"I'm really sore," Bryce complained.

"That sucks."

"Sophie," he whined.

"Bryce," I mocked.

"Sophie I'm sore."

"I heard you the first six times."

He was currently lying on his living room floor, calling to me as I cut up ingredients for a smoothie in the kitchen.

"You're so mean to me," Bryce complained.

I ignored him, dumping my ingredients into the blender.

"Did you put blueberry in there?" he called.

"No," I declined, before turning the blender on.

He let out a long sigh, giving me a look.

"Why are you so whiny today?" I asked, with a laugh.

"Because I'm sore."

"I think we've established that."

"And I have to start Chemo next week."

"Well why dwell on that?"

"And Districts start tonight without me."

I jutted out my bottom lip. "I'm sorry love."

"And Clayton is signing at the end of this week to a school that's 500 miles away."

"Well you're just a ball full of depression today aren't you?"

He sighed, pushing himself up off the floor.

Dawson picked his head up off his paws, watching Bryce.

"I'm not going anywhere yet," Bryce promised, coming into the kitchen.

Dawson followed him anyways.

"I'm sad," Bryce informed me.

"I can tell."

I reached over and stopped the blender, pouring the contents into a tumbler.

I wrapped my arms around Bryce's neck, offering him a smile. "Stop being sad over things you can't control."

He just jutted out his bottom lip.

"You're sore for a good reason. If you want to play baseball again, you have to get your endurance back."

He nodded.

"And the Chemo, although not pleasant, is saving your life."

He nodded again.

"And Districts don't matter much when you have an entire summer of baseball planned." I raised up and kissed him. "So patience."

He hummed in agreement, bending down to kiss me again.

This time it didn't seem as though there was anyone to interrupt us as he went to deepen the kiss, my arms tightening around his neck.

And then Dawson began barking.

"Shhh," Bryce ordered, before he resumed kissing me.

But Dawson continued to bark, leaving the kitchen.

I pulled away from Bryce, a little concerned.

Dawson wouldn't leave Bryce's side for just anything.

"What?" Bryce asked, his eyes searching mine.

Dawson was barking out by the front door.

"He probably heard a squirrel or something," Bryce dismissed.

"Just go check," I said.

And then I heard the front door open.

Bryce froze, his eyes locked on mine.

"There's someone in your house," I whispered.

"I heard," he whispered back.

"Bryce, come get this damn dog!" Regina's voice called.

Bryce let out a low sigh, his body uncoiling.

I leaned against the counter, my heart currently pounding against my rib cage.

"D!" Bryce called, jogging towards the front door.

"Hello dear," Regina said, coming into the kitchen.

"Hi," I greeted, with a smile.

She was carrying suitcases, so she must just be getting back from a trip.

"Sorry mom," Bryce apologized, bringing Dawson back into the kitchen.

She disappeared back towards her room, returning without her luggage. "Did you already eat dinner?"

He nodded. "We're getting ready to head to the District baseball game."

"Is Steven pitching?"

He nodded again.

"Will John be there then?"

Bryce shrugged.

"Send him my best if you see him."

"How was Arizona?" Bryce asked.

"Hot," she said, crinkling her nose. "Not my style." She opened the refrigerator, pulling out some blackberries. "But we finished the job, so I'm thankful I won't have to go back."

"When do you have to leave again?"

"Hopefully not for a couple of weeks," she said, popping a blackberry into her mouth. "You start Chemo next Thursday, right?"

He nodded.

"Definitely not within the next week then."

She's left for his Chemo cycles before.

"This is the increased dosage," she continued. "I hope everything goes well."

"Me too," Bryce agreed, reaching over and stealing a blackberry.

"You better get going if you want good parking for the game," Regina said, raising her eyebrows. "I remember those District games. Parking is awful."

Bryce kissed his mom on the cheek, and she made him promise to keep sanitized at the game.

"I don't want you getting sick!" Regina called after him, as we left.

"She's right," I said, as we headed out to my car.

"I haven't gotten sick since I started the Chemo," Bryce pointed out, as he slid into my passenger seat. "So I must be doing something right."

I took a sip of my smoothie before backing out of his driveway. "Or you just have a lot of stupid luck."

"I'm fine with either."

Districts were being held at our school this year, which was nice because it meant I didn't have to drive too far.

But Regina was right, the parking lot was packed when I pulled in.

"Do people really have nothing better to do on a Tuesday night?" I complained, pulling in.

"I'm skipping Drug Addicts R Us to be here," Bryce pointed out as he played Candy Crush on his phone.

"I'm going to pretend like I didn't hear that. That's not nice."

He chuckled, stepping out of my car.

We walked up to the front and this time it wasn't our usual Team Mom running the booth.

"Are you two students?" the lady asked.

"Boo," Bryce muttered.

"Yes," I said, flashing Bryce a smile.

"6 dollars," she informed us.

Bryce reached into his wallet, handing her a ten before I had the chance to pull my money out.

She handed him four back. "I need the backs of your hands."

She stamped the backs of our hands, showing that we'd paid our admission, before letting us inside the gates.

I spotted Kylie and Landon, and Bryce kissed my cheek before hopping the fence and going over to join Coach Richards.

"Hey," I said to Kylie, taking a seat next to her.

"You made it," she said, flashing me a smile.

"As if I could miss it."

"I thought it didn't matter since your boyfriend isn't pitching," Landon reminded me.

"It doesn't," I said, with a shrug. "But somehow I still ended up here."

Kylie chuckled.

I watched Steven warm up. He looked nervous as Bryce gave him a pep talk, the two of them standing off by the dugout.

A few minutes before the game started, I looked over to the entrance, and Mr. John was coming through the gates, a woman's arm looped through his.

"Hey Steven!" I heard someone call on the field.

Steven's eyes snapped over to his dad. He was warming up with Bryce off to the side of the field.

He took off running, hopping the fence and meeting his dad over by the bleachers, a smile plastered on his face.

Last time his dad came he hadn't come out to greet him.

"I didn't think you were coming," Steven said.

"I didn't think so either," the woman said, nudging Mr. John.

"Your old man's still got some spark left in him," Mr. John said, with a laugh. "We're here to see you win, am I right?"

Steven just rolled his eyes.

"I'm kidding," his dad defended.

He moved past Steven and took a seat on the bottom row of the bleachers.

"Do you want some water?" Steven asked him.

"No, no," Mr. John declined. "Don't you have a game to warm-up for?"

"Yeah," Steven agreed. He reached over and kissed the woman on the cheek. "Thanks for coming mom."

"It was all your dad," she said, with a laugh. "That man is as stubborn as it gets."

Steven laughed before heading back out to the baseball fields.

"Would you like some water dear?" Steven's mom asked Mr. John.

"I would," he said.

She headed over to the concession stand.

"It's so sad about his dad," Kylie said, with a shake of her head.

"What about him?" I asked, looking over at her.

"That he has cancer."

Oh yeah.

"I mean, not that he has cancer," Kylie defended. "It's not sad that he has cancer. Well, it is, but-"

"I get what you're saying," I said, with a smile.

Bryce was now chatting with Clayton pre-game, the two of them laughing.

I sipped on my smoothie, waiting for the game to actually start.

"When is Bryce going to start playing again?" Landon asked me.

"In a couple of weeks," I said, looking over at him. "When travel season starts up. He just didn't feel like he was ready for school season."

And then the field cleared out, and the Panthers took the field, Steven taking the mound.

It was time for the start of the game.

Steven took a couple of practice pitches before the first kid stepped up to bat.

The first pitch was a strike.

"Good," Kylie breathed. "Off to a good start."

The next one was a ball.

"Or I spoke to soon," Kylie said, with a sigh.

The next pitch was a strike.

I clapped, feeling a bit anxious.

And the next one was a ball.

"Come on Anderson," I said, inching forward a bit in my seat.

Two strikes, two balls.

The batter swung on the next pitch, smacking the ball down the first base line.

Out.

The next batter smacked the first pitch, sending it into the outfield.

An outfielder jumped for it and missed.

"Poop," I muttered, as he scooped it up and sent it to Clayton.

Clayton tossed it to Steven.

The first inning didn't go too well for us. They ended up with two scores before Steven finally got his third out.

"Damn," Landon muttered.

Carlos was up to bat first for the Panthers, and he managed to connect his bat with the ball, getting on base.

And then it was Clayton.

I usually pull against him, but tonight I really wanted us to get past the first night of Districts.

Bryce had put a lot of work into Steven. He deserved this.

The pitcher wound up, letting a strike fly across the plate.

Strike one.

"Come on Clayton," I muttered.

The pitcher let the next one go.

Strike two.

"Come on," I hissed.

I could see Bryce getting antsy out of the corner of my eye.

But Clayton looked cool and relaxed at the plate.

And then the pitcher let the third pitch go.

Clayton connected his bat with the ball, sending the ball flying into the outfield.

And over the fence.

"Shit," Landon said, his eyes wide.

I was speechless.

A smile spread across Clayton's face as he began on his victory lap, Carlos coming into home base as well.

Two scores for the Panthers.

Bryce came rushing out to home plate, as well as the rest of the baseball players, giving Clayton a bro-hug.

Clayton Johnson, as much as I hated to admit it, can play some baseball.

~*~

"Why are you so happy?" I asked Bryce.

"Because we won!"

"But did you really want them to win?"

"Of course I did," he said, his smile faltering a bit as he stared at me. "Didn't you?"

"Bryce my love, when you're not playing, it doesn't much matter to me."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

We pulled up to the school, and I stepped out of my car, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

"Though I am glad to see you in higher spirits today," I said, as he wrapped his hand around mine, swinging our arms back and forth.

"Well today is a day of celebration," Bryce informed me, with a smile. "We won last night. And today Clayton signs."

I raised my eyebrows. "He signs today, really?"

"Yeah, didn't you get the invite to his signing party?"

I rolled my eyes. "Bryce, why would Clayton invite me to his signing party?"

"Because he loves me, therefore by default he has to invite you."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "No, I didn't get the invite. And I'm not going."

"It's during seventh period. I'll make sure you get an invite."

"It's quite alright. I don't think I'll miss out."

He just pulled me along with him, heading towards the pavilion.

"My table is over there," I reminded him.

He turned around, spinning me around in the process, heading towards my table.

"You're such a goof," I said, with a laugh.

"I'm gonna go talk to Clayton," he informed me, kissing my cheek. "Don't miss me too much."

"Get that ego out of here."

He laughed, squeezing my hand before leaving.

"You're not going to believe this," Kylie said, as I took a seat next to her.

"She's been freaking out all morning," Caroline informed me.

"What?" I asked, with a laugh.

"Ms. Wilcott emailed you. And me."

I placed my chin on her shoulder, reading the email.

She'd hired a replacement for Bryce. Steven Anderson.

"Does that really surprise you?" I asked, with a laugh.

"I cannot work with that son of a bitch all summer," Kylie wailed.

"You get used to him," I promised, picking my chin up off her shoulder. "He's only an egotistical ass half the time."

"Oh well that's better then."

I chuckled, pulling up my email.

I did have an email from Ms. Wilcott, the same one.

But nothing else that needed to be checked right this moment.

And then my phone buzzed with a text from Bryce.

I was now on the guest list for Clayton's signing.

I rolled my eyes. How many times had I told him that I wasn't interested?

"What?" Caroline asked me.

"Apparently I'm now going to Clayton's signing today."

"Who is he signing with?" Kylie asked me.

I shrugged. "Somewhere 500 miles away according to Bryce." I tucked my phone back into my backpack. "Good riddance."

"You're so mean," Caroline said, laughing.

"I mean, I'll miss him in the sense that it'll make Bryce upset," I said, with a shrug. "But he's been a jerk to me since the day I met him. So I don't mind seeing him go."

I hope wherever he goes, he stays there. Forever.

~*~

"There's a cookie cake over there," Bryce whispered, his lips pressed against my ear.

"I'm sure that's totally organic," I whispered back.

"Fuck organic, it's a cookie cake."

I couldn't help but laugh, pressing my hand against my mouth.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming out," the guy who I assume is the coach announced. "It's an honor to be signing an athlete like Clayton Johnson to our program today."

Really? Is that so? Have you actually met him?

Clayton just smiled, a true genuine smile.

That was a rare sight to see.

The coach continued talking about not only how great of a player, but how great of a person, Clayton is, and I tuned him out, studying the food table to see what other snacks and goodies they had.

Bryce's gaze was fixed intently on the coach as he listened to each and every word, his jaw tightened.

He hadn't said much yet, but he was really going to miss Clayton.

They'd been friends about 9 years now. It's hard to just let something like that go.

"And we're proud to welcome Clayton Johnson to the University of Florida," the coach finished.

Yeah, 500 miles alright. Clayton was going all the way to Florida.

I watched as Clayton signed his name on across the line of the player's contract, laughing as his mom said something to him.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?" the coach asked him.

"Yeah," Clayton said, a smile still on his face. "Of course I'd like to thank my family, my mom and dad."

His mom's eyes were watering up, her hand over heart.

And his dad had his hand around her waist, a smile plastered on his face as well.

"Thanks for enrolling me in baseball when I was a kid and for driving me to all the practices. And thanks mom for standing up and being the Team Mom for all those years, and for driving all those other kids to practice too. I'm sure you helped inspire other dreams."

Bryce chuckled.

"I'd like to thank my coaches," Clayton continued. "I wouldn't be where I am today without you guys. Thanks for all the encouragement and the tough love."

I liked seeing this soft side of Clayton. He doesn't let it show too often, but it helps remind me that there is still a human side to him somewhere.

"And shout out to Bryce," Clayton said, with a smirk. "Because apparently the bromance game is strong."

Bryce laughed.

"But really, thanks Bryce. For everything."

Bryce didn't say anything, instead just nodding.

But I could swear there was a tear in the corner of Bryce's eye.

Clayton went onto thank his teammates for having his back and a couple of other individual people. And then Coach Richards said a few words on behalf of Clayton, talking about how much of a leader and true athlete he was.

And then we were granted permission to eat some food.

People began taking pictures with Clayton in his UF gear, and for once Clayton didn't complain or make smart remarks, instead smiling for the pictures and talking amongst everyone.

"Take my picture?" Bryce asked me.

"Of course," I said, taking a seat on the table in front of Clayton and Bryce.

"I don't want to take a picture with you," Clayton declined.

"Yeah, well I don't really want to take a picture with you either," Bryce declined. "But if I don't take one now, I won't take one with you before you go."

Clayton didn't say anything to that, instead just turning to face me.

"Smile big," I ordered, before snapping the picture.

"When do you leave?" I asked Clayton.

"Early July," he informed me.

"Never," Bryce corrected.

Clayton chuckled, a half-smile on his face. "I brought you a smoothie."

"You asshole," Bryce muttered, shaking his head.

"Are you coming over after this?"

"I guess."

"Don't be like that," Clayton said, with a smile. "Come to my dad's shop afterschool."

"Yeah, I said I would."

"Let's go get some cookie cake," Bryce said to me, with a long sigh. "And pretend it's organic."

I pulled an arm around him, kissing his cheek. "Deal."

"He's not even leaving until July," Bryce said, as we waited in line for food. "So it's whatever."

I just nodded.

But I could tell that Bryce was upset, the way he folded his arms across his chest and ran his fingers through his hair, his jaw clenched.

I can't imagine what he'll be like when Clayton actually leaves.

So what did you guys think about the game? Did you expect Mr. John to show up? So many of you guys thought he was dead. If Mr. John had died, I would've made sure you'd known. What about Clayton's signing day? Did you expect him to sign all the way out in Florida? How do you think him & Bryce will handle it?