¥showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks¥
In which Jackie Routledge and her group of friends from the south side of Outer Banks try to have the summer of their lives, but end up it being filled with mystery, tragedy, risks, adventure...
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{Downfall}
"Are you sure he got everything?" Kie asks, looking at John B and me as we sit on the dock by the Chateau.
"Every bar," John B confirms as I rest my head on JJ's chest, and he gently runs his fingers through my hair.
"The whole enchilada," I add, but my brother sighs in frustration. With a grunt, he pulls off the cast from his wrist and tosses it across the dock.
"Look, it's not like I expected some happy ending or anything," he says, his voice heavy with frustration.
"John B—" Kie starts, but he cuts her off.
"What, Kie? It's just a hairline fracture. Who cares?" he snaps.
"You should care," Kie responds firmly. "Your arm's going to be messed up for life."
JJ kisses my cheek, and I glance up at him, our hands interlocking as the tension in the air lingers.
Suddenly, we hear Pope's voice. "Guys! Guys!" he calls out, sprinting towards us.
"How was the interview?" I ask, trying to hide the excitement in my voice.
Pope is panting, catching his breath. "Oh! Oh! Oh, God. I ran all the way here."
"You okay?" John B asks him, still winded.
"How was the interview, Pope?" JJ and I ask in unison, and we share a small laugh.
"Don't ask," he groans, shaking his head. Then he looks at us both, his expression more serious now. "Look, I'm sorry. About everything."
"It's fine," I reply with a smile, and he nods. But then his tone shifts.
"I don't have much time, and I've got info that's tactically relevant," Pope says, his voice low. We all turn our attention to him.
"Before my interview, my dad said he was heading down to the private airstrip to cut palms for Cameron's big plane. It was too heavy, so it needed a longer landing strip. I was sitting there, thinking, why does Cameron need a longer airstrip? What's so heavy?" Pope explains.
All of us exchange looks of realization. "Gold," JJ says, and Pope jumps up with excitement.
"Exactly!" Pope says, pointing at JJ. "This is our chance. The plane leaves tonight, and we have to go."
"We can't give up now," Kie declares, looking at all of us.
"What's the plan, big man?" JJ asks, his hand finding mine as I give him a reassuring squeeze.
