Page 62 of Advanced Chemistry

Anton: Mmmm. Chicken tenders with a side of chicken wings. That sounds tasty. Why have I never done that before? They’re two completely different foods.

Chase: They’re both chicken.

Anton: One is breaded and boneless. One is glazed and has bones.

Sebastian: You’re splitting hairs, dude.

Anton: Chicken don’t have hairs. They have feathers. BOOM! You just got science’d, bro.

Anton: How does it feel to be owned?

Anton: Ow.

Anton: Seb just smacked me upside the head IRL.

Sebastian: Fully deserved.

Einstein was unenthused about all the laughing I was doing, my chest vibrating up and down. She came to this spot to rest, not for an earthquake drill.

Anton: Sounds like you have a nice night planned for yourself, Chase. Have fun!

I did. Puzzles and Pizza night never disappointed. Yet why did I feel a sense of deflation that made my chest sink? (Another thing Einstein didn’t approve of.) I had my thumbs summon their texting courage.

Chase: Did you guys want to join me?

Chase: I haven’t ordered the pizza yet nor started the puzzle.

Sebastian: I’m down!

Anton: Totally!

Humans are wired to be social creatures. Thus, I was biologically compelled to invite them over. The excitement spreading through me at being in their presence was a natural response, yes? I’ve enjoyed countless Puzzles and Pizza nights solo. It would be an interesting experiment to include outside elements and see how those variables impact the enjoyment of the evening. In the name of science, and not in the name of my swelling dick, Ihadto invite Anton and Sebastian to come over.

The warmth filling my heart and tightening my pants were completely incidental.

Chase: I’ll go ahead and order a pizza.

Anton: Just one?

Chase: I only have two slices usually, so we could all split one?

Sebastian: Oh, Chase. We’re going to need a LOT more pizza.

* * *

An hour later,the three of us were eating pizza and drinking beer in my living room. I held court on the couch, while the guys stretched out on the floor. Three pizza boxes were sprawled out next to them. Anton and Sebastian had unusually large appetites, but they did have more muscles that required more fuel.

We talked about our day. They gave me the rundown on a very important meeting they had coming up, and I shared about what was going on at South Rock. I went deep on an article I read about greenhouse gasses, bringing down the mood for a moment. Sebastian, and especially Anton, were fascinated, giving me their rapt attention.

Typically, I started on the puzzle as soon as the pizza was delivered. But this was nice, too. Sitting around and chatting. Chilling, if you will. It was remarkably easy to talk with them. A part of me worried that I would be forever an outsider since Anton and Sebastian were close friends and business partners. Yet I felt nothing but ease around them.

While my feelings for the guys were complicated, Einstein had no qualms declaring her crush on Anton. She bashed her face against his palm and seconds later curled herself onto his lap.

“Anton, you’re a cat whisperer,” Sebastian noted.

“The ladies love me.” Anton held his plate above Einstein’s head so he could eat in peace. Sadly, that was not going to happen. She batted at his plate. “Can she eat pizza?”

“No. She doesn’t like pizza, but that won’t stop her from wanting it. She can likely smell the fat of the cheese,” I said. Einstein was curious whenever I got pizza, but this was next level.

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