"Morning, Denny," Lucia smiled, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"Morning, Lucia," Denny smiled a little.

"Feeling a bit better?"

"Mhm."

Lucia kissed his cheek. "Good."

"Yeah. Sean helped too."

"I'm glad that you guys are becoming friends," Lucia smiled.

"He's a good guy."

"He really is."

Just then, Paisley came in. "Lucia," she smiled, approaching the counter, "how are you?"

"I'm doing well," Lucia nodded. "And yourself?"

"Very tired," Paisley sighed. "I have to go into the hospital until five, and then go home and get some sleep before going back at nine and staying until four in the morning."

"Yikes," Lucia chuckled. "I certainly don't envy your job."

"Yeah, well, it pays the bills," Paisley shrugged.

"Can't argue with that. Anyway, what can I get you?"

"Double espresso. To go."

"Coming right up," Lucia nodded.

Denny looked down and went to cash Paisley out. "Hi, Paisley."

"Hi, Denny," she nodded.

"Four dollars is the total."

Paisley gave him the money. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"Um...look, I'm really really sorry."

"No, it's fine. It's what you wanted."

"Still...I'm- I'm sorry."

Denny looked at her sadly. "I am too."

Lucia handed Paisley her coffee. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Paisley nodded. "I'll see you later?"

"Probably. I have to pull a double shift, so it just depends on when you come in."

"Alright. Bye." Paisley left with a small sigh.

Lucia turned to Denny. "Are you alright?"

Denny sighed and just walked away.

"Poor kid," Lucia sighed.

Denny took a few minutes before returning, looking a bit sad.

Lucia put a hand on his shoulder.

"Why does she have to come here?" Denny asked quietly.

"Because it's on the way to the hospital," Lucia shrugged. "It'll be alright. You'll get over her."

"I guess."

Lucia wrapped an arm around him. "Do you want to hit that pizza place on our lunch break?"

"Sure. I could have some pickle pizza."

Lucia gagged. "You are disgusting, and I don't understand why."

Denny smiled.

"Just promise me you won't put pineapple on it. I don't think I could continue to be your sister."

"I might."

"If you do that, I'm taking you to the Indian place tomorrow for payback."

"Ugh. Indian food."

"Yep. I know how much you hate spicy food," Lucia smirked.

Denny pretended to gag.

"Yeah, well, at least it's actual food."

"What I eat is actual food," Denny huffed.

"Disgusting food," Lucia chuckled.

Denny smiled and kept working.

"And what's worse? You put pineapple on everything."

"I just happen to love pineapple."

"Yes, but you once put it on spaghetti. You made spaghetti and pineapple balls! I'm Italian. That is a sin!"

Denny chuckled and went to help a customer.

—————

"Hey, Denny. How was work?" Sean smiled.

"Fine. I guess. Paisley came by."

"Oof," Sean grimaced. "I'm sorry. That couldn't have been easy."

"It's fine. But when she walked off, I had to leave for a minute."

"That's understandable," Sean nodded. "Hey, I know what you need."

"What?"

"Guys night out," Sean grinned.

"Really? Oh, that'd be loads of fun."

"I think so too. I'll call Jonah and see if he'll join us."

"Yeah," Denny smiled.

Sean dialed Jonah's number. "Hey, man. How's it going?"

"Hey, bro. Pretty good. What's up?" Jonah smiled.

"I was thinking that you, Denny, and I could have a little guys' night out. You in?"

"Oh, yeah! I'll drive over. Sound good?"

"Perfect. See you soon."

Jonah arrived a little while after and they began to discuss their evening.

"So...bowling? Arcade?" Jonah suggested.

"I think we should go bowling," Sean nodded. "Denny? Thoughts?"

"Anything works. We can get Mexican or weird pizza for dinner," Denny nodded.

"I'll stay away from pickle pineapple pizza, thanks," Jonah chuckled. "Let's do normal pizza."

"What is with you people hating on pickle pineapple pizza? It's delicious, I tell you!" Denny insisted.

"I'm going to throw up just thinking about it," Sean chuckled.

"You guys are crazy," Denny smiled.

"Mhm. Sure," Jonah chuckled. "So, bowling?"

"Sounds good."

They all got into Jonah's car, and he drove to the bowling alley. They grabbed shoes, bowling balls, and a lane and began playing.

"Denny, you go first," Sean nodded.

Denny grabbed his green bowling ball and aimed. He let it roll and knocked down five pins.

"Nice!" Jonah grinned. "Hey, I bet I can get a strike on the first try."

"Yeah? I'll buy you a coke, if you do," Denny smiled.

"And I'll get fries," Sean added. "I completely suck at this game. I'll probably get like two pins."

Jonah strutted up and rolled the ball down the lane, knocking down one pin.

"Ha! No coke this time, Jonah," Denny laughed.

"Dang it," Jonah sighed.

"Eh. I'm still getting fries. You guys want drinks?" Sean chuckled.

"Yeah, sure. I'll take Root Beer," Denny nodded.

"Sprite for me. Thanks, man," Jonah smiled.

Sean got up and ordered some French fries and bought drinks. He brought everything over and set it down on a nearby table. "Here you are."

"Thanks, Sean. So, you excited to be getting married?" Jonah smiled, taking a fry.

"Very. I love Lucia. She's really so great."

"Yeah."

"Oh, it's my turn." Sean stepped up and took his turn. "Yes! Strike!" He grinned.

"Ah, Sean, look at you!" Denny smiled.

"How'd I manage that?" Sean chuckled.

"Beginner's success?"

"Nah, I've played plenty of times. I'm just very bad."

The three guys laughed.

"So, I've been trying to decide who I want to be my best man," Sean nodded.

Denny smiled. "It'll be a great wedding."

"Yeah. I can't wait to see the dress she chose."

"I heard from Monica it's a beauty," Jonah nodded, sipping his drink.

"I'm sure it is," Sean smiled.

"Any date set?"

"Yeah. We've decided to get married in two months."

"That's pretty soon."

"Yes. However, we spent four years apart, so we decided that we want to be married as soon as possible."

Denny chuckled.

"So, about my best man, I was thinking one of you guys."

"Either of us would be honored," Denny nodded.

"I'm glad," Sean smiled. "I talked it over with Lucia, and well...Denny, I was hoping you would be my best man? I mean, since you're practically Luci's little brother, we thought it'd be fitting that you have an important role in our wedding."

"I'd love to!" Denny smiled. "Thanks, man!"

"No, thank you. It means a lot," Sean nodded.

Denny nudged Jonah. "I bet that you'll marry Monica. It's a good hunch. You're always happy with her."

"Maybe. What made you decide that it was time to propose to Lucia, Sean?"

Sean smiled. "I just knew. I wanted to do it when we first re-met, but it would obviously have been too soon."

"That's really sweet," Denny smiled.

"I was thrilled she said yes this time."

"I'm sure you were," Jonah nodded.

After Denny and Jonah took their turns, Sean got up and grabbed his bowling ball, but as he went to put his fingers in the holes, his hand slipped and he dropped the ball onto his foot. "Ouch!"

"Are you alright?" Denny frowned, moving over and grabbing his friend's arm to help steady him.

Sean gripped Denny's shoulder and winced.

"Here." Denny helped him to sit down. "Are you okay?"

"My foot's throbbing...Ooh, that hurt," Sean sighed.

"Should we take you to the ER to get it x-rayed?"

Sean nodded. "Maybe that's best."

"Jonah, take his other arm," Denny nodded, helping Sean to get up.

Jonah complied. "Should we call Lucia?"

"No. Don't call her. She'll freak," Sean sighed. "I'm fine. If I broke my foot, then we can call her, but not if it's just hurt."

"Alright," Jonah nodded. "Let's go."

They helped Sean to the car.

"And Lucia says I'm accident prone," Denny chuckled.

"You are," Jonah chuckled as he got into the driver's seat and drove off.

"I'm sorry guys," Sean said from the front seat.

"Don't worry about it," Denny shrugged.

"It was supposed to be a fun night for you."

"Well, you live with me, so fortunately, we have time to make up for it," Denny smiled. "Want to play video games after, Jonah?"

"Sure," Jonah nodded. "Now that's what I call a real guy's night."

They all laughed and Jonah drove to the Urgent Care.

Denny hopped out of the car and helped Sean inside. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay."

"Is the pain very bad?"

"It's just throbbing because a sixteen pound ball was dropped on it."

"Do you think you broke it?"

"I hope not."

"Me too," Denny nodded.

"Alright. In we go."

They brought Sean inside and he was immediately taken for an x-ray.

"Hey," Monica texted him. "How's guys' night?"

Jonah decided to not text her back.

"Aren't you going to respond?" Denny frowned as they sat in the waiting room.

"I don't want her to tell Lucia because then she'll worry."

"Lucia will probably be worried either way," Denny shrugged.

"True," Jonah sighed. He texted Monica back, "It's alright. Sean dropped a bowling ball on his foot, though."

"Oh my gosh. Is he okay?!" Monica texted.

"He's getting an x-ray. He could walk, so we're taking that as a good sign."

"Alright. Keep Luci and I posted."

"We will."

A little bit later, Sean came back out. "It isn't broken. Thank god."

The guys all gave a sigh of relief.

"Let's go back to the apartment and play video games," Denny nodded. "We can order a pizza."

"Sounds good. No pickle pizza, though," Jonah teased Denny.

"Alright, alright," Denny chuckled. "Tell Monica that everything's okay."

"Alright," Jonah nodded, quickly texting his girlfriend.

They helped Sean out to the car drove back to Denny and Sean's apartment. Once they got in, they loaded up the video games.

"Are we racing first? Monica beat me last time. I have to redeem myself," Jonah chuckled.

"Okay. I'll go against you, man," Sean offered.

"Sweet!" Jonah grinned.

The two loaded the game and began to play.

Denny leaned over the back of the couch. "Don't mess this up, Jonah. You've got a lot riding on this."

That was enough to throw his friend off. "Denny!" Jonah groaned as he tried to get back on track.

Denny chuckled evilly. "It is so easy to psych you out."

"Stop it."

"Don't fail this, Jonah," Denny smirked. "You already lost twice to your girlfriend."

"Denny!"

"What?" Denny chuckled.

"Stop and zip it."

"No."

Sean chuckled and quietly kept playing.

"Wow, Jonah. You really suck at this game," Denny smirked.

Jonah tried to block him out.

"And...you lost," Denny grinned. "Nice job, Sean."

Jonah stood up and punched Denny in the arm. "Zip it!"

"Ow," Denny frowned. "And ha. You lost."

"You made me lose," Jonah huffed.

Sean chuckled. "It's just a friendly game, Jonah."

"Yeah, Jonah," Denny laughed. "Geez. Don't get so upset."

Jonah sighed.

"Want a root beer?"

"I guess so."

"Do you want a rematch, Jonah?" Sean chuckled.

"Only if Denny promises to shut it."

"Nope," Denny grinned. "In fact, I've got a better idea. I'll race you. If you win, I'll shut up. If I win, you have to eat a slice of pickle pineapple pizza."

Jonah made a face. "Really?"

"Really."

Jonah sighed. "Fine. You're on."

Denny sat down and grabbed a remote. "You're going down, Swinson!" He grinned.

"Eat my dust, Joseph!"

"Don't mess this up."

Jonah tried to focus and managed a short cut.

"Did I mention that if you lose, you have to eat the entire piece?" Denny smirked, pulling ahead. "I might just throw in a peanut butterscotch milkshake."

"You're making me want to throw up," Jonah gagged.

"That's the plan," Denny chuckled. "Yes! I won!"

Jonah groaned and let the controller slip through his hands. "My tastebuds will die."

"Sean, order the pizza!" Denny grinned.

"Can I order a second one? One that's normal?"

"Sure."

Sean nodded and called to order the pizza. After  hung up he said, "It'll be here soon."

"Great," Denny nodded. "Jonah, would you like to start with the milkshake?"

"No. No peanut butterscotch milkshakes."

"Oh, yes," Denny grinned. "Which are we starting with?"

"I am not drinking a full milkshake."

"Fine. Half. But I'm throwing in pineapple."

"No. Not the original deal."

"Then drink a full one."

Jonah sighed. "Even if I throw up?"

"Mm...we'll see."

Jonah sighed again and got up.

Denny made him the milkshake and poured him a large glass. "Here you are."

Jonah took a sip and made a face.

"Keep going," Denny chuckled.

"It's so gross."

"Oh, come on. Lucia would have had that finished by now."

Jonah rolled his eyes.

"She would've," Denny nodded.

"Stop it."

"What? You don't believe me?"

"I do but you're just so...I don't know what you are."

"Just finish the milkshake. You haven't gotten to the pineapple chunks yet."

Jonah choked and coughed. "Pineapple?"

"There are only a couple chunks," Denny shrugged.

"You're sick." Jonah shook his head in disgust.

"Why, thank you," Denny said with a devilish grin.

Jonah kept drinking.

"How is it?" Sean chuckled.

"You want some?"

"I'm good."

Jonah finished. "That was disgusting."

"Oh, come on." Denny rolled his eyes. "It's not that bad."

Jonah sighed. "You have weird tastes, Denny."

The doorbell rang a few minutes later.

"Pizza's here!" Denny grinned.

Sean and Jonah cheered as Denny went to get it.

"Pickle and pineapple pizza," Denny smiled, setting the boxes on the counter. "And pepperoni for you lame people."

"We're just normal. Not lame

"Whatever," Denny chuckled.

Jonah sighed and tried a piece of the weird pizza.

"Whatcha think?"

"It's gross."

"Really? I think it's great."

"Yeah. You're twisted."

"You know, Monica likes that. Except she usually orders extra pickles."

"No. You're joking."

"Nope. She actually likes it."

Jonah sighed and kept eating.

Just as Sean and Denny went to sit down, the doorbell rang.

Jonah looked over. "You guys order something?"

Sean and Denny looked at each other before shaking their heads.

Jonah peeked through the peephole. "It's Lucia and Monica," he told the guys. "And they're wearing football jerseys and backwards baseball caps...and baggy shorts."

Sean frowned. "Really?"

"Oh my gosh," Jonah laughed. "They're wearing socks and sandals."

"Do they think that's what we look like?" Denny huffed.

"I don't know," Jonah chuckled. "Do we let them in?"

"I suppose we should," Sean sighed.

Jonah opened the door.

"Hey, dudes," Lucia said, purposely making her voice lower. "Sorry we're late. We had to go, uh, wrestle a bear."

Jonah couldn't help but smile.

"Come on," Monica nodded, also making her voice deeper. "Let's go sit down and hike up our shorts and scratch our bellies."

Denny and Sean shared a look.

"Should I feel offended," Denny voiced.

Lucia sat down next to him. "What up, bro?"

"What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" Monica shrugged. "We're just here to chillax. Maybe down a couple beers."

Sean chuckled and shook his head. "Hey, Jonah? Grab me a slice of pizza?"

"Pickle and pineapple pizza?" Jonah chuckled.

"No, the normal one."

Jonah handed him a slice of pepperoni pizza.

"I'll take a slice of that too," Lucia nodded. "Now, who am I crushing in a race?"

"Me," Sean smiled.

Lucia grabbed the controller and moved next to him. "Hi, Hon," she said, going back to her normal voice.

Sean smiled and they started the game with Lucia in the lead. Eventually, Sean was catching up to her and needed her to slow down, so he leaned over and gave her a great kiss, causing her to stop moving in the game. He took the chance to speed ahead.

"Hey!" Lucia laughed. "That is so not fair!"

Sean eventually won. "Ha! Yes!"

"You cheated."

"Did I?"

"Oh, don't be all coy. You know what you did."

Sean chuckled.

"Evil, evil man," Lucia chuckled, kissing him briefly.

Sean laughed.

"I totally would have won if you didn't do that."

"Why do you suppose I did it?"

Lucia laughed slightly. "I think Monica should go against Jonah."

"They already did a little bit ago."

"And I lost!" Jonah called from the fridge.

"I know. I want to see it happen," Lucia grinned.

"Lucia," Jonah moaned. "Do I have no friends?"

"You have me," Monica smiled, kissing his cheek.

Jonah smiled and wrapped an arm around her.

"Now come on. I want to beat you again."

"Fine. But maybe I'll win."

"You can't pull the kiss, Jonah. I did it already so it won't work," Sean smiled.

"Watch me," Jonah chuckled.

The pair started playing.

"Don't lose this, Jonah," Denny smirked.

"Denny! Oh my god!" Jonah exclaimed.

"Well, I mean, it would be a bit embarrassing to lose to your girlfriend in front of a bunch of people," Denny chuckled.

"I will chuck this controller at you, if you don't zip it."

"It'd just make you lose."

Jonah sighed and chucked it backwards toward Denny.

"Ow," Denny winced, his hand covering his eye.

"Are you alright?" Lucia frowned.

"It hit me in the eye."

Jonah got up and went to his friend. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"No, no, it's fine," Denny shrugged.

"Can I take a look?" Lucia sighed.

"It's fine, Luci. Not a problem." Denny waved her off.

"I don't really trust your opinion, so come with me, please," Lucia chuckled, leading him into the bathroom.

Denny sighed.

Jonah rubbed his face. "He can be so obnoxious."

"Yes, but was that really necessary?" Monica sighed.

"He's been at it all day."

"You could have seriously hurt him. Next time, you just punch him in the arm. Or even better, just do it back to him."

Jonah sighed.

—————

"I don't see anything wrong," Lucia sighed. "Does it hurt?"

"It just stung. I'm fine."

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes, I am."

"Alright. Let's go back," Lucia nodded. "And don't tease Jonah."

"But he's so much fun to tease."

"I know," Lucia chuckled. "But maybe lay off him for a little bit, okay?"

"Fine."

"I'll get you ice cream after work tomorrow if you be good tonight."

"I'll be good. Even without ice cream," Denny smiled as they left the bathroom.

"I am sorry, Denny," Jonah sighed.

"Don't worry about it," Denny laughed. "I had it coming."

Jonah smiled. "We all good?"

"Yeah, we're good," Denny nodded. "I was hoping it'd give me a groovy scar. I've always wanted one of those."

They chuckled and they kept playing.