Chapter 29 #2
“Thank you,” I reply as a knock sounds at the door. E sticks his head in and smiles at us. “Oh, you’re both awake,” he says, coming into the room.
“Close the door, E,” Seb says, laying a hand over my belly.
He does and comes to sit beside us on the bed. “What’s up?”
Seb looks over at me, and I nod. “Sunshine and I had an interesting conversation earlier. She thinks she’s ready to move forward from Jake, and we may have made out,” Seb tells him.
E looks at me, hope lighting his eyes. “Really?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I nod. “We’re keeping things quiet for now while I try to wrap my head around it. Seb's suggesting a poly relationship, and that’s a lot for me.”
“She’s concerned with maintaining our friendships first and foremost, and I want to feel Bay and Nick out to see where they’re at before anything goes further.”
“No, Alex?” E asks me. I shake my head no, and he nods, not surprised. “Am I included now, or is it just Seb?”
“Of course you’re included,” Seb says. “Sunshine had her first orgasm a few minutes before you got here. Speaking of which, I need a shower,” he says, giving me, then E pecks before hopping up and leaving the room.
“You’d think I’d be used to him talking by now,” I say. “This is going to take some time to get used to.”
“It’ll be an adjustment for us all, but I’m so happy you’re willing to give us a chance.
Seb fell in love with you the first time you met.
He called me that night after we left your house and couldn’t shut up about you.
I took a little longer, needing a connection first, but I’m crazy about you too,” he smiles. “Can I kiss you?”
I smile and nod, sitting up. E is more tentative than Seb, giving me a couple of soft kisses before pulling back. “Are you hungry?” He asks.
“I could eat. Is Nick still in my room?”
“No, he’s downstairs.”
“Okay. I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs then.”
“I’ll get breakfast started,” he beams at me.
After grabbing some clothes, I pop into Nick and Bay’s bathroom to clean up and get dressed.
I grab my phone to see Zander is on his way to Virginia.
I send him a text he’ll receive when he lands before joining the guys downstairs.
“Morning,” I say to everyone as I take a seat at the island.
E sets a cup of tea in front of me, and I thank him.
There’s an assortment of fruits and cereals spread out on the counter, so I grab a bowl and fill it for breakfast.
“It is going to rain all day today, so we need to stay inside,” Alex tells me.
Time to distract myself some more. “It might be a good day to learn to play pool then,” I reply.
“You’ve never played?” Bay asks, taking a seat beside me and grabbing a bowl.
“Nope.”
“We can certainly teach you,” Alex says. “What would everyone like to do today?”
“A games day sounds fun,” E says as Seb comes into the kitchen.
“What games?” He asks, filling a bowl with cereal.
“I was asking what everyone wanted to do today,” Alex replies.
“We’re going to teach Summer how to play pool,” Bay adds.
“Cool,” Seb nods, shoveling food into his mouth.
After breakfast, I help Alex clean up, then we all move into the games room.
Nick sets up the pool table while Bay walks me through the game.
I know the general premise already, but have never used a cue.
The guys let me take a few shots to get used to things before we start a game.
I play Bay first and lose by a lot. Next up is Alex and I do a little better.
Bay and Nick play the next game, and it’s much more exciting to watch.
Nick does this ball jump thing to sink his last shot.
“So, I won’t be playing you for a while,” I say to him.
He just smirks at me before setting up for another game.
Alex plays him next, and Nick wins again.
Seb and E get into the mix for the next game, then we play a few doubles rounds.
I get a text from Zander that he’s landed and on his way to the bank. He's having lunch with Sue afterwards. I wish him luck before returning my attention to the game.
Alex, Seb and I switch over to Mario Kart on the game console while the other three guys keep playing. I gang up with Seb to take Alex out, then switch to play against Seb in the next game, and we have a lot of laughs.
Near lunchtime, I get a video call, so I excuse myself to the deck.
Sue and Zander greet me from the diner when I answer.
He got everything from the safe-deposit box for me.
I emptied it out and will open one down here next week to have easier access in case something else comes up.
We talk for a few minutes until their food is delivered before hanging up.
I decide to take a seat on the swing outside and watch the waves crash.
It’s not long before Nick comes outside and sits beside me, handing me a folded piece of paper from his pocket.
Unfolding it, I see a drawing. There’s an open lily flower with Lily bee written on the petals.
Below the lily is a cluster of sweet peas, and the name Vanessa forms the stem.
“It’s perfect,” I breathe. “Thank you, Nick.”
“Where do you want it?” He asks.
“I was thinking over or near my scar on my thigh?”
He nods. “I’ll take you when you’re ready.”
I smile at him as we relax back on the swing and watch the storm.
E pops his head outside after a while, letting us know lunch is ready, so we get up and follow him inside.
E made soup for us on this wet, grey day and, as usual, it’s yummy.
We spread out in the living area after we finish eating.
Seb starts a Star Trek movie marathon on tv before coming to sit beside me on the couch.
I don’t get any texts from Zander this afternoon, so it must be going okay at the house.
I’m so happy I didn’t have to go there. I’m just not ready yet.
Having to verify Lily bee’s stuff will be torture enough.
Bay bumps my elbow, holding out his phone to me. He’s playing a game on it, so I lean his way. I download the game on my phone and get set up, then we team up and battle other players while building a stronghold. I’m not too bad at the game, so it turns out to be fun.
I excuse myself to call Jake at 4:30pm. As I’m heading upstairs, I get a text from Zander that he’s at the airport and on his way home.
I fill Jake in on the recent court case, but not what happened this morning with Seb.
It feels weird to mention that stuff to him.
When I hang up, I get off the bed to go back downstairs, but my phone rings.
It’s Mr. MacLeod calling. “Hello,” I answer.
“Hi Summer. I have an update for you. The hearing will be on Monday morning, as the judge doesn’t want to wait for the DNA tests. You’ll have to be in court with me this time.”
“Wow, okay. Do I need to do anything?” It’s so soon. Maybe it’s better to get it over with fast so I can’t freak out more, though.
“I’d like to see you before then to go over what to expect. You can also identify your sister’s items for me. That way, you don’t have to do that in the courtroom.”
“That’s a good idea. I’d rather do that in private. When do you want to meet?”
“Anytime Saturday or Sunday is fine with me.”
“I’m staying in Folly Beach this weekend, but I can drive back whenever you need me to.”
“Ah, excellent. I have a cottage down that way, so no need to leave. We can meet down there.”
“Zander is on his way back from Virginia with the items you need. I’ll text him so we can meet up.”
“I’ll be in the office until late tonight. If you’d like to have him drop the items here on his way home, that will save one of you a trip.”
“Okay, I’ll let him know. Thanks.”
“Of course. How about I call you when I get to the cottage tomorrow and Alex can drive you over?”
“That works. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” This is so darn fast.
“Have a nice evening, Summer,” Mr. MacLeod says before hanging up.
I text Zander, then go downstairs to update the guys.
My mood has soured after being in a fairly steady place all day.
Alex informs me it’s only a ten minute drive from here for the visit tomorrow.
Sensing my mood has dropped, Bay suggests we play a game, so Alex goes into the game room and brings a headband game back to us.
It takes a few rounds to get out of my head, but soon I’m laughing with the guys, and even Nick has cracked a few smiles. It’s a great distraction for me.
Zander calls after he’s home, letting me know he dropped the items off to the attorney.
He wants to know if I’d like him to drive down there for the meeting.
Knowing he’s busy with work, I suggest a video call instead so he can still be a part of the discussion.
He agrees and tells me the house is still in excellent condition, but offers no more info, which I’m grateful for.
He met our neighbor, and she was happy to hear I’m doing well.
That night, I’m too restless to sleep, my mind jumping from the guys to the court case to Jake, so I decide to make some tea and sit out on the upper deck.
It’s chilly outside, so I grab a blanket from my bed and wrap myself up.
The rain has settled down to a drizzle now, but without the moon, I can’t see much.
I’m trying to work through my feelings about the case when Alex’s door opens and I see him step into the doorway and look out. “Hey,” I say.
Alex jumps and puts his hand over his heart. “Oh, hello, you scared me,” he replies.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. Can’t sleep?”
“Not yet,” he says, going inside and coming back out with a robe and slippers. “I am usually up until midnight or later. Are you still having trouble sleeping?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I nod. “Especially with this new case.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“Pissed. It’s twisting my mind up pretty good. The idea of being tied to Ben forever is terrible.”