Chapter 29 #4
“I’ll give you some salts to use elsewhere Hurry.
” I go back into the room I was using and grab a muslin bag and my jar of salts.
Walking back out, I ask Seb which bathroom he’s using.
Alex offers his tub as it’s deep enough for Seb to get submerged, so I follow him and Seb into the room off the kitchen.
It’s a beautiful primary suite with a king bed in the center of the room.
Large windows on the far wall show a view of the water.
The walls have wood wainscoting on the bottom and a navy color on top.
Soft lighting comes from several sconces on the wall and recessed lights.
It’s very masculine but comfy. I follow Seb and Alex as they enter the room on the right.
A huge freestanding tub sits in the back corner with a window above it.
Alex turns on the water for the tub, so I tie the muslin bag so the water covers it coming out of the faucet, and dump some Epson salts in the tub.
“Are you extracting the herbs?” Alex asks, touching the muslin bag.
“I am. It’s the same as making tea.”
“Interesting,” he smiles. “I smell mint?” He questions.
“Peppermint and wintergreen. There’s lavender oil mixed with the Epsom salts. Okay, Seb. Since you ran into a wall with your arm today, soak up to your neck if you can for 30 minutes.”
“Will do, Sunshine.”
I head over to the other bedroom and make myself a bath. I get a text from Zander while I’m soaking, saying he’s home and to have fun. I text him back, telling him to have a good night and that we’ll be at the 8am game tomorrow. Setting an alarm on my phone, I close my eyes and relax while I soak.
I’ve only been in South Carolina for two weeks, and I’m staying overnight with a group of friends already.
It feels like I’ve been here much, much longer.
It’s simply amazing. I’m very lucky to have found these guys, and they can touch me without me freaking out.
I seem to have slipped back into life more effortlessly than I thought possible.
Sure, I still have issues. Outside my circle, others can’t touch me, and I still experience panic attacks; however, I’m pleased with my progress.
When my alarm goes off, I dry off and put my t-shirt and shorts on for bed. I sit on the right bed to rub some cream onto my thighs and calves, massaging as I go when there’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call.
E pokes his head in, telling me Seb is ready for some cream. “I’ll be right out.”
I finish my leg massage and then grab the cream, going out to the living room where I find the guys spread out on the couch watching tv. Seb is sitting near the middle, with E in only a loose pair of shorts.
“Sunshine, I’m ready for my rubdown,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
Shaking my head at the goofball, I take a seat beside him, trying to ignore all the muscles on display. “How was the bath? Did it help?”
“It actually did, yeah. Some of the soreness is gone.”
“Good. So, it looked like you made impact with the wall along your right shoulder and arm. Is anything else stiff?”
“My right shoulder and arm into the middle of my back and along my right side.”
I offer to let E rub the cream in, but he declines, wanting me to do it.
“I’ll do your shoulder, back and arm. You or E can do the rest.” Grabbing a scoop of the cream, I massage it into his shoulder and upper back in upward strokes with a bit of pressure, causing Seb to let out a long groan.
I gaze at his face, but his eyes are closed.
Looking over at E with a raised eyebrow, he nods, so I keep going.
I rub his arm down to his elbow and then hand the jar to E.
“You can do his side for him, E. Seb, take another salt soak in the morning. I’ll leave the cream jar in the kitchen for you. You can reuse the muslin bag again.”
“Thank you, Sunshine.” He cracks an eye open to give me a smile.
I get up to wash my hands in the kitchen sink as E takes my spot, asking Alex if I can grab a drink.
He waves me off, telling me to help myself.
Grabbing water from the fridge, I sit back down on the couch.
E is still rubbing the cream into Seb’s side and then sets it on the counter when he’s done.
“That’s why you smelled so good yesterday, Sunshine,” Seb comments.
“Huh?” I ask.
“You smelled great yesterday and today. It’s the bath and the cream. I smell like you now.”
“Um, thank you?” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“It is a nice smell,” E agrees. “Sort of earthy and sweet.”
“We need to figure out where everyone is sleeping tonight,” Alex says, changing the subject. “There are 5 beds and 6 of us now.”
E and Seb offer to share a bed, but Alex is quick to point out I might not be comfortable sharing the room. “I’ll sleep on the couch, guys. You sleep in your regular spots.”
“I was going to offer the master to you, Summer. The sheets are clean.” Alex is such a gentleman.
“No, absolutely not. I’m more than happy on the couch, really. End of discussion.”
Alex looks at me for a minute, then nods. “If you are sure, I will grab some extra bedding and a pillow for you.” He goes to his room and comes back out with an armful of stuff. “What side would you prefer to sleep on?”
“Um, the left side, I guess?” Alex makes up that side of the couch with sheets, a comforter, and a pillow. “Thanks, Alex,” I smile. I hop right into the bed, getting under the covers, as the guys chuckle at me. Bay sits by my feet while Seb and E take the center, and Alex and Nick take the right.
“What type of movie would you like to watch, Summer?” Alex asks.
“How about an action movie?” The guys don’t know me well yet, but I’ve always preferred a good action movie over a tear-jerker. Horror is the only genre I won’t watch.
“Thank god,” Nick mutters.
Hmm, I can’t gloss over that opening. “Maybe I should change my choice to a rom-com?” I reply, pointedly staring at Nick. He just rolls his eyes at me while Alex chooses a new action movie and we settle in.
The movie turns out to be great. Mom loved the original movie so much that I know the entire soundtrack.
After I get up to take some pain meds and brush my teeth, I notice Seb is asleep leaning on E.
I smile at them before heading back to the room I’ve been using.
I take care of business in the bathroom and grab my bags to set them back out by the bookcases.
“The room is empty,” I tell the guys. Grabbing the jar of salt, I set it on the kitchen island.
E gently shakes Seb awake and steers him to the room on the right I was using as Bay and Nick enter the left room. Alex checks in to ask if I need anything before switching off the lights, leaving the stove light on. I snuggle down into my makeshift bed and drift off quickly.
During the night, I wake and hear someone shuffling around. Luckily, I immediately remember where I am. Sitting up, I glance behind me towards the kitchen. Nick has his head in the fridge. “Hey Nick,” I call, just loud enough for him to hear.
He straightens, the fridge light creating a shadow along his form, and looks over at me. “Sorry, Shortie.” His voice is extra rumbly with the late hour.
“It’s okay. Can’t sleep?” I ask. He shakes his head no, so I ask him if he wants to watch television.
“It’ll keep you up.” Nick grabs a water bottle, closes the door, and takes a large drink. The stove light offers enough visibility to watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows.
“Actually, it won’t. I can sleep through the tv being on.
” Nick doesn’t look convinced, so I grab the remote and turn the tv on, then hold it out to him across the back of the couch.
He comes over, takes it, and sits on the far side of the sofa.
With a small smile, I snuggle back under the covers.
He turns on Sons of Anarchy and gets comfortable, but I fall asleep before the first episode ends.