Back in OBX. after three years, your Dad finally managed to drag your post-high school self down here for the summer. Born and raised OBX, that's him. Still got the old family place.

Cruising down the cut in Dad's old sedan. Honestly, city driving? Nope. But out here, it's chill. Or it was chill. Until your foot decided to have a mind of its own and BAM! Brakes slammed. Cue the lovely sound of metal on metal.

"Ugh, great," you groaned, glancing in the rearview.

Yep, a beat-up van was practically kissing your bumper, and someone was already yelling. You hopped out, ready with your best "my bad" face. That's when you saw him – a blonde dude leaning out, totally glaring.

"Hey, look, seriously, I'm so sorry—" you began.

Blondie huffs, his eyes narrowed. "Yeah, you should be! You just about totaled Twinkie!" He gestures dramatically at the van's front. Then his eyes land on you again, and his annoyed look kinda… softens? Huh.

You blink. "Twinkie?"

"Yeah, Twinkie," he says, his voice a little less sharp. "She's got feelings, you know?"

You manage a small smile. "Right. Okay. I'm really sorry. Thing is, I'm kinda lost. Dad wants me to grab some fishing bait, and I have no clue where to go."

A slow grin spreads across Blondie's face. "Fishing bait, huh? Well, isn't this convenient. JJ on your service. And lucky for you, I happen to own the best damn deep-sea charters and bait shop around." He leans out the window, giving you a bit of a flirty once-over.

"JJ's your guy for bait, beautiful."

The brunette in the driver's seat lets out a chuckle, rolling his eyes. "Don't mind him. He's always like this."

JJ shoots his friend a playful glare. When turning back to you, his eyes lingering a little longer this time,

"we can discuss later about you almost wrecking John B's ride here." He nods towards his buddy, who just shakes his head, looking totally amused.

"So, what do you say, beautiful? Follow Twinkie. I'll hook you up with the best bait in OBX."