you and jj maybank had been inseparable since the days of scraped knees and barefoot races on the beach. before the pogues were even a thing, it was just you and jj—two messy-haired kids tearing through the outer banks like it belonged to you. he was your best friend, your partner in crime, the one who could make you laugh even when everything felt too heavy.

as the years passed and the pogues came together, your bond with jj became part of something bigger. john b, pope, kiara, and eventually sarah—they were all family now. but everyone knew that you and jj were a package deal. if he was off doing something reckless, you were either right there with him or dragging him out of it.

tonight was no different. the sun was sinking low over the obx, casting everything in gold as the group gathered around the hms pogue, laughing, teasing, and just being exactly who you were...