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CHAPTER FOUR:
we're talking sex-toys and costumes.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The rest of Kennedy's welcome home party went smoothly—except for one fight that broke out between a bunch of Kooks and Pogues before the night was over. But Kennedy had been in the back of Rafe's car at the time, steaming up the windows and had missed out on it. Kennedy did return to the party however, and when she did, she actually enjoyed it more than she thought she would. She danced with Sarah, took shots with the cheerleading girls and passed a joint back and forth.

             The following morning, Kennedy's mother had dragged her out of bed, even when it was clear she was dying from a hangover—which her mother knew, because nothing got past her. Caroline had made Kennedy a smoothie, full of all the nutrients she would need to nurse her hangover and some greasy bacon. She had scolded her whilst doing so. But unlike Kennedy's father, her mother remembered what it had been like being a teenager, even though her later teenage years had been spent as a young mom. So, she didn't get on her case too badly.

             But she did drag her to the country club for lunch and some golf. Kennedy didn't really like golf, she found it pretentious and boring, not understanding how it could be considered as a sport. She much preferred to surf—which she hadn't had the chance to do yet because she had been so busy. But her mother had told her Sarah was welcome to join and so they had made it a girls day. Caroline had even bought them Starbucks before heading to the country club—which also helped aid Kennedy's hangover she was slowly recovering from.

            Kennedy was standing on the golf course, her club held between her fingers as she lined up her shot. She was wearing a white pleated golf skirt and a matching Ralph Lauren polo-shirt, her hair in two bunches with white bows holding them together. The white golf cap on her head helped block out the overbearing sun from above her, making it easier for her to take the shot without being blinded by the light.

           Kennedy swung, soaring the golfball across the course, landing close to the cup. She smiled, pleased with her shot as she turned to Sarah, letting her know it was her turn, "No one will judge if you can't beat that line up, Sarah. It was a pretty neat shot on my behalf." She gloated, settling one hand on her hip, the other holding her club that she used as a crutch to lean against.

            Sarah waved her hand in the air, "I'm not even gonna try." She said, letting out a small chuckle. Sarah wasn't very good at golf, unlike Kennedy who was pretty good at it despite not enjoying it.

             Kennedy sat back, watching as Sarah lined up her own shot. Her mother had took the golf cart across the course, insisting on fetching some drinks for them on her way to the bathroom. She had strictly added that it would be non-alcoholic drinks.

             "I noticed JJ talking to you last night," Sarah began saying before swinging the club, smacking it into the golfball. It soared before landing on the ground, a long distance behind Kennedy's. She turned to her. "So, what was the conversation about?" She nosily asked, wanting all the details.

            Kennedy adjusted the cap on her head, "He wanted to know what time to meet up tonight at the motel on the Cut for a very wild night of sex—we're talking sex toys and costumes." She told her dramatically, unable to hide the smirk on her face as she gave her a wink.

              Sarah stared at her unimpressed, "Ha-ha. Hilarious," Kennedy scoffed, feeling pretty amused at herself. Because yeah, like that would ever happen. She'd have to be insane to ever consider someone like JJ Maybank. "Really, what did he want?" Sarah pressed, being a little worried on why a Pogue would be talking with her—truthfully, she was just hoping that Kennedy hadn't gotten herself into trouble.

              Kennedy screwed her face up, "I honestly have no clue. I think he just likes the sound of his own voice." She said with a shrug as they began approaching their golfballs across the other end of the course, taking their time.

             "I think he likes you, you know," Sarah said, giving her hip a nudge. Kennedy kicked a gag. Sarah laughed. "What? I think it's kinda cute—he's always watching you." She said, giving her friend a smile.

Kennedy pulled her brows downwards, "That's not cute, it's creepy," She countered, making Sarah roll her eyes. Kennedy turned to her. "And either way, I'm not going to indulge whatever kind of sick fantasy Maybank has about me—and hello, I'm literally dating your brother." Kennedy pointed out, suddenly feeling very defensive.

Sarah smiled with a chuckle, "I'm not saying you should give him a chance or anything. I just think it's sweet. Maybe go a little easier on him?" She suggested, raising a brow. That was Sarah—always so nice and considerate of other people's feelings. Even though JJ was a Pogue, it was clear she didn't want his feelings to be hurt over some silly crush he seemed to have on her best friend. Kennedy on the other hand—she couldn't really give a shit.

Kennedy pretended to think about it, "Hmm. No, sorry. I don't do charity work." She chirped.

Sarah's eyes widened as she smacked her best friend's arm, a laugh escaping her lips, "You're awful!" She exclaimed, though she was laughing and smiling.

Kennedy grinned, giving a shrug, "I do try."

         Later on that day, Kennedy found herself on her father's boat, the Lost Atlantis. Her mother had remembered she had left her favourite pair of Prada shoes on the boat that she planned on wearing to a dinner with the other OBX housewives that night. So naturally, she sent Kennedy to retrieve them. Kennedy was sure it was only to keep her busy, so she could stop complaining about being home instead of at the beach house. But either way, Kennedy went without complaint, knowing there was no arguing with her mother.

It had took a while, but after searching, Kennedy finally found the red Prada heels underneath the bed in her parent's room. She had grabbed them and stuffed them into her backpack before heading into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

It was a scorching day in the OBX, only getting hotter as the day went on. Kennedy dreaded that a storm was coming. It usually happened when the island got too hot. A huge storm would blow in, making the air more humid instead of hot and it would leave destruction in its wake. Kennedy loathed storms. They were too obnoxiously loud for her liking.

Opening the bottle of water, Kennedy left the inside of the Atlantis, sliding the glass doors shut behind her. She turned before slamming right into someone, spilling the water all over her chest, soaking the white flowy crop top she was wearing, "Fucking hell! Watch where you're going you imbecile!" She exclaimed at the idiot that had rammed into her, throwing her hands up in annoyance, her face screwed up.

A low chuckle escaped the lips of the person standing in front of her. Kennedy knew that laugh. It immediately earned an even sharper glare, "Sorry, Princess. Your five foot fuck all height is really easy to miss sometimes." JJ falsely apologised, letting out a snicker, a smirk on his stupidly annoying face.

Kennedy's nostrils flared, "I'm five foot four." She corrected—not that it was any better, nor pleading her case. JJ was about an inch shorter than Rafe, and that meant he was a tall and lanky bastard. Usually Kennedy's type, hence why she had been crushing on Rafe for years.

JJ shrugged, "Same difference."

Kennedy screwed her face up, showing her hostility towards him, "What're you even doing here? Have you taken up a new stalking hobby or something?" She asked him, unable to understand why he would be on her fathers boat. He wasn't exactly a welcomed guest.

JJ snorted, "Don't flatter yourself, Princess," Kennedy scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Your old man hired me to get the boat prepared for him. Said he's taking her out on the water later but didn't have the time to get her ready before he leaves." He informed her, making her almost disappointed. He had a genuine reason to be there—and that meant she couldn't tease him further on the matter. It was no fun.

"You really get about, don't you, JJ?" Her question was rhetorical. Ninety percent of the time she saw JJ on Figure Eight was because he was doing the odd job here and there—repairing someone's car, building something from scraps or delivering something. JJ seemed to be a man of many talents.

JJ put a smile on his face and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his army print cargo shorts, "We don't all have a trust fund, Princess. Some of us gotta work for a living," He reminded her, a snarky tone to his voice. Kennedy pulled a mocking face and brushed by him. JJ threw his hands up, smiling in amusement. "You leaving so soon? We haven't even had the chance to properly insult one another!" He called after her, making her stop on the deck, swivelling to face him.

She tilted her head, putting a sweet smile on her face, "You want insults?" JJ nodded eagerly. "Those shorts don't match that top. Your hair seriously needs a comb and you're a massive pain in my ass. Bye!" She chirped happily, her smile widening as she turned away from him.

JJ pointed at her, "Jokes on you, Princess. Your loathing towards me really turns me on." Kennedy mocked gagging at him as she hopped off the boat and onto the dock.

She turned back to him, "Just try not to steal anything."

"No promises." JJ quipped.

Kennedy stared at him, lowering her brows, "Did you take this job hoping you'd bump into me?" She asked him, mostly only to strike a nerve, which she hoped she did. There was nothing a proud person hated more than being accused of going out of their way to do something that benefited them. And after Sarah telling her she was sure JJ had a crush on her, she was so sure she could use it a giant him.

"Yup," JJ chirped, much to her distaste and slight surprise. "I just needed a reminder of your face for when I'm alone later. You know, just a guy and his sock—"

"You're disgusting!" Kennedy exclaimed, throwing her hands up in disbelief. But she couldn't deny the shade of pink her cheeks had took over.

"I'm joking!" JJ called after her as she turned her back, storming away from him.

She offered him the middle finger from over her shoulder as she raced back to where her bike was propped up against a lamppost. She climbed on, glancing in JJ's direction before she took off. He was still looking at her, wearing a shit-eating grin. She scoffed at him and turned her bike, riding away from the dock. If anyone was going to get under her skin, it certainly wasn't JJ fucking Maybank.

( authors note )

ken & jj's bickering is my favourite thing ever!

— taylor xx