Sea You Soon // An Outer Banks Fanfiction

23- False Accusations

I woke up the next morning with the sun shining in my face. I checked my phone and saw that it was already after 11. I started getting up, and JJ mumbled, "Don't leave, Paisley," as he pulled me back down next to him.

"JJ, it's late, and John B probably already knows that I'm gone. He's going to be pissed."

JJ frowned and I kissed him lightly. "Where are you going to go? I wish you could come back to the house with me, but John B will freak out again, especially if he knows we were together last night."

"I'll probably just stay here. There's no way I'm going to go to my dad's house. Can you leave the fishing stuff?"

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I asked, standing up.

JJ got up and pulled me into a hug. He kissed my forehead and said, "Don't worry about me."

"Do you have service out here?"

JJ checked his phone and said, "Yeah, why?"

"I'll call you later, okay? I'll come back and bring you some food."

"Thanks, bug," JJ said, giving me a quick kiss. "Do you know how to get home?" he asked, following me over to the boat.

I got in and handed the fishing gear down to him. "I think so. Well, I hope so. I should be fine."

"Okay, text me and let me know when you get back."

"Will do," I replied, smiling at him.

I started up the Pogue and headed back to the island. Surprisingly, I found my way easily.

I docked the boat and headed up the hill to the house. When I swung the door open, John B was sitting on the couch with his arms folded. He had obviously been waiting for me.

"How was your little late night adventure?" he asked me. "And don't lie to me because I'm not stupid. I know you snuck out with JJ."

"John B, I couldn't just let him stay at his dad's house. You know it's not safe."

"JJ's safety isn't my problem, but yours is."

"I don't understand how you can be this insensitive. If you would just let him stay here, then it wouldn't even be an issue. He's been sleeping on the couch for the past nine months, why is it suddenly a problem?"

"You think that I actually believe that he's been sleeping on the couch, Paisley?"

"He has been," I argued, my face turning slightly pink. "For the most part."

"See, if I let him stay here, he's just going to sneak into your room and night, and you know what happens next."

"Why the hell do you feel the need to be like this? You're not my parent," I yelled.

"Dad isn't here to look out for you and keep you from making stupid decisions, so someone has to do it."

"Okay, so somehow it's fair that you get to run around here with Sarah and do everything that you won't let me do with JJ? You're such a fucking hypocrite."

"Paisley, I-" John B started.

"What do you have against JJ and I being together? Isn't it obvious that we care about each other?" I continued to yell.

"Paisley, it's really hard for me to believe that he can change that much," John B said softly.

I was about to argue back when there was a sharp knock at the door, "Kildare County Police Department, open up."

"What the hell?" I whispered, turning to John B. A look of panic crossed his face. "Go in the other room, I'll answer it," I told him.

I opened the front door slowly, revealing Sheriff Shoupe standing there. "We have a warrant for the arrest of John Routledge for the murder of Susan Peterkin," he said, pushing past me.

"You're joking," I said. "How the hell did you even know that he was back?" I asked, confused.

"A couple of boys tipped us off," Shoupe replied.

"Rafe and Topper," I muttered under my breath. "Those assholes."

Shoupe started looking around the house, and I said, "Wait, you've got the wrong guy. My brother is innocent. He didn't kill anyone."

"I have several witnesses who would disagree with you," he said, pushing me to the side.

"The only witnesses you have are Ward and Rafe Cameron, and they're both liars," I spat.

John B walked out of his room with his hands on the back of his head. "I'm right here," he said. "Stop pushing my sister around."

Shoupe grabbed John B's arms, pulling them behind him. He put cuffs on him and lead John B out the front door.

"Wait, I'm telling you, you have the wrong person. My brother didn't do anything."

"Paisley, get Sarah, okay? Tell her everything. She'll help you figure everything out. Get the rest of the Pogues, too. I know we can make this right," John B said with no emotion in his face.

Tears started running down my face. "I'm sorry. I love you."

"I love you, too, Paisley. Please just stay strong for me," John B pleaded.

Shoupe shoved my brother into the back of the truck and drove off.

I dropped to the ground and buried my face in my knees.

I didn't know who to call first. I grabbed my phone and saw that I had several texts from JJ asking if I was okay. Shit, I had forgotten to tell him that I made it home.

I called him, and he picked up after the second ring. "Paisley, thank God you're okay," JJ said.

"JJ," I said before I started crying again.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" JJ asked frantically.

"They came and got him. They have John B," I said.

"Who?"

"The police. They came and arrested my brother. I think Topper and Rafe must've told them that he's back in town," I explained.

"Shit," JJ muttered. "Pais, do you think you'll be able to come pick me up right now?"

"I think so," I sobbed, getting up and going to get the keys.

I drove to the cove quickly, and when I got there, JJ was pacing back and forth, waiting for me. When I stopped the boat, he jumped in and pulled me into a hug. He sat down in the driver's seat and took us back to the island.

As soon as we docked, I pulled out my phone and called Sarah.

"Hey Paisley, what's up?"

"Sarah, where are you?"

"I'm with Kie. Is everything okay?"

"My brother just got arrested. I think your brother and Topper tipped them off."

"Oh shit," Sarah said. "I'm coming to your house right now."

When Sarah came in the front door, she was furious. "Paisley, can you drive me to my house? I need to talk to my dad and my brother. This is so fucked up."

I grabbed the keys to the van and said, "Let's go." Sarah got in the passenger seat and JJ sat down in the back.

I sped down the road toward Figure Eight. After driving for more than 10 minutes, I swung into the driveway of the biggest house in town. Sarah got out of the van and slammed the door. She walked up to the front door of her old home and pounded on it.