“Don’t be like that,” Tara said, and handed him a pen. “You’re on the tech questions. Bryce, science. Harry, random. Dan, shut up.”
“Harsh,” Dan said, but he did smile at her.
Round one was easy. State capitals and a picture of a famous bridge. Dan tried to whisper answers and got shushed by Tara every time. Sage didn’t talk much. He concentrated on the questions and on writing his answers. Bryce gave him the science sheet for the second round and let him run the math on the chemistry questions.
Feeling his phone buzz, Bryce checked it.
Mom:call when you can. love you.
The next round had a circuits question no one else at the table even tried. Sage circled the right answer and slid it back like he hadn’t done anything special. Bryce touched his ankle under the table and left it there. The last question was a list. Tara took it. In the end, they finished third. The prize for third was a coupon for fries, which Dan tried to trade for a shot and got nowhere.
“Good game,” Ben said to Sage as they pulled on coats.
“Not too bad,” Sage said.
Harry looked between them. “You two good?”
“We’re good,” Bryce said.
“Cool,” Harry said and headed for the bar.
Tara bumped Bryce’s shoulder. “Thanks for keeping Dan in check,” she said to Sage.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You existed near him,” she said. “It helped.”
They stepped outside and began the walk home. Wind gusted around them, and Bryce pulled his coat tighter around him. The street had the usual Friday noise. Laughter, cars, a siren far off and not coming closer.
“You going to call her?” Sage asked. “Your mom?”
“Yeah,” Bryce said. “When we get home and I’ve warmed up.”
“You want privacy?”
“I don’t need it,” Bryce said.
As they reached a corner, Bryce stopped. He wasn’t nervous. He was sure. He looked at Sage and said what he meant. “This is real,” he said. “You’re my person.”
Sage blinked once. “Okay.”
“If you don’t like the word, pick another.”
“No,” Sage said. “That works. I like being your person.”
Bryce stood there for a second, watching Sage. He licked his lips and then said, “I love you.”
Sage checked his face as if he were making sure. Bryce held his eyes, hoping Sage could see he was telling the truth.
Sage smiled. “I love you too.”
“Okay.” Bryce let out a breath and felt his chest loosen. “I wasn’t sure if I should say anything. It’s soon.”
“Not really. We’ve known each other for years.” Sage shrugged. “It’s been there between us. Just waiting.”
Sage lifted his hand, and Bryce took it. They walked the rest of the way home. When they got inside,. Bryce put his phone on the counter and faced Sage.
“Hungry?” Sage asked.
