after season seven

Chapter 2: Buck

God, why did I just ask Eddie if he wanted me to pick him up! He's obviously capable of driving himself and it's not like he's my boyfriend or anything. I never should have invited him in the first place. Tommy has already been accusing me of being in love with Eddie for weeks. I guess I have to call Tommy and let him know now.

"Hey Babe. Is everything alright? Do you need to reschedule or something?" Questions Tommy.

"No, everything is fine but I do have something to tell you."

"Alright... What's up?"

"Well, I-"

"Yes?"

"I invited Eddie to hang us with us and play basketball."

Tommy's quiet on the other end of the line.

"I'm sorry, but you know how much he has been struggling since Christopher left. I just wanted to do something nice for him and get him out of the house." I'm not sure why but I always feel the need to defend Eddie whenever Tommy tries to say anything about him.

"Yeah, I get that Buck but this isn't the first time you've done this. You're always inviting Eddie to dates that were just supposed to be the two of us. I mean, how am I supposed to get any alone time with my boyfriend when you're always with him? Do you like him more than me or something?"

"What? No! Of course not! How could you say that? I'm just trying to be here for my best friend during his time of need. You have to try and see this from my perspective."

"Okay, whatever. I'll see you soon."

Then Tommy decides to hang up without even letting me say goodbye. At least I'll get to apologize in person in a few minutes.

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I'm the first of the three of us to arrive at the park and Tommy is the one who's bringing the basketball so there's nothing for me to do but sit on a bench nearby. I don't really feel like going on my phone right now so I decide to close my eyes and bask in the sunlight instead.

A few moments later, I hear footsteps to the right of me as well as Eddie's voice.

"Buckkkk" he draws out. "Long time no see."

"I saw you at work yesterday dude." I respond while still keeping my eyes closed with my face towards the sun.

"Well yeah, but that's work so it doesn't count."

"Sure it doesn't."

"Oh look, your boyfriend is here."

That finally gets me to open my eyes and I see Tommy strolling towards us while dribbling a basketball. What I didn't expect to see was Eddie standing there shirtless with gray sweatpants. Gray sweatpants! I know I have a boyfriend who's right there but how can you not stare at Eddie? It shouldn't matter anyway because he's just my best friend and anyone would stop to stare at that image.

"Hey boys." Tommy sits besides me and kisses my cheek. "Could I steal you away for a few moments?"

"Sure, we just need to clear a few things up, Eddie. We'll be back in a bit."

Tommy tosses the basketball to Eddie so he can start practicing and we head over to a more private area in the park so we can talk without Eddie seeing us.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted on the phone, Evan. I shouldn't have blown up on you like that." Tommy apologizes but the only thing I can focus on is the fact that he called me Evan. He's been doing it since our relationship started and it was fine at first but now it almost feels like he doesn't respect the fact that I prefer to be called Buck. My parents have always refused to call me Buck as well and the fact that he does just makes me feel bad about myself. I can never bring myself to call him out on it though because he's so much more experienced and I don't want to mess anything up.

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have invited Eddie without asking you first. I won't do it again."

"Okay." Tommy gives me a chaste kiss. "Let's go play some B-ball then!"

Tommy runs off and heads towards the court and I slowly follow him.