Chapter 16
Summer
I run with Jaxon during gym class after letting the coach know how the trials went.
As I’m walking to the parking lot with the guys, talking about who is driving whom to the meet, we hear a woman yelling.
I look around and see a woman with bleached blond hair, heavy makeup, and tight clothes yelling and waving.
We all stop moving and stare at her. She stumbles in her high heels but keeps on waving. “Sebastian. Over here. It’s Mommy.”
Did I hear that right? Seb’s sharp intake of breath suggests I did. I take his hand and look up at him. “Seb, is that your mom?” E asks.
“I’m not sure. I think maybe? It’s been a while, but she looks familiar.”
“That would explain the text you got on the weekend,” I say.
He nods but doesn’t look away from the woman. She comes stumbling over, uncomfortable walking in her heels. “Sebby. I’m so happy to see you,” she beams. “Come, give your mommy a hug,” she says, opening her arms.
Seb doesn’t move towards her or say anything. Alex steps smoothly in front of him and offers his hand. “Hello. I’m Alex. And you are?”
“Oh. Hello. I’m Beth,” she says, shaking his hand with only her fingertips.
Seb makes a weird noise in the back of his throat. “Why are you here, Beth?”
“What do you mean?” She asks, confused and tilting her head to the side. “I’m here to see you, silly.”
“I haven’t heard from you since I was twelve,” he replies.
“Well. I knew you were with your dad, and I needed to take care of myself. I’m clean now and ready to be your mom again. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“I have plans with my friends tonight,” Seb answers without hesitation.
“Oh well. That’s okay. My boyfriend and I have an apartment in town.” She digs around in her purse and writes a number on a slip of paper. “Here is my phone number. Call me tomorrow and we can meet up?” She asks.
Seb nods and reaches out to take the paper from her. “Okay.”
“You’re so grown up and handsome, Sebby. I’ll see you soon,” she smiles and hobbles away.
We watch her until she’s out of sight. “That was weird,” Seb says, shaking his head. “So who’s driving?”
We exchange looks as Alex answers him. If Seb doesn’t want to talk about it right now, then we’ll let it go.
I follow Nick and Seb to Alex’s house, as it’s the closest to the meet this evening.
Seb is quiet as we drive, and I let him be.
I text Zander about the plan for the evening and let him know about Beth.
When we get upstairs, I go into my room to call Jake.
Mal has already heard the news from Sue and tells me how happy she is that it’s over.
I fill Jake in on the busy week since Tuesday, then rejoin the guys.
Alex and Bay are eating a salad at the island.
After they leave, we have dinner together before piling into the Jeep to drive over to the West Charleston area.
Troy and Gabby are already in the stands when we arrive.
I take a seat beside Gabby as we wait for the pairs diving to start.
They announce the winners of the single diving, but I still don’t see Olivia or David.
I ask the guys where they are as I hear my name being yelled.
“Never mind,” I smile. Olivia scrambles up the steps and wiggles her bum to sit between me and Gabby.
“Gabby, I have a sleepover tonight. Can you do a fancy braid for me?” She asks, handing her a brush and a hair tie. We chuckle as Gabby moves her down onto the seat below her, between her legs. Olivia chatters away and cheers for Bay without moving her head while Gabby works.
We cheer and watch the guys who hold on to first place until the last dive. Their rivals perform a new, more complicated dive that we haven't seen before. “Crap. That dive will give them the win unless Bay and Alex complete their new dive,” Seb comments.
We all stand up and cheer as the guys take their positions on the platform for the last dive.
They perform their new dive, and it’s good, but not perfect.
Alex is still ahead of Bay, like we saw last weekend.
The scores come in, and our guys come in second place.
It’s the first meet they’ve lost this season.
We clap for the winners as we take our seats again to wait for the guys.
“That’s a bummer,” I say. I’ve gotten used to them winning.
“That’s just fuel for Alex and Bay to win next time,” Gabby replies.
“Here they are,” Troy calls. I look up and see them coming out of the locker room.
David waves goodbye, and he takes Olivia’s hand and walks her down the stands.
She hugs Bay and Alex, then they’re gone.
The rest of us make our way down to greet them.
We split up as Troy and Gabby head home, and we pile into our two vehicles and drive back to Alex’s house.
While Bay and Alex shower, I follow E into our room.
“Hey E? I wanted to check in with you after the quiz today. Are you doing okay?”
The muscles in his face are tight as he smiles at me. “I’m fine, Summer.”
“I don’t believe you,” I say gently. “You’ve been staying here for a while now. You don’t need to tell me anything, no pressure, but I’m here for you if you need to talk or anything.” I squeeze his hand.
He sighs and takes a seat on his bed, patting the spot beside him.
“My dad is home for 3 months this time. He’s demanding that I come home for appearances.
I’m refusing, but I got a voicemail from him today that said he’s going to cut off my inheritance if I don’t move back there by the end of next week. ”
Damn. Just when I think life is settling, Seb and E face family issues. That’s life, though. Riding waves, with each wave unique and evolving. “I’m so sorry, E. Any idea what you’re going to do?”
“No,” he shrugs. “I was counting on my inheritance to pay for college and to get set up after school. It’s a lot of money.”
“Will they even pay for culinary school?” I remember his family doesn’t approve of his career choice.
“I haven’t convinced them of that yet.”
“Well, I’m rich. I can help you with whatever you need for college and beyond.”
“Alex offered too. You two are crazy,” he smiles. “I appreciate the offer, but I know you don’t like touching that money.”
“My feelings have adjusted. I used it for the tournament, and I enjoy using it to help my friends.”
“I’m hoping I can figure something out on my own. Maybe talk to my grandparents or try to convince my mom.”
“Do what you need to, E. Know there are other options besides living with your dad, though.”
“Thanks, Summer.” I get a genuine, bright smile from E, eyes clear and golden.
“Anytime. Let’s join everyone. Come on,” I say, pulling on his hand.
The guys have a video game on the television.
I grab a water and sit beside Bay on the couch as Alex offers me his remote to take a turn.
He showed me how to play a few weeks ago, but I’m still not very good.
I’m playing with Nick, trying to kill zombies in an underground cave.
My fighter gets killed after 10 minutes, so I pass the remote over to Bay.
I lean towards Alex to check in with him. “Hey,” I say, bumping his shoulder. “Doing okay?”
“Yes, thank you. And you?”
“Relieved. I’m doing better now that it’s over. Have you and Bay decided on what to do about your dive? Sorry, I should have asked earlier this week, but I had other things on my mind.”
“Of course you did. We showed our coach on Monday, and he believes it is as you suggested. My physique has changed enough that I’m moving quicker than Bay now.”
“Why are you working out more now?” There must be something happening in his life because he wouldn’t purposely cause issues with his diving. I’m surprised he didn’t anticipate the problem.
“It was not a conscious decision on my part. I’ve returned to my normal schedule now, but I am unsure whether it will be effective in time for the championships.”
“Can you try another dive? Maybe there is one that would work better now?”
“We may try that, but it requires months to perfect a new dive. I believe we would be better off trying to adjust the dive we have been working on.”
“I notice you didn’t really answer my question of why, but I won’t pry. Please know I’m here for you if you need to talk, okay?”
Alex nods. “Thank you, Summer.”
I turn to see that the guys have given up on the zombie game and are just talking, except for Nick, who is brooding. I get up to sit between Seb and Nick. “Grumpy,” I say.
“Shortie,” he grunts.
“You’re brooding.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Do you need to run or spar or something?”
“No. Just thinking.”
“Ah, I didn’t realize your brooding face and your thinking face were the same.” He rolls his eyes at me and turns the tv on. Okay then.
“Can we head home, Bay?” I ask.
“Sure,” he smiles. Bay is taking my Jeep home to fix a sensor.
I get a hug from Seb and E as I wave goodbye to Alex and Nick. As Bay pulls out of the driveway, I ask him how he’s feeling about the meet tonight.
“We can’t win them all,” he shrugs. “Knowing Alex, we’ll be practicing more, but that’s fine. How are you feeling about the track meet tomorrow?”
“Okay. I’d like to win the 400m or 800m, but we'll see.”
We chat about Olivia and school until he pulls in front of my house. Ben turns off my Jeep, then fidgets in his seat. “So, there’s something I’d like to ask you,” he begins.
“Sure. What’s up?”
“The prom is coming up in a few weeks, and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me?”
Oh my gosh! “Really?”
“Yeah,” he says, rubbing his palms on his thighs nervously. “It could be fun, I think.”
Giddiness bubbles inside me. “I’d love to Bay. Thanks for asking,” I smile from ear to ear. With everything going on, the prom wasn’t on my radar at all.
He blushes. “You’re welcome. I’ll get us tickets when they go on sale next week. We can talk to the guys about dinner beforehand.”
“Is everyone going?”
“Nick won’t, but Seb and E will go together, and Alex will take Reesa.”
“Sounds like fun. I’m so excited! Thanks for the ride and for fixing the Jeep. I’ll see you in the morning,” I say, hopping out of the vehicle, waving and going inside.
Zander is at the island with his laptop when I get inside. “Hi darling,” he smiles.
“Hi. What are you working on?” I ask, setting my backpack on the dining table.
“Scheduling. We have a lot of jobs coming up. Have a seat,” he says, pulling out a chair beside himself.
“There’s a transportation job being offered in Savannah soon.
It would be 3 days in a row at first, but could turn into a regular job for us.
I’m guessing 2-3 days every month. How would you feel about that? ”
“I’m fine with it.”
“I’d want the same setup as before. You staying with Alex or one of the guys staying here at least until you have your license.”
“We can talk to the guys tomorrow about it, but it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Great. Thank you. Any updates on Seb’s mother?”
“No. I don’t think he knows what to do. We didn’t talk about it tonight. I got asked to prom, though.”
“By who?” Zander asks, straightening in his seat, going into protective mode.
“Bay. He said Alex, E, and Seb are going too.”
His shoulders drop. “That’s exciting. You’ll need to find a dress.” Hmm, seems Zander was worried about who I was going with.
“Yeah, I’ll text Gabby and Holly about it.
I’ll let you get back to work.” He nods as I take my backpack to my room.
After gathering a clean pair of pjs, I take a long shower.
With my laptop and phone, I snuggle under the covers and turn the tv on.
I text Gabby and Holly that I need a prom dress, and they both reply right away, so we decide to go shopping next week in Charleston.
Seb calls as I’m finishing my AP Biology homework. “Hey Hurry.”
“Hi Sunshine. I called my mother.”
“Wow. How was that?”
“Weird. She wants to meet tomorrow for dinner. I don’t know what to think, but I agreed to dinner at the diner. I remember her, but they’re not good memories. She’s a stranger, basically. Why the hell did she show up here?”
“I don’t know, but you can find out tomorrow. I’m wondering how she got your number and knew where you were.”
“I didn’t even think about that. Damn. More questions to add to the pile. I told Troy, but she hasn’t been in contact with him.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. Do you want me to come with you to dinner?”
“Thanks, but no. I’m going to go alone for this one. Hang on,” he says as I hear rustling. “Sorry, just pulling my stuff off the bed. E didn’t have room to lie down. I’ll put you on speaker.”
“Hi Summer,” E says.
“Hi. So Seb is staying at Alex’s’ house too?”
“Yes, Nick went home after you and Bay left,” E replies.
“Oh, Bay asked me to prom.”
“Really? Well, good for him. I figured he would ask. E, will you be my prom date?” Seb asks.
“I assumed we were going together, so sure,” E replies.
“Bay said Nick doesn’t go?”
“Nope, not his thing. We need to make dinner reservations, though, and there are the after-parties.”
“I’ll take care of the dinner reservations,” E offers.
“I’m undecided about the after-parties,” I add.
“I think we should have our own after-party. I don’t want to avoid parties forever, but it might be too soon, even for me. We’ll have to think about that. So, are we thinking of a princess gown or sleek and sexy Sunshine?”
“No idea. I’ve never worn any kind of fancy dress before. Holly, Gabby, and I are going shopping next week.”
“Without me?” Seb gasps.
“Let her have a girls’ night,” E tells him. I can picture the pout on Seb’s face, and I chuckle.
“You can come too, Hurry.”
“Yay! But seriously, if you want it to be just girls, that’s fine.”
“You guys are always welcome to come. Unless it’s undergarment shopping, then it’s a firm no.”
“That’s fair,” Seb responds. “Hey E, I’m thinking we get colored suits this year instead of the usual black or navy. “
“Sounds like fun,” E replies. “If you’re going with Summer next week, I can go too, and we can pick out our suits.”
“We have a plan,” Seb replies in an announcer’s voice.
“Okay guys. I’ll let you go,” I chuckle. “I’m going to take my pill a little earlier tonight. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Summer,” E says.
“Night Sunshine,” Seb responds.
I plug in my phone, then go out to the kitchen to make chamomile tea and my protein bars. “What time do we need to leave for the track meet in the morning, Summer?” Zander asks.
“I was thinking 8am. That should get us there in plenty of time.”
“Sounds good. We’ve got guys working this weekend, so I’ll be relieving Troy after your meet.”