Swan Song [boyxboy]

Swan Song {11}

                Rio and I sat in silence until my mom called us out for dinner. I led us to dining room and we sat down with my mom.

                Mom slid us plates with food and I began to eat hungrily. Rio and my mom began to eat as well.

                “Wow, this is really good,” Rio said. “Mitch told me how much Jace sucks at making food, so I was a little afraid he got that from his mom. But this is delicious.”

                Mom laughed. “Well, thank you. I’m not really sure why Jace is so bad at making food.”

                “I can make easy mac,” I said.

                “Mitch told me you’ve messed up easy mac before,” Rio said.

                “It was two times!” I whined. “Now, shut up and eat.”

                He scooped more into his mouth. “What? I’m just complementing your mom’s cooking.” He snickered. “But this has nuts in it, huh? My cousin is deathly allergic to nuts. It’s got to suck having a food allergy.”

                “I wish you were allergic. Then this would kill you,” I grumbled.

                “Jace Ryan!” mom said, rolling her eyes.

                “Aw, you’d be sad if I died,” Rio said. “And especially if I died at your table. Seriously, my cousin accidentally ate a brownie with nuts in it and almost died at the table. Dead people at the table really throw off the meal, you know?”

                “You’re an ass,” I said.

                “I’m insensitive and rude,” he said. “But I’m not a donkey.”

                “I see why you and Mitch get along,” I said in annoyance.

                “If you could put up with Mitch for 18 years, then you can put up with me easily. Seriously, my brother, my cousin, and I are sarcastic and sassy. But Mitch has us all beat,” he said, grinning.

                “And I want to punch him in the face most of the time,” I said.

                “This is a lovely dinner conversation,” mom said.

                “Sorry, I didn’t want him here,” I said.

                “Why do you hate me so much?” Rio asked with that stupid grin of his. “I’m not trying to get with you or your boyfriend.”

                “I don’t have a boyfriend,” I said. “And you’re annoying.”

                “Fair enough,” he said with a nod, and started eating again.

                “Rio, what happened to your jaw?” mom asked, noticing the nasty bruise. Hell, it was hard not to notice. There was no way Rio was going to be able to hide it from his parents.

                “Karma,” I said.

                “Obviously no one taught you the definition of karma,” Rio said. “You see, when the guy who didn’t slash someone’s tires winds up with the worst injuries, that is not karma!”

                “You helped,” I pointed out.

                “I watched,” he corrected. “And for some reason, that landed me with a very painful bruise, and broken glasses.” He tapped the glasses on his face. “Praise the lord for new glasses.”