"So what time is your game?" Kayla asked, as Bryce chopped up a carrot.

I couldn't help but cringe, sure he was going to chop off his finger.

"The only game you need to worry about is the one Sunday at 4 PM," Bryce stated, looking up at his phone where he was FaceTiming his sister. "The championship game."

"What if you don't make it to the championship?"

"That won't be an issue."

"You're so cocky."

"I just don't doubt my pitching ability."

"Let me check my calendar you egotistical ass," Kayla said, laughing.

And then she fell silent.

"What?" Bryce asked, as she shoved the chopped up carrots in the salad bowl. "You can't come?"

"I can come," Kayla said.

I wasn't even looking at her and I could hear the forced happiness in her voice.

"What is it?" Bryce pressed.

"It's nothing, really."

"Oh my God Kayla, what the hell is it?"

"I just had plans with dad," she confessed. "The three of us were going to an early dinner and then to a Broadway show. But Broadway is always going to be there. And dad will understand."

Bryce looked over at me, a tired look on his face.

I just shrugged, picking up a piece of carrot that had fallen off the cutting board and popping it into my mouth.

"You can't cancel your Broadway plans."

"It's fine. Broadway to a New Yorker isn't a big deal."

But what about plans with her dad?

"You can't cancel on dad either," Bryce added, his voice tight.

"Dad will understand."

Bryce looked over at me again, and I just offered him a supportive smile.

I'm not going to tell him what to do.

"Just invite dad to come," Bryce muttered.

"Do what now?" Kayla asked.

"Invite dad to come," Bryce said, a little louder with a frustrated tone. "Invite dad to come to the game."

I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face.

"Are you sure?"

Bryce just nodded.

"Okay, yeah. I'll invite him."

"Okay, so I'll see you at the fields on Sunday then."

"We'll be there."

Bryce said his goodbyes before ending the FaceTime call.

"I'm proud of you," I stated, as he picked up the salad bowl, shaking it around to mix up the ingredients.

"Well it's not like I expected Kayla to ditch on her plans for me," Bryce said, a hard edge to his voice.

"It's not like she expected you to reach out to your dad either," I stated, a smile still stretched across my face. "That was a big step for you."

He placed the salad bowl back down on the counter, giving me a look. "That was me being courteous."

"That was you turning into a softie."

"I am not a softie."

I just laughed, leaning across the counter and pecking him on the lips. "That's okay. I prefer this Bryce anyways."

~*~

"Remember the last time we flew out to New York?" Bryce asked me, as I sipped on my Starbucks.

"You pouted the entire time we waited to board our flight," I reminded him.

"I did not."

"You did too," I countered. "And now you slap that surgical mask on without a second thought."

"I have to," he said, reaching over and taking a sip of my coffee. "I can't pout every time I'm getting ready to board a flight."

"Well you could. But nobody would want to hang out with you."

"It's not that bad really," Bryce continued, ignoring my dig. "You just get used to it."

"Well I'm glad."

The flight attendant came on over the intercom system, calling for first class to board our flight number.

Bryce reached down into his backpack, pulling out his box of surgical masks.

I remember the last time we flew to New York I had to wear one with him to get him to stop pouting. And now it just like a second nature to him.

I looked around the airport at some of Bryce's other teammates.

I may have hated Clayton Johnson, but he had always been there to bridge the gap between Bryce's baseball world and, well, my world. And now I didn't know anybody.

I felt like an outsider.

Bryce was slumped down in his seat, texting Kayla.

And then they started calling for the first few rows on the plane to board.

I re-checked our boarding tickets, resting my head on Bryce's shoulder as we waited for our row to be called.

"Kayla said that she has plans for you guys tonight," Bryce informed me, his voice muffled through the mask.

"That sounds interesting," I said, with a laugh.

"I'd be scared."

I just smiled.

~*~

Just like last time we disembarked our flight, I was quick to spot Kayla awaiting our arrival.

Bryce had to go off with his team to the team hotel and get checked in, but I was staying with Kayla and Josh over at their apartment.

That should be interesting.

Bryce kept his hand securely wrapped around mine, even after I spotted Kayla, forcing me to come over with him.

"What are you doing?" I asked, with a laugh.

We went over and claimed our luggage before joining up with Kayla.

She immediately threw her arms around Bryce, showering him in kisses. "I've missed you!"

His words were muffled through the mask as he led her outside, quick to dispose of the surgical mask strapped across his face. "Missed you too sis."

"How was your flight?"

"The same as every flight ever I suppose?"

She whacked him on the arm before wrapping me up in a hug. "Hey Sophie!"

"Hi Kayla," I said, with a laugh before she released me.

And then Bryce kissed me.

"I was supposed to get my kiss first," Bryce complained, before kissing me again.

"Well I'm just a hot commodity today," I said, wrapping my arms around him.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Harrison, let's go!" Bryce's coach called out, as the team headed towards the van taking them to their hotel.

"That's my cue," Bryce said, with a slight pout.

"Behave," Kayla ordered.

"I'll try and sneak out tonight," Bryce said, with a wink.

"I'll have no such debauchery happening under my supervision," Kayla said, placing her hand over her heart in a dramatic fashion.

Bryce just rolled his eyes, picking up his suitcase and baseball gear before joining his team.

"You ready?" Kayla asked me.

I nodded, following her out to the airport parking lot.

Kayla drove a Volkswagen Jetta, which I decided fit her personality-wise.

That was important when choosing a car. Choosing something that fit you.

"So are you going to all of Bryce's games?" Kayla asked me.

I nodded.

"I tried to get off," Kayla said, with a slight frown. "But I couldn't. Josh is going to go out on Saturday with you though."

I didn't know Josh nearly as well as I did Kayla. But I still nodded.

The radio broke the silence between us for a few minutes, but I could tell something was on Kayla's mind.

"So," Kayla started, her eyes glancing my way. "Did you convince Bryce to let my dad come out on Sunday?"

There it was.

I shook my head. "That was all Bryce."

"I'm still in shock."

"I'm right there with you."

"When I told my dad, he literally asked me if I was sure seven times. And then called me again the next day to confirm. Twice."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I couldn't believe it either. But I think it was more about you."

"More about me?"

"He felt bad that he was ruining your plans. So he wanted to make it up to you."

"Well we won't mention that to dad. Because he's nervous enough as it is."

I pulled one knee up to my chest, shaking my head. "I just hope it all goes over okay."

"Me too girl," Kayla said, with a slight laugh. "The last thing I need in my life is more family drama."

We pulled up to Kayla's apartment complex, and I followed Kayla upstairs.

"Honey, I'm home!" she announced, as she opened the door.

"Funny!" Josh's voice called out.

She laughed, holding the door open for me. "I thought so."

He appeared in the main living area, smiling at me. "Hey Sophie."

"Hello."

"So I'm sorry now for the tight quarters," Kayla said, with a grimace. "We're trying to upsize."

Josh just laughed.

"Shut up," Kayla warned.

"I have a blow-up mattress for you," Josh offered, with a smile.

"I can take the couch, I really don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Kayla asked, her eyebrows furrowing. "Because the couch doesn't seem too comfortable to sleep on." She smiled at Josh. "Just ask him."

Josh just rolled his eyes.

She chuckled. "I'd suggest the blow-up mattress."

"The couch isn't bad," Josh offered up.

Kayla just rolled her eyes. "Go get the girl the mattress, would you?"

Josh held his hands up in mock surrender, disappearing back into their bedroom.

"So, what do you feel up to?" Kayla asked me, her eyes wide with excitement. "I know you just got off the plane, but we could go and have dinner down in Times Square and take in the sights. Or we could go over to China Town. Or Little Italy for some Italian."

"Don't let her overwhelm you," Josh said with a laugh, returning with the air mattress. He plopped it down on the ground, going to move the coffee table. "We can have dinner here if you'd like, since you literally just stepped off of a plane."

"She's in New York," Kayla argued. "I'm sure she doesn't want to eat takeout in our apartment."

Josh chuckled, flashing her a cheesy smile, and she just rolled her eyes, unable to bite back a smile of her own.

"Fine, fine," Kayla caved. "Or we can eat takeout in our apartment if you'd like."

"Kayla's all about going big and doing everything all at once," Josh explained, as he pulled the air mattress out of its carrying case. "But she forgets that not everyone thinks that way."

"Watch it mister," Kayla warned, raising an eyebrow at him.

His smile just widened.

"I'm fine with whatever," I dismissed.

Josh let out a groan, and Kayla smacked him with a throw pillow.

"Not the fine with whatever," Josh groaned.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"We'll save Times Square," Kayla suggested. "Let's just go down to Little Italy and get some Italian."

I nodded in agreement, and Josh connected the air mattress, the machine springing to life.

"Sounds like a plan!" he shouted over the noise.

~*~

"That's the problem with Little Italy," Josh muttered, sipping on his wine. "They always take forever with your food."

"But it's real, authentic Italian," Kayla countered. "So it's worth the wait."

"I can get real, authentic Italian from Supper or Monte's," Josh muttered, clearly put out.

"Places that deliver aren't real Italian," Kayla said, with a laugh.

"So have you talked to Clayton at all?" Kayla asked me, ignoring whatever Josh said next.

I shook my head, sipping on my Lemonade. "I'm sure Bryce has."

"I don't care that much."

"You're so mean to that kid," Josh said, with a laugh.

"I don't like him."

"Not many people do," I agreed, with a slight smile.

"I mean, he didn't even come to my wedding," Kayla pointed out.

Wait, what?

"You invited him to your wedding?" I asked.

"Of course I did. He may be an asshole, but I practically saw his own mother more than I did my own growing up. I invited his whole family. Clarissa was going to come, but she got sick at the last minute."

"She sent us that really nice wine cooler though," Josh said, placing his hand over his heart.

Kayla paused to glare at him before glancing back over at me. "And she's the only one that RSVP'd. That asshole denied my invitation. And it's not like Taylor was just going to leave him home alone."

"Well it shouldn't surprise you," I said, with a shrug. "He's always been a jerk."

"Not always. But no, it shouldn't surprise me. Because he's always been a jerk to me."

That's so strange.

"Me too," I muttered.

"Yeah, well here's a little tidbit for you," Kayla said, swirling around her wine. "Clayton Johnson doesn't know how to act around girls."

"I'm a little lost as to who Clayton is," Josh stated, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Remember at the hospital?" Kayla reminded him. "Bryce's surgery, the kid who showed up late? With donuts."

"Oh, right."

"He doesn't seem like the type who's shy around girls," I stated, raising my eyebrows at her.

"Sure, he can talk to a girl," Kayla said, with a nod. "On a superficial level. But once she cracks the surface, it's like he doesn't know what to say or do. She's a whole new species to him, and it freaks him out."

"That's so weird," I mused, thinking back on all my encounters with Clayton.

I'd never noticed it before, but he'd never really had a girlfriend. And I was the only girl he hung out with a regular basis, and that's because he was forced to.

"Food," Josh breathed, noticing our waiter coming out of the back with plates in his hands.

"It's all Clyde anyways," Kayla finished, tipping back the rest of her wine glass. "The way he conditioned him."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

But our conversation was ended by the delivery of our food, Josh's eyes practically popping out of his head.

"You'd think that I never feed you," Kayla said, with a laugh.

"This is real, authentic Italian," he recited, taking a bite of his meal. "Nothing like it babe."

So what did you guys think about Bryce inviting his dad to his tournament? Were you surprised? What about Josh & Kayla? Did you miss them?

Teaser: It's a big old family reunion. And in the midst of Bryce's tournament, there's of course some of our favorite family drama. Because what good would a family reunion be without some?