Summer Time Happiness

 

Brandon might have been asking for too much, but he wanted to have a dinner party and he wanted it to be with Koda and Vanna. "I mean, it was you guys who invited me to dinner. I feel I should include you guys too." He thought of inviting Yuki and Remi, but they came over all the time for dinner. Maybe it would be nice to keep it small without the girls. "I already asked Link and he said he'd ask Izzy."

"Link?" Koda looked at him funny standing on the other side of the deli counter where he was eyeing the fried chicken. He was picking up some freebie corndogs that didn't sell at lunch. "How do you know him," Koda said he remembered he was that high schooler that Izzy went to Prom with.

"Oh, we work together," Brandon shrugged.

"Here?" Koda shook his head as if Izzy was really something, still dating people at work.

"No, my other job." Brandon smiled. "I guess I..I might have had something to do with it. You know, the prom date."

"Oh, you are a matchmaker," Koda smirked. 

"I doubt that." Brandon shook his head, no. "It was just an idea. And well, they seem to have hit it off."

"I'm sure Vanna will be happy to see Izzy and Link together," Koda said she didn't really like hanging out with his friends. "Besides, it'll be good to meet your boyfriend."

"He's OK with the dinner," Brandon wished he could grill, but it didn't look like it would happen.

"Well, we will do that at our place. There is space on the grounds where we live. We'll get together again," Koda sounded as if he liked the idea of these little get-to-gathers.

"Sounds like we have some summer dates, ahead." Brandon kept smiling, but he did have to wonder if it was really all right with Declan. He'd hate for him to start drinking again. He really could get sloshed quickly, but it hadn't been an issue as of yet. But ever since Reese mentioned it to him, he had been worried about Declan. Brandon didn't want to worry about it, but he guessed somebody had to.

"Was it that big of a deal seeing Simon and Chevy at Mick and Jools?" Alfie asked about last month's get-to-gather while Steve turned steaks on the grill.

Steve winced. He didn't know how to reply. "Sure, it was awkward. Jools hadn't mentioned they'd be there. I guess it was last minute. I-I didn't know they..they are like best friends." He shrugged. "But, it was OK." What more did Alfie want to hear. "I'm happy Simon and Chevy got married."

Of course, Simon (Steve's ex) ignored Steve at the cookout. It wasn't that Steve didn't acknowledge him. "It seems Victoria and Chevy hit it off." Steve smiled then as he scratched the back of his head and noticed he was starting to sweat in the June heat. 

"Oh, great," Alfie chuckled as he watched the meat sizzle. He laid out some fat mushrooms and egg plant that the girls wanted roasted. "I guess you'll be inviting them over then."

"I doubt Simon would come." Steve shook his head with a smile. He didn't feel bitter toward Simon, but he knew he'd hurt him. And maybe it was for all the wrong reasons, but it felt right at the time. He knew if he was around Simon then Simon might be an alcoholic. It was true. Steve knew he did make Simon unhappy. Maybe one day Simon would realize this. Maybe he already had. Simon looked so happy with Chevy. Steve was glad Simon had found love.

Steve looked at Alfie and bit a grin. There was that other thing he wanted to tell Alfie. Only he'd sworn to secrecy. Only Victoria could tell them when she thought the time was right.