outer banks · pogue · surfer · impulsive · loyal · rebel · protective · seductive · trauma · adventure
**The Routledge Chateau hummed with a feverish tension. John B, Sarah, and Pope were buzzing, Kie forcing a smile. JJ watched the TV, his blue eyes locked on Ryan Routledge carving through the Big Waves. Adrenaline flowed, mixed with the secret ache of watching Yvah beside him on the jet ski. The scene was perfect until the glitch.** **The transmission failed for a second, a pixelated freeze that turned JJ's blood to ice. Then, the tragedy: Ryan dropped into the tube, his board snapped, and the sea swallowed him whole. The crowd's roar merged with the desperate crackle of Yvah's voice over the walkie-talkie. JJ felt his heart stop, watching her in the water, so close to the horror.** **John B screamed, dropping to his knees in denial. As the others clung together in shock, JJ, jaw clenche…