Page 48 of Devilish Debt
Life is easier when you don’t have that type of particular person in your life.
Let alone two.
“You know that’s alotta judgment coming out of someone who’s clearly missing his modeling audition for Ralph Lauren,” turning the yacht slightly starboard is attached to me adding, “the Golden Years collection.”
The amused, displeased grunt escaping him is overshadowed by Zero cheekily stating, “Oh, I thought it was for the Nautical or Nice line.”
Gradually decreasing our speed precedes a slow, enthusiastic nod of approval.“Dad humor out of the child on board.”I effortlessly begin shifting us so that we are drifting instead of actively moving.“Poseidon approves of this message.”
Light laughs leave Little One.“What makes you say that?”
“The waters are calm.”Backing away from the helm is attached to my next retort.“Hence, why we can safely float here while I go diving.”
“You’re not…” Garcia cringes as he realizes he isn’t familiar with the correct terminology, “parked?”
“You mean anchored?”
“We’re not anchored?!”Zero croaks, clearly in distress.“Shouldn’t you be fucking anchored?!Isn’t that like page one of Captain coding or something?!”
“Do you not knowhowto anchor?”Garcia tips the brim of his oversized hat a little higher to ensure I see his glare.“¿Es por eso que no lo somos?”
“First off, I want it known that I find you asking me in EnglishandSpanish to be exceedingly condescending.”
He does his best not to smirk.
“And second, this,” my finger waves itself back and forth between them, “is exactly why I don’t salvage with shoresies.”
“Shoresies?”they question in tandem.
“People who belong on the shore and not on my trip.”
Much like the inquiring, the frowning is done together.
Yeah…I hate myself for finding moments like this irresistible.
They did it at bedtime when I considered not cuddling.
They did it again at breakfast when I declined to join them.
And now.
I should know better.
I should be able todobetter.
Yet…yet… I find myself becomingslightly– like pearl in a shell small – addicted tosomethingaboutthem.
Not just separately either.
I meantogether.
Zero is port, Garcia is starboard, and I’m the bow or stern depending on which way we need to go.They’re opposite sides, sure, but when they’re working together?
Literal.
Smooth.
Sailing.
