"I feel like the Sun is singling me out," Josh complained, readjusting his sunglasses as he stretched out on the bleachers. "It must be a thousand degrees out here."

"More like 87," I said, with a laugh. "You're such a New Yorker."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"There's no humidity," I informed him, reaching up and tightening my ponytail. "I don't think it's that bad out here."

"You're bluffing."

"I'm just more accustomed to the heat."

Bryce came out of the dugout, the team ready to take the field for the start of the game.

"It's him you ought to feel bad for," I said to Josh, nodding towards Bryce. "He's in a full baseball uniform, while you're over here in a tank top and shorts."

"Well I could be in my air conditioned apartment, watching Netflix and grading papers," Josh defended. "So Bryce should be thankful to me for showing up here to cheer on his sorry ass."

Josh's phone buzzed on the bleachers next to him, shaking the entire bench. A few people glanced over at us, eyebrows raised.

"Sorry," Josh apologized, holding up his phone with a tight smile.

I just rolled my eyes, my focus going back out to the field, where Bryce was warming up.

"Kayla already," Josh said next to me, with a laugh. "She's checking in."

"I have a feeling that won't be the first time," I said, with a laugh of my own.

The first batter stepped up to the plate, ready to start the game.

I watched Bryce, biting my bottom lip as he got into stance.

Josh leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his focus also on Bryce. "Am I that oblivious, or are the glasses a new thing?"

"He usually only wears them during games," I said, with a nod.

Bryce let the pitch go, and it went flying across home base. I let out a long sigh, already knowing the call before the ump called it.

"What?" Josh whispered to me.

"Ball!" the ump announced.

"Dammit," Josh muttered.

I crossed my right leg over my left. "Come Bryce," I said, nervously shaking my dangling right leg. "You've got this."

Bryce wound up for his second pitch, his eyes trained on his catcher. He let the second pitch go.

A smile spread across my face as the ball landed in the pitcher's glove, the batter never even taking a swing.

"Strike!" the ump called out.

"You're good at this," Josh said to me.

"I've been sitting here long enough," I said, glancing over at him. "I should know a ball from a strike at least."

Bryce managed to strike the first batter out, but the second batter got a hit off of him, making it to first base.

"You know, I can get into a lot of sports," Josh commented, glancing over at me. "I watch football on the weekend and I can watch some basketball, but I don't think baseball is my thing."

"I never really watched baseball before I started dating Bryce," I admitted, watching as the batter swung, and missed, at Bryce's pitch. "I wasn't into sports. And I'm still not really, but I know a thing or two about baseball."

"I can tell," Josh said, with a laugh.

The game seemed to drag on, neither team having the upper hand.

Bryce wasn't dominating like he usually does. His pitches were up and down; he didn't seem as focused.

"Is this what the performance we can usually expect?" Josh asked, as Bryce got pulled from the game during the 4th inning.

"Um, no," I admitted, glancing over at him. "Not really."

"I didn't think so."

"I think he's just off his game."

"Well he better get back on it if he wants to make it to that championship."

I rolled my eyes, giving Josh a look. "Thank you for those wise words of wisdom."

Preston, the back-up pitcher, finished out the game. But he didn't do much better than Bryce. Luckily they managed to pull out a win.

I met Bryce as out of the gate, his hat pulled backwards over his sweaty hair and his glasses still on.

"Hey there champ," I said, with a half-smile.

He bent down and kissed me, his lips salty.

"I don't think champ is the right word," Bryce said, with a slight grimace.

"It wasn't that bad."

"It wasn't that good."

"You'll get 'em next time."

He chuckled, glancing over at Josh. "Sorry you had to sit through that."

"I'm holding onto the hope that there's a better performance in store."

"Asshole," Bryce muttered, rolling his eyes.

"I'm kidding," Josh defended, with a laugh. "You guys won, that's something right?"

"It was an ugly win."

"A win's a win," Josh said, reaching over and patting Bryce on the back. "Don't be so hard on yourself." Josh checked his phone, answering a text. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving," he said, looking back up at us. "Let's go get some lunch."

~*~

"What are you doing here you bozo?" I asked, opening the door to reveal Bryce standing on Kayla's doorstep.

"I may or may not have snuck out of the hotel," Bryce said, with a lopsided smile. "That's not really the point."

"Oh really? And what is the point?"

"I wanted to see you."

I shook my head, pulling him into Kayla's apartment and shutting the door behind him. "You can't just sneak out of your team hotel."

"I just did."

"Bryce?" Kayla asked, coming into the hallway. She let out a long sigh, shaking her head. "I told you about this debauchery."

"Oh shut up."

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't see anything." And then she disappeared.

Bryce took my arm, pulling me towards the living room and then taking a seat on the couch. "Sit next to me."

"You don't have to ask me twice," I said, snuggling up next to him. I kissed his cheek as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I really sucked today didn't I?" he asked, glancing over at me.

"I wouldn't call it sucking," I said, with a half-smile.

He rolled his eyes, grabbing the remote and turning on Netflix.

"You'll get your mojo back tomorrow," I said, tracing a pattern on his stomach. "Today was just your warm-up."

"I don't have time for a warm-up."

"Well you just made time is all."

He chuckled at that, turning on The Nightmare Before Christmas.

"I hate this movie," I complained, glancing up into his eyes.

"But do you hate me?"

"Of course not."

"Do you hate being here with me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't play me."

"So you don't hate being here with me, so why does it matter what we're doing?"

"You're such a jerk."

He chuckled, wrapping both arms around me and practically pulling me into his lap.

"What happened to the movie?"

"Who cares about the movie?"

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his neck. "I still hate the movie."

Bryce just eagerly pressed his lips to mine, wrapping his arms around my waist. "That's fine," he said, breathlessly. "You can pick the movie that we're not going to watch next time."

~*~

"So what can I expect here?" Kayla asked, taking her seat next to me.

"I don't know," Josh said, running his fingers through his hair. "From the performance we've seen this weekend, I'm saying not much."

Kayla reached over and gave him a good shove. "That's not very nice."

"I'm just speaking the truth," Josh defended.

"Bryce has been a bit off of his game," I admitted.

"Well boo," Kayla muttered.

Josh's hand reached up, and he began waving it around.

I looked to see Bryce's dad making his way up the bleachers.

"Hey dad," Kayla said, with a light smile.

Mr. Harrison reached over and kissed her cheek before taking a seat next to Josh.

"Do you remember Sophie?" Kayla asked, gesturing towards me.

I reached over and shook his hand. "Bryce's girlfriend," I reminded him.

"I remember," he said, with an easygoing smile. "From the wedding."

I glanced over at the field, where Bryce's team was up to bat first. Bryce's teammate, Luis, was stepping out onto the field, the first one in the batting order.

"So how's Bryce doing?" Mr. Harrison asked.

Josh casted me a look, and I just smiled.

"Pretty good," I said, with a nod.

"They did make it to the Championship after all," Josh added, with a smile of his own.

After a few minutes, Luis stepped up to bat, signaling the start of the game.

"What number is Bryce in the batting order?" Kayla asked me.

"Seventh," I said, with a slight grimace. "It's a bit of a sore spot, so I wouldn't mention it."

Luis got a hit off, making it to first base.

They made it to the fifth batter, Luis coming in for a score, before reaching the third strike.

Then Bryce came out, taking his position at the pitcher's mound.

"I'm so nervous," Kayla whispered. "I want him to kill it."

"Has he always worn glasses?" Mr. Harrison asked.

"They're relatively new," Josh admitted, glancing over at Kayla.

Kayla just offered a tight smile.

Bryce finished up his practice pitches, all of them strikes. He seemed to be much more on his game than he'd been the past two games.

The first batter stepped up to the plate, and I crossed my right leg over my left, already feeling anxious.

Bryce let the first pitch go, and a smile spread across my face as it flew across the plate.

"Strike!" the ump called out.

Kayla reached over, giving me a low high-five.

Bryce struck the first batter out in four pitches.

"Nice," Josh said, with a nod. "He's on his game this afternoon."

Let's just hope it stays that way.

Bryce struck the next two pitchers out with ease, a much better performance than we'd seen from him all weekend.

"Damn," Mr. Harrison muttered.

Bryce made it up to bat the next inning, but he struck out. The first out for the Eagles.

"That's okay," Kayla said, with a nod.

I switched, crossing my left leg over my right.

I just hope that wasn't some sort of signal, that Bryce is still on top of his game.

The Eagles managed to get another run in before getting their three outs, making the score 2-0.

Bryce came back out to pitch for the bottom of the second, and he struck the first batter out with ease.

"You guys weren't kidding," Mr. Harrison said, glancing over at Kayla. "He's really got some talent."

The second batter managed to get a hit off of him, but he was out before he made it to first base.

And Bryce struck the third batter out.

The Eagles were clearly dominating this game.

And so they continued to dominate throughout the game, the only score for the opposing team coming in the 6th inning, when they pulled Bryce for his pitch count.

"That surely says something," Mr. Harrison commented to Josh.

Josh just offered up a smug smile.

The Eagles ended up with the win, and the Championship title.

I met Bryce down by the gates, and he came out in much happier spirits, wrapping me up in a sweaty hug and planting his lips on mine.

"Hello there," I said, as he pulled away.

"Is that my winner's kiss?" he asked, with a lopsided smile.

I stood up on my tip-toes, wrapping my arms around my neck and pressing my lips against his, taking him by surprise.

"That's your winner's kiss," I corrected, letting my heels fall back onto the floor.

"I'm not satisfied," Bryce declined, his smile widening.

I just laughed, shoving his chest.

He readjusted his bag on his shoulder, looking over top of me. "Did my dad show?"

"Yeah, he's waiting with Kayla and Josh."

He nodded, his expression blank.

I squeezed his forearm. "Just come say hello."

He gave me a look. "I'd much rather just go back to the hotel with you."

"Say hello, thank him for coming."

"Thanks for coming to the game I invited you to?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

Bryce let out a long sigh, readjusting his bag on his shoulder again before slowly heading in the direction where Kayla and Josh were waiting, along with his dad.

"Great game!" Kayla squealed, wrapping her arms around Bryce as we approached them. "Ew, gross," she said, retracting her hug.

"Does it really surprise you that I'm sweaty after playing an entire game?" Bryce asked, with a laugh.

"It's still gross," Kayla muttered, making a face.

"Nice job," Josh said, slapping him on the back. "Much better."

Bryce just rolled his eyes. "Still an asshole I see."

"Gotta stay true to who I am."

And then Bryce glanced over at his dad.

"You played great," Mr. Harrison commented.

"Thanks," Bryce muttered.

"Really, I had no idea you were so good."

I could tell Bryce was physically biting the inside of his cheek to keep from saying something he'd regret. "Yeah, well it comes with practice I guess."

"So, are you hungry?" Kayla asked, stepping in to interrupt what was sure to be an awkward conversation.

Bryce glanced over at me, and I just raised my eyebrows at him.

I know he was trying to escape, but it's not like Kayla was going to let him off that easy. She rarely gets to see him.

"I could go for food,' Bryce said, with a nod.

"Still a fan of seafood?" she asked Bryce.

"Of course."

"I know of this restaurant you'd love," Kayla gushed, with a bright smile. "You up for it?"

Bryce glanced over at me again, and I figured I'd step up to save him.

"Well you should probably shower up first," I commented. "Nobody would want to smell you in a restaurant, if you're feeling up to going."

Kayla's expression immediately changed. "Are you feeling alright?"

Oops, maybe that wording wasn't my best choice.

Bryce shot me another look, and I offered up an apologetic smile.

"I feel fine," Bryce said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Honestly, fine."

"I just meant that he might be tired after the game," I amended.

"But I'm fine," Bryce declined. "So I'll just shower up and then we'll go."

Kayla nodded, and we all headed out towards her car.

"Thanks for that," Bryce said, shooting me a look.

"I was only trying to help," I said, with a slight laugh.

"Now Kayla is going to hover over me for at least the next hour," Bryce complained.

"Well maybe you should just be grateful that your family wants to spend time with you."

"I just wanted to go back to my hotel and spend time with you."

"You're so full of it."

He laughed, and I just rolled my eyes.

~*~

We ended up at a seafood restaurant just off of Times Square.

"I love seafood," Bryce said, smiling at me.

"I know you do," I said, making a face.

He laughed, pulling his arm tighter around me.

We were escorted back to our table, and Bryce pulled out my chair for me before taking the one next to me.

Kayla took the seat next to him, and Josh and his dad sat across the table, Mr. Harrison ending up directly across from Bryce.

"You played a great game," Kayla commented, once we were all seated.

"Don't feed his ego," I said, with a laugh.

Bryce made a face at me. "Thanks sis."

"You did," I agreed, with a smile. "I'm just joking."

"You're just joking that I played a great game?"

I rolled my eyes. "No you goofball. I'm just joking about your ego. I think that this was one of your best games so far this summer."

A smile spread across his face.

The waitress came by for our drink orders, and I ended up with a Lemonade.

"Water with lemon please," Bryce ordered.

"You know, they usually don't wash those lemons," Kayla commented, after the waitress left. "It's not healthy to order a water with lemon."

"It's not healthy to drink a Diet Coke either," Bryce commented. "So looks like we're both out of luck."

"Is that true?" I asked, leaning over at look at Kayla.

"Dad?" Kayla asked.

Mr. Harrison looked up from his menu in surprise.

I think he was honestly shocked just to be here right now.

Bryce waited for an answer, his head tilted to the side.

"Yeah," Mr. Harrison agreed, with a nod. "There was a study conducted that showed bacterial growth on over 70% of lemon wedges served in restaurants."

"What kind of bacteria?" I asked.

"High counts of fecal organisms," he said, crinkling his nose. "Along with other microorganisms that have the ability to make you sick."

I exchanged glances with Bryce.

"Now I don't want my water," he muttered.

"You want to split some oysters as an appetizer?" Mr. Harrison asked Josh.

Josh nodded in agreement. "Always."

Bryce loves oysters.

Kayla looked over at Bryce, raising her eyebrows.

"Bryce, you in?" Josh asked.

Mr. Harrison looked over at Bryce in surprise. "You like oysters?"

"Yeah I guess," Bryce muttered.

"Bryce loves oysters," Kayla filled in.

I could see her nudge Bryce under the table.

"I once had an oyster eating contest with the kid," Josh said, with a chuckle. "Couldn't even hold a candle to him."

I couldn't help but laugh, remembering that day. Bryce had gotten so sick later, but he hadn't cared because he'd beaten both Josh and Clayton in the oyster-eating contest.

"Are they raw though?" Bryce asked.

The smile faltered on Kayla's face.

"Oh yeah, I think so," Josh said, checking his menu.

"You don't like raw oysters?" Mr. Harrison inquired.

More like Bryce couldn't eat raw oysters. He loved them, but eating raw seafood while battling a cancerous brain tumor wasn't a good battle plan.

"Yeah, they are," Bryce confirmed. "I'll have to leave the oyster-eating to you guys."

The waitress came back with our drinks, and Bryce eyed his lemon, causing me to giggle as we made eye contact.

"And what can I get you guys for dinner?" the waitress asked.

Josh and Mr. Harrison placed their order for oysters.

"What are you getting?" Bryce asked, placing his chin on my shoulder and looking at the open menu in front of me.

"Shaved vegetable salad," I informed him. "And you?"

"I don't know yet. I was hoping for inspiration."

I know that Bryce loved oysters, which he couldn't have. And sushi, which he also couldn't have.

So maybe coming to a seafood restaurant wasn't the best plan.

"You don't like fish," I said, as I flipped through the menu.

He made a face.

"Lobster?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but nothing stuck out at me."

"Get some lobster pot pie."

"That doesn't sound appetizing."

"And what can I get you for dinner?" the waitress asked me.

"The shaved vegetable salad," I ordered.

"And you?" the waitress asked Bryce.

"Can you come to me last?" Bryce asked.

The waitress's eyes looked around the table before settling back down on Bryce. "You are last."

That's awkward.

"Oh," he said, with a laugh. "Okay, well I guess I'll take the lobster pot pie then."

I smiled over at him.

He offered me a half-smile.

"And for your side?"

"Of course," he muttered, flipping his menu over to the sides.

Kayla chuckled, because you expect nothing less from Bryce.

"Broccoli," he said, looking back up at her.

She collected his menu, promising us our food would be out shortly before disappearing.

"So do you have any ideas on college?" Josh asked Bryce.