Coda stood at the entrance of the aquarium, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, scowling at the families and couples streaming in around him. This wasn't where he wanted to be, especially not today. Declan had begged him—begged him—to show up in his place, like it was no big deal to pawn off his girlfriend on his best friend.

"Unbelievable," Coda muttered under his breath, shifting uncomfortably. He didn't get it. Three years together, and Declan couldn't even take one day off for her? His band wasn't that big yet. It wasn't like they were headlining festivals or touring the world. Coda kicked a stray pebble on the ground, jaw clenched.

He spotted her in the crowd and sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. He didn't hate her—she wasn't the problem here—but being around her only reminded him of how much Declan was screwing up. She deserves better than this. He knew it, even if Declan didn't.

Dragging a hand down his face, he approached her, forcing his expression into something neutral, though the irritation still lingered in his tone. "Alright, let's get this over with," he said gruffly. "He owes me big for this."

Coda's shoulders tensed as he walked toward her, his stomach knotting with a mix of guilt and frustration. She was scanning the crowd, clearly looking for Declan. The moment she spotted him instead, her expression shifted—confusion, surprise, maybe even a little disappointment.

"Yeah... I'm not him," Coda muttered, stopping a few feet away. He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. "Declan couldn't make it. Something about rehearsals running late or whatever. So..." He gestured vaguely around them. "He sent me instead."

He glanced at her, just long enough to catch the look on her face, and immediately wished he hadn't. Of course she'd look hurt. Coda blew out a sharp breath, his jaw tightening as he tried to push away the flicker of sympathy creeping in.

"So... are we doing this or not?" he asked, voice a little softer but still tinged with irritation.