“Well, it’s probably best we didn’t spend it all because I think we’ll need a hefty chunk to put towards the Day with the Cup thing.”
“What?” I blink. I had almost completely blocked that out of my brain.
“I know you probably still see him as just the kid who is your best friend,” Ma says. “But he’s the biggest athlete in the state at the moment, and definitely in Ocean Pines, and everyone is going to want to come to this event. We’re going to need to rent the empty lot across the street from the city for extra parking and hire extra staff and we should rent tables for the overflow and put them around the side of the restaurant too.”
“He’s not my best friend anymore,” I remind her. Why does everyone always forget that? “Look, I can handle the other stuff but maybe Chloe or Nova or Logan or someone can work on the Abbott stuff, specifically? It sounds like it’s going to be… a lot.”
“It is a lot,” Terra replies, and her expression gets serious. “There’ll be press from around the state. The league is sending a film crew, and his old team and his new one have already had their PR people reach out because they want to go over things. This is the huge, free coverage you’ve always dreamed of for this place. So you’re the best person to handle this, Declan. I know you know that.”
Damnit. She’s right. I could - and probably should - insist someone else handle it, but I’ll end up grinding my teeth to dust if it’s not handled the way I know it should be. I suck in all the air I can and then exhale in a huff. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
The room is filled with accolades. Everyone is thrilled except me. And my mood only worsens then Terra adds, “Abbott is scheduled to come by tonight to discuss things. I know you’re not scheduled so I’ll just send him up to your apartment.”
“No,” I growl and then clear my throat. “I’ll come down and meet him here.”
“I dare you to dust off one of your suits in the heat,” Finn adds, laughing. “Admit it. You used to roast in those Wall Street-worthy get-ups.”
“Those get-ups were made of the highest quality fabrics,” I retort and fight a smile. “But yeah, I sweated my balls off every summer.”
Everyone laughs.
The rest of the meeting flies by, mostly because all I can think about is how I’m going to manage to plan this event for Abbott without wanting to punch him or kiss him. Or both.
9
ABBOTT
When I getto the restaurant I park toward the side of the building, near the stairs that lead up to Declan’s apartment. I don’t know why I feel better about parking close to where he might be, but I do. It’s kind of borderline pathetic. He made it clear that he’s done with me and I have to respect that. I do respect it. I just… hate it.
I sit in my car for a minute and stare out my driver’s side window at the dock. It’s crowded with people either watching the sunset or fishing. The sky is cotton candy pink and that does nothing to take my mind off Declan. So I turn off the engine and get out of the car and make my way to the restaurant entrance. As soon as I open the door my nostrils are greeted with the strong smell of fried seafood. It’s salty and rich and makes my mouth water. I’m not exactly on the very strict diet I usually adhere to while playing, but I’m also not trying to let go as much as I usually do during the off-season. With the new team, I’m going to have to be on my A-game from the first training session. There’s also a lot of PR already, as the other day showed, so I don’t want to look pudgy.
But damn, what I wouldn’t do for a lobster roll. The Nor’Easter version that Declan invented when we were in high school and he was really into the cooking side of the business. He used to spend entire evenings and weekends in the kitchen with his mom. I close my eyes a minute and inhale deeply.
“You want one?” I open my eyes and find Nova standing behind the counter smiling at me. “We have fresh crab meat from this morning and Lucy made fresh garlic mayo about an hour ago. I could whip up a Nor’Easter in five minutes. Fries?”
“No. No I can’t.” Our eyes connect, and she smiles bigger. “Okay. Maybe one roll, but no fries.”
“Coming right up.” She opens the swinging gate that leads behind the counter. “Declan is waiting for you in the office. I’ll bring the roll in when it’s ready.”
“Declan?” Did I will my brain to hear that? She couldn’t have actually said it. “I thought I was meeting with Terra.”
“Deck is back in the marketing seat,” Nova explains, and she looks elated. “You know it’s what he wants. It’s what he was born to do.”
“He kind of loved the cooking part more when he was a kid,” I say. “He’s the one who came up with the idea of adding the crab meat and the aioli to make a new lobster roll.”
Nova’s pretty face twists with shock and she tilts her head, her thick wavy ponytail swishing behind her. “Really? He never mentioned that. Although he did like to cook at home. He always said you came up with the Nor’Easter.”
“I named it, but he invented it.”
“Huh.” Nova smiles again. “Well, you make a good team. Hopefully some of that mojo appears again tonight.”
“What?”
“While you’re brainstorming ideas for the Cup party.” Her smile is deep, like she knows something. Or maybe I’m just paranoid, so all I do is nod.
The office is on the right, just past the six-burner stove and the deep fryer. The door is wide open and I can see Declan in there, pacing. His frame is leaner than it’s been in a while. Maybe too lean, but I’m going to try not to worry about that. It’s not my place. I’m not his boyfriend anymore. I knock on the oak frame and he looks up, his icy blue eyes wide like he wasn’t expecting me. “Hey. So… you’re the marketing guy again.”
“I’m helping Terra out,” he replies and motions for me to step inside. “She kinda got my position dumped on her when I bailed and she wants to start a career in her chosen field soon, so I’ve got to dip my toe back in. Everyone else is busy with their own lives and stuff.”
