Chapter 8 #2
I pick up my phone and dial the doctor. He’s happy to provide the note, offering to send it electronically to my coach.
The note will be vague, just citing injuries from the kidnapping, and will be good for a week starting Wednesday.
He also suggests a padded, heavy-support sports bra when I’m ready.
Talking about my boobs reminds me I have my own recipe for bruising that I forgot about.
I should soak my entire body in the tub as well.
Deciding to make the bruising recipe after the guys leave, I rejoin them in the living room, where they are watching tv.
Feeling the need to do something, I let the guys know I’m taking a walk.
Bay offers to join me, so we head out through the patio doors.
It’s dark, but the lights from the house allow us to see enough.
“How is Olivia doing?” I ask him for something to talk about as we walk around the edge of the grass.
“She’s good. She wanted to come see you today, but I wasn’t sure you were up for a visit.”
“Bring her anytime.” Her radiant energy would definitely be welcome around here.
“How is the irrigation system working?” he asks as we walk up to the garden.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t checked on it.” Bending down, I stick my finger into the soil. It’s nice and damp. “Seems good,” I say, showing him my soil-covered finger.
He smiles and fiddles with the timer. “Once the temperatures rise, we should set the timer to go off at least twice a day, in the morning and evening, so the plants don’t dry out.”
“Will they dry out with all the humidity down here?”
“They can, yeah.” He stands facing me, hands in his pockets, looking solemn. “Is there anything I can do to help you, Summer?”
“I don’t think so, Bay, but thanks for offering,” I reply, giving him a small smile.
“How about a hug?” he asks, opening his arms. I gladly let him enfold me into his chest, turning sideways so he won’t press on my boobs. Bay smells like the ocean. I never noticed before. The smell is light, fresh, and salty. “You okay?” he asks with concern.
“Um yeah. I’m, ah, bruised,” I tell him, stepping back from his warm embrace.
“Shit, sorry, did I hurt you? Where are you hurt?” he looks me over, trying to see an injury.
“No, you didn’t hurt me.” I point to my chest. “I’m bruised here,” I tell him.
“Damn Summer. I didn’t realize,” he says, squeezing my hand. Bay looks so sad. I shrug, not knowing what to say. “Are you comfortable with us touching you now? I don’t want you pretending you’re fine with contact if things have changed.”
“No, you guys don’t trigger me. You never have. I like the contact,” I say, blushing.
Bay turns scarlet too. “Well, I’ll provide comfort whenever you need it,” he says, shuffling his feet.
Be brave, Summer, I tell myself. I grab Bay’s hand as we continue our walk around the yard.
His warm, calloused palms feel nice against my smooth skin.
I’m in a weird frame of mind tonight. These guys all mean so much to me.
It’s almost like hanging out with Jake. It’s safe and comfortable.
Besides, friends hold hands. I don’t need to overthink wanting comfort right now.
Seb pokes his head out of the patio door. “Want to make s’mores?” he hollers.
“Sure,” I yell back.
The guys come out with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Bay lights the fire, and Seb pulls me onto his lap as E hands out steel roasting sticks.
After my first s’more, Seb gently squeezes my waist, so I turn towards him and raise a brow. “Are you enjoying your night, Sunshine?”
“I am. This was a good idea,” I tell him, relaxing back into his chest.
“It was E’s idea. I’m glad you like it. We do this all the time in the summer. We even have bonfires on the beach.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“We should be going. It is getting late,” Alex says, standing up while popping his perfectly toasted marshmallow into his mouth.
They gather up the food as Bay pulls the hose over and puts out the fire. Zander is in the kitchen when we get inside, making popcorn. The guys say goodbye, and I get a kiss on the head from Seb when they leave.
I take a seat on the island so we can talk. “Zander, Sarah prescribed sleeping pills for me. Can we pick them up tonight?”
“Of course. I haven’t heard nightmares coming from your room. Am I missing something?”
“I’m having nightmares several times a night. I don’t think you can hear me from your room,” I say.
“Oh, darling,” Zander says, his entire attitude shifting as sadness sweeps over his features. “I’m sorry I haven’t heard you. I can sleep in the guest room if you’d like, so I can help.”
“No, but thanks. I’m happy I haven’t woken you up. Sarah said these should allow me to sleep through the night.”
“Alright, but please wake me if you need anything. I don’t care what time it is.”
“I know and I appreciate you, but I want you to get your rest. If it becomes too much, I promise to tell you. I’m also going to make bruising cream tonight.”
“What bruises?”
“Um, let’s just say I have some bruising,” pointing to my chest area. “I’m a little sore, but it’s not serious. I want to heal as quickly as possible so I can run, so I’m going to mix up some herbs and oils I have to help.”
Zander stares at me for a minute, jaw clenching as he works through his thoughts, before finally nodding. “Okay, I won’t push, but know you can talk to me about anything, darling. Why don’t I run to the pharmacy while you make your cream? Do you need anything else from there?”
“Can you grab a stretchy wrap? I need a piece of flannel too, please. I may be in the tub when you get back.”
“Okay, I’m leaving. I’ll be back soon,” he says.
I gather my supplies from the bookshelf and lay them out on the island. I prepare several muslin bags for a bath tea before mixing a poultice. Adapting my recovery cream formula to treat bruises, I make a jar of it too. I put the poultice in a jar, refrigerate it, and then clean up.
With a muslin bag in hand, I go to the bathroom to run a bath.
The hot water is initially uncomfortable, but it quickly soothes my chest. I should have iced my chest immediately to reduce the bruising.
Why didn’t I think of that? Don’t beat yourself up, Summer. You survived a trauma, I remind myself.
A knock on the door breaks my musings. “I have your pills and wrap, Summer. I couldn’t find any flannel, but I have an old flannel shirt you can use,” he says.
“That will work. Thanks Zander. I’ve got another 20 minutes to go.” I rest my head against the edge of the tub, trying to enjoy the hot water as my phone rings. Picking it up, I see Seb’s name on the screen. “Hi Hurry.”
“Sunshine. What are you up to?”
“I’m in the tub.”
“Working on your legs? Are they still sore?”
“No, and no. Um, just relaxing.”
“Sunshine, you’re a shit liar. Are you okay?”
“Ugh! It’s embarrassing, Hurry.” Do tell him why? I’m blushing, and I’m alone. Geez, you’d think after what Nick and Alex saw, I’d be over this.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. What’s going on?” He’s so sweet and concerned, I can’t not tell him.
“My boobs are all bruised,” I mumble.
“Shit. I wish I could kick that bastard’s ass. Is it possible to bruise your dick? I need to find out. I’d bruise his dick for you, Sunshine.”
Seb sounds so sincere, a chuckle leaves me. “That’s something I can’t answer for you. Nick messed him up pretty good, though.”
“Yeah, I bugged him until he told me. I’ll have to mention the dick bruising to him. So, got any witchy things you can do for bruising?”
“Yeah, I’ve got a new mix in the tub of water, some cream, and a poultice waiting for me.”
“You’re amazing, Sunshine. I’ll miss you at school tomorrow. Are you thinking of going to the meet this weekend?”
“If my boobs heal enough, I will. Hey, can I talk to Gabby? I need her to pick something up for me.”
I hear him yell Gabby’s name, then there’s a rustling sound. “Hi Summer,” Gabby greets.
“Hey Gabby. Can I get your help with something?” I discuss what Dr. Croft tells me about the type of bra I need and why.
“Oh, Summer,” she replies. I can hear a wobble in her voice. “Of course I’ll help you. Let me call a few places tomorrow and see what I can find. I’ll call you tomorrow night with what I’ve found, okay?”
“Thanks, Gabby.”
“No problem. Here’s Seb back.”
After saying goodbye to Seb, who promises to visit tomorrow, I dry off, get dressed, and walk out to the kitchen to find Zander at the island. There’s an old flannel shirt lying on the counter, along with the wrap and pills. “The pharmacist said to take one an hour before bed.”
“Okay, I’ll take one now. Can I cut up your shirt?
” I ask as I grab a bottle of water. I swallow a pill and turn to see him holding out a pair of scissors.
“Thanks.” I cut four large rectangles out of his shirt, then grab the poultice from the fridge and the wrap.
“This is a poultice to pull the inflammation from the bruises and drain it. I put it on the bruise and cover it with the flannel. The wrap will hold it in place,” I explain.
“You’re so smart, and I don’t think you even realize it, Summer,” Zander smiles. “I’m going to finish the movie if you don’t need anything?”
“No, I’m good. I’m going to relax in bed after I put this stuff on.”
“Please yell, call, or come get me if you need anything during the night. I don’t mind being woken up.”
“Okay. Night Zander.”
Bay calls again tonight, and we talk for an hour about everything.