When coming up with the shot list to win Dominic back, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to intentionally put myself in places where he and Miguel would be together. To see him look like he has some jealousy but then to still keep his fingers laced through Miguel’s. For it to even be a choice about who he’d want. It’s stupid, I know. I mean, they are boyfriends. But shit, it’s hard trying to win somebody back.

And I only just started.

     Ross     

Sean looks like the mind-blown emoji all over again. He’s staring behind us, and I turn to see Dominic—looking just as stone-faced as Sean—and the guy who must be Dominic’s new boyfriend waving so hard I think his arm might fall off.

“Is this Ross?” he asks as they step behind us. He puts his hand out. “I’m Miguel; nice to meet you. I’ve already heard so much about you.” His voice seems kind of forced and high-pitched as his eyes dart accusingly toward Dominic. I don’t think he wanted to hear about me at all.

I put my hand in Miguel’s, my first ever handshake. We were warned not to let our hands sit limply in someone else’s. Some people think it feels like you’re squeezing a dead fish and get really upset about it. So I pump his hand twice, my grip firm, never breaking eye contact.

Miguel releases my hand and stretches his fingers. “Wow! Really strong shake you got there.” He laughs, and this time it’s real. It makes me chuckle too, but Sean and Dominic just keep quiet and stare at each other.

This is perfect. It’s only my third day on land and Dominic clearly can’t stop thinking about Sean already. I’ll be back home in no time.

Miguel notices too. “This isn’t awkward at all, is it?” He laughs again, only he’s back to sounding like he wants to be anywhere but here. Humans are as hot and cold as a lionfish.

Sean finally snaps out of his funk. “Sorry, I was just . . .” He pauses, all of us waiting to hear what exactly it is he just was. “Thinking about my AP Chem test. I’m pretty sure I missed a question on our lab today.”

He chews his cheek and I know he thinks it’s as lame of an excuse as I do. He’s floundering, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s how hopeless flounder can be when they feel cornered. They’re used to being a predator, buried in the sand, so when they’re caught out in the open by a shark or an eel, they have no clue what to do. That’s Sean right now, the hopeless flounder looking for anyone to save him from this shark/awkward moment.

Which is where I come in.