Astronaut? Dude, you're scared of heights."

Rafe glared at him. "I'm not scared of heights. I just...respect gravity."

You burst out laughing. "'Respect gravity'? That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard."

Rafe leaned toward you slightly, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. "Says the girl who sings into a hairbrush."

You gasped, laughing even harder, and shoved his shoulder lightly. Across the fire, Sarah watched the exchange with a knowing look but said nothing.

"That was one time, and I was like twelve. Plus, Sarah was right there singing along with me!"

"Alright, I'm calling it," Sarah said, stretching her arms wide to gesture at the glowing fire, the crashing waves, and the warm breeze. "If anyone's living their best life, it's me. I mean, would you give up this view?"

Topper grinned, gesturing to himself and the group. "You forgot the part where we're all here, making it even better."

Kelce rolled his eyes. "I think you might be overplaying your value, man. You're cool, but cool enough to give up the opportunity to switch lives with anyone? I don't know about that."

Laughter echoed around the fire as the group settled back into the comfort of the moment. From the corner of your eye, you noticed Rafe glance your way again. This time, his smirk softened into a genuine smile as you leaned back, the glow of the fire catching the edges of his features. You felt your phone vibrate bringing you out of the moment. You reached in your pocket and pulled it out, your eyes widened when you realized it wasn't the first time it rang over the hours you were at the beach.

JJ 5:07 pm: How did you get John B to sit still for first aid? We've been trying to do that for years and he's never let us.

JJ 7:12 pm: Hope you're coming over soon, our boy's been brooding all day. Have no idea what you did to him but you better undo it!

You 8:13 pm: What? I didn't do anything!

1 Missed call 8:12 pm Trouble Magnet

Trouble Magnet 8:14 pm: I figured it out! Call me!

You looked at the time and saw it was 8:15 now. You stood up and walked a few steps away from the group, ignoring the questioning looks they were giving you. You pressed call and weren't surprised when John B picked up almost immediately.

"Hey, where are you? We're on our way." He asked instead of a proper greeting.

You were almost positive you heard Kiara in the background say, "Why does she have to come? We don't need her and she's obviously having fun with her Kook friends."

You rolled your eyes, "JB slow down, what'd you figure out?

"What my dad was trying to tell me. Are you coming?"

"Uhh, yea—I don't know where I am exactly, hold on…" You took the steps returning you to the fire, not speaking to anyone in particular when you asked, "Hey, what's the name of this beach?"

"Why?" Topper asked suspiciously.

"Uhh, because I'd like to know where I am?" You said, annoyance clear.

Sarah slapped her boyfriend and looked at you with a smile. "Just say the graveyard, anyone from around here will know what you mean."

You smiled at her full of thanks and then turned your attention back to the phone call, "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, we'll be there in four minutes." He said and hung up, you smiled because you could hear how excited he was.

You smiled at the people you hoped were your new friends as you walked back to them, stumbling a little bit but you caught yourself. "Thanks for tonight, guys, I had a lot of fun."

You started to gather your things, there wasn't much but you felt all eyes on you as you did. You picked up your cup and drank the last little bit of it wishing you had more so you turned to Rafe and smiled at him as sweetly as you could, "One more for the road?"

There was some anger in his eyes, the same anger that reminded you of how he acted when you first got to town but it was covered in a second, "Sure."

He got up to where the drinks were and started pouring, you followed him. "Seriously Rafe, thanks for tonight. My life has been insane since I stepped on this island and it's been nice to just have a fun night out with no responsibilities."

"You should stay then." He said softly, so soft you weren't sure you heard him correctly.

"What?"

"Stay. Fuck them. You deserve better than them and all the trouble they've gotten you into," at your widened eyes he continued, "Yeah, I've heard all about it. Seriously, stay, you'll be safe here with us. Plus, I think if you're looking for a good time, we can offer more for you than them. We've got party favors, and money for more."

He pulled out a bag of coke after handing you your drink. You've tried it before, twice. You couldn't deny that it was a fun time but you also saw people suffer from addiction, so you knew better than to do stuff like that often. Plus, from what you've gathered, as soon as Rafe started getting high, he turned into an asshole and you wanted no part of that. Still, you smiled softly, placatingly at him, "Not tonight, Rafe. But I wouldn't be against having more nights like this."

The anger flashed again in his eyes but he nodded his head, he shrugged as if your decision made no difference to him, "Suit yourself."

Before you could say anything he turned around and started putting the white powder out on the table that was holding the liquor, he was clearly about to start getting high. You sighed and walked toward the parking lot, with one more wave and 'goodbye' to everyone. Your eyes widened when you saw the Twinkie coming your way, it was speeding down the road. Wherever you were going, JB was in a rush. Someone in the back of the van threw the door open before it was completely stopped. You got into the backseat making sure not to stumble or spill your drink, taking a long sip out of your straw as soon as you sat down.

JJ was sitting across from you with Pope next to him, Kiara in the passenger seat and John B driving. JJ smiled "Well, someone's feeling good."

You knew he was talking about you, you laughed and instead of replying you passed your drink to him. He took a sip and made a sound of enjoyment, "Mhmm, thanks, I needed that."

You nodded as he handed your cup back and looked at the people in the front seats. You couldn't hide your smile when you saw that JB was looking at you through the rearview mirror. His lips quirked up, too.

You opened your mouth to ask where they were going, but JJ spoke up first. "Do you mind if I just relax on this one? It's been a long day, and a lotta weird stuff's gone down. I'm just gonna lay low. Oh, do you want a hit of this?" he asked Pope.

"I keep the signals clear," He denied.

"Yoink." You said, snatching it from his hand and lighting it.

JJ laughed at you but turned his attention back to Pope, "Dude, do you understand that your problem is you don't get creative? If you got creative then—"

John B cut him off, "Look I— I know I was wrong about the lighthouse, alright? … and pretty much wrong about everything else going on. But I— I was right about one thing, okay? My dad is trying to tell me something."

You reached forward, almost spilling your drink again. Uh-oh, maybe you were more drunk than you realized. Anyway, you reached forward and put your hand on JB's arm supportively. He reached around and rested his hand on top of yours in thanks for a second before putting it back on the wheel.

To say you were surprised when you pulled up to a cemetery would be an understatement and you couldn't help but wonder what your almost-more-than-friend had gotten you into this time.