*Treasure and Secrets* Outer Banks Book 2

The Cross

Jo is sitting with her friends laughing about the night before at the bonfire.

"Did you see Crystal's face when you punched her girl? Like that was the best thing ever!" Kie laughs and high-fives Jo.

"She just gets on my nerves. Plus she was all over you John B. And that I won't let happen."

Jo gives a pointed look to John B.

"Yo last night was so epic." Pope comments.

"Did you guys see Kelce's face?" John B laughs.

"Bomb drop!"

JJ shouts as he jumps off the couch to shoot the basketball.

As he jumps he breaks the couch.

"Great, another broken couch." John B mumbles.

"Now you gotta sleep there." Pope states.

"I always sleep there. When I'm not with my girl." JJ jokes as he winks at Jo who flips him off.

Jo notices Sarah walking up on the porch.

"Hey, girl." Jo greets.

"Well hello, princess." JJ comments.

"What's up?" Kie mumbles.

"Shouldn't you be on figure eight with your little group of polo players? Or did you break up with Topper?" John B sarcastically remarks.

Jo leans up and whacks John B on the arm.

"Don't be an ass." she lectures.

Sarah gives him a glare and a sarcastic smile.

"We're just friends." she responds.

"Now he's just a friend? You have a lot of friends, Sarah Cameron." John B baits her.

"Yea, and it seems like you got some of your own too." Sarah argues taking the bait.

Jo grumbles.

"Can you please not fight? My head hurts." Jo whines.

"Alright, what are you doing here?" John B finally asks.

"I'm here for Pope actually." Sarah says turning to Pope with a smile.

He looks at her confused.

"I think I found the Island Room." she tells him with a smile.

Everyone instantly jumps up.

"Where?" Pope asks quickly.

"That's the thing. I found it on Tannyhill." she tells them.

"The house is empty so we have to leave now." Sarah tells them.

They jump up and head for the van.

"Don't worry, Rafe isn't there." Sarah tells Jo.

"Thank God, I really don't wanna see him right now. JJ and I are slowly making up, and the last thing I need is Rafe to show up and ruin it." Jo tells Sarah.

"Don't worry he's not there."

Sarah climbs in the front seat and Jo climbs in the back sitting next to JJ.

He grabs her hand and interlocks their fingers.

Pope pulls out the copy of Denmark's diary.

"Alright guys listen to this, the diary says the cross holds the most holy relic in all of Christendom, the Garment of the Savior." Pope reads.

Jo sneaks a peek at JJ to see him already watching her.

She smiles softly as she feels him squeeze her hand tighter.