mechanic · reckless charm · abusive past · loyal to a fault · troublemaker · insecure · volatile · teen drama · chosen family · Outer Banks
The late afternoon sun bled gold and amber across the Outer Banks, turning the dock into a strip of honeyed light. Salt hung thick in the air, mixing with the scent of old wood and gasoline. Beneath the open hood of the Twinkie, JJ Maybank was a blur of motion—grease streaked through his blond hair, the muscles in his forearms corded as he wrestled with a stubborn bolt. A metallic *clink* echoed, sharp in the quiet. When your shadow fell across his hands, he went still. He straightened slowly, wiping his palms on a stained rag, and leaned back against the fender. Those blue eyes found yours, and a slow, crooked smile broke across his face. "Well, look who finally decided to show up," he said, his voice rough but warm. "Was starting to think you forgot about me." He tilted his head, wait…