*JJ POV*
I came back running to the chateau after work to see my friends.
"Hey everyone what's up." I said as the boys and Kie were sitting around the bonfire.
"What got you in a good mood JJ?" John B wondered.
"My boss asked me to bartend at some kook party next week and he's paying DOUBLE man, he also asked me if my friends are interested in taking the job, just for the night, its kinda a big deal and they need a lot of staff"
"Who's party is it?" Pope asked.
"Im not sure, but does it really matter? Theyre paying DOUBLE, so who's in for making extra cash baby?" I playfully pushed Pope's shoulders.
Ofcourse I knew who's party is it, its Richard Carter's party, Elle's dad.
"I can't , pops need some help with cleaning shrimps" Pope replied.
"I'm in, sign me up JJ" John B gave in.
"That's my boy" I stood up and went to jump on him causing both of us to fall on the ground.
I was glad John B agreed to come with me to the party, he knows about my 'slight' obsession with Elle, I mean they all do and they tease me about it all the time but he's different, he actually gets it, maybe because he also likes Sarah Cameron. Elle Carter and Sarah Cameron, two blondes from figure eight. How could this turn badly? Oh yeah, they have psychotic, pogue-hating boyfriends. Absolutely nothing to be worried about.
*At the party*
John B and I walked to this new beach club and saw the sign "Happy 40th Alison Carter".
"So that's why we are here, to see Elle?" John B grabbed my shoulder and ruffled my hair.
"Nope, I had no idea it's her parents party but I'm not disappointed either". I tried fixing up my hair that I washed 3 times because I didn't like how it looked.
I actually put some effort in my appearance today, because maybe just maybe Elle will finally notice me today and totally realize choosing Rafe was a bad idea and then we can run to Vegas and get married.
"JJ—take the champagne to Richard's table" My boss pulled me out of my thoughts.
Oh shit, Richard's table aka the table where Rafe and Elle were sat, Rafe had his arm around her and she had her hand on his thigh, they were all laughing and talking to each other, I was staring at them for way too long with a champagne bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other.
"JJ, I can take it if you want" John B interrupted my thoughts.
"No it's fine, you go back to staring at Sarah" I winked at him and made my way towards the table.
Richard noticed me first. "Oh, finally the champagne is here"
"Richard, this is like the 5th bottle we had already" His wife told him, and by the looks of It she was drunk.
"No baby, this is to celebrate Elle and Rafe, their 4 years anniversary is next week and they're going to Florida to celebrate."
I felt my heart break when I heard that sentence. I felt selfish, wanting Elle for myself when she's in a good relationship, who am I trying to fool here, a girl like Elle Carter will never go for a guy like JJ Maybank.
I placed the bottle and glasses and left to go back to the bar. And went back to partly doing my job when I wasn't staring at the couple. Rafe poured the champagne for himself and Elle, everyone at the table clinked their glasses together before drinking. I saw Rafe give Elle a kiss on her jaw and she smiled at him in return (oh that smile), then she grabbed his face with both her hands and kissed him on the lips briefly. I couldn't help but feel jealousy, but why? She was never mine and never will be, the sooner I get over it the better, I've been in love with this girl since we were 8 years old (almost 10 years ago).
After a few hours, a slow song came on and many couples were dancing, including Elle and Rafe, I couldn't help but look at them, I was probably imaging myself as Rafe, having Elle's arms wrapped around neck while having my hands on her hips as we look into each other's eyes. Elle had the prettiest eyes, some people say they're blue others say they're green but its neither, she has a mixture of colors, under the sun they look more green with some grey in them but if she's standing in the ocean they look more blue as the water reflects in them, and if she's in love you can see them glistening when she's looking at you.
"Don't do that to yourself man" John B leaned next to me over the counter when he noticed who I staring at.
"I'm going outside, I need a break"
*After a few hours*
I was working at the bar, when I saw Harlan sitting down, Kie had a major crush on him in 7th grade and was totally heartbroken when he started Amy, he used to hang out with us but then he just stopped showing up.
"Hey man, how are you?" He gave me a fist bump.
"Im alright. What can I get you?" I asked him.
"Whiskey on rocks"
"You got it".
He kept ordering more drinks an I lost count after the 7th refill but its not my place to stop him.
"Hey JJ, we haven't surfed in awhile, wanna go out this weekend and maybe smoke some weed?" He asked.
"Ofcourse man you know im always down, but Harlan why did you stop coming ?"
"My dad likes to control his children, but don't worry im not Elle, im breaking the cycle he cant control me anymore"
I couldn't help but think about his words, is his dad controlling Elle? In what way? But before I could ask what did he mean by that, I saw Elle coming towards us.
"Hello stranger" she greeted her brother, she looked angry at him. They had an argument which made her dad and boyfriend interfere. Damn in, why did Rafe have to come, it was like a reminder that no matter how close I am to the girl, he's always gonna be there.
"Hey JJ, can you get me that drink Harlan wanted, I need it more than him". She chuckled
Wait, that's Elle's voice and she just called my name? Am I dreaming or what. I looked at her and then nodded to let her know it's coming. But ofcourse Rafe had to ruin the moment and got mad at Elle for knowing my name.
"He's a friend of Kie's" I don't know why but her answer made me smile, she could've said I worked at her parents garden ( which is true because I do, and part of the reason why I have that job is because I wanted to be closer to her).
I watched Rafe leave and I told her her boyfriend's an asshole, she looked shocked at me but I didn't just stop there so I told her she deserves someone better.
"Oh really? Someone better? Like you". She looked at me in a very flirty way before she drank the entire contents and her glass, and she watched me fill her glass again.
Elle Carter wants me, I know it and you cant convince me otherwise.
"What the hell was that?" John B asked me when Elle left.
"I have absolutely no idea, she's something tho"
*After the party*
We stayed after everyone left to clean up the empty bottles of liquor, and thats when I noticed Elle's phone that Harlan threw, so I picked it up and put it in my back pocket, I could've given it to my boss so he can take it to her dad, but that way I wont get to see her again, so I decided to give it to her myself.
It was around 3 AM now, John B and I were walking towards the chateau. "She wants me man I'm telling you, you saw the way she was looking at me didn't you? "
"Yeah man I did but she was also drunk and –"
"and what John B? you are the worst wingman ever, you have been pushing me away from her all night, do you have feelings for her or something" I cut him off.
"What? No man, I just don't wanna see you get hurt"
"Why would Elle hurt me?"
"Cause shes a pretty and rich chick from figure eight?" He said like it was obvious.
"No you don't know her like I do" I argued.
"JJ, you knew her a long time ago, she obviously changed since then, and even if she doesn't end up breaking your heart, Rafe, her BOYFRIEND, would make your life a living hell."
"Right, Rafe" I sighed.