Page 156 of Begin Again Again

“I know! It’s about giving people permission to be a sexual being!”

“That sounds like Sal. And you.” Byron sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “How have you been, beautiful?”

“Fuck how have I been, how haveyoubeen? How was work?”

“Yeah, fine.”

He said it casually, but Beth could hear the excitement in his voice. She nudged his side. “Come on, tell me? How was it?”

“Amazing,” he said, burying his face in her neck.

“I’m so, so happy.”

“Mmm,” he said into her skin. “You’re so fucking delicious.”

“I know, but what happened? Did you meet your team? Did you like them? Did they like you?”

He chuckled. “Baby, one question at a time.”

Byron had gotten the player development role last week, beating out five applicants with more experience. He thought it was because his background as a Hammerhead would look good on the Western Australia Football website. Beth thought it was because he showed incredible promise and seemed unlikely to slap someone for calling him a ‘washed up cunt’ the way the previous guy had.

“Are you happy?” Beth asked. “Is it what you wanted?”

Byron didn’t answer. Knowing he was probably thinking his mysterious Byron thoughts, she stroked his head and watched the waves. In and out, they moved like oceanic lungs. They didn’t feel melancholy to her anymore. The beach, the water, all of it felt like home.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” Byron mumbled into her neck. “It seriously fucking scares me sometimes.”

Beth smiled. “But it’s worth it?”

He pulled back, staring at her like she was crazy. “Of course, it’s worth it. It’s worth more than anything I’ve ever had.”

“Even a professional football career?”

“Even that.”

“Even copious amounts of MDMA?”

He leaned forward. She thought he was going to kiss her, but he rubbed his nose along hers instead. “I love you, actually, Bethany Myers.”

“Well, that’s good. We do live together.”

“I love you more than the ocean. More than the sky. I love you so much it hurts sometimes.”

Beth’s lower lip trembled. He always got her like that, his sincerity cutting her defences off at the knees. “I love you too.”

“Great. Next time, maybe go in with that right away?”

She dug her fingers into his side. “If you’re done, I actually do want to know more about your work.”

“Don’t we all.” Byron’s smile faded. “They want me to play in a charity match next month.”

Beth fought back a smile. “What are you thinking?”

Byron looked down, a grin spreading his face. He was going to do it, she knew it. But even though she wanted to scream and shout and hug him, she didn’t. He still needed time and she’d give it to him.

“Well, whatever you think,” she said. “Want to go to the shops? Get stuff for dinner?”

“Hang on.” Byron traced his knuckle across her cheek. “We need to talk.”

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