"Unless you're fucking her dog," comes out of Stephen's mouth almost before he can help it, sharp and reflexive and cutting, "I didn't bring up partners, you did."

As he speaks, he's reading Jason's body language. Another time, it might have intimidated him. Stephen has lost some of the sense of invincibility he'd had two years ago, but he's too mad right now to be afraid. He holds his ground, his hands fists by his side. He doesn't know what he'll do if Jason takes a swing at him, and honestly, he doesn't really care.