As Raegan takes us around to the different animals, she explains not only their unique personalities and facts about them, but she also delves into the hardships they’re facing as a species and how the aquarium is working to protect them and how we can as well. Listening to the risks that so many of the animals face from everyday actions like pollution and dumping and fertilizers and even things as simple as noise, has my mood shifting from feeling sorry for myself to being ready to change my degree so I can help people like Raegan fight for the oceans and marine life.
26
Arlo
“He lives!” Pax yells as I step into the dining room the following day. “Was it because you smelled food? I swear you have like this sixth sense for when dinner is ready.”
I chuckle, setting my bag from physical therapy down. He, Lincoln, Rae Rae, and Caleb are sorting through takeout boxes. “It’s a gift. What are you guys having?”
“It’s from that new Italian bistro by the college,” Rae Rae says. “We have plenty. You’re welcome to join us … unless you’re leaving to go hang out with Olivia…”
“She has class.”
Paxton opens a container filled with ravioli smothered in a rich garlic cream sauce that hits my nose and empty stomach, making my mouth water. “You’ve been hanging out with her a lot.”
I nod. “Are you missing your big spoon?” I ask him.
He flips me off. “How’s Jade taking the news?”
“What news?” I ask, eyeing the manicotti.
“That you’re dating Olivia now,” Pax says, passing me a plate.
“We’re not dating.” I shake my head. “We’re friends.”
“Just friends?” Caleb asks.
“Yup.”
Lincoln shakes his head. “Bullshit.”
“What?” I ask.
“No one spends this much time with someone without being interested in them,” Lincoln says.
“I see you mother fuckers more than anyone, so what is that saying?”
Lincoln smirks, preparing to say something that Raegan kills with a single look. “Ignore them. You do what you want.”
Lincoln shakes his head. “That’s terrible advice. She’s the coach’s daughter.”
“So?” Raegan asks.
Lincoln stares at her like she’s just grown a second head. “What happens if things go to hell?”
“What happens if they don’t? If they like each other, it shouldn’t matter.”
“Thanks for the approval,” I say, piling some manicotti onto my plate.
“You’re welcome,” she says, giving Lincoln another look. “Also, Lincoln’s right. No one spends this much time with someone unless they’re interested, so you might as well stop denying it.”
“My Tahoe had a part bust the other day, and this morning I opened a bottle of shampoo, and the first squirt hit me in the fucking eye. I hang out with Olivia for a couple of hours, and I get a free brownie and coffee for being the hundred and first customer at a new bakery.”
“Back up, who jizzed in your eye?” Pax asks.
“You guys are so gross,” Rae Rae objects. “We’re eating, and you guys keep making everything sexual.”
Pax shakes his head. “You’re not allowed to say that word because you’re dating my best friend.”
“You just talked about j—”
Pax shakes his head again. “Stop. Nope. Don’t say it.”
Raegan drops her shoulders. “Then you probably don’t want to hear that Poppy and I signed our new apartment lease today, huh?”
Pax cringes before shoving a forkful of ravioli in his mouth. “I’m never going to see Lincoln again, am I?”
She smiles at Lincoln. “Maybe if he pisses me off.”
Lincoln guffaws, but doesn’t object, reaching for a garlic knot.
“So, what’s happening with Jade then?” Caleb asks. “Didn’t she want you to move in with her?”
“What?” Pax asks, turning his attention to me. “Red alert. Abort. Abort.”
“Wow. You are really hitting all the insensitivity checkpoints tonight,” Rae Rae says.
“They barely know each other,” Pax cries.
“You sound like a disgruntled parent,” she says. “But, I thought you guys were done, and you were doing the whole closure bit?”
“Disgruntled best friend who keeps learning shit from everyone else.” Pax grabs one of the garlic knots and chucks it at me. “So, what’s the deal?”
“Jade and I are over. We’ve been over. She asked me to move in back in November, and then shit went to hell in December, and she broke up with me when I blew out my knee, and I didn’t see her again until that party at Ian’s. But, we’re over. Closure is done—and highly overrated.”
“And Olivia?” Pax asks.
“Nothing. She has a ‘no labels’ slash ‘it’s complicated’ guy in Texas, and she’s smart and plans to move back there as soon as she can.”