Chapter 28
Thursday morning goes much better for me and my legs. I take the combination of meds Alex suggested, since they seem to work better. I’m still stiff and sore, but I can move on my own.
Morning classes go by quickly. Nick joins us again in AP Seminar, and I get a “Shortie” when I say hello.
Progress! Cara tries to sit between E and Seb at lunch when we’re walking up, but the guys are refusing her.
I take a seat beside Bay while they sort things out.
That girl is persistent; I’ll give her that.
Nick meets me at my locker for gym again, so we walk over together.
I get a good stretch in and jog before the coach times my runs.
She doesn’t comment on my times, but wants me to see her in her office Friday afternoon between basketball games.
I sit on the steps by the entrance today, waiting for Nick, not wanting to risk walking in on anything, but Ben finds me first. “Hi Summer. How’s it going?” He stops behind where I’m sitting.
Not feeling comfortable with someone I don’t know above me, I rise and lean against the wall. “Fine. You?”
“I’m great. How is your running coming along?” He asks as he attempts to lean on the wall right beside me.
I step forward so there are no walls around me. “It’s going well. How is your training?”
“Good. Doing weights and conditioning for spring training right now. So, what are you doing Friday night? I thought we could catch a movie or something?”
Nope, no nada. “Oh, ah, thanks, but I have a boyfriend.”
“Who is he?”
“None of your business” comes from my right. I glance over and notice Nick as relief washes through me. This Ben guy is very forward and makes me uncomfortable.
“It’s not you, Nick,” Ben laughs. “So that leaves one of your other friends.”
“Why do you care who it is?” I ask. I’ve only spoken a handful of words to the guy.
“It’s good to be aware of my competition,” he smirks.
That boils my blood, making me feel braver. “I’m not a prize to be won. There is no competition. I won’t go out with you for that sentence alone. Let’s go,” I say to Nick, stomping down the stairs.
Nick silently follows me as I head to the parking lot. “What an egotistical asshole,” I mutter.
Nick chuckles beside me, and I glance up to notice a genuine smile on his face. Wow, he’s even more gorgeous when he smiles, and it stops me in my tracks. “You’re actually smiling right now,” I state the obvious.
He quirks an eyebrow at me. “Don’t expect to see it often, Shortie.”
“Got it. Too risky to do it more than once a year, in case your face gets stuck that way. Then what would you do?” I tease, as he rolls his eyes at me.
“Hello Summer,” Alex greets as we arrive at the parking lot. “I’ll be driving you today.”
“Thanks, Alex,” I reply with my own smile. “Bye, Nick,” I say, waving goodbye. Nick nods as he hops into the Jeep and drives away.
“I’d be happy to drive you home instead of to the office today,” Alex offers.
“I’d appreciate it. I’m expecting my herbs and oils to arrive today.” Alex nods, so I text Zander I’m heading home. There’s a large box on the porch when we get there, thank goodness.
“Those are your supplies?” Alex asks.
“Yes, I’ll be busy tonight.” I’m feeling excited about playing with plants again.
“If you do not mind, I would be interested in learning how you prepare your items,” he says.
“Sure. I have to take a shower first. Then we can get started,” I easily agree.
Alex graciously carries the box into the kitchen for me, setting it on the island. I tell him to help himself to anything in the kitchen while I shower. I remember to text Sarah to delay our video call for a few hours. She responds right away that she’s available later this evening.
After a quick shower, I walk back to the kitchen to find Alex has already unpacked the supplies. “I’m making a fruit and granola bowl, Alex. Would you like one?” I offer.
“Yes, thank you,” he replies, reading the inventory list.
Mixing two bowls for us, I grab two water bottles and settle on a stool beside Alex. “Do you have a recipe for your cream?” He asks while we are enjoying our snack.
“No, not really. It’s all up here.” I tap my temple. “I experimented a lot at first to find what worked for me. Now I mix and match ingredients depending on my symptoms.”
“I find it fascinating. I have never studied plant medicine before. It is very intriguing,” he says.
“Let’s get started then.” Alex is an excellent assistant.
He asks questions about the properties of each ingredient as we work, and why I’ve chosen them.
I tell him about infusing my own oils and why they are always better than pre-made ones.
We soon have several containers of cream and a large jar of salts.
Zander arrives as we’re filling the last container. “Hi Summer. I see your package arrived,” he smiles. “How are you, Alex?”
“I am fine, Z. Summer was teaching me how to make her recovery cream,” Alex replies.
“Are you staying for dinner? You’re more than welcome to Alex.”
“No, thank you. I am having dinner with my stepmother and Reesa at 7pm. I should be going.”
“Thanks for your help, Alex. I’ll show you the rest some other time,” I wave.
Alex grabs his bag from the dining chair. “I will look forward to that Summer. You both have a nice evening.” He lets himself out as I clean up a bit.
“How does pizza sound tonight?” Zander asks. “I don’t feel like cooking.”
“Great. I still have to soak and call Sarah. Do you mind if I leave everything here until after dinner?”
“Of course not,” he waves. “I’ll order dinner after I change. That should give you plenty of time to soak and talk,” he says, heading for his room.
I fill a muslin bag with herbs and grab my salt to take to the bathroom.
Turning the water on, I tie the bag to the faucet and dump salts into the tub.
Once it’s full, I step in and call Sarah.
We talk through the potential issues with Ben and Cara, and she’s happy to learn I’m running track again.
I talk about how great the guys have been and how Zander and I are getting along, and she seems pleased with my progress.
Afterwards, I rub my new cream into my legs, massaging as best I can.
Zander yells that the pizza has arrived, so I join him on the couch for dinner.
I bake some lemon squares after we eat and clean up while they bake.
The empty bookshelves in my room are slowly filling up with my new life, and it’s nice to see.
After taking pain meds and drinking some chamomile tea, I text Seb and E until I fall asleep.