¥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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{Tension}
"Oh my god, this is adorable!" Kie exclaimed as she admired the ultrasound pictures. It was the day after the failed operation, and we were all outside the shed, just unwinding. JJ was waxing his board, and Pope had his nose buried in a book.
"I can't believe that in less than a year, we're going to have a new addition to our crazy family," Pope said, his voice filled with disbelief. He glanced up briefly from his book, and I smiled at him.
"I know, right? It's unbelievable. I never even thought I'd have kids. Now, look at us," I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. Kie smiled at me warmly.
"You two are going to be amazing parents. This baby is so lucky to have you guys," Kie said softly. JJ and I exchanged a glance, and he winked at me, making me laugh.
"Have you guys thought of any names yet?" Kie asked, her voice playful as JJ continued waxing his board.
"Not really," I replied. "We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet."
Kie sighed dramatically. "Well, if it's a girl, you should name her Kiara," she said with a sarcastic grin.
I burst out laughing. "I was actually thinking of a girl's name, but I'm not sure yet," I admitted sheepishly. Kie's grin softened.
"You have plenty of time to figure it out," she reassured me. Then she turned to JJ. "And if it's a boy, I guess you'll let JJ name him?"
I laughed. "Yeah, I guess if it's a boy, JJ can take the lead on that one."
Kie shook her head with a laugh. "I wouldn't trust him. He'd probably name the kid after a gun or some famous surfer."
I laughed again, the idea of JJ naming a child after a surfboard brand or some action movie hero amusing us both.
Pope, who had been reading, finally looked up and shook his head. "That's a lot of wax on your board," he said. "If you put too much, it's gonna be slippery."
JJ stopped waxing, looking at Pope with a raised brow. "Are you telling me how to wax my board?" he asked, jaw clenched.
"I'm just saying, that's a lot of wax," Pope defended, holding up his hands.
"No, no, no. You telling me how to wax my damn board? Are you kidding?" JJ snapped, his temper flaring.
"It's just a colossal waste of wax," Pope added, shrugging.
"Guys, seriously?" Kie interjected, rolling her eyes at the back-and-forth. I couldn't help but smile at how predictable their arguments were.
Just then, a familiar car honk echoed from a distance, and my heart skipped a beat. I stood up, my eyes widening.
"Did you hear that?" JJ asked, looking over at me.
I nodded, my mind already racing. "It's the..."
Before I could finish my sentence, the Twinkie — the van with the busted windshield and sputtering engine — pulled into the driveway. The four of us froze, then went into a panic. The door swung open, and out hopped John B.
