Challenge lit in those blue eyes. Both Chad’s arms circled his chest, tightening in a death grip.
What the hell was he doing? The awkward position had him inches from Chad’s handsome face. His eyes bored into Ducky. The gaze sent a sizzle ricocheting from his heart to his head, promising things Ducky didn’t understand.
Chad’s full lips were so close and tempting. What would happen if he leaned in and pressed his mouth against Chad’s?
Fuck. Ducky started to loosen his hold. The need to put distance between himself and Chad overwhelmed his senses. Longing had to be reflected in his gaze. One breath then another as they continued to stare at each other.
Ducky had it so damn bad. He was losing the battle raging in his soul.
Did friendship really matter that much? He dipped his head.
Chad took the advantage Ducky gave. “You think you’re the only one with moves?”
He gave a wicked laugh and pushed them both off the side of the ledge. They landed with a hard splash into the water only a few feet away. Chad didn’t let him go as they went under, not until they sank as low as they could go. Then his friend pushed them both to the surface, still holding Ducky tightly.
Being completely unprepared for the spontaneous submersion, Ducky spit and coughed out the water he’d taken in.
Chad gave a boisterous laugh right in Ducky’s face “I win.”
Ducky planted both hands on Chad’s chest and shoved away, using his feet against Chad’s body as a launching point. He swam a few feet away unsure how Chad could have missed his hard cock, but the threat of drowning had dimmed his arousal. He swam in place, looking at Chad’s shit-eating grin.
“I still win,” Chad said.
“You keep saying that,” Ducky shot back, not yet ready to give in on the fight. Chad’s response was to swim toward Ducky with determination in his eyes. “Okay, okay. You win. I lost. Is that what you want?” Ducky managed to stop Chad about half a foot away.
“I want your shoes for the walk back as my prize.”
Ducky rolled his eyes and performed his own slap to the water, sending a wave over Chad’s face before swimming the long way around to the ledge.
“Screw that,” he said and lifted himself out of the water with his back turned to Chad. He kept climbing to reach his joggers before Chad could get them. “You can walk barefoot.”
Chad had forgotten how much he loved to spend time in the kitchen. Five days into their vacation and he constantly gravitated to the heart of the home, forgoing the local restaurants, preparing his and Ducky’s meals himself. The great thing about feeding Ducky was that he happily ate whatever Chad made. Even seemed appreciative of his efforts.
The other great thing was that Ducky never complained about how often they went to the grocery store. They vibed so well together. The atmosphere they lived in was chill and relaxed to say the least. They meshed well. Ducky was one of the most considerate, well-intentioned people Chad had ever known. The guy was sweet, personable, and real. The last attribute was exactly what Chad had needed to help ground him with his recent turbulent thoughts.
No matter what, Ducky needed to stay in the forefront of his immediate circle. The way Ducky helped him unplug from the chaos in his head made decision-making so much easier. On that thought, he put the knife down and reached for a cloth towel to wipe his hands from the vegetables he’d been chopping.
In a move he’d never been more sure of in his life, a peace settled over him as he pulled up Tristan’s contact information and sent him a text message.
“I’d like to formally accept the position. I have the e-copy of the contract. I’ll sign it and send it to Human Resources in the morning.”
Chad looked out past the lanai, down to the beach where Ducky sat alone, meditating, or so he explained his actions in that way. It seemed a stretch to think the tension still lingering around Ducky could be solely healed by meditation, but he hoped he had given Ducky the same support he’d gotten in return.
A driving certainty had him glancing back down to his cell to finish the message. “I’m going to pull back from the PGA. I’m not feeling it at all anymore. I’m thankful for everything you and Dad did to help me achieve my goals. I hope my dad won’t be too disappointed with me.”
After all the self-reflection, his father’s disappointment was his only true regret. He pushed send, glanced back at Ducky still on the beach, staring into the deep blue water then took the coward’s way out, swiftly typing another message to Tristan. “Can you tell Dad for me?”
The little boy in him nervously waiting for his father’s approval was a damn hard feeling to shake. Having his father pleased with him fed a deeper insecurity. Yet he’d never remembered a time his dad hadn’t offered him everything.
Tristan’s text came back quickly. “I think it’s a good decision for you and the company. I’ll instruct HR to expedite your new-hire paperwork. I watched the video of the cliff diver you’re interested in from Italy. She’s crazy talented. I want you to go scout her, but as a father figure to you, I don’t want you to go fling yourself off those high cliffs like I know you might.”
Of course, he was eventually going to try cliff diving. Those athletes were too talented to not try to glean perspective. His thoughts scattered and any comeback was lost when his father’s name appeared on his screen. His ring tone, specifically the vibrant, loudwoo hoochorus from “Song 2” by Blur, always grabbed all the attention no matter where he was.
All the certainty from moments ago became unsteady. He hadn’t anticipated having to have this call so fast. On the fourth ring, Chad answered, “Hey.”
“Hey,” his father repeated. “Tristan forwarded me your text. Is this truly the decision you want to make? Everyone has second thoughts and down times. You’ll build back, Chad—”
“It’s what I want, Dad,” Chad said firmly. He closed his eyes as the conviction resurrected in full force. “I want this. I’ve already started fielding talent. I don’t like being tied to one sport. This is a way I can use my education and still be a part of an industry I love. Unless you don’t think I’m qualified for such a big job.” He took a gulp of a breath, sensing he was rambling, and waited for his father’s answer.
