Page 83 of Sharkbait
I shake my head. “Nuh-uh. If I can’t afford it myself, I’m not doing it.”
“Stop,” he says. “You think everyone out there making things happen has hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank when they start?”
“I refuse to put myself in debt.”
“There’s good debt and bad debt, Cold Brew.”
Warmth floods my belly.
At what point did I actually start liking that nickname?
“Incorrect, James. All debt is bad debt.”
“Mortgages, student loans, small business loans,” he rattles off.
“Bad, bad, and bad.”
He sighs and leans on the bar top, silent, waiting for me to continue.
“Loans need to be paid back.”
“So you’ll pay them back,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Hey. Smart guy. Do you know what the starting salary is fora marine biologist?”
“No idea, no.”
“Thirty-four thousand dollars a year.”
“Thirty-” He can’t even get the full figure out, he’s so flabbergasted. “Shit. What? No!”
“Yes.”
“But you’re an expert on Muchinodrums!”
“Echinoderms,” I correct with a laugh.
“Echinoderms, right! Sorry.”
“And expert is generous, James. I’m just getting started.”
He says hello to a regular customer and pours them their usual.
I talk to him while he works.
“You know, with all the diving you’ve done and this excursion company you’re launching, I would think you’d know more of the sea-life terminology.”
“Maybe you can teach me?” he flirts.
I give him a look.
He chuckles. “I guess my focus has always been more on people. And diving protocols. It’s my job to keep everyone safe underwater. And to make sure no one is an asshole to the animals, of course. But yeah, I could definitely learn more about the specifics when it comes to marine life.”
“Are people assholes to the animals?” I say in horror.
“Most aren’t. But some of them? You’d be surprised. Enjoy, man.” He hands the customer his drink and turns back to me. “I had this idiot once who tried to impress his girlfriend by riding a whale shark.”
“What?”
