CHAPTER SEVEN
NORMALCY

     THE sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the ocean. The waves were perfect, as if the universe itself had given the world a gift. The surf was up, the best it had been in weeks, and everyone at the beach seemed to know it. It wasn't often that a perfect day like this came around.

     JJ and Jordyn stood together on the sand, watching as their friends, Pope and Kiara, paddled out to catch the next wave. The two had come a long way since those early days in the town of Kildare. They'd turned their lives around, built something of their own. A surf shop. A business they'd run together, employing their closest friends. It wasn't just a job—it was their life.

     The sun bathed them in warmth, and the air smelled of saltwater, sunscreen, and freedom. For the first time in months, the weight of the past seemed to have lifted. The nightmares, the tension—everything that had weighed them down for so long—had receded into the background. No one suspected anything. Shoupe's disappearance had never been solved. His body had disappeared with the river, and the police had never been able to find a trace of the killer he had been chasing. It felt like a distant memory, even though the body still clung to the bottom of the river just past their house, hidden and cold. But no one knew. No one suspected.

     JJ stood at the edge of the water, his surfboard under his arm, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he glanced at Jordyn, who stood beside him. She was still as stunning as ever, her hair catching the wind and blowing back as she watched Pope ride a wave, her eyes sparkling with joy.

     "You gonna let them show us up?" He teased, stepping closer to her. He flicked some water from his hand and sent it splashing her way, laughing as she jumped back with a playful squeal.

     She rolled her eyes, smirking. "Oh please. They're good, but they're not better than us," she teased, giving him a wink.

     JJ's eyes twinkled with mischief as he grinned. "That's my girl."

     The group laughed, feeling the thrill of the ocean and the camaraderie they shared. It was like a dream. The waves were perfect, the sun was setting, and they were surrounded by the people who mattered most.

     Pope, ever the perfectionist, had brought his new girlfriend, Leah, along. She was quiet but friendly, her blonde hair tied in a messy bun, and she blended right in with their group. Kiara, too, had brought her girlfriend, Lily, who was a little more outspoken but just as kind-hearted. The group had spent the day laughing, joking, and catching waves as if the world around them had no problems.

     Jordyn and JJ made a perfect pair in the water—each movement flowing seamlessly into the next, like they were one body, one mind. They were a team, both on the surfboards and off. As they rode wave after wave, joking back and forth, it was clear that the bond between them had grown stronger than ever.

     As the evening approached, they all made their way back to shore, laughing and talking about the best rides of the day. Pope was still talking animatedly about a wave he'd caught earlier, gesturing with his hands, while Kiara and Lily laughed at his over-the-top enthusiasm.

     "I swear, every time he catches a good wave, he acts like he just won the lottery," Kiara teased, her eyes shining with affection for her friend.

     "Right?" Lily laughed, nudging Kiara playfully. "I'd be surprised if he didn't put a medal on the wall for it."

     As the sun set behind them, the group made their way to a secluded spot on the beach, where they set up a bonfire. The fire crackled, the orange glow lighting their faces as the last traces of daylight faded into the evening sky. They all gathered around, sitting on the sand, roasting marshmallows, laughing, and talking. The warmth of the fire contrasted with the cool ocean breeze, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

     JJ pulled Jordyn close to him, his arm around her shoulders as they both sat back and watched their friends. Kiara and Pope were deep in conversation with Sarah and Lily, the four of them getting to know each other better.

     She leaned her head on his shoulder, her fingers absently tracing patterns on his arm. "This... this is everything," she murmured quietly, her voice soft, filled with contentment.

     The blond kissed the top of her head, a smile tugging at his lips as he looked out at the fire. "I know," he agreed. "I never thought we'd get here. You know, after everything."

     Jordyn nodded, her fingers tightening around his. "But we did. We're here."

     They sat in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company. The sounds of the waves crashing against the shore mixed with the laughter from their friends, creating a soundtrack to the perfect night. There was a peace to it—a kind of tranquility they hadn't experienced before.

     The night was filled with warmth, but when they eventually stood up and said their goodbyes to their friends, the night air turned colder.

     When they returned to their shared house, the moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft light over everything. The world outside was quiet, and for the first time in months, JJ and Jordyn felt the kind of peace that had eluded them for so long.

     Inside, they moved with ease, each of them fully aware of the other's presence. It had always been like this—silent understanding, a connection that was deeper than words.

     He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his hand lingering on her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her.

     She smiled against his lips, a soft, tender thing, before pulling away just slightly. "I love you," she whispered, her voice full of sincerity.

"I love you more," JJ replied, his voice low, his breath warm against her lips. His hand slid down to her waist, pulling her closer.

     Their kisses deepened, heated and familiar. There was no need for words now—no need to remind each other of their love. They both knew it. They had always known it.

     The night began to shift, passion reigniting as they fell into each other once more, the quiet of the house only broken by their soft breaths and the sound of their love. It was a night like no other, the weight of everything that had happened in their past melting away, leaving only the warmth of the present.

     And though Officer Shoupe's body still clung to the bottom of the river just past their house, no one would ever know. No one would ever find him.

     They had taken control of their fate. And as they fell into each other's arms, they knew that whatever came next, they would take care of it together, blood soaked knives in their hands.

     Forever.