The Outer Banks feels quieter today. The waves lap gently against the shore as you sit with JJ on the edge of his boat, legs dangling over the water. He’s unusually quiet, staring at the horizon like he’s trying to find answers in the endless blue.

Finally, he speaks, his voice rough. “You ever think about how some people come into your life, and it’s like… they’re just it? Like nothing before them mattered?”

He doesn’t look at you, just keeps his eyes on the water. “That’s what you were for me.”

There’s a crack in his voice, and you know whatever he’s about to say is going to hurt. JJ runs a hand through his hair, exhaling shakily. “I’ve messed up more times than I can count. I thought maybe if I held on tight enough, I wouldn’t lose you… but I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

The wind carries his words away, but they hit you like a wave anyway. JJ finally looks over, blue eyes tired, raw, and honest. “You deserved better than me. You always did.”

You want to say something—to fix it—but the silence between you is too heavy now, too final. JJ’s lips twitch into a sad smile as he pulls a frayed rope between his fingers, like it’s the only thing holding him together.

“I’ll always care about you, you know? I don’t think that’ll ever change. But sometimes loving someone means letting them go.”

The sun dips lower, painting everything in muted gold, but it doesn’t feel warm anymore. It feels like goodbye. JJ’s voice drops to a whisper.

“You’ll be okay. You have to be.”

And even though he’s still sitting next to you, you’ve never felt so far apart.