SUMMARY: Born and raised in Briar Ridge, Jeremy is the oldest of 4 children. He has two younger sisters that follow after him and a baby brother to round out the family. Growing up he was always very physical, into everything especially if it were sports. He helped his father out on his fishing boat almost from the time he could walk and by the time he entered into junior high school he was a master at handling a boat as well as itâs upkeep. The Lincolns had a restaurant, more like a pub and grill, a surf and turf kind of place called The Anchor that has been passed down through the generations â started by his grandfather. His father and his best friend were fisherman, supplying the area with their hauls and The Anchor as well. Mom stayed home to raise the kids and ended up mostly managing the restaurant when it had been time for Jeremyâs father to take over the business. He was a very gifted baseball player, who won a scholarship to a university in Boston and had a promising future in the MLB one day. Unfortunately, Jeremy went a little wild when he got away from home. More wild than he was when he had been in Briar Ridge. He barely kept his grades up and went to classes but remained a star on the baseball field. It was near his graduation and with offers coming in from MLB that bad news struck and altered his world forever. His father died during a fishing expedition, having gotten caught up in a bad storm. So, he left university behind and his dream and went back home to Briar Ridge to take over The Anchor. His mother died not long after, passing away from heart complications. From there it was completely up to Jeremy to provide for his siblings and keep The Anchor in business. Heâs been doing his best.
Welcome to Briar Ridge ⊠[ JEREMY LINCOLN ]! Who is known as [ J / JER / JEM / REMY / LINC ] and was recently seen leaving their home in [ BEACH FRONT]. he/she/they is/are currently [ 37 ] years old. he/she/they resemble/s [ CASEY DIEDRICK ] and is a/an [ OWNER ] at [ THE ANCHOR ]. Theyâre best known for [ a rebellious youth ] and also, [ a baseball scholarship that nearly took him to the MLB ]. What is really important to know about them is [ he's the prodigal son, returned to his hometown to take over the family business and hold onto his family's legacy giving up his own dreams in the process ].Â
BIOGRAPHY
trigger warnings: death, heart disease
For Jeremy Lincoln heâd found that life was equally simple as it was complicated. He grew up the oldest of four children in a blue collar household. Something that heâs very proud of to this day, something that comes from beyond honoring his father and the legacy he left behind. It may have been the only way of life he really knew but in his heart and soul Jeremy also knew that he needed nothing more. His father, Harrison, or Harry for short, was a second generation fisherman and had both used that to support and supply a business that was a seed his wife, and Jeremyâs mother, had planted in his ear. To take over Harrisonâs restaurant, The Anchor. The goal had been more so for the purpose of longevity, to keep her husband safe and their family in tact and whole. Fishing the seas was dangerous with unpredictable weather and fierce competition. She had also wanted to keep Harry home more as the often long excursions out for a haul were brutal to a family, mostly to a woman taking care of four children close in age.
As soon as he could walk Jeremy was practically climbing on his fatherâs boat, clearly the spitting image of his old man and destined to be following in his footsteps one day. Jeremy was the oldest, then there were two sisters in the middle, and a baby brother rounded out the family in full. It was just that none of them were quite built like he was. Jeremy was always a bit taller and stronger, rangy and sinewy; resilient. He learned to fish and assist his father on the boat before heâd move on from elementary school, only slowing down when he started playing school and community sports like baseball. By this time he hadnât been missing too much, Harry was hardly out fishing the seas anymore. His dadâs longtime family friend, Chadwick, had been supplying Jeremyâs grandfatherâs restaurant for some time and it was an arrangement that continued when it was time for Harry to take over The Anchor. He couldnât help himself and still went out to fish when he could get away with it but ownership changed hands and the family transitioned into the bustle of running an establishment that had become a staple in Old Town.
What Jeremy had understood from life was that it was hard work. He grew up helping his mother with his younger siblings, fishing with his dad, juggling school and sports, and then helping out at the grill most evenings. Somehow, none of that stopped Jeremy from being a teenager ripping around town with experimental alcohol in his veins with his friends and teammates. In fact, as mannered as he could be he also had a reputation for being a rowdy teenager. Some part of him was rebelling from the structure and boundaries, from the non-stop working schedule, and an intense need for freedom and independence. That was obtained upon graduation from high school and entry into college. It put a little distance between himself and his family and the discipline that entailed and his first couple of years at university were wild. Too many nights out partying and getting into trouble, worrying his parents with coming up with bail money, and inking tattoos on his body. He had a baseball scholarship, couldnât care less about academics, and began thinking if he could be good enough to go pro then his family would never have to worry about money ever again.
Sometimes dreams and hopes go up in smoke and thatâs exactly what happened to Jeremy when his father met an untimely death. Harrison had had an accident when out fishing, getting caught up in a bad storm that destroyed his boat and left him out to sea. Coast guard search and rescue performed search after search but Jeremyâs fatherâs body was never found. It devastated the family, perhaps even the close-knit Old Town community. Jeremy never noticed that, too focused on his and his familyâs grief and worrying about staying afloat. On the verge of graduating and MLB knocking on his door, he dropped out of university and went home to take over the grill. The family pulled together to run The Anchor, ownership was transferred to Jeremy per his fatherâs will request and heâs been working the establishment since.
It could be said that a couple of years following his fatherâs death that his mother died of a broken heart, but the clinical and official ruling for cause of death was heart disease. Feeling more alone than ever, doing his best to keep the ledger of the grill in green and footing the bill of his siblings everything became distant. Eventually it was too late, heâd been gone from the sport too long and his fate was sealed to follow almost exactly in his old manâs footsteps. So, he raised his younger siblings, helped them get into university, and somewhere found a few extra bits of cash to buy a fishing boat. Whatever free time he finds himself with he tinkers away on it, fixing it up and taking it out on short trips. At 35 he finds himself feeling old and weathered but content in that this was the way life was supposed to be.
Leyla had been mid arranging an entire tray of her latest glazed cronuts in the display when she heard a familiar voice. She raised an eyebrow at his teasing comment, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Careful, Jeremy," she replies with a playful lilt to her voice. She places the tray aside and grabs a fresh towel to wipe her hands as she moved to stand directly opposite him. "The day's still young. You'd be amazed at all the things I haven't terrorised yet." Leyla's smirk faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her features when he mentioned book recommendations. Asshole. She quickly recovered, but not before her cheeks flushed and gave her away. Straightening up, she cleared her throat, trying to ignore that one time he caught her reading something.. well, inappropriate for the public eye.
"Well," she began, deciding to just.. roll with it. "If you want something that won't get you a side eye at family dinner, you might want to.. steer clear of the genre I.. was reading last time. Cowboy books are not something a brother wants to buy his sister." She leaned back slightly, hoping he wouldnât press the issue further, though she knew heâd probably find some way to tease her about it. Her eyes darted around the counter, pretending to examine the pastry options as she tried to collect herself. "But yeah, I can definitely help you find something for your sister." She cleared her throat again, trying to focus. "Something safe. Definitely no... spicy romance novels. âUm, do you know what she likes?"
Some part of his brain said bet the moment Leyla squared up with her full-on playful threat. It was natural the way his lips formed their own smirk in response. "I'm rarely careful. Danger is my middle name, seriously... how am I such a mystery to you after all these years?" A tsk sounded off the back of his teeth and his head shook in mock disproval. "And see... I know you well enough to not be amazed. Since the day's still young and all I'm willing to be you're only getting warmed up." Even if he was setting himself up to be the next thing she terrorized, Jeremy couldn't help it. Their banter was always fun.
The heat coloring her cheeks and that flash of embarrassment in her eyes gave him momentary empowerment in victory. Got her. Though, he had to admire that Leyla still went on, despite the clearing of her throat, to admit to her daytime read. One that she did out on a bench in public. Not that he genuinely thought there was a single thing shameful about it. "What's wrong with cowboy books?" Jeremy pressed, faux sincerity in his eyes and blinking with innocence that didn't fit him at all. "Westerns are a popular genre..." Despite himself and his act a smirk was fighting to show itself. He was being an ass and he knew it but it was a little enjoyable to watch Leyla squirm a bit. As she looked around, avoiding his gaze, his eyes went to the book club table briefly. "Spicy?" Gaze back on Leyla, his fingers rubbed against the side of his bearded jaw as his brow lifted. "Romance novels to do with cooking?" Jeremy really was fighting the grin that wanted to form so badly. He just wanted her to say it, to admit to it. Why? Because he was annoying like that. "Uhh..." For a moment he glanced around and gave Leyla a break, "I think she reads a lot of historical fiction. She's also a bit of a Sci-Fi nerd."
character â @nataliedcluca
location â birdsong park
It was getting colder out now, winter was finally putting a chill into the coastal air, and soon enough riding his motorcycle wherever he needed to go wouldn't be the best option. Even if he was long used to it there just didn't seem a point in suffering through a chill and having to defrost himself wherever he ended up. Jeremy had just met up with one of Derek's friends to discuss something the friend didn't want to chat over text about and was about to leave when he saw her. He and Natalie had known each other a lifetime. Had tried to be so many things with one another over that lifetime, and for whatever reason it always ended in right person, wrong time. They were friendly now and the distance between them emotionally and the past they couldn't change had an ache to it. He'd dismounted his motorcycle as she neared, even if caught by surprised he'd hope for a spot of conversation. "If you're headed in there beware... I heard there's some tall guy in leather lurking around..."
Peri did her damn best to block out a lot of her childhood; she'd be the first to openly admit it. But if there was one thing she wished she hadn't let slip away somewhere between 'I kissed Sarah Wheeler under the bleachers' and 'that one time I read an entire essay on Eminem lyrics in front of the class, then finished with a rap' it was this: Towns like Briar Ridge were called small for a reason.
If you decided to get 'call me a good girl' wasted and hookup with a (mostly) stranger your first night back in town chances were you'd still have to see them the next morning... the next week... the night you popped into Chapman's for hot Cheetos and backup batteries.
Those run-ins were a coincidence. She wasnât sure what to call now, nor could she puzzle out why a simple morning run landed her right back at the scene of this particular 'Jeremy Lincoln' shaped crime.Â
Itâs not that Peri was a stranger to one night stands. She wasnât. Typically, though, when she said sheâd only be around for a few days she meant it. For all her escapades she was woefully inexperienced with having to face her 6â5â consequences.Â
Did she turn back and run the other way? Crack an inappropriate joke about this not being the first time he saw her lost for breath, legs shaking? Should she high five him three weeks late, give him a slap on the ass, and declare âgood gameâ?
Decisions. So many decisions.Â
Ultimately, after what was probably a few two many seconds bent over, hands at her knees, and blatantly staring she went with, âIâd ask if you live hereââ it wasnât past seven, was The Anchor even open yet?â âbut I think I already know the answer.â Because sheâd been to his place. Hell, she'd probably left a forgotten earring behind to prove it.
The deliveries came early in the morning and usually the chef or one of the line cooks would be there to receive the fish, seafood, and whatever else was incoming in the way of fresh vegetables and meats. He'd gotten the text a short while after he'd finally made it home after shutting The Anchor down not too many hours earlier for the night. Stephen's wife was sick and he'd make the lunch and dinner rushes for work the morning would be a no-go.
Deliveries signed for and the two kitchen staffers that had showed up to help that morning were putting things away, Jeremy went out to straighten up the deck. He was up and at the restaurant so he might as well start his day and get to work. The Anchor wouldn't actually open up until 11am for the early lunchers but if a power nap was needed he could pull one off in his office between now and then.
In fact, the sight of his father's boat at the dock pulled his attention. There was a perfectly nice bed in there. Jeremy kept up the boat all these years and took it out fairly regularly. And it would probably be the most peaceful nap he'd had in a while. Each time he blinked his eyes burned with tiredness. As he made his way down, however, a petite runner had come to a stop on the sand near him.
It was the woman he couldn't escape.
Not that it was entirely bad. She was gorgeous, they had a great time, in his opinion, but she'd said she was in town for only a few days. It promised to be harmless rather than a possible complication his life didn't need. Instead, for weeks now, he'd been seeing here everywhere around town. "Running's not really your thing, is it?" As usual a tease came out first. "Are you alright? I've got some water on the boat..." Jeremy gestured to it while a smile stretched across his face. "Yeah, I call this a second home, and the boat? A third." He nearly cracked a joke about remembering her stamina to be much better than this but he refrained. "Wanna come chill for a minute? Your body is very much telling on you right now."
Elsie was too absorbed with reading the recipe behind a pasta box in an attempt to figure out if she could make it without burning down her parent's kitchen to immediately notice Jeremy lingering at the end of the same aisle, absorbed with his own shopping. It was only the sound of a screaming child in his direction that made her head turn towards him. Her heart stilled, blood rushed in her ears as she snapped into focus and practically threw the box of pasta in an attempt to make a quick getaway without being seen. The blonde turned onto the next aisle, rushing to the end to put as much distance between them until she turned and came face to face with the man she'd hope to avoid for a little bit longer. Not because there was any ill will, unspoken words, but more because she didn't know if she was ready to face whatever feelings still lingered there. The hole he left in her life was painfully obvious now when she stopped in front of him with a dumbfounded look despite their past and the deep rooted friendship. "Shit, Jer... Did IâDid I hit you with my cart?" She heard herself say from a distance, barely recognizing her own sheepish voice.
Things had been relatively quiet lately. Was that a good or bad thing? Sometimes he longed for a peaceful and quiet life, uneventful, rather than the drama that often plagued it. Running a family business and trying to keep up with Derek while his own personal life was a mess should've been more than enough to keep him rooted in these easier times. But then as he grabbed an item off the shelf and dropped it into his hand basket there was a tickling at the back of his neck, because usually there was always a calm before a storm. Life had showed him that time after time. As much as he enjoyed these stiller moments he often wondered if life would feel too empty without them. Was the simple life really all it was cracked up to be?
The speed in which he left the aisle and moved onto the next was practical desperation to get away from the screaming kid. At one point he'd wanted some of his own but other people's children weren't his strong suit. His eyes were scanning the shelves rather than looking head, Jeremy had slowed to a stop as he decided on which brand to grab when the metal of a cart bumped into his legs. "Woah, hey there, big wall of a person here..." His fingers curled around the end of the cart and eased it backward right as his eyes were finding hers. Once upon a time they were of the most familiar and comforting set of blues he'd ever gazed into. His breath caught in his throat and his heart thudded. How long had it been? "Are you trying to play that off as an accident?" A tease came out first, words almost unsure due to Jeremy still trying to catch up to the moment. "That's one way to say hello..."
character â @lia-lozano
location â sugar rush scoops
"And here I was hoping that I was the only one that loved ice cream even when winter was approaching," Jeremy commented as he made it to the back of the line. "Should've learned my lesson with all the sightings of iced coffee drinkers around town," he further mused. As much as he was understanding of the fact that most people didn't like to be chatted to when standing in line, or maybe even in general, it was commonplace for him. Often working the bar at The Anchor being social was a natural thing. "So, what're you thinking on getting? I'm looking for inspiration." Truthfully he wasn't really a dessert or sweet treat type, ice cream was pretty much his only weakness there.
character â @leylayilmz
location â everything goes
"Well if it isn't everyone's favorite terrorizer," he teased as he stepped up to the counter and smiled at Leyla. With his phone in one hand and the other stuffed into the pocket of his pants Jeremy's eyes veered off of her and to the selection of pastries, then to the drink menu. Decidedly he told himself no and remembered why he was there in the first place. "I need help... and before you make any jokes," his index finger previously wrapped around his phone held up to halt any quip Leyla might make, "my sister's birthday is next week and she's a bookworm. Have you got any recs that I wouldn't be embarrassed to buy and gift to her?" That day of her hiding her book cover and blushing on the bench resurfaced in his memory.
character â @coltonatwater
location â pinewood social house
"You sure you're any good at this?" Some laughter spilled following his teasing words. It wasn't as though Jeremy was winning by some huge margin, they'd only just started the game after getting situated with drinks and snacks, all gluttonous, but as a ball player heckling was deeply rooted into his makeup. Bowling was fun and made for an easy way to catch up. "So, get me up to speed... what's been going on lately? I've been so busy with the restaurant and dealing with Derek's shit I'm out of touch." His head shook at that. The ongoing drama with his brother would end up being the death of him.
Outside of running The Anchor he didn't get much opportunity to socialize. After the hurricane he'd spent time patching up the restaurant and helped some other business owners around town as well. The business itself kept him busy, though. Especially since his siblings weren't all that keen on helping out. So, when Jeremy spotted a familiar Irishman at the bar nursing a pint, he took the opportunity to chat it up. "You see that stage over there?" He gestured with a nod of his head where singers and bands would perform. "You ever thought of getting up there? I saw that drunken performance at the festival... even a few beers deep you Irish have a way with music."
character â @maricabrera
location â high school batting cages
Yes, Jeremy absolutely was the guy that had trouble in letting go of his glory days. In an alternate life he'd be close to retirement from an awesome career in the Major Leagues. Unfortunately the universe hadn't been that kind to him this time around but sneaking into his old stomping grounds with a friend to swing a bat and shoot the shit wasn't a terrible alternative. He'd switched his hat backwards and offered his bat to Mari, "you wanna try this one?" Smirking, ( yes, he was the guy that brought his own equipment ) he knew it would be too big and heavy for her, but he also knew Mari's determination.
"If you spot Derek slipping in here will you give me a heads up?" Leaning into his hands at the edge of the bar there was something intense in his eyes as they peered at his best friend. His younger brother, due to a recent fight between them, had been barred from coming into the family restaurant. It was for good reason and not meant to be permanent. Derek needed some straightening out however and Jeremy was lost one what to do anymore. Especially since the young man was reaching his late twenties and couldn't be resting on the same old excuses anymore. "I'll absolutely buy your loyalty with free drinks all night..." Then he offered a lopsided grin.
Tucking a rogue curl behind her ear, Kira shrugged one shoulder. "That's me, generous to a fault." It wasn't exactly a joke, it was well known within her circle that Kira would go above and beyond for the people around her. It might not quite stretch to not flashing to make sure she didn't steal the limelight from a singer, but at least she was able to joke with someone she didn't know without it getting awkward.
At his next comment, Kira's smiled faltered slightly, her head tilting to one side as her gaze cooled. "Mhm, sure. Because the only reason I'd wear something like this is to mooch off of someone?" Maybe she had taken the comment in the wrong way, but it had definitely got her back up. "I can afford to pay for my own drinks, I don't need some rich guy to buy them for me." Readjusting the placement of the strap of her dress on her shoulder, Kira raised her eyebrows slightly. "You sure? I wouldn't want you to think I was just searching for a guy to buy my drinks for me."
A little lost on how quickly this interaction had veered into such a negative territory, Jeremy took in her reply to what had been a bad joke on his part. He nodded in acceptance to the reprimand and his smile slowly dissipated. "I'm sorry," he stated sincerely, "I hadn't meant to offend you." Head a little cloudy and slightly buzzed from the beer Jeremy would have to think on this later and learn from it. For a second he thought of explaining that it wasn't meant to be anything but a tease but then that still didn't make it right if it had offended her. "I think I've bothered you enough," he said with a nod, a sort of tip to bid goodbye, "I hope you enjoy the festival."
"You know how long I've been waiting for someone to win me a teddy bear? Probably my whole life at this point." He grinned with a nod, thankful for the other buying them both a round and something to eat even though he wasn't there in uniform or for any reason other than to spend time with the other man. It'd been a bit since the last time that he'd swung by the other's place for a drink, seeing as he was still trying to figure out how to manage the two jobs at once. The festival was a welcome change of pace as they hit the boardwalk where all the game booths were set up. "If I don't get one tonight, I may cry and neither one of us want to see that happen," he joked with a laugh. "How've you been? I feel like it's been forever since we last hung out."
"It's a good thing you're with me then," he joked back, large hand against his chest, "I'm here to make dreams come true, my friend." These carnival games were likely a place he'd do pretty well considering his long training in baseball. Any game that required a toss, precision, and aim would be something he'd likely be a winner at. Maybe strength as well, but Colt had a lot of that as well. "Shit... is it an ugly cry? Are you an ugly crier, Colt?" A smile stretched along his bearded face, happy to be in the company of a good friend as they meandered the festival and found their way into the section of the boardwalk with the games. "Yeah, you don't come around much anymore. Too busy for me now," he bumped shoulders briefly, just giving the younger man a hard time. Jeremy knew Colt was busy and didn't hold that against him. "It's alright, still dealing with Derek, but what else is new, right? At this point he's bound to wind up in jail." The shrug was more of defeat than indifference. He was out of ideas on what to do. "How's things with you? The firefighter life still what you want?"
LOCATION:Â Oakland Elementary and Middle School
WHEN:Â During the Hurricane at BR Summer Music Fest
FOR:Â Closed starter for @jeremylincoln
Leyla hurried down the dimly lit hallway of Oakland Elementary as she attempted to keep up with Jeremy, her sneakers squeaking on the old linoleum floors. The place smelled exactly as she remembered it: a mix of pencil shavings, dust, and old wood. She shivered slightly, partly from the cold seeping in through the aging walls and partly due to being absolutely soaked like everyone else in a bid to seek shelter at the school. She'd left Billie with her brother, thankful that amidst all the chaos she'd finally found them again. The brunette had instructed her daughter to stay put, but she lowkey worried that knowing her daughter, Billie wouldn't listen. She tried to push those worries aside and focus on the task she'd volunteered for. They were supposed to be finding the electricity breaker, whilst getting distracted taking a trip down memory lane, it seemed. Jeremy was beside her, the flashlight from his phone casting long shadows as they turned another corner. "I swear this place used to feel bigger," Leyla murmured, casting him a glance, her lips tugging into a small wistful smile. "You were a couple of years above me, right? I think I remember you."
As they approached the end of the hallway, Leyla pushed open a pair of heavy doors leading into a dim, cluttered room she had never been in before. Old equipment and supplies were scattered about, and it seemed as good a place as any to hide a circuit box. "This looks like it could have a circuit breaker, right?" she asked, stepping inside and surveying the dusty surroundings. The door slammed shut behind them with a heavy thud, and at first, she didnât think twice about it. That was, until she tried to pull it open. The handle wouldn't budge. âYouâve got to be kidding me,â she muttered, jiggling the handle more forcefully. After a moment she stepped back, looking at the stubborn door, and her heart sank. Her greatest fear felt like it was coming to life. "âJeremy, I think weâre stuck."
Even at full brightness the flashlight on his phone could only illuminate so much in the dark that the hurricane and power outage had cast upon Briar Ridge. Jeremy made sure to keep Leyla close, not wanting to lose her as they set upon this task. The winds were stronger than howling and the rain felt like pelts against his skin. Dodge the debris had been a mostly useless remedy against the forces of mother nature. Thankfully the uncovered and unprotected walkways between some buildings were few and far between as they searched for the electricity breaker. Once upon a time he'd known thus place like the back of his hand, having always been prone to trouble and ditching class. Now everything felt tiny and eerily unfamiliar yet nostalgic all the same. "You already forgot me from the last time we spoke?" He gave a weak smile, not sure how to take that. Especially since their joking showcased just how familiar they were in such a small town. The school had a small class during their time here.
"Wait..." Jeremy tried before Leyla wandered off into a room but followed after her in not wanting to get split up. He'd wanted to tell her that a circuit breaker would most likely be with all the other equipment that ran the school, a building further out and away from the classrooms. Though, he could understand why she was being hopeful. Often his thoughts ran to his family, wondering if they'd found shelter and were safe from the storm. He'd lost his old man to a storm, caught up in it out at sea, so these things always felt heavier than what they should be. The door slammed shut thanks to the force winds behind them and he immediately turned away from what appeared to be where the school kept a lot of storage and tried to work the door back open with Leyla. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath after a few grunts, putting his body weight and strength into it. No real match for a hurricane. "Damn... yeah, I think so." He then tried shouldering it a few times but gave up when his shoulder began to ache. The flashlight was then turned to the room behind them, wandering over each item slowly. It felt like a horror movie. "There's gotta be a way outta here. See if there's another door on the other side of the room. I'm gonna check the ventilation."
