“Hey. Someone has to work around here. Besides, I don’t think the life of a professional athlete is the definition of balance.”
Declan drapes an arm around my shoulder as we head into the dark, cavernous room.
“Hey, if we’re going to defend our title, I might be a little MIA.” He raps his knuckle on the closest hard surface.
“I for one hope that happens.”
“Hey! Knock on wood.” Declan looks at me like I’ve committed a grave error because I didn’t somehow acknowledge that it might jinx them.
“Athletes and your superstitions.”
“See if I take you out on my Cup day again.”
“To be stood up on the kiss cam? I’ll pass.” I laugh.
I shake my head as I pull him toward the thick glass. Sharks lazily swim by. Fish scurry past as seaweed moves with the current.
It’s peaceful, standing here in the dark and watching them go about their days. Not a care in the world.
“Hey.” Declan wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me back against him, dropping his chin on my shoulder. “You did give me the hand, Froggie.”
“Only after you kissed the Cup instead.”
“Sue me. You know I only had a day with it. I have a whole year with you.”
I swallow down the emotions that threaten to bubble up at the thought of being done with Declan in a year.
It seems the two of us have only just gotten started, but I don’t want to lose him. I mean, he’s my best friend. We’ll always be best friends. But this new place the two of us are in? I really like it.
He's been my best friend since I puked all over his tennis shoes and he took care of me, not once trying to sleep with me. Whenever anyone questioned our friendship, we always brushed it off. I mean, how could you fall in love with someone when they puke all over you?
But now? Now things feel different. The more we act like a couple, the more it feels like wearea couple.
Based on Declan’s comment, he doesn’t seem to mind the end date this thing between us has.
Oohs and aahs bring me out of my thoughts. Faces are pressed up against the glass as kids try to follow the sharks.
“Would you want to be a shark?” I ask, needing to steer myself back to a better headspace.
“I mean, I’d be at the top of the food chain, so why not?”
“Kind of like the Black Diamonds?”
“Aren’t you funny?” He tickles my side.
“It’s why you love me so much.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I grab his hand and head toward the tunnel connecting the exhibits. Fish move all around us. It’s like we’re a part of their world like this, as they’re coming at us from all sides.
“I wish the season weren’t starting,” I confess.
“Why’s that?” Declan asks, looking down at me.
“I know it’s going to get busy for you, but I like that we get to do things like this together.”
“Just because the season is starting, Froggie, doesn’t mean we can’t do this.”
