The Golden Couple

Chap. 44

"Oh come on," Steven argued, leaning against Bryce's kitchen counter. "What else would you be doing?"

"On a Saturday morning at 9:00 AM?" I challenged. "I'd be sleeping you idiot."

Bryce chuckled, sipping on his water.

"But instead you get to spend the morning with me!"

Bryce lowered his gaze at him.

"And your boyfriend," Steven added. "What could be better?"

"Getting rid of him," I said, jerking my thumb towards Clayton, who was sitting on the floor, playing tug-of-war with Dawson.

"I'm all for you not coming on Saturday mornings," Clayton called. "Or Sunday afternoons."

"Fuck off!" Bryce called back.

Clayton just flipped him off.

"And getting rid of you," I said to Steven, flashing him a smile.

"Then what would you do?" Steven pressed. "You wouldn't have any entertainment."

"I could think of something," Bryce stated, with a slight smirk.

The smile fell off of Steven's face. "Okay, gross. No."

I chuckled, taking a sip of my Arnold Palmer.

"So when do your practices start up?" Steven asked Bryce.

"Next week," Bryce said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Mine start this week," Steven said, hopping off the counter. "Looks like my team's ahead of the game."

"Looks like you need the extra practice," Bryce shot back, with a smile.

"If it helps kick your ass in Florida, I'm all for it."

"You guys play each other in the Florida showcase?" I asked.

They both nodded.

"And you come visit me," Clayton added, still in the living room with Dawson.

The smile fell off of Bryce's face, replaced by a slight frown.

"You can come see me kick Bryce's ass," Steven said.

"Keep dreaming," Bryce retorted, finishing off his water.

"Are you going to the Florida showcase?" I asked Bryce.

I knew he had to miss at least two tournaments this summer because they fell on his Chemo cycles, and I could've sworn one of them was Florida.

Bryce nodded, an amused smirk on his face.

I knew that look.

"No," I declined.

"I have to," he argued.

"Wait, what's going on?" Steven asked.

"You made a deal," I reminded him.

"And I'm upholding my end of the deal," he argued. "But I'm not missing the Florida showcase. I can't miss a chance to show up Anderson and visit Clayton."

"I'm pretty badass!" Clayton agreed. "But what are we talking about?"

"Bryce will be on Chemo!" I called back.

"Oh, then you can't go," Clayton declined, standing up from his position in the living room and joining us in the kitchen.

"For the six thousandth time, you're not my mom," Bryce reminded him, a hint of irritation in his voice. "And my doctor already said I could."