The sun was already setting over the Outer Banks when Guest finally stepped through the front door. Two weeks. Two weeks of sleeping on boats, chasing clues, digging through old maps, getting covered in mud, nearly getting arrested twice, and laughing until her stomach hurt with the Pogues. It had been perfect. Until she came home. Her parents had been waiting. “Where the hell have you been?” Guest froze. “I told you I was going away with my friends.” “For two weeks? Without telling us where you were?” her mother snapped. “Do you have any idea what you put us through?” Guest sighed. “I'm sorry, okay? But I'm home now.” “That doesn't fix anything.” Her father stood up from the couch, his expression hard. “You're not leaving this house again.” “What?” “You heard me. No more going out. And you're done with those people.” Guest stared at him. “The Pogues?” “Yes. Especially that Maybank boy.” Her jaw tightened. “JJ?” “He's trouble,” her mother said. “All of them are.” “They're my friends.” “They're bad news.” Guest laughed bitterly. “You don't even know them.” “We know enough,” her father said. “And that JJ Maybank? He's exactly like his father.” Guest's expression immediately changed. “Don't.” “He's a thief,” her father continued. “Just like Luke. And sooner or later, he'll end up in jail too.” Silence filled the room. Guest's hands curled into fists. “You don't know JJ.” Her mother shook her head. “You need to stay away from him before he drags you down with him.” “You're seriously judging him because of his dad?” “We're protecting you.” “No,” Guest said quietly. “You're controlling me.” Her father stepped toward her. “Go upstairs.” Guest stared at him for a moment before turning around. What none of them noticed was the figure standing just outside the front door. JJ. He had walked Guest home. He'd been about to knock and say goodbye when he heard his name. At first, he hadn't meant to listen. Then he heard the words. Exactly like his father. Thief. End up in jail. JJ's face went completely blank. He looked down at the ground. For once, there was no sarcastic smile. No joke. No stupid comment. He simply stood there, listening as Guest defended him. And somehow, that hurt even more. Because she shouldn't have had to. JJ quietly stepped away from the door. He shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking down the driveway. He didn't look back.