Chapter 15
Summer
My alarm wakes me in the morning as Seb grumbles underneath me.
As awareness blooms in my mind, I feel his right arm wrapped around my back and my leg thrown over one of his.
Blinking open my eyes, I see him fumbling for the phone on the coffee table.
Arching my neck up, his eyes are still closed as he mumbles words too low for me to decipher.
I try to lean over him to reach for my phone, and my belly rubs a very prominent appendage.
I freeze as Seb lets out a quiet moan. Oh crap, what do I do?
“Sunshine,” he says. “Just ignore that. Morning wood happens to all of us.”
I look up, with pomegranate-colored cheeks and a racing heart, to see his face. He seems partially awake with one eye open. “Sorry.”
He squeezes my waist. “Nothing to be sorry for. It’s a natural phenomenon. Feel free to rub it anytime,” he replies, wiggling his eyebrows.
I just got hit by a ton of bricks. I'm stunned. He’s my best friend. “Uh…”
Seb blinks rapidly, opening both eyes, and looks down at my gaping mouth. “Shit. Ignore me, I’m not awake,” Seb says, rubbing his face. “I don’t want to upset you. I have no filter right now. Please forget I said that, Sunshine.”
Rebooting my brain takes a moment. “Okay Hurry. You just shocked me. It’s all good,” I reply, scrambling to get up.
“Really? Please tell me I didn’t screw things up between us.” Seb appears a little freaked out.
I smile to reassure him. “No screwups. We’re good. Thank you for helping last night. It looks like you keep the nightmares away, too.”
Relief causes his shoulders to droop. “Good to know, Sunshine. I have a feeling it’ll be the same with all the guys. I’m glad I could help,” he says, sitting up and rubbing his face. “Mind if I grab a shower to wake up?”
“Of course, go ahead. Sorry you didn’t get much sleep.”
Seb stands and pulls me into a hug, both of us ignoring him bumping into my belly. “Don’t apologize for that. I volunteered, remember? I’m happy to be here with you.”
I use the powder room, then start a pot of coffee for Zander and Seb. After getting dressed, I decide to cook some bacon. Seb joins me in the kitchen and grabs a cup of coffee. “Can I help, Sunshine?”
“No need. I’m gonna cook the bacon in the oven,” I say as I place the sheet in the oven. Washing my hands, I fill the kettle and put it on the stove. Zander comes out of his room and joins us.
“Morning guys. How is everyone?” He asks as both Seb and I yawn. “Rough night?”
“Nightmares,” I shrug.
“Hopefully, you will find some peace after today is over, darling,” he says, sadness coating his eyes.
“I hope so.” Maybe the sentencing today will put my mind at ease, but it can’t change what has already happened. That's assuming it goes well. “When are you leaving?”
“At 7:40am. Shall I make some pancakes?”
“With blueberries?” Seb asks, perking up at the idea, eyes becoming brighter.
“I can do that,” Zander easily agrees. “Take a seat, Summer, and I’ll get started.”
We enjoy delicious blueberry pancakes and bacon before Zander leaves for the courthouse. I’m feeling restless, and it’s not even 8am. It’s going to be a long, hard day today. I busy myself with the dishes, trying to decide whether it would be better to stay home or leave and go do something.
“Sunshine, I have two schedules for you to choose from today.
The first is to stay home, which involves a run in the park, gardening, calling Jake, a nap, and binge watching tv.
The second option is going to the beach for the day.
We'll swim, build a sandcastle, eat our weight in ice cream, call Jake, and run in the sand. Which do you prefer?”
My thoughtful golden retriever. “Stay home, I think?” Being far from home feels wrong today. “I don’t know if I can nap, though.” I’ve never been one to sleep during the day, except at the second foster home. My mind definitely won’t shut off enough today to take a nap.
“Excellent. Why don’t we finish weeding around the veggies, then go for a run?
” Seb grabs my phone and hand, pulling me out through the patio doors.
I guess we’re weeding now. We left the hoes outside yesterday, so we get started.
It takes almost two hours to finish, but the garden looks wonderful when we’re done.
Seb puts out the fire for me as I go inside to change for the run.
Checking my phone, I have texts from Sarah and Sue.
I tell them I’m doing fine and will call after court is over.
Seb is in the kitchen waiting for me with two water bottles, so I toss him my keys to lock up and drive us over to the park.
I run intervals until Seb gets tired, then switch to sprints in the open area.
When I’m exhausted, we head back to shower.
My phone dings as I’m getting dressed. It’s E saying they won’t be back for lunch today as the judge is only taking a 30-minute break.
It’s the new judge from yesterday again, and it’s going well.
When Seb joins me in the kitchen, I ask if he’s checked his phone.
“Yup. I like this new judge. It should work out well today, Sunshine.” He helps me make a salad for lunch, then we flop on the couch. Seb turns on another random movie from his list, then grabs my feet and sets them on his lap. “Massage time. Relax and enjoy.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he wags his finger at me. “Nope, close that mouth. You’re getting a massage, so deal with it. Now focus on the movie and let me work my magic,” he tells me.
I snap my jaw shut and do as I’m told. The last and only massage I’ve ever gotten was from Seb, and it was fantastic. Anything that helps me relax today is probably a good idea. Our pillows and blankets are still on the couch from last night, so I snuggle with Jake’s pillow and get comfortable.
“Summer…wake up.” I stretch my arms out and snuggle back down as someone rubs my arm. “Summer, time to get up, cutie.” I’m warm and comfortable. Why is someone bothering me? “Summer…”
Blinking my eyes open, I see E sitting in front of me. What is he doing here? “E?”
“Hey,” he smiles. “You need to get up. Zander is on his way with pizza.”
I look around and see the other guys watching me. My mind is as slow as a sloth, then realization dawns as I sit up and an arm lands in my lap. Seb. Court. “Hurry, wake up, we fell asleep,” I say, shaking him. “What happened?”
“Relax. It’s good news,” E says, pulling Seb upright as he grumbles.
Bay offers me a bottle of soda to wake up.
I down a few mouthfuls then look around, waiting for someone to talk.
Alex takes a seat beside me. “The trial went very well. They tried Ben as an adult and sentenced him to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of parole in 7 years. Once he completes his year in a juvenile detention facility, they will transfer him to a regular prison for the remainder of his sentence. Ben is also being placed on the sex offender registry, and he will remain on that registry for life. When he is eventually released, there will be a restraining order in place for you if you wish.”
I deflate like a balloon into the cushions. It’s really over. He can’t get to me anymore. “More details, please?”
E and Bay sit on the coffee table in front of me.
“Officer Sean, Nick, and Sarah were all questioned,” Bay starts.
“The judge listened to your recorded interview alone, so the courtroom didn’t hear your testimony.
He questioned Ben, who was defensive and had a huge attitude problem the whole time, which didn’t help his case. ”
“Ben’s lawyer tried to paint a picture of a poor, neglected teen, but he didn’t really have a defense for his actions,” E adds. “Ben’s dad didn’t even show up to court today. There was no one there for him. It was kind of sad,” he shrugs.
“Nick, are you okay?” I ask him. He’s the one who tortured Ben. Although he’s always quiet, I want to make sure the trial hasn’t negatively affected him.
Nick lowers his eyebrows, confused by my question. I get up and walk over to him, putting my arms around his waist. “Thank you for testifying today.”
“No thanks needed, Shortie,” he says, returning my hug.
Turning in Nick’s arms, I meet each person’s eyes. “Thank you, all of you, for being at the courthouse, or here with me,” I look at Seb. “It means everything.”
The guys all smile or nod in reply. Zander comes in with several boxes of pizza in hand, followed by Troy and Gabby. “Time to celebrate, darling,” he smiles.
I grab some plates for everyone as we spread out between the island and the dining table. Zander takes a seat beside me, still smiling. “Did the boys fill you in?”
“Yes, they did. He’s going away for a long time.”
“The judge doesn’t expect him to get parole either. In fact, he’s putting in a recommendation that he serve the full sentence. It’s not up to him, obviously, but his opinion has weight. I really like the judge we had. He’s from Charleston, apparently.”
I eat my pizza while everyone discusses the trial. The atmosphere is cheerful and light, but I’m not feeling in the mood to celebrate. After I finish my slice, I tell Zander I’m going to call Sue and Sarah.
Grabbing my laptop and phone, I get comfortable on my bed, then call Sue. She’s ecstatic he’s going to prison and seems relieved the ordeal is officially over. Next, I video call Sarah. “Hi Summer,” she smiles.
“Hi Sarah,” I reply, explaining the outcome of the trial.
“Can you tell me how you’re feeling?” She asks.
“Everyone is glad about the trial. I felt relief initially, but that only lasted a few minutes, and I don’t understand why.”
“It’s okay to feel however you do. Can you describe to me what emotions you are feeling?”
“I’m relieved the trial went well. I’m sad and nervous. I feel bad for Ben. The guys said he was all alone in the courtroom today. That’s not right.”
“Let me ask you a question. Would you ever consider kidnapping or sexually assaulting someone?”