Seth
“What?”I snapped, answering my phone as I tried to pull my boardies up and knot them.
“Hello to you too, little brother.”
“Shit, Bryce. What do you want?”
Grabbing the towel off the bed, I slid my sunglasses over my eyes and bounced down the hallway trying to balance the phone between my ear and shoulder. With an awkward wave to Elise who was on her hands and knees in her veggie garden, again, I tucked my board under my arm and jogged out onto the street.
“Geez, Seth. Is that any way to talk to your favourite brother?”
“Only brother,” I grumbled, turning the corner. “Look, Bryce, I’m so late. What do you need?”
“You need to come for dinner.” Bryce finally got to the point and I appreciated it.
“Can’t. Busy.” I turned the corner and saw the beach up ahead. I hoped Claire was still there and hadn’t already left. I felt like an arse already for cancelling on her all week, now I was running late. It wasn’t a great look.
“Well, get unbusy. You need to be here,” Bryce told me, and there was something in his tone that hinted there was more to the story than he was letting on.
“Come on, man. Can we do tomorrow instead?”
“What? You got a hot date or something?” Bryce taunted.
“Or something,” I offered.
“Are you running?”
“Yes. I told you, I’m running bloody late.”
“Well, be here at seven.”
“Bryce!”
“Seth! I’m asking you, please. Can you please just be at my place at seven tonight?”
“Emma’s gonna kick your arse if I’m not there, isn’t she?”
“No.”
“Bryce?”
“Fine. Yes. I was supposed to ask you three days ago, and when she asked me to confirm you were coming this morning, I might’ve told her you’d already said yes.”
“Idiot!”
“Yeah well, shut up. See you tonight.”
“Fine,” I agreed. I just wish I could’ve been there to see Bryce squirm. It would’ve been worth the trip to the city alone.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and, Bryce?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m bringing a date.”
I didn’t wait for his answer. I had bigger problems to deal with. I had to get Claire to forgive me and then convince her to come with me tonight. I probably should’ve asked her before I’d agreed but it was too late now.
