Chapter 14 #2
I grab my keys, unlock the garage, and hand Seb a hoe.
We head to the backyard, and he turns on some music while we tackle the weeds.
“I need mulch,” I mutter, weeding between the rows.
After loosening the weeds, I get on my knees and start gathering them up, dumping them into the fire pit and lighting a fire.
As I carry a second armful over to burn, I hear Zander’s truck in the driveway.
“Come on, Seb,” I yell as I jog around the house.
The Jeep and Alex’s SUV are following Zander.
“What happened?” I ask as soon as Zander opens his door.
“It went well, Summer,” Zander begins. “Mr. MacLeod was right, and they tried to delay the case, but the new judge wasn’t letting them.
He asked for a valid reason, and everything they came up with was an excuse, so he refused.
He even asked twice if we were sure you were okay with the plea deal because he felt she should serve time. ”
“It was epic,” Bay smiles as he joins us with the rest of the guys.
“So she’s going away to a real facility?” I ask to make sure.
“She is, and the one farthest away from here,” Zander replies. “It couldn’t have gone any better.”
A small valve opens inside me, relieving the pent-up emotions as Seb puts his arm over my shoulder. “Let’s celebrate,” Seb exclaims.
“How about we order in for dinner?” Zander offers. “Is everyone staying?”
“I must attend a fundraiser this evening, but thank you for the offer,” Alex replies. “I will attend court in the morning with everyone, though.”
“Try to enjoy yourself a little,” I smile at him.
“Not likely,” he replies wryly, squeezing my hand despite the soil covering it. “See you tomorrow.”
Zander orders Chinese food for everyone as Seb and I put out the fire and clean up from gardening.
Bay and E fill Seb and me in on the details from the afternoon.
Cara’s father was very vocal in his displeasure.
He was swearing up a storm at his lawyer after the judge left, and Cara and her mom were crying.
We still don’t know which judge will preside over the case tomorrow.
I let the guys chat as I text Sue and Sarah the news.
Both are happy that things went our way.
Sarah is on call tomorrow to testify if requested, but assures me I can call her anytime, regardless.
The guys leave after dinner, as Zander goes to his office to catch up on work. “Slumber party time, Sunshine. Get your pajamas on, and then we’ll get pillows and blankets.”
“Let me check with Zander. I didn’t tell him I wanted to sleep out here.” I knock on the office door, then enter. Zander is working on his laptop at the desk. “Hey, do you mind if Seb and I sleep on the couch tonight?”
Zander’s mouth downturns slightly. “Nightmares?”
“Yeah. I expect tonight to be rough,” I nod. Too bad I can’t just skip sleep entirely. Perhaps Seb will help, because I don’t think my pills will be enough tonight.
“Okay darling. Please wake me if you need anything, though.”
“Thanks, Zander,” I smile. I can never bring myself to interrupt his sleep, though. He’s been amazing to me, and I don’t want to inconvenience him during the night.
When I get back to the living room, Seb is already coming out of the spare room with a pillow and a blanket. “I’ll be out in a minute.” I change, grab a blanket, my regular pillow, and Jake’s pillow, then join Seb on the couch. “What are our snack options tonight?” He asks.
“Let me see,” I tell him. Walking over to the pantry, I pull a tray out and fill it with cookies, popcorn, candy, and fruit. Seb grabs the tray as I gather up soda and water. We place everything on the coffee table, then get under the covers.
“Okay, Sunshine, we are watching your favorite movie, my favorite, then a new movie, so tell me what I’m turning on.”
“Oh, um, I’m not in the mood for my favorite tonight, Hurry. Can you pick something fun?”
He looks at me for a minute, then nods. “I’ve prepared a list of movies with Gabs’ help for tonight. We have comedies, romcoms, and musicals. Do you want to see the list? Or I can randomly pick one?”
He’s so sweet, I can’t help but smile. “Random pick, Hurry.”
“You got it. Okay, I’m numbering the movies…now I’m bringing up a randomizer on my phone…we got number 12. We’re watching an animated movie.”
We snuggle in as Seb hits play. He’s snacking on popcorn, but I’m still full from dinner. The movie is lovely and magical. Seb is quietly singing along with some songs, and it makes me happy.
I get a text from Holly at the end of the movie. She’s happy she went this morning, and no one mentioned the trial at school. I’m still amazed I haven’t had to deal with any harassment.
“Hey guys,” Zander greets as he walks by. “Anyone want ice cream?” Sub and I both raise our hands, so Zander brings over 2 bowls of ice cream for us.
“Thanks, Z, come join us,” Seb says, sitting up and pulling his blanket with him. “We’re gonna start a comedy.”
Zander grabs some ice cream for himself and settles on the couch. The movie is hilarious, and Seb actually falls on the floor laughing. Tears are running down my cheeks I’m laughing so hard. It’s just what I needed tonight.
Zander excuses himself after the comedy is over to go to bed. Seb stretches back out and shares my pillow with me, turning on a new romcom. “Sunshine, does this green pillow have cologne on it?”
“Um, yeah?”
“That sounded like a question,” he says, twisting to look at me.
I know I’m flushed with embarrassment right now, but it’s Seb. “It’s Jake’s cologne,” I whisper.
“That is the cutest shit I’ve ever heard, Sunshine. If I was a cartoon, I’d have heart emojis in my eyes,” he grins. “It smells good,” he says, then turns back towards the television.
He always surprises me with his responses, in a good way. I’m so lucky he adopted me when I moved here. “I’m really glad I met you, Hurry,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Aww, me too, Sunshine. You were meant to be in our lives,” he says, turning his head to look at me.
We bump noses, and I giggle. Seb’s smile is brilliant in the dim lighting as he lightly kisses my nose, then turns back to the movie.
A flutter, like a trapped bird, takes flight in my lower belly at his touch, but I deliberately ignore it.
It means nothing; I have Jake. We watch the movie, then I take my sleeping pill, brush my teeth, and set my alarm for 6am in case I end up snuggling with Seb like I do with Nick.
No need to have that conversation with Zander if I can help it.
Seb rejoins me after he’s ready for bed.
I request Gilmore Girls, so we start at the first episode since Seb hasn’t seen it.
At some point, I must fall asleep. My dreams are fractured, but mainly revolve around the shower in the cabin. When my old foster father joins, I wake up in a panic, heart galloping like wild horses, unable to catch my breath. “Sunshine breathe. I’m here, just breathe.”
I turn my head and see Seb leaning over me, a line appearing between his brows.
He gently brushes my hair off my face, tucking it behind my ear, then places my hand over his chest, breathing deeply.
I follow his movements, pulling precious air into my burning lungs, and slowing my breaths. “I’m okay.”
“You’re not, but we expected this. Come on, get up for a minute,” he says, helping me up.
Seb lies down in my spot and opens his arms. I happily crawl on top of him and place my ear over his strong, steady heart.
Grabbing my blanket, he pulls it up over both of us, then hands me my green pillow to hold.
I notice the tv is still on, playing Gilmore Girls.
“What time is it, Hurry?”
“Around 3am, I think. Your pill isn’t working tonight. You settled the first few times I touched you, but not this time. Want to talk about it?” He asks, rubbing soothing circles along my spine.
“No, take my mind off things, Hurry.”
“Okay, want to watch something new? Go for a run? Bake something? I can tell you a story?”
I smile. “Yes. No. No. Yes.”
Seb holds onto me as he leans over and grabs the remote from the coffee table.
He turns on a new action movie and moves me, so I’m between him and the couch.
He tells me stories about him and the guys over the years as he runs his fingers up and down my arm that is resting on his torso.
I fall back asleep because of his warmth and the rumbling of his voice through his chest.